Discovery ot Range Rover Sport for snow/ice conditions?
Discovery ot Range Rover Sport for snow/ice conditions?
Author
Discussion

CraigyMc

Original Poster:

17,864 posts

252 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
Hi all.

I'm trying to sort out a hirecar for a trip in Scotland on the 16th Jan 2011. It's for Glasgow, specifically.

It's my best friends wedding day, I'm the best man.

His mum is in a hospice (cancer) - so he wants to take his new bride (still in white dress, etc) to see his mum on the day of the wedding (between the ceremony and the reception). His mum doesn't have long left, and moving her isn't an option.

I want to get the bride and groom from the wedding venue to the hospice and back in the most reliable way. If it was somewhere warm, I'd probably hire an S-class Merc, but this is Scotland.

It's about 40 miles from the wedding venue to the hospice.

Money really isn't an object for this.

What's the best 4x4 on snow/ice out of the two listed in the topic? (I can't find anywhere who rent out Range Rovers... if I'm wrong, let me know).

The chances are that the rubber fitted to both will be as the manufacturer fitted, since these are hirecars.

I think this means the Disco might be the better option, since I think the RR Sport comes with more road-biased tyres/setup from the factory?

I know the chassis from each are basically the same under the covers, but the RR sport is a bit of a cut and shut.

Thoughts, people? (other options also listened to..)

C

CraigVmax

12,248 posts

298 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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I'd imagine both similar set up dynamically, it will be about the tyres.

Chris71

21,548 posts

258 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
I'd look at the standard tyre fit. I can imagine the RR Sport maybe have very much performance road-orientated tyres and the Disco perhaps something with slightly stronger off-road pretensions. Of course in Scotland a hire company may well fit winter tyres to either.

flingstam

24 posts

181 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
RR Sport is based on Disco, so they'll be pretty similar. As said, check the tyres

LHD

17,002 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
Phone Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

They have Discovery 4 and Range Rover Sport for hire.

If they have any left at this stage is another matter though...

CraigyMc

Original Poster:

17,864 posts

252 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
LHD said:
Phone Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

They have Discovery 4 and Range Rover Sport for hire.

If they have any left at this stage is another matter though...
Already done so. They advised me to call back on the 10th Jan, since they "don't know the availability until then". This was after having explained why I wanted a particular type of car.

Bonkers.

BeeRoad

684 posts

178 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
There won't be anything in it - I can't envisage any scenario where one would get through when the other wouldn't unless one had winter tyres which is unlikely on hire car.

RobM77

35,349 posts

250 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
I can't answer the original question, but thought I'd add that given how important this is, I'd sort out a backup of some kind in case the hire car falls through. What they told you on the phone doesn't fill me with confidence! Being the Best Man, I guess you're in contact with a lot of the wedding party, so I'd explain that you've already set aside the money to hire this car and aren't looking for any favours, but would it be possible for someone to be on standby to lend a 4x4 if it all falls through at the last minute.

Greenpis

302 posts

190 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
There's nothing between the RRS and D3/4 apart from load capacity, and offroad capabilities at the extremes, and they both have benefits here in different areas. As metioned only real difference is tyres.

The tyres though will depend on which model of RRS and D3/4.

RRS - If it's a TDV8 or S/C will be on 20's 275/40s the most road oriented. These haven't stopped me getting about with the Terrain Response in Snow setting. But will be the worst option.

Depending on age the RRS could have 19's or even 18's if a TDV6, these will be better in these conditions, obvioulsy narrower (255 on 18's) and may even have an M+S rating, though not winters.

The D3/4 will have the same dependency on model but slightly less summer tyred, but not specifically off road or winters. Again Terrain Response in Snow setting should get you most places.

Unless of course the hire co in Scotland specs winter tyres.

Avis Prestige supply RRS from Edinburgh, and FFRR Vogue from Manchester, haven't checked stock.

Much more room inside for a Bride in a Wedding Dress and no creases in the FFRR.

Good Luck

Edited for clarity.

Edited by Greenpis on Thursday 23 December 11:47

Jem0911

4,415 posts

217 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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cat220

2,762 posts

231 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
I can't exactly help but worth posting this in the Scotland forum. Someone might be able to help you or provide a backup.

Also try giving these guys a call and explain your situation...
http://www.taggarts.co.uk/land_rover/

The roads around Glasgow haven't been too bad over the past few weeks even with the snow and ice all but the very minor roads have been ok.

Feel free to drop me a PM if you need any local advice.

Thanks,
C

Chris_w666

22,655 posts

215 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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Guy Salmon offer a proper Range Rover and Volvo XC90, IIRC their hires are ran via Europcar.

anonymous-user

70 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
I've driven a full fat R/R from these guys, they're based just a few minutes drive from Edinburgh airport and close to the M8 so only 45 minutes drive from Glasgow if you get a clear run at it - http://www.4x4hirescotland.co.uk/contact.html

P.S. I live in Glasgow and have managed around on a RWD E-Class without any problems so don't discount hiring a car if you can't get a 4x4, it's not that bad in the West of Scotland, North and East has had the worst of the snow.

anonymous-user

70 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
P.S. www.watersideweddings.com will hire you a full fat Range Rover with a driver, they don't do hire only.

http://www.watersideweddings.com/waterside-wedding...

5lab

1,744 posts

212 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
for the sake of £100 - is it worth getting some snow socks/chains to whack on the tyres in case it gets a bit slippry? Thus negating (to a point) the issue with tyre choice

LHD

17,002 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
If the 16th of Jan is a Sunday which i think it is then i'll be able to act as Chauffeur if you need.

I work for Land Rover in Edinburgh and would be happy to help out if need be.

PM me if i can be of use.

CraigVmax

12,248 posts

298 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
what an offer!!

pmanson

13,388 posts

269 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
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CraigVmax said:
what an offer!!
Got to love PH! clapclap

paoloh

8,617 posts

220 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
LHD said:
If the 16th of Jan is a Sunday which i think it is then i'll be able to act as Chauffeur if you need.

I work for Land Rover in Edinburgh and would be happy to help out if need be.

PM me if i can be of use.
You sir are a gent!!

CraigyMc

Original Poster:

17,864 posts

252 months

Thursday 23rd December 2010
quotequote all
doogz said:
Where abouts is the wedding, and hospital?
Good question. Looking at this it's actually 25 miles, not 40 as previously advised. (I think I may have confused this with 40 minutes)
Wedding: Pollokshields
Hospice: Denny/Falkirk

Google Map

I realise Glasgow isn't a disaster at the moment, as far as travel is concerned - I was there at the weekend. I (and the groom) are both from Scotland.
I'm planning for the worst case scenario in the middle of January.
The backup vehicle is a small 4x4 but it's not exactly a "wedding car", and isn't going to be great if we need to put the bride in it.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

C