Thread: TDV6 v SDV6 Off road

Out of the 4 new model Range Rover Sport I have on my books, one has low range and goes off road, out of the other 3, 1 has been off road once as the customer asked me "what does it do off road?, and where is off road?", the other 2 have never even been up a curb, saying that plenty of previous model RRS/Discovery 4 all fall into that never been off road.

One customer had a single range model but it didnt pull his big fishing boat (ship) through heavy sand, or rather the system decided it had exceeded the vehicle limit, its something like that. He sold it and got one with a low range and now does everything he needs. Seriously though keep in mind the boat (looks like a ship to me) he pulls is a monster of a thing and he also drives it very hard, Its chewed out its first set of brake pads AND rotors at 50,000km (thats a $1600 job).

The other RRS with no low range, I took the customer to a lonely isolated spot and gave her the invoice for the service, but while we was there climbed some decent sand hills (to show her what "off road" is) and honestly it ****ed it in better than just about anything I'd thrown at it before, way better than a new Defender TDCi (puma). At the end of it, the customer said "oh (long pause) so I can do that (long pause) I guess that might be good (long pause)" its never been off road since.

So 1 out of 4 customers I have takes their $160K vehicle off road, while thats a unrealistically small sample, its prolly close to being in the ball park for truth.

If you are doing moderate to medium off roading you prolly wont be disappointed with a single range model, BUT I'm too old school (like most here) and wouldnt consider a large Land Rover model with no low range. At least its there when you want or need it and will make you one of the big boys. Because if you get a single range, Range Rover Sport stuck all people will see is a Range Rover that got stuck.....

Regards
Daz

Originally Posted by Bytemrk

I also notice d that it is possible to choose a low range option when buying TDV6 (According to the Build your own site.)

I couldn't see where an e-diff could be optioned but only had a quick look. Is it in the off-road pack?

I cant see the e-diff either Graeme

The off road pack adds:

• Terrain Response 2
• Twin-speed transfer box
• Adaptive Dynamics
• All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC)

Originally Posted by Bytemrk

I cant see the e-diff either Graeme

The off road pack adds:

• Terrain Response 2
• Twin-speed transfer box
• Adaptive Dynamics
• All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC)

No Llams listed either - maybe I should talk to LRA.

They don't know what they are missing Graeme

Shane, why not go a 200 series? Excellent on sand, huge choice of tyres and a resale that can't be beat by any land rover.

Sure it's not what you asked, but though I'd add it anyway.

I've never needed low range on sand in the tdv8 L322. The SDV6 specs probably exceed that in my 2008 model.

Well, from someone who has a single range RRS and taken it off road once, I can say, spend the money and get dual range. The Price difference is 10K or there abouts is worth the peace of mind knowing you can handle any situation.

While people may say the Evoques and Discovery Sports seem to manage, they are much smaller vehicles whith out the weight of the Sport.

My experience was not good - after doing two rutted climbs, one tiny, the other bigger but not long by any means, the third hill attempted 20 mins after the first two resulted in an overheated transmission. In between the 2nd and 3rd climb was a 5 min stop, very gentle driving and one tiny creek crossing.

The amount of throttle I had to use to make the climbs was very disconcerting, its just what was was required to overcome the braking from terrain response.

There was never going to be any torque converter lock up under those circumstances, ground speed was way too slow for the engine revs being used. Result, over heated transmission.

I farwelled the Disco 3/4 drivers and settled in for 1/2 hour rest before setting off back home. Funnily enough I took a wrong turn and ended up going up a hill steeper and longer than the others with out any issues what so ever, the only difference was I did not use any TR setting.

The yellow warning triangle went away the next day.

The difference between driving my 2010 D4 with LR and the RRS without is like night and day. I completely regret not getting low range although my justification for my decision at the time was I did not do enough off road to warrant it. Now, I will not do any until I get a different vehicle.

Oh, and talk of the eight speed having an extra low 1st is rubbish.

If I had a backwards facing boot, I would be kicking my own arse.

After all that, it is still a very nice car to drive. I enjoy it "On Road" and keep it clean and unscratched.