Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

Absolutely no point in this vehicle whatsoever.......Purely for Poseurs and mums to do the school run in.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Land Rover trying get in the up market mini SUV segment, by putting a chic twist on things. Think BMW X1/X3 or Audi Q3 or A3 all road.

The name says everything...Note the snobby stuff is called 'Range Rover', whilst the other more utilitarian stuff is called 'Land Rover'. This is a case in point example of brand engineering.

As a manufacture, LR's only mid-low end mass market vehicle is the Freelander, which is a bit fuddy duddy and mumsy. The name and image is marred by the cheap and nasty underpinnings (Austin Maestro-on-stilts) that the original version was developed from and teh kind of people who tend drive them. Even if the current one is actually a mondeo on stilts, it still holds a stigma to the badge snobs as being a little bit naff. The wannabe WAG doesn't want Plain Jane (mum of 2.5) has.

This leaves the Disco and Range Rover sport as the only other options, which is a big jump up in price and running costs and misses alot of the low-end market where the badge snob wannabe WAG types reside. Hence the Evoque; something classier than a Freelander, but with similar running costs.

They didn't have Vicky Peckham parading round it on press launches because of her looks or tastes - they clearly used her to make it become associated with WAGs and make it appeal more to its target market.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

This has always been the problem with defenders/110/109etc since the day dot. And its not just the corrosion proofing. Its simply the way the chassis has been constructed and the grade of steel used:

They use box secton steel for the chassis instead of U-channel or I-beam steel (which most HGVs have).

If they made the chassis out of U channel, it'd still rust, but it would only remain as surface rust and not penetrate. Why? Because it dries out! And what crud that does builds up can dry and fall off.

Box section fills with water, mud, salt. Once it gets inside it never gets back out again. Crud just builds up more and more, and acts like a sponge everytime its used in the wet. Rotting the chassis from the inside-out.

We regularly see a WWII Dodge utility truck, used in France in the marshes in teh war, and get this...today it survives on its original chassis! Its never been rust proofed, never welded nor patched. The steel is about three times thicker than a typical Land Rover, its U-channel, so doesn't hold the crud/moisture, and quite possibly the carbon content and molecular structure of the steel in the chassis is better (Cold forming, less welding - cross members bolted not welded, etc) so is more resiliant to rust than a Mild steel thats been heavily welded and manipulated.

******* jeeps were similar, but they were made from very thin steel, so obviously suffered - Howver I lay bets they would still last longer a typical defender!

Of course, they could have always galvanised it like most of the aftermarket chassis makers do, but thats just too easy.

Dave Thornton

And despite a few things going wrong I still like my Discovery 3; it's got 95k on it and still feels like an almost new car. There's no way I would be tempted by an XC90 or Q7.

moneys

iTrader: (5)

Yes i do work here and yes i support the job i do, but im not stupid and if it was a crap car then i would agree, most of the people are saying they dont like it simply cos of V B. ive explained the reason why the company used her and i think it makes sense.

Come on then enlighten me on what you know about the business plan as i know my own version.

Tata bought JLR before the recession hit, if we were still owned by Ford then they would of shut us down, FACT. JLR was not making money and hadnt done so for years, TATA have/are investing 900 million pounds into the company and have stuck with us investing when the recession hit, they are employing 1500 new people in my factory alone and also an extra 900 engineers over the whole company, we have numerous new cars and also technology that is taking JLR kicking and screaming so that it is up to date with what the modern day motorist wants.

Ford gets handouts for running companies in this country and so do 90% of the big firms, whats your problem with it? its happened for years and will go on happening, unfortunatly UK is a very expensive place to make products and these subsideries help keep the jobs in britain, tell you what though, lets cut all the help and support and send it all abroad hey. i dont care where the person lives who i work for, what i do care about is my family and TATA provide me with enough money to live a very good life

moneys

iTrader: (5)

Failed suspension, new radiator, new brakes all round, 4 new wheels and tyres, good job the warranty was so good though as we only had to pay £65 haha

matth76

I know a few people that have owned new Range Rovers (and also the smaller Discoveries) and they were constantly going wrong and always in the garage having problems fixed.

billythekid

FFRR owner checking in. I have the L322 with the V8. Its a brilliant car, but you do have to be ready for some big bills.

Evoque.. hmm... not decided yet. I think it will sell very well. Is it a proper Range Rover... bit like asking is a Cayenne a proper Porsche...

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Or an expensive VW/Audi.