Thread: Air suspension miss or hit?

Originally Posted by Brendan1477

Thanks for the responses, have a great Christmas

Even though we have changed all 4 air bags ( struts ) at 200K and lived with an intermittent fault with the suspension for several years until Land Rover finally tracked it down to a wire in the rear. ( $6000 later ) it is now great to have the car performing as it should again.
As I side issue we now have a brake booster problem which they want another $5000 to fix so we are replacing the vehicle with a 2012 SDV6 with air suspension ( because nothing beats the comfort of it )

2005 2.7L TDV6 SE
250,000kms

Originally Posted by Brendan1477

"can't you just buy a Prado!! All our friends have them"

You got kids? You and SWMBO need to go for a drive in a Prado. Get someone else to drive, and you sit in the back. Don't drive on a new road, find one that is a little bit rough. See what you will put your kids through if you get a Prado. The ride in the back is appalling. I went 250k there and 250k back in my stepson's 2105 Prado, and I swear I'll never get in the back again.

Originally Posted by garrycol

Y

A GOE EAS inflation kit is cheap insurance this issue.

$330 ( large kit ) makes it a no brainer.

Originally Posted by garrycol

Yes responses are misleading. If the suspension does drop its bundle you can still drive - an plenty of people have - yes ride is awful and most uncomfortable but if needed you can still move. There is a post a couple of years back where a guy drove 500km in the outback on the bumpstops - yep ground clearance is an issue but carefuldriving fixes that.

A GOE EAS inflation kit is cheap insurance this issue.

Yes, careful driving will help sometimes, but other times it wont.

What I'm referring to are tracks that demand high clearance such as rocky ground, badly wheel rutted tracks. Or just deep beach sand or sandy coastal tracks.

And that reminds me... must fit an emergency inflation system.

edit: just spent a week down south, WA. towed camper trailer down and explored some coastal tracks into surf spots. With all new air struts, all new control arms with bushes etc, = what a lovely ride.

But I wouldnt liked having to pay someone to supply and fit all the stuff.

I'd like to add to this thread. I hope it influences OP for the best

Just last week, before I had my engine issues, on the original shocks and bags (2nd compressor),
I had myself and wife in front row,
baby, 2 y.o, mum and MIL In second row,
5 y.o and 3 y.o in third row and we selected "off-road" height.

Crossed a couple of rivers and went swimming.

I bought a D3 following my experiences with an R51 pathfinder (IRS) chopping out rear tyres due to load (towball weight and GCM/GVM under Nissan limits) and a superb wheel alignment guru in Darwin setting up the suspension.

We have used the D3/D4 weight calculator to ensure we will always stay under GVM (I am a nerd/stickler for following most rules set by our (moderately capable) government bodies)

Please get a D3 with SLS

My son in law has a D4 2011 and the front air system leaks and LR want $5000 to repair. The park brake is faulty $3000 to repair, now the rear hatch door won't open. I wouldn't have one on my mind, ive got an old PATROL and it just keeps going.

Originally Posted by oldbloke

My son in law has a D4 2011 and the front air system leaks and LR want $5000 to repair. The park brake is faulty $3000 to repair, now the rear hatch door won't open. I wouldn't have one on my mind, ive got an old PATROL and it just keeps going.

Thanks for your fourth post contribution to the forum. As has been said, yes they’re more complicated, yes they require ongoing maintenance, and yes it’s more costly than some makes. You don’t have to use a main dealer for repairs, with excellent independent agents operating delivering greater value and ingenious repairs that a main dealer won’t offer. The prices you’ve been quoted are mains dealer prices. I would expect they could be done for a third through an independent, or even cheaper DIY. I know out of an old patrol or a Disco, which I’d prefer to ride in, but maybe I’m biased and not averse to maintenance.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Thanks for your fourth post contribution to the forum. As has been said, yes they’re more complicated, yes they require ongoing maintenance, and yes it’s more costly than some makes. You don’t have to use a main dealer for repairs, with excellent independent agents operating delivering greater value and ingenious repairs that a main dealer won’t offer. The prices you’ve been quoted are mains dealer prices. I would expect they could be done for a third through an independent, or even cheaper DIY. I know out of an old patrol or a Disco, which I’d prefer to ride in, but maybe I’m biased and not averse to maintenance.

Problem with DIY, he doesn't know a screwdriver from a shifter. Doesn't like to get his hands dirty