What car for crap roads

[dave123456]

I’m covering a lot of miles currently on pretty rubbish roads. I’ve currently got a C43 Merc which I quite like but I’m thinking I may have to change soon.

I quite like the defender p400e, as I’ll need to carry a dog a fair bit.

Are there any alternatives that would make for an easier life on poorly maintained roads? If I stick with the Merc I’ll be looking at switching out the wheels to a smaller size for a better ride, not ideal tho.

[cerb4.5lee]

Anything with air suspension will help, and go for the smallest wheels you can get if your priority is comfort I reckon as you say.

[Rough101]

Maserati Levante diesel on 19’’ wheels.

[LJF_97]

Mitsubishi Shogun Sport

[wyson]

Lol, are the roads you travel on so bad you need a Defender?

I was thinking a Volvo V60 or V90 Cross Country?

Raised ride height, apparently very comfortable. Fantastic seats. Plenty of room in the back for the dog.

Edited by wyson on Friday 24th January 07:50

[dave123456]

wyson said:

Lol, are the roads you travel on so bad you need a Defender?

I was thinking a Volvo V60 or V90 Cross Country?

Raised ride height, apparently very comfortable. Fantastic seats. Plenty of room in the back for the dog.

Edited by wyson on Friday 24th January 07:50

Need is subjective. If I left early enough I could cycle there with a trailer, so I don’t need a car.

It was just a car that appealed to me and I was looking at alternatives.

[anonymous-user]

I've thought about this a lot. My conclusion is that you want the maximum outer tyre diameter with the absolute smallest wheel diameter you can find, but also with decent suspension.

Shame the running costs are so high on an L322...


I had a Ford Ranger until recently, 18" wheels on 265/60 R18s. That was pretty good at dealing with pot holes, but live axles meant that it wasn't great at dealing changing camber and cornering.

[dave123456]

MrBig said:

I've thought about this a lot. My conclusion is that you want the maximum outer tyre diameter with the absolute smallest wheel diameter you can find, but also with decent suspension.

Shame the running costs are so high on an L322...


I had a Ford Ranger until recently, 18" wheels on 265/60 R18s. That was pretty good at dealing with pot holes, but live axles meant that it wasn't great at dealing changing camber and cornering.

Yep I had a Ranger and liked it but it was a crude ride and roundabouts in the wet were challenging for reasons that you outline.

I think the frustration I have is driving to and from work has always been a fair distance but it was good thinking time. I’m now on constant surveillance mode for the craters that are dotted on the roads I have to use as some of them are terminal if I hit them.

[Regbuser]

Something like this RAV4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501238...

[Lefty]

A pickup is ideal really. Get the smallest wheels you can and mud tyres with the tallest sidewalls you can. MT’s have a much stronger construction than even all terrain tyres and modern ones are quiet and perfectly safe for motorway speeds and wet braking etc

[Lefty]

I think you can get an amarok with independent suspension if you’re not keen on live axles.

New LC250 (if you can get one?!) would be an option if JLR reliability concerns you.

[robinh73]

How about a Subaru Forester? I bought one about 7 months ago and it has been superb. Four wheel drive, lots of space (Labrador fits nicely in there), extremely comfy on long runs and really does everything you could ask of it. It wasn't a car that I had on my short list but someone on here suggested one and I haven't looked back at all. Brilliant car.

[jrock78]

A Jeep Wrangler or Renegade depending on budget

[wyson]

New model G wagon or new model Land cruiser (both with independent front suspension) for a car with durable suspension? Defender would probably have the best road manners. Not sure what sort of dog you have, but would it need a ramp to get into the back of these?

Apparently the Ineos Grenadier isn't great on road. Nor is the Jeep Wrangler, although both are designed to take a beating off road.

TBF to the OP, I’ve travelled on some country lanes that were ridiculous, more pot hole than tarmac, and had to slow to a crawl in a regular car. I’d want something with beefy suspension to commute on roads like that.

Edited by wyson on Friday 24th January 09:13

[Lefty]

Grenadiers are awesome but they have live axles and don’t have the road manners of a new Defender.

[ChocolateFrog]

There's an argument for going for something fairly light which will be kinder on wheels, tyres and suspension.

A heavy SUV will handle the rough stuff fine but you'll pay for it when stuff inevitably wears out while trying to keep 3t in check.

[samoht]

I have a Citroen e-C4, it has 60 profile tyres and comfort suspension (including the hydraulic bump stops they used for Sebastien Loeb's rally cars), it's pretty good at shrugging off potholes. At the weekend I was following an Octavia which was slowing down to 30mph and swerving all over to avoid potholes, as soon as the road opened up I passed him and continued happily at 60. If it's really bad you might need a more heavy duty off-roader, but for most bad roads it works well.

[wyson]

Question is for how long?

I was in a Landcruiser that had done 450k km off road on a volcano tour once. Just unbelievable durability.

I guess the OP wanting a keeper vs OP wanting a short lease would skew that calculation.

[dave123456]

Keeper preferred.

I’d like something reasonably luxurious, hard step from a decent spec c class to a rav 4 for example.

[Pica-Pica]

Lefty said:

Grenadiers are awesome but they have live axles and don’t have the road manners of a new Defender.

Love those steelies.