Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Don't be afraid, use it for what it's designed for....
It's official! The D3 really can do off road!
Well OK, I know that the vast majority of people on this site already know and have the benefit of experiencing the full capabilities of the car, but I haven’t (yet).
Yesterday I had the pleasure of benefiting from someone else’s years of off road experience, all the thrills, spills (and punctures) of off roading before I've even got my car.
I'm not talking about a Land Rover Experience day (although I have a 1/2 day booked in January), I'm talking about the generosity of AndrewS in particular, along with Ken2463 and all the others who went for a foray on the pretext of picking up the group buy for ropes.
I don't have my D3 yet, I'm not an extreme 4x4er (but there is potential... ) I just wanted a bit of a taste of the D3 capabilities without the LR paid opinions that I'm sure I'll get on the LRE.
So I drove (along with my 9 year old lad) the 45 miles or so to AndrewS gaff & it was good to meet up with a few of the people from the site who's site names get blurred with the 'real' names (whatever 'real' is ).
10forCash (yes he does exist) went off to spend the day in a freezing shed with some copper wire instead of being out on the track whilst we prepared the vehicles for some off roading.
Prepare (def.) Unlock, Open D3, climb in,close door, start engine…..
From there off to the course, with various snippets of 4x4 knowledge & advice on the car in general. All of which was the reason I went, just to find out a bit more.
Met up with dyparkes also who was on standard road wheels, which is great, because that's pretty much how mine will stay until I either get an excuse to change them, or the mileage mounts up enough to give me the ultimate excuse. Not that road wheels made that much difference for most of the course, it all coped quite admirably until the more 'rugged' or steep tracks.
Whereby Duncan uplifted his twins into a nearby Red 110 Defender to continue the day.
Just before which, we’d dropped down 'Geronimo' which was an experience, but not as memorable as the 3 minute wheel change with the help of Ken's immaculately clean airjack!
I’ve got it video’d, (as well as lots more) so just trying to reduce the file size down enough to post it somewhere!
I’ve got so much more descriptive about the day that I could ramble on about, but I’m not sure how much content you can put into a post!
So what’s the point of the post? Well a couple of things really,
A) to thank everyone (in particular Andrew) who passed their knowledge (and back seats) freely to me a mere novice
B) for the great deal on the LRE quality rope
C) LR for producing such a capable off roader/Luxury/family/van
D) Duncan for proving that it can do Sooooo much in it’s standard form without shelling out loads of extra cash and still have immense fun!
E) For everyone who was there, a great bunch of friendly people who I know will be ready and willing to get me out when I’m stuck!
F) For all those people who have registered, but haven’t yet dared take that prized possession off road, DO IT, with plenty of challenging but safe routes, you will enjoy it, the car will be muddy but undamaged and you will Learn something new about yourself and where you can go.
Getting to sound a bit like a bad Oscar speech, but that’s what happens when you have a good day.
I then drove home in my clean car thinking mmmm… I want to drive through some mud!Bodsys Brake Bible
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18th Dec 2006 12:55 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Great to hear that you had a good day
...as a footnote to your encouragement to others...please ensure that you arrange adequate insurance to cover any off-roading adventures you are planning. This will allow you to have all the fun without the worry 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
18th Dec 2006 1:24 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Yes, NFU Direct seems to be the easiest to add it on with no questions asked from what I've found so far. Slightly more expensive, but what's £40 extra compared to £40k!Bodsys Brake Bible
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
18th Dec 2006 1:26 pm
Duncster
Member Since: 25 Nov 2006
Location: Midlands
Posts: 755
Never even thought about the insurance - just thought I would not be covered off road and it was a risk to take.
I will give NFU a call when renewing.
It was a great day out I really enjoyed it, and I should just say all you non offroading Disco owners - you really should go and get it muddy, you will then know what the car is capable of if you do need to cross the odd ditch traverse a mountain or wade a river on the way to Waitrose.
-Duncan-15 3.0 RRS HSE - Silver
05 2.7TDV6 S AUTO Silver - Retro-fitted Leather.
18th Dec 2006 1:34 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15214
Don't be afraid, use it for what it's designed for....
Sounded like a damn good, enjoyable day out....well done all.I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
18th Dec 2006 1:46 pm
couplands
Member Since: 26 Oct 2006
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 230
Apart from "Pay'n'Play" sites, the green-lanes that are used are public roads, so you would be covered by your regular insurance anyway..yes..?
cheers
simon
18th Dec 2006 2:11 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
couplands wrote:
... so you would be covered by your regular insurance
anyway..yes..?
If its classified as a public road then yes .....and many organised "club" events will provide insurance as part of the fee.
It is always worth checking though 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
18th Dec 2006 2:28 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
I know legally they are roads, but I reckon if you really smashed your car on a green lane they would wriggle and squirm till kingdom come. The risks are completley different (hence policies that do cover off road are more expensive) and it is not a risk that they would have factored in. Ask if you would be covered before relying on it. IMO pay a bit more and have piece of mind.DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
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18th Dec 2006 3:18 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Pelyma wrote:
IMO pay a bit more and have piece of mind.
Oh yes ...couldn't agree more 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
18th Dec 2006 3:19 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Pelyma wrote:
Ask if you would be covered before relying on it.
Thats what I did - and got them to make a note on their computer system that they'd agreed with me over the phone remember, if it ain't written down, it was never said Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
18th Dec 2006 3:21 pm
COMMANDO
Member Since: 09 Oct 2006
Location: NORTH WEST
Posts: 67
LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE
Just done the LRE at Skipton in the HSE auto and what an eye opener.This vehicle went where I would never dare to go in mine.In fact it is so good off road that it takes away the need for any skill from the driver. All you have to do is sit back and steer and the car does the rest.
18th Dec 2006 3:45 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
I think that it right to a point, if you talk to the boys who have been down to North Africa, I think they found terrain that did need skill to traverse. To my mind provided you are reading the ground the car is very easy to drive and extremley capable once you understand and have faith in the electronicsDS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
18th Dec 2006 4:04 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
I have just confirmed with NFU re off road cover.
As long as you have permission to drive the vehicle where you are driving it and it is not part of any timed trials / race / rally etc. Then its covered.
So as long as your allowed to be there... your covered.
19th Dec 2006 1:38 pm
Dom Harvey Lord of the Four Fingers
Member Since: 15 Apr 2005
Location: Dorset
Posts: 7454
Pelyma wrote:
I think that it right to a point, if you talk to the boys who have been down to North Africa, I think they found terrain that did need skill to traverse.
Oh yes absolutely............no way you could sit back and let it do its thing, the terrain required TFC's absolute 100% attention. 2004 Discovery 3 - gone
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Last edited by Dom Harvey on 19th Dec 2006 4:24 pm. Edited 1 time in total
19th Dec 2006 1:59 pm
10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
TBH, apart from the sand TR, the vehicles were more than capable of traversing all the terrain without TR (but low 'box & raised suspension were definitely needed ) it was more to do with driving / spotting skills than challenging the vehicles abilities... ISTR doing a few miles on foot as well Dom
Tyre pressures made a big difference as did momentum, probably more so than TR. Obviously, traversing massive boulders was beyond the D3's and was the sole preserve of the boys with the tricked-up vehicles
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) I just wanted a bit of a taste of the D3 capabilities without the LR paid opinions that I'm sure I'll get on the LRE.
).
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