I am confused with information on FL2 ground clearance. Official technical specification released by LR in July says it is 220 mm. September price list brochure already says "ground clearance up to 210 mm". But the following line confuses me even more: "standard ride height 185 mm".

Earlier I met "standard ride height" only for an adjustable air suspension as a synonym of ground clearance in a standard suspension regime. So what is it for FL2 suspension? And does that mean that it's standard ground clearance is actually 185 mm - like in the old FL? But many FL2 reviews stress that "the new Freelander features improved ground clearance"!?

185 mm in the front, 220 mm in rear.

Well that is not that much ! Maybe Freelander2 is still mostly a softroader judging by these numbers.

Mathis since 8.8.2006 BMW 330dA E90

it's not size that matters, but what you do with it
and when you avoid the deep ruts, it goes a long way, as a couple of Defender drivers mentioned seeing which terrain a standard FL2 could tackle without any problems at all  

Sure that might be the case in point.

However I am sure you read the story of the guy here in the forum, who sunk his Freelander2 during these floods in England. Now, something similar happend to me in Prague with my Beemer recently during a freak storm, the difference being that my car sits much lower and is more subsceptible to such water threats. Well, I am waiting for the new engine at the moment...

The guy who saved me and towed me to my dealership drove a Discovery, so I started thinking about a Land Rover as a second 'bad weather car' for various reasons I took a liking to the FL2 - just seems like a great package.

But in the end it is no use to me if only buy myself 10 cm more water clearance...
A Discovery3 with the snorkle seems to be the go-anywhere solution but for various other reasons does not match what I am looking for.

Probably I should take part in some LR Experience to really see what a FL2 can do and what it cannot do.

Mathis since 8.8.2006 BMW 330dA E90

the FL2 is capable of wading through 50cm of water (officially that is), I doubt that your Beemer is capable of wading through 40cm (officially)
the Disco3 is capable of 60 or 70cm if I remember correct, depending on the suspension
anyway when there's that much water on the road, it's a risk and it's better to stay where you are if possible 

Praha-mh you shouldn't confuse ground clearance with how deep a vehicle can go in water, which is its wading depth.

The ground clearance is 210mm meaning that if a 21cm rock sits between the left and right hand wheels the car will clear it....which is quite some clearance!

The Wading depth is quoted at 500mm ( I expect it is more, but they have probably gone on the side of caution) which means that the FL2 can happily sit in half a metre of water. If you are driving through water you could go deeper than 500mm as long as you keep driving and keep the bow wave maintained, but generally speaking I don't think this would be suggested.

Gambba wrote:

Praha-mh you shouldn't confuse ground clearance with how deep a vehicle can go in water, which is its wading depth.

The ground clearance is 210mm meaning that if a 21cm rock sits between the left and right hand wheels the car will clear it....which is quite some clearance!
............................

Sure I understand the difference, but thanks for pointing it out

Still it is an indicator of what is possible and where the limits are.
I like the FL2, but at the moment I think a Skoda Octavia II Scout
could do the same job as well. I mean I will not go off-road that often.
Excuse my comparison.

Mathis since 8.8.2006 BMW 330dA E90

maybe you should buy an amfibious car
that way you never have to be affraid the water is too deep  

Thought a Land Rover was the closest to an amphibious car

But you are right I probably first need to figure out how important it is that I can go through water
Probably I should just stay with what I have. since 8.8.2006 BMW 330dA E90

Quote:

Probably I should just stay with what I have.

I think you'd better change it for a FL2  

superkoala wrote:

I think you'd better change it for a FL2

That does appear to be the only solution doesn't it

Even the Defender only has a 500mm wading depth,

I alway though these could go deeper, but then i suppose you would be worrying about getting a little damp in the cabin as you would be wearing your farmers wellington boot if your drove one of these.

superkoala wrote:

it's not size that matters, but what you do with it
and when you avoid the deep ruts, it goes a long way, as a couple of Defender drivers mentioned seeing which terrain a standard FL2 could tackle without any problems at all

He's right, and I was there to see how superfree2koala proved it

Although you have to have some insight in HOW to drive, of course

Quote:

Although you have to have some insight in HOW to drive, of course

probably I was just lucky
but I guess you're right, better to play on the safe side than being to bold and overestimate your car and your own skills