Well we have finally collected the new rangie this afternoon, and the damn thing is broken already! I mean on the first corner it did not feel right. OH agreed that it did not behave the same as the old one, oh well let's try for a bit longer. 10 min later and the problem is persisting...there is no body roll. Come on this is meant to be a full fat boat ride, but instead it is almost flat in the corners. What ever next, good fuel economy.

Next problem was that the rear view mirrors did not work. This was easily solved by turning the damn things on, why don't we read the fxxng manual.

Acceleration is in a different world to the old tdv8, with the flappy paddles adding a bit of fun to the proceedings.

Proper write up after our first trip to Scotland, then see you all on the 22nd. For now here is a picture of the old and new together in the showroom.

Click image to enlarge

Looks very very good. Maybe if I win the lottery tonight I may get the pimento due tone. Your "old" one looks nice as well.

Last edited by Royle on 9th Jan 2011 3:11pm. Edited 2 times in total

It must be awful for you ..........  Ian

Royle wrote:

I would be annoyed if that happened, so much so would have turned round and gone back. Looks very very good though. Maybe if I win the lottery tonight I may get the pimento due tone. Your "old" one looks nice as well, I do like white FFRRs

No...... I blame sleep deprivation from a screaming 3 month old who's been up all night

Royle wrote:

No...... I blame sleep deprivation from a screaming 3 month old who's been up all night

I entered your world on 20th November...
Her older brother knew how to behave.....women! (even baby girl ones)

His older brother could sleep through an earthquake, this one just wants to empty his lungs by screaming when he doesn't get his own way. Takes it off his mother

And I thought it was only me. When I test drove the new 4.4 TDV8 there was no body roll around corners, no over steer and I managed to get the back end out as I paddle shifted down and accelerated out of the corner...not what I was expecting at all. It drove more like a BMW X5 on run flat tyres. Not the characteristics of my FFRR that makes it so comfortable.

Still, a great engine and mpg but not enough to make me change early from my SC. I look forward to your views after a few hundred miles. Enjoy and be safe. Current MY2020
Gone: 1 x L405 and 2 x L322's

So whats changed mechanically to effect the handling? 2004 black Vogue TD6

It has the new adaptive suspension system. Basically adjustable shocks. The idea behind this is that while cornering they will stiffen, but then be soft and wafty whilst cruising.

Maybe they haven't got this quite right just yet, thankfully though this is all software so can be tweaked in the future. There may be settings that be changed already, like DSC on early models has 3 settings and is pre-set to the medium setting and can be changed by the dealer at the customers request. 

I think the difference to the handling is because LR has fitted the latest version of Dynamic Response that has previously only been fitted on TDv8 RRS and gave a lot of problems with heavy wear on the front bushes and some folks suffered a simimlar effect to "water hammer" in the trick hydraulics for it. The latest version is supposed to have overcome those problems. It is a great system and even though I had 2 sets of bushes replaced on my RRS the difference between the handling of the TDv8 and the 2.7 I ran before it was a world apart as has been commented on. One downside is though it does give a slightly harder ride. 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Tim in Scotland wrote:

I think the difference to the handling is because LR has fitted the latest version of Dynamic Response that has previously only been fitted on TDv8 RRS and gave a lot of problems with heavy wear on the front bushes and some folks suffered a similar effect to "water hammer" in the trick hydraulics for it. The latest version is supposed to have overcome those problems. It is a great system and even though I had 2 sets of bushes replaced on my RRS the difference between the handling of the TDv8 and the 2.7 I ran before it was a world apart as has been commented on. One downside is though it does give a slightly harder ride.

I don't think Dynamic Response has been fitted on the FFRR and I hope LR never do fit it. Just sold my RRS, like many other owners, due to the knocking from the suspension returning every few thousand miles and LR refusing to replace the bushes under warranty anymore - claiming it to be a "characteristic of the vehicle sir". The latest models suffer the same problem. This was the only reason I sold and the only reason for moving to a FFRR. My original post on the RRS forum highlighting the problem has received 48552 viewings to date.

Does the FFRR suffer any on going problems - even after 9 years in production?

Welcome to FFRR RRJO 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Thanks Tim

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