Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: Tips for Land Rover newbies  (Read 16935 times)

ladyK

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Conwy Valley
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2014, 09:42:30 pm »
Thank you for keeping the tips coming - just what I was hoping for.

I'm afraid towing it on a trailer is not an option (towing is one of the jobs I'm getting the Landy for, no towing at all possible for us at the mo) but I figured that if we make it we know it's a good one  ::)
I have to insure it before getting it taxed before driving off in it and I'll make sure breakdown cover is included.

 Part of me is madly excited, part of me wishes I had never dared (but if I didn't dare I'd still be living in London...)
We don't have any expectations really (beyond hoping to make it back) but it's still going to be a mad adventure...
"If one way is better than another, it is the way of nature." (Aristotle)

stufe35

  • Joined Jan 2013
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2014, 09:48:09 pm »
Lady k,

You are in for a treat, land rovers are as addictive as they are infuriating.

Budget to spend as much on it in the next year as what you paid for it.....that way with luck and a following wind you won't be disappointed.

« Last Edit: November 12, 2014, 10:19:37 pm by stufe35 »

mab

  • Joined Mar 2009
  • carmarthenshire
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #17 on: November 12, 2014, 10:44:38 pm »
Stufe35 - only took a day each way (a veeery long day tho'  ;D  ).


my landy was old, uncomfortable, noisy, hard work, the most unreliable - needed regular maintenance and welding back together twice a year - but it was still the best vehicle I've ever owned. I miss it still.


But parts are relatively cheap, and you don't need a computer to diagnose faults, or a raft of specialist tools to fix them.


And if you keep it for ~14 years it'll become tax exempt.

Womble

  • Joined Mar 2009
  • Stirlingshire, Central Scotland
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #18 on: November 12, 2014, 11:31:42 pm »
Oh come on guys, they're not nearly that bad!!

Just get aquainted with its foibles and you'll be fine.  There's a lot to hate, true, but plenty to love as well. For instance, I fitted two new exhaust sections and a new thermostat last week for less than £60, and even the new fuel tank I fitted last year cost more to fill with diesel than it cost me to buy!  ;D
"All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once." -Terry Pratchett

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #19 on: November 13, 2014, 02:08:33 am »
I'm in stitches about all the foibles of Landies  ;D  They don't all happen at once or to every vehicle though so don't worry.

As we're giving advice on your journey home, can I say that if you have anything larger than a very small bust, wear your most cast iron bra - Landies have rather unusual suspension.

Don't be surprised if other Landie drivers wave at you - there's not something wrong, we're just a friendly bunch  :)

I think you're going to love it  :love:.
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

Womble

  • Joined Mar 2009
  • Stirlingshire, Central Scotland
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #20 on: November 13, 2014, 09:15:12 am »
Oh yes, you'll get used to driving around (even in freezing weather) with your right arm out of the driver's side window. We all kid on that this is so we can wave at other Landy drivers, but really it's because the driving position is so cramped on that side, we're glad of the extra elbow room afforded by the open window.

Mine has had three weird breakdowns, but like Fleecewife says, not all at once  ;D . The first was that the headlights all suddenly failed one night, halfway down the A9, in the dark and rain, and whilst towing a trailer full of furniture  :o .

I phoned the RAC, but they were going to be three hours in coming, so I figured I'd use the time to see if I could fix it myself.

To cut a long story short, I managed to remove the trim around the steering column using only the smallest pair of scissors known to man, whereupon it became obvious that the off-sidelight-headlight switch had melted and failed. I then took the three wires out of the switch, stripped the ends off and twisted all three together. Hey presto, enough lights to get me back to Stirling! (although I had to disconnect the battery when I got there to turn them off  ;D ).

As a new Landy owner, you'll soon get aquainted with Lucas, the Prince of Darkness. For instance, it was raining as I took my landy to its MOT last year, and when I got there, the wipers refused to turn off when I stopped the engine (faulty park switch, but it had been fine the day before). Luckily the MOT guy saw the funny side and just said that as long as they went, it didn't matter if they didn't stop again, and passed it  :) .

I had a similar experience a fortnight ago, for this year's MOT. I checked everything over, changed the exhaust, delaminating rear numberplate, cracked indicator bulbs (cost me about fifty quid for that lot!  :D ), then proudly drove down for my MOT appointment. However, when I got to the bottom of the road and tried to indicate - no clicky noise!  I tried to fix it in the carpark (checking relay connections etc), but my time was due, so I just put it in for the MOT, knowing it would now fail.

However, imagine my surprise when they put it up on the ramp and the indicators worked no problem! And they've been fine ever since too....... but of course I know that Lucas reserves the right to strike again, and naturally it will be at the most inconvenient moment possible  ;D
"All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once." -Terry Pratchett

devonlady

  • Joined Aug 2014
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #21 on: November 13, 2014, 12:15:45 pm »
I learned to drive in a Landrover aged 14 (me, not the Landie-- she was a lot older) and, really they haven't changed much in over 50 years! Still the same heating system...cold until you've got to where you were going ::) The same air con system...a flap to open under the dash board and still geared up for tall men with big hands >:(
Wouldn't be without mine though, in fact couldn't do without it.

Greenerlife

  • Joined Mar 2009
  • Leafy Surrey
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #22 on: November 13, 2014, 02:58:03 pm »
Wear stiff bottomed boots if you are driving a long way. So much travel on the pedals your feet will get tired of bending, and it can be a killer if you are stuck in slow moving traffic. Oh yes, and make sure the doors are shut Ours don't ever really shut properly but in cold weather they take about 8 goes, and then sometimes burst open en route!

Treud na Mara

  • Joined Mar 2014
  • East Clyh, Caithness
  • Living the dream in Caithness
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #23 on: November 13, 2014, 06:08:20 pm »
I'm not a Landy owner, (yet says OH !), but  :roflanim:  reading Lucas, prince of darkness jokes. You need to post them in the Coffee Lounge jokes and funnies section so everyone can enjoy them. Thank you Womble. Still  :roflanim:
With 1 Angora and now 6 pygmy goats, Jacob & Icelandic sheep, chooks, a cat and my very own Duracell bunny aka BH !

Womble

  • Joined Mar 2009
  • Stirlingshire, Central Scotland
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #24 on: November 13, 2014, 07:04:18 pm »
I'm not a Landy owner, (yet says OH !), but  :roflanim:  reading Lucas, prince of darkness jokes

Oh well in that case, make sure you stock up on spare smoke for when you finally get yourself a Landy. Why, you ask? Well, it's a well known fact that electrical circuits run entirely on smoke. We know this from observation, since once the smoke has been seen escaping from an electrical circuit, it almost always fails to work thereafter.

For this reason, you should always carry a genuine Lucas Electrics Smoke Recharge Kit, so that you can replenish the smoke supply in your Landy, should you lose any en route.

Hope that helps!  ;)
"All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once." -Terry Pratchett

bloomer

  • Joined Aug 2010
  • leslie, fife
  • i have chickens, sheep and opinions!!!
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #25 on: November 13, 2014, 07:21:03 pm »
love that link, have stopped reading now as mrs b. just hit me for giggling!!!

shygirl

  • Joined May 2013
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #26 on: November 13, 2014, 07:40:49 pm »
yes definitely get full AA cover - you can always cancel within the 2 week cooling off period, once you are home safe! we learnt the hard way by breaking down with a disco 400 miles from home.

I would love love love a landy - so very envious!

stufe35

  • Joined Jan 2013
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #27 on: November 13, 2014, 09:06:04 pm »
Beware you might have landrovitis....once infected by this disease it is extremely addictive....there is no known cure.

Symptoms

You convince yourself 23 mpg is economical
Operating the radio on full volume is normal
3 point turns have been wrongly named ..they should be 10 point turns
Having the window open and your elbow stuck out is normal...even when it's -5.
You have to shout to get your passengers attention
Speeding tickets are not something that concern you
« Last Edit: November 13, 2014, 09:12:46 pm by stufe35 »

ladyK

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Conwy Valley
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #28 on: November 13, 2014, 09:14:29 pm »
Brilliant tips all around, and so very amusing too - I've been caught giggling more than once... Thank you all!
I think I will have to print out the lot and take it along on the trip :thumbsup:
And I'll make sure I pick the right boots and bra for the journey too  :roflanim:
"If one way is better than another, it is the way of nature." (Aristotle)

hughesy

  • Joined Feb 2010
  • Anglesey
Re: Tips for Land Rover newbies
« Reply #29 on: November 14, 2014, 11:40:42 am »
It's a good job we LR owners have a sense of humour for sure. Seriosly though, if you know anyone who has owned one for a while and/or is familiar with their unique ways, get them to come with you when you pick it up. There are so many little things that could stop you in your tracks that could be sorted in minutes by someone with the right experience.

 

Forum sponsors

FibreHut Energy Helpline Thomson & Morgan Time for Paws Scottish Smallholder & Grower Festival Ark Farm Livestock Movement Service

© The Accidental Smallholder Ltd 2003-2024. All rights reserved.

Design by Furness Internet

Site developed by Champion IS