Air Suspension vs. Coils on D90 S

978 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by pfshoen, 2 mo ago

TexasDefender

I realize this question has been debated all over the Internet, including the Land Rover forum for the past couple of years, but I want to ask hard-core Defender owners on this site.

I am ordering a 2023 D90 S with the goal of configuring it for simplicity/reliability and to mimic a vintage Defender. This means the I4 gas engine, analog gauges, and coil spring suspension.

It will be used as my daily driver plus off-road trails in the Rocky Mountains. I only anticipate my wife and I as passengers with a few pieces of luggage in the backseat or cargo area, and a pair of mountain bikes in a hitch receiver rack. I do anticipate towing a 12 foot enclosed trailer with a total combined (cargo) weight of about 3000 pounds from time to time but am assuming the coils should be fine given a 7700 pound tow rating.

As a point a reference, I owned a 2007 Toyota FJ cruiser for 10 years and loved its simple retro styling, versatility, and relative reliability. I am hoping a D90 can fill that void.

I know the arguments for adding air suspension: self-leveling, ride comfort on the road, and supposed improvements in reliability from 20 years ago. However, there are still significant electronics and software updates that are required to run the suspension, so even if the mechanical parts have become more reliable, everyone knows that JLR hasn’t quite figured out all of the OTA software updates yet. We also owned a brand new 1999 Range Rover 4.6 and had a miserable eight year ownership history — including failed air suspension on two cross country road trips.

I am willing to take a gamble on air suspension in 2023 — but do not want buyer remorse if it turns out to be a temperamental pain in the ass as It will completely ruin my ownership experience.

I am hoping that by choosing coil springs in my build configuration, I am reducing the potential for software gremlins and mechanical failures.

I have owned many stiffly sprung cars (BMW Z3M, Alfa Romeo 4C, Porsche Cayman R and GT3). I don’t mind a firm ride as long as it is not brutal.

Am I over-reacting and making a mistake by ordering the coils?

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pfshoen

· #2 · 3 mo ago

I assume different weight coil springs are available to fit if the stock ride isn't to your liking.
Unlike with live axles, independent suspension with air springs can be set to increase ground clearance when necessary.
I found that if the auto-leveling funtion isn't turned off while towing a trailer in a LWB RRC it will overwork the system and burn out the compressor prematurely. It's in the owners manual. Idk if it applies to any other Rovers.
I agree the biggest drawback of air is the software. But that pretty much describes new Rovers in general. No doubt less is more when it comes to that.

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LuisC

· #3 · 3 mo ago

My 02 RR P38 was a nightmare.

On the other hand, my 08 RR SC L322 has been awesome. Only front air springs changed. Everything else original.

The key is to recognizing when you have an irregularity and fixing it before it takes other things out with it.

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mgb2

· #4 · 3 mo ago

TexasDefender said:
I am ordering a 2023 D90 S with the goal of configuring it for simplicity/reliability and to mimic a vintage Defender. This means the I4 gas engine, analog gauges, and coil spring suspension.

I understand the desire for simplicity, and going with coil springs may not be a bad idea. I would make the argument that most everything else will fall into your "mimic" category, as modern vehicle architecture is inherently complex and reliant upon software. The "analog" gauges, for example, may avoid a future issue with a display failing, but they are merely needles driven by a control module that gets data from from CAN bus.

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TexasDefender

Discussion Starter · #5 · 3 mo ago

mgb2 said:
I understand the desire for simplicity, and going with coil springs may not be a bad idea. I would make the argument that most everything else will fall into your "mimic" category, as modern vehicle architecture is inherently complex and reliant upon software. The "analog" gauges, for example, may avoid a future issue with a display failing, but they are merely needles driven by a control module that gets data from from CAN bus.

Understood. We can’t avoid software and electronics gremlins, we can only hope to reduce them. 🤛🏻

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bwells4606

· #6 · 3 mo ago

I have a 2023 110 with coils. I have run about 10,000 miles on it. I drove it from New York to Oregon and it was great on Highway comfort. We have wheeled it in deep snow and wished we had the air suspension clearance. I put a set of Ralf Sarek sliders on and am delighted with the additional protection, given our height. We have wheeled it in sand, and rock crawled in Anzio-Borrego desert. Very happy with ride, but miss clearance. So, we have ordered a 2 inch lift set of springs. Two benefits I can determine, the coil trucks sit about an inch higher than air so a person can install larger tires, and the air suspension stuff that goes under the rear storage near the jack storage is absent, so that space can be utilized for efficient storage. This fellow Ralf Sarek has a 90 p300, no air and loves it. Google him, he has a shop and is informative. I believe you will like your choice.

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TexasDefender

Discussion Starter · #7 · 3 mo ago

Thanks for sharing. I have talked to Ralf’s team (Jeff) at length this week and it seems their minimum starting point for a brush guard and basic rock protection is about $15,000 for sliders, bumper, and lift/tires. It’s complete overkill for what I need — but thanks for sharing your positive experience with coil suspension.

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WeBeCinYa

· #8 · 3 mo ago

TexasDefender said:
Thanks for sharing. I have talked to Ralf’s team (Jeff) at length this week and it seems their minimum starting point for a brush guard and basic rock protection is about $15,000 for sliders, bumper, and lift/tires. It’s complete overkill for what I need — but thanks for sharing your positive experience with coil suspension.

I said “what?!?” 15k for bolt on’s starting point???

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TexasDefender

Discussion Starter · #9 · 3 mo ago

I simply inquired about a brush guard bumper like the LR Aussie roo bar that can accommodate a Texas front license plate, which is required by law.

The conversation evolved into off-road accessories and custom fabrication for the bumper ($4K-5K? + installation), $7K-$8K for a-arm sliders, additional cost for skid plate. Then he suggested a 2 inch lift plus larger tires (which sounds cool), but is not what I need since I am not doing any rock crawling or serious off-roading.

I’m sure is amazing work, but “a Cadillac solution to a Chevy problem“ in my case.

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WeBeCinYa

· #10 · 3 mo ago

I respect Ralph but that’s insane, imo clearly.

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week2479

· #11 · 2 mo ago

mgb2 said:
I understand the desire for simplicity, and going with coil springs may not be a bad idea. I would make the argument that most everything else will fall into your "mimic" category, as modern vehicle architecture is inherently complex and reliant upon software. The "analog" gauges, for example, may avoid a future issue with a display failing, but they are merely needles driven by a control module that gets data from from CAN bus.

Interesting

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pfshoen

· #12 · 2 mo ago

Independent suspension that raises and lowers with airbags actually does change ground clearance, unlike earlier Rovers with live axles.

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