Writing this issue’s group test of soft-roaders/crossovers/SUVs – whatever you want to call them – was quite an enlightening experience.
Here at 4×4 we are often rather dismayed by the lack of ‘real’ off-roaders left in the world; vehicles that offer a proper low-range transfer box and the sort of ground clearance that will make sure you can clear more than just a small, muddy hump or a patch of slippery grass in the gymkhana field.
But the world is changing and manufacturers are all competing to produce the best, compact, but still useful ‘soft-roader’ (my preferred term for the genre). The 4×4 has become a hot property in buyers’ guides and at auctions, as harsh winters seem now to be the norm in the UK. The Siberian weather that the east coast of the USA is experiencing as I write this, appears to be heading our way…
This book is the mechanic in your glovebox, essential for troubleshooting, identifying issues and suggesting roadside fixes for 101 common problems associated with Series Land Rovers – both on and off-road.
This Defender USB memory stick has a 4GB capacity and is in the shape of a die cast metal Defender. The headlights actually flash when there is data activity and just in case you can’t ‘park’ this Defender where you want it to be seen, or if the USB port is hidden out of sight, there’s a short USB extension cable so you can ‘park’ it neatly on your desk!
Given the time of the year, these heated mirror elements are a great idea. Standard equipment on trucks, vans and high-end cars, MUD heated mirror elements add another level of safety and convenience to any Land Rover Defender. Unlike traditional printed circuit elements the MUD heated mirror elements use the same impregnated matting found in bathroom applications to avoid the striping effect of traditional heating elements. MUD heated mirror elements can be supplied as elements only or with a fitting kit.
Changing wheel and tyres for your vehicle, can then involve getting spacers fitted. Very important that these are well engineered to keep all wheel aligned correctly. A new set of spacers from H&R have come to our attention. Available for Range Rover models built from March 2003 onwards, the Trak+ Wheel Spacer kit provides simple and effective vehicle track widening, which is claimed to improve handling and performance. A ‘perfect fit’ hubcentric design makes the spacer function as a precise extension of the axle hub, thereby guaranteeing precision wheel fitment. Made from durable lightweight aluminium/magnesium alloy, they are suitable for DIY installation.
Revised gear ratios to Nissan’s successful Juke crossover SUV have helped to improve fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions levels. Something that Nissan claims will save owners up to £232.47 over three years. (The savings are based on annual mileage of 10,000 miles per year and national average fuel prices: petrol 136.2p / diesel 140.3p). 
Bob Cooke – contributor 
There’s definitely something fishy about my “new” Cherokee. Don’t think I’m complaining, if I’ve gone and bought a dud car for too much money it’s entirely my own fault; I’ve bought dozens of old cars in my time and very few have been bad ones, thanks to the set of rules I’ve drawn up, which include: Never buy from a dealer (I’ve never had a warranty on a used car that was worth the paper it was written on), never buy from a friend (too many of my ex-friends have a significantly different idea of what constitutes a sound and reliable car than I have), and never buy from a farmer (too much mud, chemical fertiliser and chicken droppings, let alone a tendency to skip servicing).
Louise Limb – contributor
It’s fair to say that more than just a spot of water has been falling out of the sky around these parts of late. Having quietly ignored my front brake pads while they continued to behave perfectly well for several months despite Phil’s dire warnings about the reluctance of the nearside wheel to spin freely while it was up on the hoist, I had a wee bit of a scare on a sneaky bend in torrential rain recently.
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