Anyone taken a Q7 off road?

[Turbodiesel1690]

As the title says really, just wondering if they can hack it

[adam85]

My totally uneducated opinion suggests that Tyres may be the main downfall here?

[anonymous-user]

Tyres are indeed key. Saw one get very out of shape in the snow earlier this year (ok, that's not true "off-road" but it gives you an idea).
Less than a 5degree slope, yet absolutely no matter what the driver did in terms of steering, power and so on, it just slid further South.
They're not exactly lightweight, so I suspect to get decent traction and grip would need some serious rubber.

[robsti]

I saw one with 2wheels on the pavement outside a shop the other day!

[Rum Runner]

Seen one parked up a kerb once outside Waitrose as well

Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 31st March 18:46

[Sarge 4x4]

It depends on tyre size, if it's on 21" forget it, 17", 18" and 19" there are a few choices.

General Grabber AT is available in 275/45x20, 255/55x19, 255/60x18, 255/55x18 and a couple more.

Andy.

[A.J.M]

As said, tyres make or break it.

Seen a few get really stuck in the snow, low profile wide tyres gave no grip. Was almost funny/sad for the owners seeing them struggle while getting passed by ka's etc.

Try youtube for videos as well?
If there's videos of RRS going off road then surely someone will have tried it on a Q7.

[Lionsden]

I wouldn't bother without proper tyres or you may end up feeling like one of these numpties...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud9aO0ANTPc&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvihBXPyaaQ&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtBjHn7pZo0

[camel_landy]

A.J.M said:

If there's videos of RRS going off road then surely someone will have tried it on a Q7.

Yeah, except that a RRS is pretty good off-road, even with road biased rubber!

M

[steve2]

I drove on on the Audi experience at Goodwood last year

[camel_landy]

Lionsden said:

I wouldn't bother without proper tyres or you may end up feeling like one of these numpties...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud9aO0ANTPc&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvihBXPyaaQ&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtBjHn7pZo0

Actually, these vids don't really show much about tyre choice (if at all):

Vid 1 - A bit of training/practice would have given a bit more appreciation WRT grip on un-rutted ground. He would have been OK if he took it a little slower.
Vid 2 - Nothing wrong there. Felt the wheels spin, so came off the power to stop it digging in. Backed up and had another go. When he didn't get anywhere, he dropped down to the firmer stuff at the water line and gave it some beans.
Vid 3 - That just showed that the shovel should have been the first line of defence.

M

[oniznorb]

Just before Christmas I decided to stop and avoid a steep snow covered downhill slope in Bradford.

The Q7 behind me bravely mounted the pavement to pass me and then performed a beautiful slow spin down the hill, coming neatly to rest sideways against two parked cars on either side of the road at the botom of the hill.

Ye canna change the laws of physics Jim

Unfortunately no pics.

[IPK]

I have to say I have just sold my Q7, after 18 months. A fab car over all, but rubbish off road/snow and ice. 3.0 S line, 59 plate. Great car but also incredibly thirsty. Lucky to get 27 mpg average. Once again great car all round though.

[anonymous-user]

IPK said:

...rubbish off road/snow and ice.....Once again great car all round though.

Huh?

[bigblock]

camel_landy said:

Lionsden said:

I wouldn't bother without proper tyres or you may end up feeling like one of these numpties...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud9aO0ANTPc&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvihBXPyaaQ&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtBjHn7pZo0

Actually, these vids don't really show much about tyre choice (if at all):

Vid 1 - A bit of training/practice would have given a bit more appreciation WRT grip on un-rutted ground. He would have been OK if he took it a little slower.
Vid 2 - Nothing wrong there. Felt the wheels spin, so came off the power to stop it digging in. Backed up and had another go. When he didn't get anywhere, he dropped down to the firmer stuff at the water line and gave it some beans.
Vid 3 - That just showed that the shovel should have been the first line of defence.

M

What are you talking about ?

Vid 1: Stuck in wet mud tyres have no traction.

Vid 2: Stuck in the sand tyres have no traction.

Vid 3: Stuck in clay tyres have no traction.

A decent off road tyre would have prevented the Q7 getting into difficulties in the first place. The problem in all three videos was that the driver was digging himself a hole by spinning up the road tyres because they had no traction.

[IPK]

Crossflow Kid said:

IPK said:

...rubbish off road/snow and ice.....Once again great car all round though.

Huh?

That really. A great all round car - quick, comfortable, well put together, huge interior, commanding road position. They are fine on dirt tracks but in no way an "off road" vehicle.

[TimJMS]

Me in mine a couple of years ago. Proof that they can even on 21's manage to offroad, but they are a very marginal choice of vehicle for that role. As ever, it is down to ground clearance, wheel articulation, weight distribution and tyre choice.

http://www.youtube.com/user/EweTubularBells?featur...

[Sarge 4x4]

Forget the car, now that's what I call a Tractor.

Andy.

[camel_landy]

bigblock said:

A decent off road tyre would have prevented the Q7 getting into difficulties in the first place. The problem in all three videos was that the driver was digging himself a hole by spinning up the road tyres because they had no traction.

I disagree. Vid 2, the driving was fine. The other two could be dealt with by better driving & recovery skills.

Sure, a more specialist tyre will always help in "That" situation but as with all things, tyre choice is always going to be a compromise at the expense of something else.

M

[Kneetrembler]

A.J.M said:

As said, tyres make or break it.

Seen a few get really stuck in the snow, low profile wide tyres gave no grip. Was almost funny/sad for the owners seeing them struggle while getting passed by ka's etc.

Try youtube for videos as well?
If there's videos of RRS going off road then surely someone will have tried it on a Q7.

I'd far rather be going off road in a RRS than a Freelander