TD5 Baptism of fire

[ilaishley]

I am just about to purchase my 2nd Land Rover, first was a 1990 p38 which had been modded by Warwick Banks, and now a 2003 TD5 ES. The baptism of Fire? I am going skiing on Saturday and I am taking the Disco to the alps. Any tips on achieving decent economy and any interest in my published figures at the end. Also do I need snow chains even if I am in a 4x4. If so which set of wheels. (I presume the fronts)I know that the requirement for chains is there as I drove down 3 weeks ago and was very glad i took them for my other car (non 4x4 - not prepared to admit what it is though :-) )

Will let you know
A) If I get There
B) If I get Back
C) If A & B = yes, the actual MPG.

Cheers

Ian

[Ramthorne]

Are you sure you have a 1990 P38?

[ilaishley]

Your quite right it was the previous model. Definately a 1990, but not a P38. My mistake.

Picking up the TD 5 tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to it.

[colonel c]

I'll be intrested in your figures.

I previously had a 1999 TD5 five seat ES and averaged 29mpg.
Now I have a 2003 TD5 GS seven seat and am only getting around 24 mpg.

[ilaishley]

Driving up to Coventry tomorrow AM to JE for a remap. Hopefully that should improve things greatly.

Will keep you all informed.

[neil-f]

We keep a Defender in the Alps for the ski season you must have M&S tyres on your 4x4 if you are on Col roads (roads will have signs showing chains)if you don't then you will have to carry chains.
Gendarmarie sometimes do checks and if you don't have M&S for 4x4 or chains for 2wd you will be fined €90 and turned back,you will find that in the same layby a friend of the Gendarmarie will be on hand to sell you a set of chains

[ilaishley]

My tyres are General Grabber AT and there are 2 markings one M.S and another near the size marking stating M+S. By the look of them and from what I have read they pass as snow tyres so all is well. If there is now snow at resort Im going to find some :-)

[neil-f]

Yes Ian your tyres are perfect for the job

Enjoy your trip we got back at the weekend the snow was fantastic but unfortunatly my wife broke her neck (and is now laid up for at least 6 weeks) when she had what looked like an inocent fall it is so easily done so take care...........

[ilaishley]

Best wishes to her. Sounds all too familiar, whith Natasha Richardson dying from a minor fall only yesterday. Hope she gets better soon. I just got back 2 weeks ago from ski trip number 3 and was in La Tania for the 30cms overnight dump, so had a great couple of days in the powder. Took my Citroen C4 grand Picasso with chains that time, which will be a little different from this trip in the disco. Really looking forward to it. Insured to the hilt, triangle fire ext. yellow hi viz and European recovery at the ready....I'm not nervous !!

[neil-f]

Thanks Ian have a good trip.