Range Rover and its bulk on UK roads - opinions please
Discussion
Hi,
Am considering buying a used example of the current (third-gen L322) Range Rovers - the car suits my needs perfectly for both work and leisure and where I live. Furthermore I personally like the styling, though I am aware it is not to everyone's taste!
I'm just wondering please whether anyone who has daily experience of the vehicles could talk a bit about what they're like to own in terms of the sheer size on our narrow roads. I might sound a little silly here bringing that up, but having seen a few parked around London where I work, they just seem to take up every inch of the parking space. How difficult it is parking the thing?
And going down a narrow country lane must get "interesting" at times surely - the vehicle is pretty broad from what I've seen and there's a lot of bulk.
Thoughts would be appreciated, I know it's a funny set of questions but I'd like it to be liveable with in and out of town. Thanks again.
Am considering buying a used example of the current (third-gen L322) Range Rovers - the car suits my needs perfectly for both work and leisure and where I live. Furthermore I personally like the styling, though I am aware it is not to everyone's taste!
I'm just wondering please whether anyone who has daily experience of the vehicles could talk a bit about what they're like to own in terms of the sheer size on our narrow roads. I might sound a little silly here bringing that up, but having seen a few parked around London where I work, they just seem to take up every inch of the parking space. How difficult it is parking the thing?
And going down a narrow country lane must get "interesting" at times surely - the vehicle is pretty broad from what I've seen and there's a lot of bulk.
Thoughts would be appreciated, I know it's a funny set of questions but I'd like it to be liveable with in and out of town. Thanks again.
I've never owned a RR, but coming from the country I've been in plenty and know lots of people with them. The conclusion that I've come to is yes, they're a bit awkward on country lanes (though not much wider than a car, and of course you can see further), and yes, even the sport models handle nowhere near as well as a car (high CofG and wheel travel - it's unavoidable). Plus of course with all that weight and drivetrain losses you end up paying sports car running costs and getting Micra performance, or Ferrari running costs and BMW 330 performance if you go for a really quick model. However, if you need something to properly handle off road terrain and tarmac roads then they do both jobs superbly well.
A mate of mine who live near Basingstoke had a VW Tuareg then an E Class estate. I asked him if the length of the E Class made it difficult to park. His reply was that excess length of the E was less hassle than excess width of the Tuarag - it was a pain in car parks where the bays are usually too narrow for many cars, let alone 4X4's.
I met a colleague the other day who was late as he'd had a real problem parking his P38 RR in a council underground car park - the width and restricted steering lock meant he was having to take 4 or 5 bites at the tighter turns. Took him ages.
I met a colleague the other day who was late as he'd had a real problem parking his P38 RR in a council underground car park - the width and restricted steering lock meant he was having to take 4 or 5 bites at the tighter turns. Took him ages.
Visibility is excellent so negotiating roads is no problem. Good for seeing over hedges too.
Ive never personally had a problem with the size of the RR. I guess you learn to adapt?
Finding parking spaces that are wide enough is the worst problem, even though manouvering is a piece of cake due to parking sensors front and rear / back up camera and a good steering lock.
Ive never personally had a problem with the size of the RR. I guess you learn to adapt?
Finding parking spaces that are wide enough is the worst problem, even though manouvering is a piece of cake due to parking sensors front and rear / back up camera and a good steering lock.
Mercutio said:
Hi,
Am considering buying a used example of the current (third-gen L322) Range Rovers - the car suits my needs perfectly for both work and leisure and where I live. Furthermore I personally like the styling, though I am aware it is not to everyone's taste!
I'm just wondering please whether anyone who has daily experience of the vehicles could talk a bit about what they're like to own in terms of the sheer size on our narrow roads. I might sound a little silly here bringing that up, but having seen a few parked around London where I work, they just seem to take up every inch of the parking space. How difficult it is parking the thing?
And going down a narrow country lane must get "interesting" at times surely - the vehicle is pretty broad from what I've seen and there's a lot of bulk.
Thoughts would be appreciated, I know it's a funny set of questions but I'd like it to be liveable with in and out of town. Thanks again.
If you aren't used to big vehicles then you may find it too big. If you are used to big vehicles - then no bother at all.Am considering buying a used example of the current (third-gen L322) Range Rovers - the car suits my needs perfectly for both work and leisure and where I live. Furthermore I personally like the styling, though I am aware it is not to everyone's taste!
I'm just wondering please whether anyone who has daily experience of the vehicles could talk a bit about what they're like to own in terms of the sheer size on our narrow roads. I might sound a little silly here bringing that up, but having seen a few parked around London where I work, they just seem to take up every inch of the parking space. How difficult it is parking the thing?
And going down a narrow country lane must get "interesting" at times surely - the vehicle is pretty broad from what I've seen and there's a lot of bulk.
Thoughts would be appreciated, I know it's a funny set of questions but I'd like it to be liveable with in and out of town. Thanks again.
Ok parking will be tighter and you'll need the length of the space if its parallel parking. But sqaured off shape and parking sensors make it a lot easier.
Remember there are a lot of vans using in London, most a fair chunk bigger.
Country lanes - no probs at all. If it's narrow lane chances are two cars can't pass each other no matter what they are. So being in a slightly bigger vehicle is no hindrance and requires no difference in how you drive or approach such roads.
Other advantages are, as you are higher up, you'll see more. A good advantage on narrow lanes. Which will allow you to drive more smart.
You're in a 4x4 so if you need to pull onto the verge or a field entrance then it's not a bother.
Some people will think it's a big vehicle, so will give you even more room, or pull over and let you through.
Mercutio said:
Hi,
Am considering buying a used example of the current (third-gen L322) Range Rovers - the car suits my needs perfectly for both work and leisure and where I live. Furthermore I personally like the styling, though I am aware it is not to everyone's taste!
I'm just wondering please whether anyone who has daily experience of the vehicles could talk a bit about what they're like to own in terms of the sheer size on our narrow roads. I might sound a little silly here bringing that up, but having seen a few parked around London where I work, they just seem to take up every inch of the parking space. How difficult it is parking the thing?
And going down a narrow country lane must get "interesting" at times surely - the vehicle is pretty broad from what I've seen and there's a lot of bulk.
Thoughts would be appreciated, I know it's a funny set of questions but I'd like it to be liveable with in and out of town. Thanks again.
I've got one as my daily driver and it's very good.Am considering buying a used example of the current (third-gen L322) Range Rovers - the car suits my needs perfectly for both work and leisure and where I live. Furthermore I personally like the styling, though I am aware it is not to everyone's taste!
I'm just wondering please whether anyone who has daily experience of the vehicles could talk a bit about what they're like to own in terms of the sheer size on our narrow roads. I might sound a little silly here bringing that up, but having seen a few parked around London where I work, they just seem to take up every inch of the parking space. How difficult it is parking the thing?
And going down a narrow country lane must get "interesting" at times surely - the vehicle is pretty broad from what I've seen and there's a lot of bulk.
Thoughts would be appreciated, I know it's a funny set of questions but I'd like it to be liveable with in and out of town. Thanks again.
They are big, yes, but they have parking sensors and a reversing camera (this may be the Vogue only, not sure) so it's possible to get within an inch or so of obstacles when parking. They also have a button for retracting the mirrors, which I use on country roads a lot.
The car does not attract much negative attention from other drivers and generally people let me out junctions and filter into traffic. Which may in part have something to do with the relative size of the thing.
It is particularly good at soaking up speed bumps and gives good visibility for junctions.
The best thing about the car is that it is hugely versatile. I can drive across a sodden field without getting stuck and ten minutes later be cruising at motorway speeds in comfort.
You get used to it, it can occasionally be a bit of a pain trying to find a space big enough in a multistorey, but at the end of the day it's not much bigger or more expensive to run than an equivalent Merc S-class or some such.
Also, the quick ones don't really qualify for Ferrari running costs. It goes through pads and tyres, but neither are eye-wateringly expensive suprisingly enough. Servicing isn't even that bad. It's slightly thirstier than a limo with equivalent performance, but it's not more expensive to run.
Be warned though, Dealers are invariably an utter pain in the arse
Also, the quick ones don't really qualify for Ferrari running costs. It goes through pads and tyres, but neither are eye-wateringly expensive suprisingly enough. Servicing isn't even that bad. It's slightly thirstier than a limo with equivalent performance, but it's not more expensive to run.
Be warned though, Dealers are invariably an utter pain in the arse
The Wookie said:
Be warned though, Dealers are invariably an utter pain in the arse
I did not want to curb the OP's enthusiasm, but you are absolutely correct. It's not just the dealers either, Land Rover are an abysmal company to deal with. Which is why I probably won't buy another RR, however much I like the one I have.I actually work for Land Rover and get to drive most models on a regular basis.
At first the Range Rover seemed huge! After a days driving it becomes normal, parking is easy with sensors and camera. I also didn't find it difficult to handle down country lanes as you seem slightly superior to any other car!
At first the Range Rover seemed huge! After a days driving it becomes normal, parking is easy with sensors and camera. I also didn't find it difficult to handle down country lanes as you seem slightly superior to any other car!
Edited by Matt106 on Thursday 28th October 14:52
Find them great as a daily driver.
They are big but you've got great all round visability and you can see several cars ahead braking, often before the car in front of you.
They fill parking spaces up pretty fully, so getting in and out at a superstore can be a bit tight.
On narrow roads, they are not normally a problem once you get used to the size of the thing.
The only problems that I have had were in a very small town in France, Rouen, where you had to park in very tight streets or underground car parks. The height is adjustable but the steering lock isn't brilliant.
Otherwise, I'm very happy with my Vogue.
They are big but you've got great all round visability and you can see several cars ahead braking, often before the car in front of you.
They fill parking spaces up pretty fully, so getting in and out at a superstore can be a bit tight.
On narrow roads, they are not normally a problem once you get used to the size of the thing.
The only problems that I have had were in a very small town in France, Rouen, where you had to park in very tight streets or underground car parks. The height is adjustable but the steering lock isn't brilliant.
Otherwise, I'm very happy with my Vogue.
I've got a full fat supercharged RR for family tasks. Whilst it does fill some parking spaces I've never really had a problem with it's bulk. Once you're used to it it's fine. Very comfy car, quick enough and not really that expensive to run. It's not a sporty drive by any stretch of the imagination but I'm really taken with mine.
djohnson said:
I've got a full fat supercharged RR for family tasks. Whilst it does fill some parking spaces I've never really had a problem with it's bulk. Once you're used to it it's fine. Very comfy car, quick enough and not really that expensive to run. It's not a sporty drive by any stretch of the imagination but I'm really taken with mine.
The power of the 2011 S/C RR is unreal! Matt106 said:
djohnson said:
I've got a full fat supercharged RR for family tasks. Whilst it does fill some parking spaces I've never really had a problem with it's bulk. Once you're used to it it's fine. Very comfy car, quick enough and not really that expensive to run. It's not a sporty drive by any stretch of the imagination but I'm really taken with mine.
The power of the 2011 S/C RR is unreal! Matt106 said:
djohnson said:
I've got a full fat supercharged RR for family tasks. Whilst it does fill some parking spaces I've never really had a problem with it's bulk. Once you're used to it it's fine. Very comfy car, quick enough and not really that expensive to run. It's not a sporty drive by any stretch of the imagination but I'm really taken with mine.
The power of the 2011 S/C RR is unreal! Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff