No more full size spares?

considering that most ppl if they buy a new 4wd and want to use it seriously will go out and change the factory supplied tyres anyhow, i dont see a problem here. if the vehicle is going to be used as a family taxi, theres no problem, if its going to be used for what its intended, you are probly going to change the tyres, so again no problem. this is just following the global trend of cost cutting in the supply of any commercial product and then offering spec-ups for ppl that may choose. i've been in retail sales for over 20 years, and this doesn't at all surprise me.
put yourselves on the other side of the fence for a bit. customers are constantly wanting newer and better products and wanting to pay less and less for those newer and better products. why shouldnt a new version of the same vehicle cost the same and yet offer a little less in standard form if LR (read any manufacturer of any commercial product) are spending millions of dollars researching and developing new models

I wanted to by an extra rim for my FL2...$750 for the cheapest genuine 17" rim only. Add $300 for a tyre. Personally I would rather it didn't have leather and electric seats. Is this TaTa (is that their name?) taking leads from Volkswagen and their Tiguan (pram wheel spare as well)? Perhaps soon they will make the terrain response on the FL2 an option. I hope they don't degrade the essence of what makes a Land Rover different.

Mike

Lets hope LR make the right commercial decision for OZ. Any car (let alone a LR) gets a caning in reviews if they do not have a full size spare.
The distances and availability of tyres outside any city makes a full size spare a necessity.

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Originally Posted by mikehzz

Perhaps soon they will make the terrain response on the FL2 an option.

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The lower spec models in the UK don't have TR.

The fullsize is still available in all countries. In Australia, it is standard on FL2s and most other LR models. In the UK, space-savers or sealant bottlers and prayer mats are standard. Vehicle specs vary significantly between countries and this is just one example.

I completely agree that it should be standard in Australia as Joe Bloggs cannot be expected to know the difference or the importance. Land Rovers are sold and promoted for offroad use and should be properly equipped. That is what the fuss is about. However, no need for fuss as it doesn't apply to Australia, who do realise the importance of the spare.

Having used space-savers in the bush I am dead-set against these dangerous excuses for a wheel. May as well throw salt in your drinking water.

I'm only considering the FL2 because it is about the only small 4WD with real off road ability. If a SS spare was the norm on this vehicle, it would be off my shopping list along with about 1000 other small "4WD's" on the market.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is cheaper, smaller and more capable offroad than the FL2. The Santa Fe can go places too.

Am looking at a UK 2009 dated Freelander 2 TD4 specification comparison guide which I picked up recently. This lists a tyre repair system as standard on all models. I cannot see any mention of the spare tyre in the actual brochure. List prices - £22K GS £25K XS £28K HSE £33K.

Here is the UK for a few years now there has been a push by both fleet operators and health and safety people for spare tyres to be removed from new cars. This is on the basis that from a fleet point of view weight means additional fuel costs. H+S think it is too dangerous for a driver who is not a trained expert to change a tyre.

Quote: " H+S think it is too dangerous for a driver who is not a trained expert to change a tyre."

Sadly, that sort of woolly thinking is all too prevalent in bureaucracies everywhere...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rmp

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is cheaper, smaller and more capable offroad than the FL2. The Santa Fe can go places too.

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I've owned a Suzuki Grand Vitara and my FL2 kicks its butt off road? The auto box/400nm torque and traction control more than compensates for the Suzuki's low range.

Mike