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Topic: Non 4x4 for light off roading

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pikerwoods

30/11/2012 at 11:06am
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We had a Hyundai Tucson which we sold early this year when we decided to stop touring. I used it for fishing which enabled me to drive down a few stee p slopes to car parks and a lane/bridleway which is a struggle in wet weather. Would the likes of a Nissan Quashqi with ESP and high ride height be better than my Nissan Note?

Grampian91

30/11/2012 at 5:09pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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If its deeply rutted and you risk sinking into the mud then axle clearance is important.

Not sure if ESP helps at low speed?

Locking diffs would be a better option.

Some try to achieve the same with the ABS braking spinning wheels but its not quite the same to me.

pikerwoods

30/11/2012 at 11:08pm
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Where I want to drive down is not rutted just a few pot holes. It's the wet leaves and mud I'm more concerned with.

Phil Ness

30/11/2012 at 11:17pm
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On my wife's old car the ESP was more of a hindrance in slippery conditions, she could not get up our lane in the snow and ice with it switched on. Turn it off and allow the wheels to spin a bit and she could.
Why not get any car with reasonable ground clearance and fit it with decent all terrain tyres?

AndrewK

30/11/2012 at 11:35pm
Location: Oldham
Outfit: Burstner S500TS Nissan Patrol 3.0 SVE

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A couple of years back, I had a 4wd version of the Quashqai as a courtesy car for a day whilst my Nissan Patrol was in for service. It worked very well on packed snow with no drama at all.

I was surprised at quite how good it was.

Andrew

Skoda Bob

01/12/2012 at 12:37am
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Skoda Octavia Scout tdi

Opensauce

01/12/2012 at 8:26am
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To answer your question, no, I doubt it would be any better than your Note, in fact as it is heavier it might be worse. In slippery conditions a small front wheel drive car will be better than a big one. A 2wd car that looks like a 4x4 will be no better than one that dosen't. You could improve grip on your Note by fitting winter tyres.

pikerwoods

03/12/2012 at 12:36am
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Thanks for replys, think I'll leave fishing the hard to get places till I renew my car next year.

Zafiral

10/12/2012 at 12:38pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: ex Caravanner now Static.

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I would add to the recommendation of winter tyres. The continental winter tyres I have on my Mondeo are M+S rated.

Wet leaves & mud are better than on the summer tyres. Wet overflow carparks are no issue at all.

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All year Dorset!!!

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