Fast off road capable 4x4's? £7-30k
Discussion
Recently three different friends have all picked up 4.4 TDV8 L322 Range Rover's and my Uncle has just got an L405 4.4 TDV8 RR.
It got me thinking, what other 'off road' capable speedy 4x4's are there easily available in the UK?
For the RR's there is of course the 5.0 V8/supercharged counter parts, available for similar money to the diesels. As well as the Range Rover Sport alternatives.
But I'm struggling to think of much else.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 would be a candidate, but hardly any in the UK and often high miles/over priced. The diesel variants just aren't in the same class (IMO) performance wise as the TDV8 Range Rovers.
There is the Porsche Cayenne, no speedy diesel that I can recall, but twin turbo V8 seems to pack a punch. Such a shame they are so horrendous to look at though. I'm just not sure I could get past the looks. Despite the fact they are a lot more off road capable than they may appear.
Similarly the Gen 1 Touareg with its thumping 5.0 litre V10 diesel is hugely interesting. I like the styling on these, but they are all quite old now and seem to be very few for sale. I've also heard horror stories about eating gearboxes with the V10. The latter Gen 2 seems to have a TD V8 instead, although similar power, but I'm not sure if the latter Gens are as off road capable as the original. They certainly appeal less.
BMW/Merc don't seem to offer anything I'd be interested in (well the G-Wagen, but not for my price range). But the M-class and X5/6 just don't appeal at all, far too road biased. Likewise, I don't think Audi offer anything of any interest here.
I'm not sure what is on offer in America, I'm sure some of the pickup trucks would be pretty speedy. But finding them in the UK and for sensible money seems a real challenge. Such as a Chevy Colorado ZR2 V6.
Any obvious contenders I've missed? I think the Range Rover's look the top candidates currently.
It got me thinking, what other 'off road' capable speedy 4x4's are there easily available in the UK?
For the RR's there is of course the 5.0 V8/supercharged counter parts, available for similar money to the diesels. As well as the Range Rover Sport alternatives.
But I'm struggling to think of much else.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 would be a candidate, but hardly any in the UK and often high miles/over priced. The diesel variants just aren't in the same class (IMO) performance wise as the TDV8 Range Rovers.
There is the Porsche Cayenne, no speedy diesel that I can recall, but twin turbo V8 seems to pack a punch. Such a shame they are so horrendous to look at though. I'm just not sure I could get past the looks. Despite the fact they are a lot more off road capable than they may appear.
Similarly the Gen 1 Touareg with its thumping 5.0 litre V10 diesel is hugely interesting. I like the styling on these, but they are all quite old now and seem to be very few for sale. I've also heard horror stories about eating gearboxes with the V10. The latter Gen 2 seems to have a TD V8 instead, although similar power, but I'm not sure if the latter Gens are as off road capable as the original. They certainly appeal less.
BMW/Merc don't seem to offer anything I'd be interested in (well the G-Wagen, but not for my price range). But the M-class and X5/6 just don't appeal at all, far too road biased. Likewise, I don't think Audi offer anything of any interest here.
I'm not sure what is on offer in America, I'm sure some of the pickup trucks would be pretty speedy. But finding them in the UK and for sensible money seems a real challenge. Such as a Chevy Colorado ZR2 V6.
Any obvious contenders I've missed? I think the Range Rover's look the top candidates currently.
MK1 Cayenne Turbos are very capable.
Merc do the GL420 CDI which I don’t have any direct experience of but I’d say it would give a 4.4 TDV8 L322 a run for its money performance wise, it also has locking diffs front,rear and centre and low range so can’t imagine it would be useless off road.
I’ve recently picked up a 3.6 TDV8 FFRR very cheaply and got to say that’s not slow for such a big car, bet the 4.4 is even nicer.
Merc do the GL420 CDI which I don’t have any direct experience of but I’d say it would give a 4.4 TDV8 L322 a run for its money performance wise, it also has locking diffs front,rear and centre and low range so can’t imagine it would be useless off road.
I’ve recently picked up a 3.6 TDV8 FFRR very cheaply and got to say that’s not slow for such a big car, bet the 4.4 is even nicer.
Have a look online about the 2008 Cayenne Transsyberia - for fast off-road like that rally, I’m not sure there is much that could match a Cayenne (given the pretty minimal mods).
It would be awesome to see a production class for that type of racing with these luxury SUVs pitched against each other.
If by ‘off-roading’ you mean the really slow technical stuff, then the ‘fast’ bit of your question is moot.
It would be awesome to see a production class for that type of racing with these luxury SUVs pitched against each other.
If by ‘off-roading’ you mean the really slow technical stuff, then the ‘fast’ bit of your question is moot.
Walter Sobchak said:
MK1 Cayenne Turbos are very capable.
Merc do the GL420 CDI which I don’t have any direct experience of but I’d say it would give a 4.4 TDV8 L322 a run for its money performance wise, it also has locking diffs front,rear and centre and low range so can’t imagine it would be useless off road.
I’ve recently picked up a 3.6 TDV8 FFRR very cheaply and got to say that’s not slow for such a big car, bet the 4.4 is even nicer.
Did the GL420 have three locking diffs? I thought just two Merc do the GL420 CDI which I don’t have any direct experience of but I’d say it would give a 4.4 TDV8 L322 a run for its money performance wise, it also has locking diffs front,rear and centre and low range so can’t imagine it would be useless off road.
I’ve recently picked up a 3.6 TDV8 FFRR very cheaply and got to say that’s not slow for such a big car, bet the 4.4 is even nicer.
300bhp/ton said:
Recently three different friends have all picked up 4.4 TDV8 L322 Range Rover's and my Uncle has just got an L405 4.4 TDV8 RR.
It got me thinking, what other 'off road' capable speedy 4x4's are there easily available in the UK?
For the RR's there is of course the 5.0 V8/supercharged counter parts, available for similar money to the diesels. As well as the Range Rover Sport alternatives.
But I'm struggling to think of much else.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 would be a candidate, but hardly any in the UK and often high miles/over priced. The diesel variants just aren't in the same class (IMO) performance wise as the TDV8 Range Rovers.
There is the Porsche Cayenne, no speedy diesel that I can recall, but twin turbo V8 seems to pack a punch. Such a shame they are so horrendous to look at though. I'm just not sure I could get past the looks. Despite the fact they are a lot more off road capable than they may appear.
Similarly the Gen 1 Touareg with its thumping 5.0 litre V10 diesel is hugely interesting. I like the styling on these, but they are all quite old now and seem to be very few for sale. I've also heard horror stories about eating gearboxes with the V10. The latter Gen 2 seems to have a TD V8 instead, although similar power, but I'm not sure if the latter Gens are as off road capable as the original. They certainly appeal less.
BMW/Merc don't seem to offer anything I'd be interested in (well the G-Wagen, but not for my price range). But the M-class and X5/6 just don't appeal at all, far too road biased. Likewise, I don't think Audi offer anything of any interest here.
I'm not sure what is on offer in America, I'm sure some of the pickup trucks would be pretty speedy. But finding them in the UK and for sensible money seems a real challenge. Such as a Chevy Colorado ZR2 V6.
Any obvious contenders I've missed? I think the Range Rover's look the top candidates currently.
4.2d Q7 S line 335It got me thinking, what other 'off road' capable speedy 4x4's are there easily available in the UK?
For the RR's there is of course the 5.0 V8/supercharged counter parts, available for similar money to the diesels. As well as the Range Rover Sport alternatives.
But I'm struggling to think of much else.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 would be a candidate, but hardly any in the UK and often high miles/over priced. The diesel variants just aren't in the same class (IMO) performance wise as the TDV8 Range Rovers.
There is the Porsche Cayenne, no speedy diesel that I can recall, but twin turbo V8 seems to pack a punch. Such a shame they are so horrendous to look at though. I'm just not sure I could get past the looks. Despite the fact they are a lot more off road capable than they may appear.
Similarly the Gen 1 Touareg with its thumping 5.0 litre V10 diesel is hugely interesting. I like the styling on these, but they are all quite old now and seem to be very few for sale. I've also heard horror stories about eating gearboxes with the V10. The latter Gen 2 seems to have a TD V8 instead, although similar power, but I'm not sure if the latter Gens are as off road capable as the original. They certainly appeal less.
BMW/Merc don't seem to offer anything I'd be interested in (well the G-Wagen, but not for my price range). But the M-class and X5/6 just don't appeal at all, far too road biased. Likewise, I don't think Audi offer anything of any interest here.
I'm not sure what is on offer in America, I'm sure some of the pickup trucks would be pretty speedy. But finding them in the UK and for sensible money seems a real challenge. Such as a Chevy Colorado ZR2 V6.
Any obvious contenders I've missed? I think the Range Rover's look the top candidates currently.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...
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GL450d 310
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202005189...
4.2d Cayenne 385
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008062...
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3.6T Cayenne 420
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...
braddo said:
Have a look online about the 2008 Cayenne Transsyberia - for fast off-road like that rally, I’m not sure there is much that could match a Cayenne (given the pretty minimal mods).
It would be awesome to see a production class for that type of racing with these luxury SUVs pitched against each other.
If by ‘off-roading’ you mean the really slow technical stuff, then the ‘fast’ bit of your question is moot.
Thanks. It would be awesome to see a production class for that type of racing with these luxury SUVs pitched against each other.
If by ‘off-roading’ you mean the really slow technical stuff, then the ‘fast’ bit of your question is moot.
By off road it doesn’t need to be a hardcore rock crawler. Just capable if you find your self way off the beaten path. Something I’m not convinced most X5’s would cope well with and not without damaging bits.
Really looking for something to maybe replace my p38 4.6 Range Rover. So similar go anywhere ability. But a lot more on road poke.
The big diesels appeal. Almost something anti social about them in the current climate
the power delivery and mpg would be nice too. Although the p38 likes a drink so something with circa 14-15mpg would not really be an issue either.
300bhp/ton said:
There is the Porsche Cayenne, no speedy diesel that I can recall, but twin turbo V8 seems to pack a punch.
It looks like the 4.4 TDV8 RRs do 0-60 in around 7.5 secs?The 4.2 diesel cayenne is in the mid 5s (ZX10 posted some examples for sale - they're 2nd gen and expensive). The old petrol 4.8S like mine (dual range etc, more off-road biased than the 2nd gen Cayennes) is high 6s, while the turbo Cayennes 'seem' to pack a punch
with 0-60 in the 4s.I'm not a Porsche fan boy, but the fact is Porsche is annoyingly good at what it does. If you want a fast SUV that can go off road, the Cayenne Turbo is king. Fuel economy is down with the classic Range Rover, if that makes you feel better.
I'm in exactly the same position: I need something fast, relatively luxurious, with a decent wading depth and 4x4 capability. MPG doesn't matter. I had a 4.2 SC RRS which I loved but had to sell to put the money towards a new house. Once it's all built and we've moved in I'd like to get something similar, but the only thing that puts me off upgrading to the 5.0 SC is that they seem to suffer from timing chain issues. It's a shame, particularly as the 4.2 was pretty bulletproof.
300bhp/ton said:
Thanks for the replies. Quite liking the idea of a late gen 1 RRS with the 5.0 litre supercharged engine. They have just over 500hp. Sadly they all seem to be black, white or silver. Would prefer a colour of some description.
What are they like off-road? Will you take it off-road? Perhaps it might make you think more tolerably about how other people use their SUVs and 4x4s?
braddo said:
What are they like off-road? Will you take it off-road?
Perhaps it might make you think more tolerably about how other people use their SUVs and 4x4s?
Yes they are quite capable off road, not hugely different to the 'new' Defender really. Very similar suspension capabilities.Perhaps it might make you think more tolerably about how other people use their SUVs and 4x4s?
It'll lift wheels off the ground quite readily, but the traction systems keep the wheels spinning.
Here is a friends RRS, albeit only a 2.7TDV6, but a supercharged one has the same capabilities, just bigger rims to clear the bigger brakes.
Yes in all honesty, I'd probably end up taking it off road. Although that wouldn't be it's primary purpose. e.g.
Went out for lunch last weekend with family, on the way home took a slight detour:
I know not really off roading, but it could be. Nice to be able to go up the fields and things in it and over the lanes or visit trials sites. Nothing really hardcore but occasionally some challenging terrain. I'd probably need to look for a suitable AT tyre.
Not sure what you mean by tolerably, I've not said anything really negative about such vehicles in the past that I can recall.
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