Hello there Im new to the forums, used the site a few times now some really useful info on here!

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light- Ive bought my first rrs, I love it, 2005, done a high mileage but been well maintained according to the history, I love the look of it, but to be honest I'm hating the ride, its like a boat, very bouncy, you feel every bump, Ive only really owned bmw coupes before so I presumed this was maybe normal to start with, being such a big car with air suspension, however the more I'm driving it the more I'm sure its not right, Im in the motortrade so i have driven a lot of cars to compare, but never owned a 4x4 before, Ive had a local mechanic have a quick look at it, the shock absorbers don't seem to be leaking they are bone dry, the rear suspension does seem to sit a list lower compared to the front, I could maybe get a photo up here tomorrow, the bags don't seem to be leaking but i don't want to go and just slap new suspension on it for the sake of it

Anyone had anything similar? or any common problems that might cause this? Its had a new suspension compressor in the past so hopefully ruled that out! no fault codes stored! seems to be mechanical rather than electrical!

Many thanks

Nick

Can you have a look under both sides at the back and see if there are two large sliding steel weights hanging there? It isn't unknown for them to be removed to try and lighten the car but they are an important part of the suspension set up - they are used as harmonic dampers I believe. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

In Dundee you have access to a guru independent LR mechanic - MMP Land Rovers. He's Disco Mikey on here... Visitor from fullfatrr.com
* GONE. 2012 RR Sport HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey. Now being piloted by RRSTDV8
* Current: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Full Fat. Amazing piece of kit.
* Current. 1974 Lightweight 2.25L petrol. Old skool
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Ive Had a look and the weights appear to be there! Dundee is about 2 1/2 hours from us, not end of the world but hoping to do some of the basic stuff here before thinking along those lines, more than happy to go up there if need be though! thanks for your help! any other ideas?

Go to a stealer and test drive a similar model to make sure your particular car actually has an issue. L405 P400e Autobiography (MY2020)... Silicon Silver / Espresso
RRS TDV6 HSE Lux (MY2011)... Nara Bronze / Arabica - now gone!

If you're in the AA/RAC then call them out and get them to plug their diagnostic in  Visitor from fullfatrr.com
* GONE. 2012 RR Sport HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey. Now being piloted by RRSTDV8
* Current: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Full Fat. Amazing piece of kit.
* Current. 1974 Lightweight 2.25L petrol. Old skool
* GONE. Freelander GS TD4 Manual MY2013. Orkney Grey with privacy, cold and clearview packs, armrests (a must!) and a spoiler.
* GONE. Range Rover Classic '93 200Tdi Factory fit
* 1949 80" in family since 1975

What wheels and tyres are you using?

A couple of quickies you most probably already tried.

Check the air pressures in all the tyres against the ratings on drivers door relevant to loading. Check there is no damage or bulges to inside/outside of tyres, no mixed sizes (does happen).

If you have "Dynamic" drive facility fitted in your car, (part of 4x4 option selectable programs) this will tighten the suspension and become more of a drivers car with other additions depending on model spec. Switch this on and go for a test drive over various types of road and see if it vastly improves.

Please keep us all in the picture as you proceed.
Disco Mikey IMO would be an excellent Indy person to visit if you cannot find anything wrong. (Who is Reasonably priced) give him a ring for other check suggestions.
If you own/have access to a Gap Diagnostic IID BT tool this would show any fault codes, but will also show what all the heights of the various wheels/suspension is set at, for Off Road, Normal and Access, and these can be adjusted as required. John

RRS MY12 SDV6 HSE. Sumatra Black/Ebony & Walnut + Dynamic Pack, + Cold Climate Pack + Memory Pack, Digital TV/DVD, Premium Leather, Cornering Lights, Cooler/Fridge Box, & most Options.

Last edited by Johnski on Thu Nov 03 2016 10:06am. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions!
wee update - got speaking to a local indy that specialises in land rovers but mostly older ones, however he has the diagnosic equipment for the air suspension, plugged it in and discovered a few of the ride height sensors have a poor connection, must be a common problem with them! the NSF was 7mm too high, OSR 2mm too low and NSR 3mm too low, he reset them to facory heights and the car drove a lot better, however having had it in access mode since he reset it, the car has returned to driving terribly, Its going in next week to have the faulty sensors/wiring attended to! hopefully this will fix it e are pretty confident!

I will update once its gone in! Fingers crossed!!

I had similar issues to you in that my ride was very hard and feeling all bumps and potholes. I recalibrated my suspension, and all is fine now. I think the ride should be smooth but slightly firm (a downside of having low profile tyres on a 2.5 tonne 4*4).

If you are outside of dynamic mode, I think it would be normal for the car to wallow a bit as it can't defy the laws of physics. Do you know anyone near you with a rrs? If so, maybe worth going out for a ride to compare but keep trying. Mine took 4 months to get right, but when they are they are great machines.... 2010 TDV8

Hi,
I had a similar feeling with my MY06 RRS. Didn't like at all how it felt over the bumps. However, here in Finland they check shocks on test bench in MOT and I knew that rear ones are almost gone. I replaced them and bingo! Feeling between old and new ones is more than night and day. Love the ride now, totally different
My schocks were totally dry, no leaks, but they were dead anyway. Old spring-shock combination on my hand, tried to push it in, no resistance at all at first 3-4 inches. No wonder why it felt terrible.
Fairly easy job to replace them by yourself.

n16mct wrote:

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions!
wee update - got speaking to a local indy that specialises in land rovers but mostly older ones, however he has the diagnosic equipment for the air suspension, plugged it in and discovered a few of the ride height sensors have a poor connection, must be a common problem with them! the NSF was 7mm too high, OSR 2mm too low and NSR 3mm too low, he reset them to facory heights and the car drove a lot better, however having had it in access mode since he reset it, the car has returned to driving terribly, Its going in next week to have the faulty sensors/wiring attended to! hopefully this will fix it e are pretty confident!

I will update once its gone in! Fingers crossed!!