4x4 2WD the same as any other not 4x4 car?

DTDfanBoy

Iceweasel wrote: »

I think a lot of owners of these pseudo 4x4s which are in reality 2WD will get a surprise come the snow.

Even LandRover are doing 2WD versions of some models these days, which to me means they have been 'neutered'.

Better to invest in a decent set of winter tyres and wheels for a regular car IMHO.

Unless of course you actually need the other features of an SUV.

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Yes, we had a hell of a surprise... just how good it really was.

I think Iceweasel has hit the nail on the head, the vast majority of SUV type owners don't actually need the 4WD feature but want the look. All most all manufacturers have responded by introducing specced down models, which are much cheaper build and maintain due to a big reduction in running gear, and are just as practical in the vast majority of situations they are likely to encounter.

Gloomdoom, had you tried to drive up the hill behind the road you were driving on you'd quickly find out how beneficial an actual 4WD can be

Iceweasel

tykesi wrote: »

Really? I thought it was because they can't meet emmissions?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24446070

Sure the emissions are a problem for it too - but that could easily be solved by fitting a different engine.

It's disingenuous for TaTa to blame the EU emissions alone for the demise of the Defender - they haven't been able to sell any in North America since 1997 because of safety rules - large engines and terrible emissions are no big deal over there - but it's one of LRs main export markets.

Gloomendoom

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

Gloomdoom, had you tried to drive up the hill behind the road you were driving on you'd quickly find out how beneficial an actual 4WD can be

Why would I want to? That isn't where the road goes.

We have a long 1 in 6 hill on our daily commute and the car copes perfectly well with that in the snow and ice, which is why, to us, 4x4 is unnecessary.

If I wanted to drive up the hill in picture, I would use my Land Rover.

Iceweasel

Any wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl:
I did mention snow in the OP though as well as saying please do not lecture me on winter tyres...

No lecture was intended - - just wanted to suggest a pause for thought about the necessity for / and the economics of running a full 4x4 these days.

This is Money-Saving Expert after all.

I've saved money getting rid of mine.

Of course some folks really do need such a vehicle.

Gloomendoom

Iceweasel wrote: »

My apologies for that - but you can forget all-season tyres - they are only a tad better in the snow than summer tyres.

What all-season tyres have you used?

I run all-season tyres on a tuned RWD Chrysler 300C and have driven hundreds of miles on all kinds of snow, both here and abroad. They are excellent in the snow.

Interesting comparison here...

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Summer-VS-Winter-tyres-Warm-weather-performance.htm

ILW

Get a Defender.

tykesi

ILW wrote: »

Get a Defender.

Ditto!

I miss mine

Any

ILW wrote: »

Get a Defender.

I am sure my OH would be thrilled...
But then we used to have this http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLand_Rover_Defender&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=wmYfG5wkaoEq2M&tbnh=185&tbnw=273&zoom=1&docid=FZVmrDwNOdJ35M&hl=en&ei=k2pyUsyhAcGc0AX8yoH4DA&ved=0CAEQsCU only perhaps a bit older (his was ex army with sand shovel on the back) and if I mentioned it he would be back with it before I finished a sentence.. :rotfl:

Only I couldn't even steer the steering wheel and my shoes melted every time he put the heating on... :rotfl:

While I realise the modern ones don't do any of it I don't really like the look... I think I would rather the Yeti!

Iceweasel

Gloomendoom wrote: »

What all-season tyres have you used?

I run all-season tyres on a tuned RWD Chrysler 300C and have driven hundreds of miles on all kinds of snow, both here and abroad. They are excellent in the snow.

Interesting comparison here...

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Summer-VS-Winter-tyres-Warm-weather-performance.htm

I had Kumho All-Weather tyres on an e46 a few years ago and they were little better than summer tyres.

The latest generation of winter tyres are unbelievable - they have really moved the goal-posts. I have a set of Conti TS830Ps which seem to do very well in all the tests.

Your link was comparing tyres in warm weather but if you have a look at the graphs comparing true winter tyres with all-season ones in winter conditions from the same web-site, you'll perhaps see what I mean.

I accept of course that there are probably some very good all-season tyres to be found - but mine were not a success.

Sorry Any - we're still discussing tyres.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/All-Season-Tyres-How-Do-They-Stack-Up.htm

Prothet_of_Doom

Proof that it's all about selling an image to customers who haven't done any homework.

Mind you my mate had a Cavalier 4x4 8V L 2.0litre 130 BHP and that was a brilliant car once he'd taken the 4x4 badges off it