Trip Report UK to DEU

[KGH]

Flew from Stuttgart to Heathrow, train down south. Picked up a new to me Defender in UK near Canterbury.

Canterbury to Dover, ferry from Dover to Calais (no migrants to break windows going eastward).

Calais to Arlon, Belgium. Overnighted at Best Western, which are actually decent hotels in Europe.

Next AM, Arlon to Strasburg, FRA, to Stuttgart.

Overall a decent trip. Leaves not all fallen, some great colors and vistas.

Impressions:
The 90 has galvy chassis and all new suspension. Towers, bushings, springs, shocks, A frame ball joint. I had forgotten how bad short wheelbase vehicles bounce! Especially on the worst roads, Belgian motorway. Road surface like a Kabul side street.
Would not want to go on long journey in a 200 Tdi 90. Amazingly, wife seemed not to notice. For her, it it all about the Arles.

Idles a little high. Vibrates. A lot! Rear window rattles and leaks air.

Drove through some heavy rain and wind, no water in cab.

Casualties:
Next AM after return, checked fluids. Seeping somewhere near water pump. And viscous clutch is wobbly. Repair/replacements planned.

 

[javelinadave]

And no pictures?

 

[The rover shop]

Not even sideways ones..???

 

[jymmiejamz]

The 90 has galvy chassis and all new suspension. Towers, bushings, springs, shocks, A frame ball joint. I had forgotten how bad short wheelbase vehicles bounce! Especially on the worst roads, Belgian motorway. Road surface like a Kabul side street.
Would not want to go on long journey in a 200 Tdi 90. Amazingly, wife seemed not to notice. For her, it it all about the Arles.

What springs and shocks? If they are Terra Firma, that's your problem.

 

[pmatusov]

What springs and shocks? If they are Terra Firma, that's your problem.

Jimmy,
I beat the crap out of a TF set for the last five years, and they seem to be fine - and ride a lot better than Bilsteins or Woodhead.

 

[rocky]

No water leaks. Clear sign of a problem

 

[jymmiejamz]

Jimmy,
I beat the crap out of a TF set for the last five years, and they seem to be fine - and ride a lot better than Bilsteins or Woodhead.

I find that very surprising. They have a very bad reputation for good reason, the shocks are very prone to leaking. Maybe they have improved their quality.

As far as ride goes, my experience is somewhat limited, but every truck I get into that has Terra Firma springs has a very harsh ride.

 

[Daddymow]

I've had TF springs and shocks and I have a very supple ride. Smooth - butta baby.