4x4s with air suspension

[flat6buster]

So I have had 2 mls with air suspension but when lowered they are no lower than a steel sprung one.

I seem to recall seeing p38 and classic range rovers with air suspension that sat very low to the ground when stationary.

Now I understand they were range rovers and were therfore probably broken but here's the question: is there a 4x4 with air suspension that when required can drop to saloon height - without a trip to ace of bass lo level hip hop tuning company.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using MBClub UK

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Both my LR D3 and RR Sports had 'entrance mode' on the suspension which would drop it very low. It then raised once you went over 15mph (or thereabouts).

It can be adjusted by computer, much like Mercedes, to set it at a height you require.

 

[DavidL]

My classic LSE range rover has air suspension. It has an entry mode which drops to a height where getting is is still probably higher than a saloon but easy for the MIL to get in. It then rises for normal road use and has other high settings.
The suspension adjusts every so often when parked and so will drop a little but shouldn't be down on the bump stops unless there is a leak.

 

[Parisien]

Avoid the P38 version though, can be a quick way to a mental hospital or insolvency!

P

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Avoid the P38 version though, can be a quick way to a mental hospital or insolvency!

P

Most P38's have had the air suspension replaced with springs by now.

 

[flowrider]

The Jeep Grand Cherokee with air suspension has an entry exit mode and automatically lowers when you go over a certain speed.

 

[91dm]

I can't think of any apart from land rover/range rovers that have the access mode?

We have a P38 and have never had a major problem with the air suspension. Once it is maintained like any part of the car it works perfectly and the access mode is very useful. Most of the problems with P38/L322 could easily be avoided if people knew how the system worked or took it to a garage that actually did.

 

[DavidL]

I can't think of any apart from land rover/range rovers that have the access mode?

We have a P38 and have never had a major problem with the air suspension. Once it is maintained like any part of the car it works perfectly and the access mode is very useful. Most of the problems with P38/L322 could easily be avoided if people knew how the system worked or took it to a garage that actually did.

I'm inclined to agree. It's not the most sophisticated of systems and if you find someone who knows how its actually works then its quite fixable.
Sadly a lot of LR specialists don't.

 

[Parisien]

Most P38's have had the air suspension replaced with springs by now.

Yup, shows how awful the half baked and poorly executed the design was in the first instance!


P

 

[V12]

Yup, shows how awful the half baked and poorly executed the design was in the first instance!

P

It actually goes to show how incompetent mechanics are and how tight some drivers are when it comes to maintenance.

 

[Parisien]

It actually goes to show how incompetent mechanics are and how tight some drivers are when it comes to maintenance.

Thats the Land Rover MDs for you, and they take your hard earned money for doing it too


P

 

[V12]

Worth every penny.

Can't get my head around why someone would intentionally remove air suspension and replace with coil springs.

It's kinda like removing a V8 from an AMG because it's giving you trouble and then replacing it with a 4 pot diesel.

Slight exaggeration I know

 

[brucemillar]

P38's suffer from punctured air bags. This means that the compressor burns the piston out as it is running full time trying to keep the leaky airbag inflated. Best trick. Wire an LED to the compressor and run it into the cab. Then you can actually see when it is running full time (you can't hear it). Or replace the air bags with springs.

You can also buy a schraeder valve kit on ebay that allows you to pump the suspension up if you burn out the compressor.

I love P38's. But they are wallet destroyers if not maintained well. Mrs Millar being 5' tall also liked the kerb entry level mode.

 

[91dm]

Trying not to go even further off topic but the spring replacement kit ruins the ride. Go for a Range Rover, just be sure to pick a good one.

 

[kid-jensen]

Audi Allroad!

As low or as high as you like...

 

[Robfen100]

The new GLC has that with the airmatic option

There is a button in the boot to lower for loading, watched a video of it on YouTube!

I'm eagerly awaiting arrival of this car - would like to see it in the metal in a couple of months

 

[Mr Kripling]

Can't get my head around why someone would intentionally remove air suspension and replace with coil springs.

It's not as bad as some of the American S and CL owners who replace ABC with aftermarket coilovers (usually for a price that would have sorted their ABC problem) and then wonder why the car wallows and feels like a boat

 

[Ted]

It's not as bad as some of the American S and CL owners who replace ABC with aftermarket coilovers (usually for a price that would have sorted their ABC problem) and then wonder why the car wallows and feels like a boat

How would an American know?

 

[vealige]

The whole point in having a Range Rover is for the ride and the air suspension why you would replace them with springs is beyond me.

Anyway Land Rovers are a love it or hate it relationship when they work they are great when they don't you hate them. Having had a P38 and L322 they are straight forward to work on parts are very cheap if you avoid the land rover tax and if our V8 L322 was anything to go buy all the BMW parts were the bits that went wrong not the land rover stuff.

Never had any issues with suspension on any of our RR and we used them off road towing the horse etc.... Tbf most people that buy RR are clueless and wouldn't know what a spanner is. If this is the case they are not a vehicle to buy on a budget because they will go wrong..... a lot generally.

They leak water like no tomorrow both from the engine and internally, they rust from the factory, they drink fuel in any guise so you may as well have a V8 and learn to live with 10-12 mpg, batteries last for what seems like 10 minutes, but on the one day it works and you take it off road properly all is forgiven they are phenomenal.

As for the air suspension you can get them to ride lower by buying a set of lowering links to confuse the sensors or use software to lower the car. This does tend to wear suspension components our quicker mind.

Other air suspension 4x4s are the Q7, Cayenne, touareg etc....