Different suspension tuning for HSE & SE?

[manoftaste]

Is it? I was interested in putting 18" wheels in my HSE and my dealer mentioned that the factory suspension tuning spec is not the same in SE and HSE. Was just curious if this is true and that if it could be confirmed some how by LR/GTR site, etc. For those of you who have done the wheels swap, do you notice any difference at all? If there IS any difference, I would think the HSE's tuning might be softer then SE to make up for the less rubber.

btw, the other day i saw a black SE with the 2008 design 18" wheels (dark grey chromed) with grapplers (285 width), man, did that thing look hot or what... wish i had taken a photo to put it up here...

 

[davez26]

Is it? I was interested in putting 18" wheels in my HSE and my dealer mentioned that the factory suspension tuning spec is not the same in SE and HSE. Was just curious if this is true and that if it could be confirmed some how by LR/GTR site, etc. QUOTE]
There is absolutely no suspension component difference between air suspension V-6/SE/HSE, so they all have the same ride and suspension dynamics.
As for tuning?, I guess you were led to believe that the software alters the ride somehow. It dosen't. The air part of the struts essentially holds air to a certain height as determined by the sensors, and adjusts as needed. As for the struts, they are "dumb" they have no electrical connections, so there is no software tuning to accur to alter ride.
The suspensions are the same.
(while not an official source per se, I am a Land Rover Parts Manager, and I have fielded this question before.)
Get out there and drive!

 

[manoftaste]

thanks dave. not to question what you said, but interesting enough, i remember reading somewhere a while back (in a review or maybe LR marketing material during my research before i purchased) that the suspension system "monitors the road surface and constantly adjusts to it". so i thought maybe aside from adjusting height the system also adjusted the ride softness/firmness based on the input its getting from the surface, etc. which may change with more more/less rubber. but i guess not.
"Get out there and drive!" yeah thats what i need to do, but i am too worried about the scratches, Ha!

 

[richpike]

thanks dave. not to question what you said, but interesting enough, i remember reading somewhere a while back (in a review or maybe LR marketing material during my research before i purchased) that the suspension system "monitors the road surface and constantly adjusts to it". so i thought maybe aside from adjusting height the system also adjusted the ride softness/firmness based on the input its getting from the surface, etc. which may change with more more/less rubber. but i guess not.
"Get out there and drive!" yeah thats what i need to do, but i am too worried about the scratches, Ha!

The suspension does "monitor the road surface and constantly adust to it" - Dave mentioned that it does that. But it is probably not what you are thinking - it does it more to level the suspension, versus in the RRS (and possible the FFRR) it "dynamically" adjusts the suspension - for example to remove body lean when cornering.

-Rich

 

[drzjoint]

put the 18" rims on it will be fine and it will ride better there will not be any problems

 

[davez26]

richpike - go to the head of the class.

richpike:
Correct, I just didn't flesh that out. The ultimate key here is that the software is alike between SE and HSE. "Monitors the road surface and constantly adjusts to it" is the way the Marketing people put the spin on something so relatively simple.

Now as an aside, RRS with ARC has a hydraulic sway bar that takes inputs from the accelerometers, speed, and other sensors to flatten the body. That thing is awesome, but can be picky to adjustments.

And yes, 18's make no difference to the suspension, but should provide a little smoother ride due to the taller sidewall. If you are thinking 18's due to tire choices short for 19's don't forget to check out the variey of threads on tire choices.

Anyway, Get out there and Drive!

 

[manoftaste]

yeah more tire choices as well as more sidewall is the reason for me thinking of swapping.

you'd think that this dynamically adjusting suspension system that they have in RRS, would be more useful in LR3 due to its tall stance. Didn't they have something like this in the old discoveries a few years ago...

 

[davez26]

A.c.e.

Active Cornering Enhancement. I think it was 99-2002 Discoveries.