ABS Offroad? and 90 or 110!

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I've just signed up to ask a few questions.

Basically I'm going to buy a Defender soon for winter I think, and I've kind of got myself set on the Tomb Raider Edition. - Yes yes, I realise you all think it's probably overpriced and posey but well, that may be.

Anyway I'm not here to be told not to get one because that's the one I want

Anyway, there are a couple I'm looking at, I've yet to test drive either, but one has ABS and one doesn't. Now I like to think I'm a fairly proficient on-road driver, having have a few fast cars but I've not really done that much off roading and want to start doing a bit of green laning/ P&P etc.

Does ABS help at all offroad? I felt coming down a steep hill in the snow last year, that the ABS really stopped the car (Cherokee XJ) from running away with it's self, although perhaps I should have been in low range using engine braking instead. That is the sort of thing I'd like to discuss though.

I know a lot of cars have hill descent these days, but the defenders im looking at are all 10 years old so don't have any of that fancy stuff but then I'm not convinced I'd need it for the type of stuff I'm going to be doing. Does this descent mode essentially equate to refined ABS? Not that it really relates to this post.

My second query is whether to go for a 90 or a 110 - do people feel one is better off road than the other? I think aesthetically I prefer the 90, although with the 110 there are a few to choose from.

Any input would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Tim

Hello to you too... :welcome2:

when yo say your a fairly good driver in 'cars' what do you mean, because theres a lot more weight, a higher centre of gravity and a waaaaayy longer stopping distance in a landrover compared to your average ford mondeo... And to answer your question on Hill descent control, it uses the ABS to control the speed of decent when coming off a steep hill in LOW RANGE 1st GEAR, it compensates for loss of traction on individual wheels and keeps the vehicle pointing straight (provided you have the steering wheel straight)

I mean I have a lot of experience of driving in all conditions, have driven my Cherokee around in the snow a lot and in some mud etc. But not that much proper offroading. I am aware of the longer stopping distances etc!

Basically I just want to know if ABS is helpful when offroading as one of the vehicles I am looking at has ABS and one does not! Some say it is a hinderance in the snow as you need the wheels to lock and build up a wedge of snow to help you stop? Just repeating what I've heard.

Thanks.

431t said:

I mean I have a lot of experience of driving in all conditions, have driven my Cherokee around in the snow a lot and in some mud etc. But not that much proper offroading. I am aware of the longer stopping distances etc!

Basically I just want to know if ABS is helpful when offroading as one of the vehicles I am looking at has ABS and one does not! Some say it is a hinderance in the snow as you need the wheels to lock and build up a wedge of snow to help you stop? Just repeating what I've heard.

Thanks.

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:hysterically_laughi

nathan5346 said:

:hysterically_laughi

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Please explain...

431t said:

Please explain...

Click to expand...

It wuz funny

Lol ok I thought you were laughing at me not with me :biggrin1:

431t said:

Lol ok I thought you were laughing at me not with me :biggrin1:

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:doh: I was... or did you say summat funny?

Lol.

Anyway! So which do people think are better offroad 90 or 110?

Any other opinions on the ABS front?

431t said:

I mean I have a lot of experience of driving in all conditions, have driven my Cherokee around in the snow a lot and in some mud etc. But not that much proper offroading. I am aware of the longer stopping distances etc!

Basically I just want to know if ABS is helpful when offroading as one of the vehicles I am looking at has ABS and one does not! Some say it is a hinderance in the snow as you need the wheels to lock and build up a wedge of snow to help you stop? Just repeating what I've heard.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

My 110 doesn't have ABS or TC and yet I have had no problems driving on ice or snow. I use mine for work in the winter months and have yet to fail in extracting the stricken vehicle I have gone out for (from cars to 18ton trucks). The only time I have had a brown trouser moment was while lowering an automatic people carrier down a steep hill on sheet ice where the local kids had been sledging. I was successful in getting both vehicles down in one piece but had to use the snow on the verge to get some grip as the people carrier was trying to pull me down on a diagonal.

The key to stopping on ice and snow is to keep your speed down, stay in the correct gear and use engine braking . Building up a wedge of snow in front of you to help you stop would indicate that your wheels are locked up. As soon as your wheels are locked up you have no control over steering or stopping.

I have a lot of experience of driving in all conditions, have driven my Cherokee around in the snow a lot and in some mud

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Dont mention that word on here... and if thats your driving experience you'd better take the ABS and TC model

-Defender110- said:

Dont mention that word on here... and if thats your driving experience you'd better take the ABS and TC model

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:hysterically_laughi

431t said:

Lol.

Anyway! So which do people think are better offroad 90 or 110?

Any other opinions on the ABS front?

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What do you call offroad? where? what terrain?

They both have their advantages and disadvantages. I prefer a lwb I'm currently on my fourth 109/110. I've had a 1983 2.25 109, 1990 V8 110 csw, 1997 300tdi 110 van and currently a 1999 TD5 110 csw.

If you are intending to drive long distances on very slippery surfaces where the traction control will be working non stop you may find that you overheat the brakes.

ABS can not work miracles and is primarily designed to allow you to maintain steering control of the vehicle whilst under maximum braking. ABS on sheet ice is no more effective than ordinary brakes properly used. If you need ABS to stop you in the snow then you are quite simply driving too fast.

The best brake is inside your head. Drive to the prevailing conditions and adjust your speed accordingly. You should be able to control the vehicle speed by use of the engine and gears leaving the brakes to the very last to bring the vehicle to a stop. Look past the front edge of the bonnet and see what is ahead long before it becomes a problem.