Land Rover experience for experienced off-roader...worth it?
Discussion
My other half has recently bought an approved used Velar HSE (lovely car) and they've given her a day at the LR Experience. I can drive too, but I think it will be about £130 for me to pay in addition.
My question is, is it worth it? Probably worth mentioning at this point I have a 30 year old Defender 110, fairly well prepped for off-roading with MT tyres/winch/snorkel etc and although I like to keep it looking good and loved, I've done a fair bit of challenging off roading and green laning including stuff like Stanage Edge, as well as a few play days and the off road course at Billing with big mud and water runs. Will I find the LR experience a bit dull, or is it a good day out anyway?
Rockingham, Solihull or Eastnor would be closest...do any of them offer a better, more challenging course?
Thanks in advance!
My question is, is it worth it? Probably worth mentioning at this point I have a 30 year old Defender 110, fairly well prepped for off-roading with MT tyres/winch/snorkel etc and although I like to keep it looking good and loved, I've done a fair bit of challenging off roading and green laning including stuff like Stanage Edge, as well as a few play days and the off road course at Billing with big mud and water runs. Will I find the LR experience a bit dull, or is it a good day out anyway?
Rockingham, Solihull or Eastnor would be closest...do any of them offer a better, more challenging course?
Thanks in advance!
Hard-Drive said:
My other half has recently bought an approved used Velar HSE (lovely car) and they've given her a day at the LR Experience. I can drive too, but I think it will be about £130 for me to pay in addition.
My question is, is it worth it? Probably worth mentioning at this point I have a 30 year old Defender 110, fairly well prepped for off-roading with MT tyres/winch/snorkel etc and although I like to keep it looking good and loved, I've done a fair bit of challenging off roading and green laning including stuff like Stanage Edge, as well as a few play days and the off road course at Billing with big mud and water runs. Will I find the LR experience a bit dull, or is it a good day out anyway?
Rockingham, Solihull or Eastnor would be closest...do any of them offer a better, more challenging course?
Thanks in advance!
I suspect you'd still enjoy it tbh. And being shown all the tech on a modern LR might be fun and interesting too. Just bear in mind the Experience tracks are "demonstration" tracks, designed to be easily navigated on road tyres, while showing off the vehicles attributes. They aren't really challenging at all, although some of the axle twisters would likely stop an open diff vehicle without TCS.My question is, is it worth it? Probably worth mentioning at this point I have a 30 year old Defender 110, fairly well prepped for off-roading with MT tyres/winch/snorkel etc and although I like to keep it looking good and loved, I've done a fair bit of challenging off roading and green laning including stuff like Stanage Edge, as well as a few play days and the off road course at Billing with big mud and water runs. Will I find the LR experience a bit dull, or is it a good day out anyway?
Rockingham, Solihull or Eastnor would be closest...do any of them offer a better, more challenging course?
Thanks in advance!
I'd vote for Eastnor.
300bhp/ton said:
I suspect you'd still enjoy it tbh. And being shown all the tech on a modern LR might be fun and interesting too. Just bear in mind the Experience tracks are "demonstration" tracks, designed to be easily navigated on road tyres, while showing off the vehicles attributes. They aren't really challenging at all, although some of the axle twisters would likely stop an open diff vehicle without TCS.
I'd vote for Eastnor.
Yeah, I'd thought Eastnor was probably the one to go for. Of course, we might hang on until the new Defender is on the demo fleet...I'd vote for Eastnor.
Hard-Drive said:
Would they let me take it round I wonder...
I know the one in Dunkeld run several days a year where you can drive your own car, very reasonable priced at something like £130 for the whole day.Are you sure you need to pay to drive, the course I did a few months ago allowed both myself and wife to drive for no additional charge.
I've done a fair bit of off roading in my green baggy skin, mostly in Land Cruisers (various types including CAVs) and Wolfs. Did the Eastnor half-day in August and it wasn't particularly taxing or difficult, more of a showcase for what the car can do, in my case an RRS. That said, it's a nice day out in a nice part of the country and the wife enjoyed it so all good.
You dont have to pay extra for 2 drivers. My other half bought a used approved DS a few months back. We went to the experience near Skipton. Both of us got offered a drive although my missus bottled it so i got 2 goes instead! Found it a very imformative good day out. The insttructor looked at what systems/options were fitted to our own car first and then showed us how these all worked out on the course in their DS. We came away very impressed.
Eastnor... No brainer (but then some would say I'm biased 
)
TBH - I would strongly recommend upgrading to a full day. Both 1/2 & full days start in the classroom, so a full day will get you significantly more driving.
As for being an 'experienced driver', I'd say the onus will be on you to demonstrate your abilities to the instructor on the day. At very least, you'll get a chance to talk about any 'habits' you might have picked up over the years but either way, it's a fantastic day out, exploring some iconic tracks.
M
)TBH - I would strongly recommend upgrading to a full day. Both 1/2 & full days start in the classroom, so a full day will get you significantly more driving.
As for being an 'experienced driver', I'd say the onus will be on you to demonstrate your abilities to the instructor on the day. At very least, you'll get a chance to talk about any 'habits' you might have picked up over the years but either way, it's a fantastic day out, exploring some iconic tracks.
M
I did a half day at Luton Hoo a few weeks ago.
Firstly, it was free to bring another driver. A full day, they might charge for a second lunch?
Secondly, the instructor began by asking (before we left the building) about our experience and what we wanted to get out of the day. There is, therefore, the opportunity to tailor the session (though I don't know how much that changes things).
Firstly, it was free to bring another driver. A full day, they might charge for a second lunch?
Secondly, the instructor began by asking (before we left the building) about our experience and what we wanted to get out of the day. There is, therefore, the opportunity to tailor the session (though I don't know how much that changes things).
300bhp/ton said:
camel_landy said:
Sixpackpert said:
Have done Eastnor a few times now, Disco 4 and FFRR. Good fun, nothing to testing...
...depends what course you're booked onto. M
No, I'm talking about stuff available to members of the public.
If you get onto the more advanced courses (for which there might be entry criteria), then there is the potential to properly test your (and the cars) abilities... And if you have deep pockets, you can get something bespoke.
M
Cheers all. I spoke to them today, and yes I can drive at no extra charge.
On the basis that the new Defender doesn't arrive until Spring 2020 we will probably go for the Velar...be interesting to see what her model of car will do without any danger of scratching her own one! Also not much point in going in a new "old" Defender as we can go and give mine a more serious workout any time at a pay and play.
Thanks for the advice and I'll report back!
On the basis that the new Defender doesn't arrive until Spring 2020 we will probably go for the Velar...be interesting to see what her model of car will do without any danger of scratching her own one! Also not much point in going in a new "old" Defender as we can go and give mine a more serious workout any time at a pay and play.
Thanks for the advice and I'll report back!
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