Range Rover Sport Suspension problems...

That applies to any 4x4. I've towed countless Discos off caravan parks, because they only had road tyres. And most people who get a 4x4 stuck like that have little idea of how to drive them; most are unaware that they have to select 4wd rather than 2wd (most Japanese models), and that you need low ratio when the going gets tough, and that you don't bother with 1st gear... etc, etc.

No way I would go off road with the supplied tyres, that much I know, and at least I had the full talk from the garage as who where and when to use the

What I like about the X-Trail? Getting on for nearly 50mpg for a start, that's good. Not exactly a gordon brown gas guzzler from a 2.2dci engine poking 136bhp, range on a full 13.5 gallon tank is in excess of 500 miles depending on how much of a lead boot you have. Good honest value inside and out, lots of room, good road handling but unimposing unlike a boxy RR poncemobile. Plus the ultimate test, coming back from Wales with railway batteries in the folded down rear, 8 at a time (bloody heavy), clamped down to the deck by the built in strap eyelets, and she didn't even break a sweat.

The only downer I have with the car? No front wiper single push/release blade swipe, have to either spray the washers or use the intermittant settting. That's my only issue.

PDH

Defender is fast losing ground in the military market. Other vehicles are just plain better or more correctly 'fitter for purpose'. In effect the others are more durable with a higher carrying capacity with maybe more power and a heavier duty engine. In fact the tank training ground is no worse for the vehicle than many farms and they get maintained a whole lot better.

Ah! There you go then. I own both old and new and in-between. There are no particular issues. If the traction control fails, for instance, the vehicle is not immobilised, it just carries on without it.

No, I drive a lot on very steep and slippery grassland where switching the HDC on actually breaks traction. With it fitted I have a choice according to conditions. Without it, I haven't.

Huw

Thats because you're meant to switch it on before attacking the hill, not during :-)

I don't actually attack hills. I plan a gentle courtship where I flirt with it first then use a bit of foreplay while exploring the knooks and crevices before reaching a crescendo of fevered, sweaty climax. The Descent Control is a bit of an anticlimax after this.

Huw

You have more problems than descent control, you just dont realise it yet. ;-)

What are you on about? I get a great deal of satisfaction coming over the hill.

Huw

pmsl :-)