I have a 2011 SD4 which I am generally happy with. It runs on 65 profile tyres.
Lately, because of a back injury, my wife has been finding it hard to get in and out of the car, and on country roads finds the bumps that I am unable to miss painful.
I have looked at the alternative vehicles but cannot find anything with the right mix of height, comfort and appeal.
The question therefore is, does anyone know if there is a way to reduce the ride height of the FL2 by an inch or two, and reduce the spring/damping rates. I would guess that the roll stiffness would need to be reduced as well, as lateral pitching on uneven roads is a problem.
I know this would impair both on- and off-road capabilities to some degree, but would accept this.

Appreciate any reasonable suggestions.

Have you considered inflatable cushion/back support to absorb the bumps and sways? Less expensive than undertaking significant costly modifications which may or may not provide any improvement. You wouldn't find out until after you've spent the money!
Gel-pack car-seat supports may also be beneficial.

What PSI are you running?

A few comments further down the page here on PSI http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32055.html Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Hate the look but side steps for access will help.

17" wheels. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Get a Freelander 1, and add some side steps. Simples!

Dave, I carry a small step stool around in the boot doesn't help you with the bumps but a cheap option for getting in and out.  If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.

I run with 19” rims which admittedly are not so smooth on our pot holed roads as your 17” rims. I also have side steps as my wife is not so nimble as once was. Nevertheless, she finds our Freelander the most comfortable car. Even more so than our old Alhambra MPV which is always considered inferior to ourFreelander. I would not consider altering ride height or spring rates. (LR took a lot of trouble to get the ride “right” - possibly the best riding small/medium SUV at the time). Try side steps and seating cushions as others have suggested.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Is there a way of mounting passenger seat on some kind of suspension, like you see in some lorries?

Just a thought, I have never seen it, but all kinds of adaptations are possible these days. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 82k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

Thanks all for the suggestions.
I run at 32 psi - have previously tried going a little softer but it made little difference. Some improvement gained by swapping the Contis for BFG all season, which are a bit softer.
Have tried using a step but not so nimble these days and is nervous when off the ground, same with side steps. If I can count on finding a kerb this does help. Had a FL 1 previously but do not remember it as any better.
May try putting some seat height adjustment in; there's not a lot of room to allow a worthwhile seat suspension.
May just have to travel slower when the road is uneven.
Unfortunately low seats are also a problem, so swapping to a regular car is not an option, some other SUVs have a low enough seat level but no better on the ride front. I'm also reluctant to let go of the old bus.

Thanks again for the ideas; if I find a solution I'll post it up here.
Dave

Missed out - have been using cushions for some time, which do help a bit, but don't do anything for the height issue.

A 100 kg or so extra weight in the car! Fill up water containers & place them behind the front seats. You will get 70 litres in there for a start together with dropping your tyres 5 PSI. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

My wife seems to carry her own cushion suspension around with her

I clearly remember a much firmer ride in two stages of firmosity;
1) Changing up from FL1 to FL2 SE,
2) Changing up from FL2 SE 17" wheels, to FL2 HSE with 19" wheels.

The latter was a bump too far, and I changed the wheels immediately down to 17".

The 19" diamond cuts are available to anyone who's interested. Pictures in my gallery.

You need a Citroen C6. According the James May it has the best ride in the world. MY13 Santorini Black SD4 HSE

15 years ago the Berlingo came second to a RR for best ride of any car according to Top Gear. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current