Comparing Interiors - Land Rover and Mercedes Interiors
One big complaint many Merc owners have had about the Mercedes Interiors is the distinct lack of leg room for back seat passengers, for a prestige car many of their models lack the leg room length for a comfortable ride.
The C-class has attempted to rectify this Mercedes Interiors problem, with some success over the last couple of years, including alerting the shape of the front seats to allow more knee space for back seat passengers.
Mercedes interiors tend to have that German functionality that is very practical and encompasses good design features but lacks areal richness of finish. This is evident by the fact that German and other taxi drivers love the C class and the basic Mercedes interior as a practical passenger vehicle for short journeys, easy to clean, not many things to break, strong and long lasting interior parts.
The newer Mercedes Interiors although still practical have been re-vamped with items such as smaller buttons and controls that tidy up the dash and interior areas rather than the old oversized switches. Although many controls are still not within easy reach on many Mercedes Interiors, which must be frustrating when zooming down an autobahn at warp speed.
The instrument panel on Mercedes Interiors is generally dominated by a huge oversized speedo, which admittedly is packed with useful information and is easily read in daylight or with the orange glow it gives off.
The Interiors Land Rover in comparison offer a huge degree of style and comfort including powered lumbar support within the seats, top of the range kardon stereo surround sound audio systems.
For its interiors, Land Rover have gone to town, providing a huge array of luxury features including a centre console which is conveniently raised for ease of use, and a facia wrap that is curved for added comfort.
Five full adult seats are part of the spacey interiors; Land Rover offers in contrast to the Mercedes interiors that have the above mentioned lack of space. For the interiors, Land Rover also offers a choice of materials and matching fittings to raise the quality of the overall look of the passenger area including almond coloured leather with matching nutmeg trim, even door inserts are available in matching leather.
Other features of the interiors, Land Rover offers include easy to reach controls to, for example, open and close the tailgate; there is even a system to monitor tyre pressures and even a heated steering wheel for ultimate driver comfort.
Mercedes may have to edge on engineering but the Mercedes interiors tend to lack the overall refinement found with the design of the interiors Land Rover or have to offer, with more emphasis on luxury and less on durability, which is perhaps best suited to this luxury end of the market.
Darrell F comments on the differences between the Mercedes interiors and the Land Rover interiors.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Choosing the Right Land Rover Part For Your Vehicle
Choosing the Right Land Rover Part For Your Vehicle
There are many companies stocking Land Rover parts. Landrover parts come in both OEM and after market and the difference between these is that OEM are made by Land Rover whereas original after market parts are produced by a third party. Original End Manufacturer parts are generally more expensive but are thought of as higher quality than their aftermarket counterparts. OEM products are designed to exact factory specifications and are guaranteed by Land Rover themselves.
The downside to OEM parts is that they are generally more expensive and can only be bought through official Land Rover dealers. After market products on the other hand can be bought at many outlets and at many on-line stores and they are generally less expensive than OEM parts. If you have the money it is recommended to spend it on Original Genuine products but some after market products can also be good. As with everything, read reviews and thoroughly check out any after market part you are considering buying, especially with the many items that are currently on the market that are of dubious quality and uncertain origins.
There are a large amount of Land Rover accessories available. These are things such as the under bumper skid plate which protects the underside of your vehicle when driving on rough ground. The nudge bar is a good accessory for off-roading as it can be used for pushing other vehicles or debris out of your path. There is even a winch bumper accessory kit available for the purist of the off-road world.
Find all your Land Rover Parts, Landrover Accessories and Land Rover Vehicles for everything from Series 1 spare parts to Freelander accessories at http://www.landroverpartsonline.com 1000's of Brand new and second hand land rover parts, Land Rover vehicles and Landrover accessories are always available.
There are many companies stocking Land Rover parts. Landrover parts come in both OEM and after market and the difference between these is that OEM are made by Land Rover whereas original after market parts are produced by a third party. Original End Manufacturer parts are generally more expensive but are thought of as higher quality than their aftermarket counterparts. OEM products are designed to exact factory specifications and are guaranteed by Land Rover themselves.
The downside to OEM parts is that they are generally more expensive and can only be bought through official Land Rover dealers. After market products on the other hand can be bought at many outlets and at many on-line stores and they are generally less expensive than OEM parts. If you have the money it is recommended to spend it on Original Genuine products but some after market products can also be good. As with everything, read reviews and thoroughly check out any after market part you are considering buying, especially with the many items that are currently on the market that are of dubious quality and uncertain origins.
There are a large amount of Land Rover accessories available. These are things such as the under bumper skid plate which protects the underside of your vehicle when driving on rough ground. The nudge bar is a good accessory for off-roading as it can be used for pushing other vehicles or debris out of your path. There is even a winch bumper accessory kit available for the purist of the off-road world.
Find all your Land Rover Parts, Landrover Accessories and Land Rover Vehicles for everything from Series 1 spare parts to Freelander accessories at http://www.landroverpartsonline.com 1000's of Brand new and second hand land rover parts, Land Rover vehicles and Landrover accessories are always available.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Land Rover - The Time Line
Land Rover - The Time Line
The first Freelander has been available since 1998, and has been a big success throughout Europe. The Freelander is now Europe's best selling 4x4. In 2001, other features were added to the Freelander such as improved engines and gearbox. Land Rover is known worldwide for it's off the road performance. The Freelander has a smooth ride, is impressive off-the road, and is very secure. Although the prices are high, the reliability could be improved and could provide more space for drivers.
In 2006, the Freelander 2 was announced. The Freelander 2, has introduced 2 new engines, a 3.2-litre straight-six petrol and a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel. Some of it's changes from the original Freelander, is the unique 'Terrain Response' to make off-roading easier, also the full time intelligent system 4x4 for better fuel economy and traction, and the 'Gradient Release Control' which helps drivers when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes. Other small helpful features include keyless starter button, bi-xenon headlamps and rain-sensing wipers too name few. Too many, it's advantages are it's superb ride and composed handling. Many people comment that the design and technologies of the Freelander are excellent but many buyers complain about the price compared to that of Freelander's rivals. The Land Rover Freelander 2 prices range from £21,000 to £36,000.
After complaints about the original 'Freelander' lacking space for drivers, the Freelander 2 has more space for head, shoulder and legroom. A clever feature by Land Rover is the 'stadium seating', where the rear passengers are seated slightly higher than the front occupants as to see the outside world. The only disadvantage with the Freelander 2 is that it is now too large and struggles to fit in car washes, parking spaces etc. Due to this, it is hard to get around small villages, but perfect for motorways.
"No other compact 4x4 has anything like its total breadth of capability," says Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director. "The Freelander 2 sets new standards in the sector, combining the advantages of a premium car with the attributes of a robust 4x4,
With the impact of the credit crunch and the rising prices, many people now use contract hire& leasing to purchase their cars. The contract hires ranges from £317 to £490 over 36 months for a Land Rover leasingFreelander 2.
The first Freelander has been available since 1998, and has been a big success throughout Europe. The Freelander is now Europe's best selling 4x4. In 2001, other features were added to the Freelander such as improved engines and gearbox. Land Rover is known worldwide for it's off the road performance. The Freelander has a smooth ride, is impressive off-the road, and is very secure. Although the prices are high, the reliability could be improved and could provide more space for drivers.
In 2006, the Freelander 2 was announced. The Freelander 2, has introduced 2 new engines, a 3.2-litre straight-six petrol and a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel. Some of it's changes from the original Freelander, is the unique 'Terrain Response' to make off-roading easier, also the full time intelligent system 4x4 for better fuel economy and traction, and the 'Gradient Release Control' which helps drivers when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes. Other small helpful features include keyless starter button, bi-xenon headlamps and rain-sensing wipers too name few. Too many, it's advantages are it's superb ride and composed handling. Many people comment that the design and technologies of the Freelander are excellent but many buyers complain about the price compared to that of Freelander's rivals. The Land Rover Freelander 2 prices range from £21,000 to £36,000.
After complaints about the original 'Freelander' lacking space for drivers, the Freelander 2 has more space for head, shoulder and legroom. A clever feature by Land Rover is the 'stadium seating', where the rear passengers are seated slightly higher than the front occupants as to see the outside world. The only disadvantage with the Freelander 2 is that it is now too large and struggles to fit in car washes, parking spaces etc. Due to this, it is hard to get around small villages, but perfect for motorways.
"No other compact 4x4 has anything like its total breadth of capability," says Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director. "The Freelander 2 sets new standards in the sector, combining the advantages of a premium car with the attributes of a robust 4x4,
With the impact of the credit crunch and the rising prices, many people now use contract hire& leasing to purchase their cars. The contract hires ranges from £317 to £490 over 36 months for a Land Rover leasingFreelander 2.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
You Need to Get Land Rover Discovery Extended Warranties For Peace of Mind
Perhaps more so than for any other vehicle, Land Rover Discovery extended warranties are highly recommended. Why? Because these vehicles are notorious for mechanical issues, and you don't want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in repairs the day after the manufacturer's warranty expires.
Sure, these are certainly great looking SUVs. That's why people continue to buy them despite all of the negative customer satisfaction reports. People would rather have a stylish car they can show off to friends and neighbors and don't seem to mind the frequent trips to the auto mechanic to fix one problem or another.
If you are of the style over substance mind frame, and you decide to purchase one of these British automobiles, do yourself a favor and get a Land Rover Discovery extended warranty. You'll really be glad you did.
Why do you need this additional coverage? Because the warranty that comes with the vehicle only lasts for a certain number of years or miles. Generally it will cover around 36,000 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first. This may seem like adequate coverage, but these days most people keep their cars far longer than 3 years. Manufacturers are building cars to last much longer than they used to, so it's not out of the ordinary for someone to keep their vehicle for 5, 10, even 15 years.
So if you think about it, unless you plan on keeping your car for only 3 years, it pays to purchase Land Rover Discovery extended warranties. That way, you know that if anything happens after the original warranty has lapsed, you are completely covered and the warranty provider will pay for any repairs needed for the vehicle to be back in running shape.
This is especially important for cars that are known to break down, and the Discovery is certainly one of them. It consistently gets some of the lowest customer satisfaction scores in reputable magazines such as Consumer Reports, and chances are, you will find yourself in the shop more than a handful of times over the life of the vehicle.
And remember, one repair can cost you several thousand dollars, and that could be more than the price of the Land Rover Discovery extended warranty that you purchase. So how can you possibly go wrong? You're basically purchasing peace of mind...a small investment for potentially 15 or more years of not worrying about potential car problems.
Do yourself a favor...if you are in the market for one of these vehicles, look into Land Rover Discovery extended warranties. They are affordable, and independent providers can offer very competitive rates with excellent coverage.
James has over 25 years of experience in the auto industry and is a regular contributor to the extended car warranties section of auto-advice.com, a site teaching consumers what to look for when it comes to purchasing new and used vehicles.
Sure, these are certainly great looking SUVs. That's why people continue to buy them despite all of the negative customer satisfaction reports. People would rather have a stylish car they can show off to friends and neighbors and don't seem to mind the frequent trips to the auto mechanic to fix one problem or another.
If you are of the style over substance mind frame, and you decide to purchase one of these British automobiles, do yourself a favor and get a Land Rover Discovery extended warranty. You'll really be glad you did.
Why do you need this additional coverage? Because the warranty that comes with the vehicle only lasts for a certain number of years or miles. Generally it will cover around 36,000 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first. This may seem like adequate coverage, but these days most people keep their cars far longer than 3 years. Manufacturers are building cars to last much longer than they used to, so it's not out of the ordinary for someone to keep their vehicle for 5, 10, even 15 years.
So if you think about it, unless you plan on keeping your car for only 3 years, it pays to purchase Land Rover Discovery extended warranties. That way, you know that if anything happens after the original warranty has lapsed, you are completely covered and the warranty provider will pay for any repairs needed for the vehicle to be back in running shape.
This is especially important for cars that are known to break down, and the Discovery is certainly one of them. It consistently gets some of the lowest customer satisfaction scores in reputable magazines such as Consumer Reports, and chances are, you will find yourself in the shop more than a handful of times over the life of the vehicle.
And remember, one repair can cost you several thousand dollars, and that could be more than the price of the Land Rover Discovery extended warranty that you purchase. So how can you possibly go wrong? You're basically purchasing peace of mind...a small investment for potentially 15 or more years of not worrying about potential car problems.
Do yourself a favor...if you are in the market for one of these vehicles, look into Land Rover Discovery extended warranties. They are affordable, and independent providers can offer very competitive rates with excellent coverage.
James has over 25 years of experience in the auto industry and is a regular contributor to the extended car warranties section of auto-advice.com, a site teaching consumers what to look for when it comes to purchasing new and used vehicles.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Hummer, Jeep, Land Rover - Mahindra
It's been quite a while since we've heard any new news or rumors on the Mahindra truck launch in the United States. Is Mahindra steadily and methodically moving forward with their plans? We assume they continue to see the opportunity before them through the haze of Detroit's implosion.
On the surface, it seems like bad timing for Mahindra's plans to bring a rugged diesel truck to the US market. But take a deeper look at what is going on with the competition and all of the necessary justification is right there:
Hummer - is rotting on the vine. It's on GM's chopping block. AM General and a Chinese company are the only interested parties and their intentions are uncertain at best. Still a great unique line of vehicles with strong premium brand identity. GM could do so many things to make it a viable brand, but apparently they can't figure it out.
Jeep - is the emasculated shell of its former self. At one time it was a brand that made a strong statement about the individuality and outdoor lifestyle of its owner. Now it is a gelded byproduct of Chrysler platform sharing and build quality that never made it past 1983. The only hope for Jeep's legacy is that Cerberus sells the name outright, and someone comes in and puts the Compass, Liberty, and Patriot out of their misery.
Land Rover - has managed to keep its identity and prestige intact even though sales are horrendous. That is a real testament to Ford's ability to make it a shining star in their now dismembered Premier Auto Group. Land Rover will carry on, now owned by Tata Motors. This is extra incentive for Mahindra to compete head to head with their Indian rival.
By competition, we mean that we are only considering unique brands. Mahindra does not intend to go head to head with Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, and Toyota pick ups or SUVs. They hope to carve their own niche with a more exotic and unique vehicle. A heavy duty, mid-sized, luxury, diesel or diesel/hybrid pick up and SUV. This is why we consider the closest comparable brands and vehicles to be: Hummer, Jeep, and Land Rover.
Mahindra will be offering a vehicle that is on par with these premium brands for quality and luxury, but far more rugged and for a much lower price. Picture a Hummer H2T with a diesel, better load and towing capacity, and for less than half base price. Okay, maybe you don't get the 'look at me' value of a Hummer, but if that is a concern for you, you certainly aren't going to drive a Mahindra anyway.
Cheers to Mahindra and their continuing efforts.
On the surface, it seems like bad timing for Mahindra's plans to bring a rugged diesel truck to the US market. But take a deeper look at what is going on with the competition and all of the necessary justification is right there:
Hummer - is rotting on the vine. It's on GM's chopping block. AM General and a Chinese company are the only interested parties and their intentions are uncertain at best. Still a great unique line of vehicles with strong premium brand identity. GM could do so many things to make it a viable brand, but apparently they can't figure it out.
Jeep - is the emasculated shell of its former self. At one time it was a brand that made a strong statement about the individuality and outdoor lifestyle of its owner. Now it is a gelded byproduct of Chrysler platform sharing and build quality that never made it past 1983. The only hope for Jeep's legacy is that Cerberus sells the name outright, and someone comes in and puts the Compass, Liberty, and Patriot out of their misery.
Land Rover - has managed to keep its identity and prestige intact even though sales are horrendous. That is a real testament to Ford's ability to make it a shining star in their now dismembered Premier Auto Group. Land Rover will carry on, now owned by Tata Motors. This is extra incentive for Mahindra to compete head to head with their Indian rival.
By competition, we mean that we are only considering unique brands. Mahindra does not intend to go head to head with Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, and Toyota pick ups or SUVs. They hope to carve their own niche with a more exotic and unique vehicle. A heavy duty, mid-sized, luxury, diesel or diesel/hybrid pick up and SUV. This is why we consider the closest comparable brands and vehicles to be: Hummer, Jeep, and Land Rover.
Mahindra will be offering a vehicle that is on par with these premium brands for quality and luxury, but far more rugged and for a much lower price. Picture a Hummer H2T with a diesel, better load and towing capacity, and for less than half base price. Okay, maybe you don't get the 'look at me' value of a Hummer, but if that is a concern for you, you certainly aren't going to drive a Mahindra anyway.
Cheers to Mahindra and their continuing efforts.
Monday, August 3, 2009
A Land Rover Defender Expedition
A Land Rover Defender Defender
I must confess something. I'm a sucker for the old Land Rover Series. Call it an innate response landscape (rural Yorkshire born and bred, very weak weapon Thank you), but there's something convincing with a car, you can use a dirt road to rescue a sheep stuck without having to worry about whether the exhaust will fall on the next bump.
I've tinkered with the courage of a Series IIA, that is my senior by a decade as an oil-Frankenstein, the seams in the heart of the monster. A classic Land Rover looks like a car, you can service with nothing more than a wrench and hammer, and maybe a good pair of steel-toed boots for the inevitable drop kick frustrated follows that a mother in the depths of the hood.
So it is with more than a little suspicion that I am at my next potential purchase Landy, because the modern land rover does not look as if they are so friendly to an amateur mechanic travels in his garage swinging sand and a copy of the Haynes manual. As always, I wanted a used Land Rover for the lower price and the feeling that it is already broken in to a certain extent. As I have the pleasure of the members about returning to dirt in an old Defender Tatty, I decided to opt for a test drive in the updated version.
With the wide range of models and data on supply may be a little scary to go to the first time buyer. But do not be overwhelmed by the selection, because the good specialists used Land Rover dealers means that you will be able to talk about your requirements with experienced sales staff, providing advice in relation to the model that suits your needs best. This applies to all second-hand vehicle dealer and a specialist should be your first stop to be disappointed If the tires of a rust bucket that is nothing like the "good as new, one careful lady owner" car that you expect.
As I was just this bond for all Land Rover Defender for a few hours, I thought it advisable that no off-road adventure. However, traveling the streets once again made it clear that the advances in technology have led to only an improvement in the performance of the defenders. I had the feeling that little jerk mounted, as I have the grass on the side of a single-lane highway to pass another rider. And while I love the classical models, one can not just say that they are most comfortable of rides on uneven terrain. The improvement of the suspension of defender updated means that even a vicious circle looking pothole evoked response only a shrug from the vehicle.
Land Rover have a good reputation based on long life, and with the development of their easy handling and ride comfort, it is not hard to see why this iconic brand endured as local agriculture has been lost. I felt a bit tricky in my enjoyment of the journey into the defenders, but there is no reason why a classic design, one has a sore back.
Too soon I found myself heading back to the dealer, whether the Series IIA would remain the same performance now that I knew what I was missing. Although I would be more inclined, the more complicated operation of the new Land Rover models used by the pros, I am sure that this time I'm rooting around under the bonnet for the smaller tasks that can be handled by a competent home mechanic.
I admit that I fully won, and the dashed line, which only the briefest moment of hesitation, I asked whether the Series IIA would raise a sort of pout.
For those who opt for a vehicle that is off-road capability with on-road comfort, a used Land Rover could very well be the ideal choice. If you have a chance to get it on the streets, a little more challenge than the A1, you can sign up for a sense of whether the model will be with you the mountains and valley with a minimum of fuss.
I must confess something. I'm a sucker for the old Land Rover Series. Call it an innate response landscape (rural Yorkshire born and bred, very weak weapon Thank you), but there's something convincing with a car, you can use a dirt road to rescue a sheep stuck without having to worry about whether the exhaust will fall on the next bump.
I've tinkered with the courage of a Series IIA, that is my senior by a decade as an oil-Frankenstein, the seams in the heart of the monster. A classic Land Rover looks like a car, you can service with nothing more than a wrench and hammer, and maybe a good pair of steel-toed boots for the inevitable drop kick frustrated follows that a mother in the depths of the hood.
So it is with more than a little suspicion that I am at my next potential purchase Landy, because the modern land rover does not look as if they are so friendly to an amateur mechanic travels in his garage swinging sand and a copy of the Haynes manual. As always, I wanted a used Land Rover for the lower price and the feeling that it is already broken in to a certain extent. As I have the pleasure of the members about returning to dirt in an old Defender Tatty, I decided to opt for a test drive in the updated version.
With the wide range of models and data on supply may be a little scary to go to the first time buyer. But do not be overwhelmed by the selection, because the good specialists used Land Rover dealers means that you will be able to talk about your requirements with experienced sales staff, providing advice in relation to the model that suits your needs best. This applies to all second-hand vehicle dealer and a specialist should be your first stop to be disappointed If the tires of a rust bucket that is nothing like the "good as new, one careful lady owner" car that you expect.
As I was just this bond for all Land Rover Defender for a few hours, I thought it advisable that no off-road adventure. However, traveling the streets once again made it clear that the advances in technology have led to only an improvement in the performance of the defenders. I had the feeling that little jerk mounted, as I have the grass on the side of a single-lane highway to pass another rider. And while I love the classical models, one can not just say that they are most comfortable of rides on uneven terrain. The improvement of the suspension of defender updated means that even a vicious circle looking pothole evoked response only a shrug from the vehicle.
Land Rover have a good reputation based on long life, and with the development of their easy handling and ride comfort, it is not hard to see why this iconic brand endured as local agriculture has been lost. I felt a bit tricky in my enjoyment of the journey into the defenders, but there is no reason why a classic design, one has a sore back.
Too soon I found myself heading back to the dealer, whether the Series IIA would remain the same performance now that I knew what I was missing. Although I would be more inclined, the more complicated operation of the new Land Rover models used by the pros, I am sure that this time I'm rooting around under the bonnet for the smaller tasks that can be handled by a competent home mechanic.
I admit that I fully won, and the dashed line, which only the briefest moment of hesitation, I asked whether the Series IIA would raise a sort of pout.
For those who opt for a vehicle that is off-road capability with on-road comfort, a used Land Rover could very well be the ideal choice. If you have a chance to get it on the streets, a little more challenge than the A1, you can sign up for a sense of whether the model will be with you the mountains and valley with a minimum of fuss.
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