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California ocean 4motion suspension

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yorkshirepudd

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37
Location
West York’s
Vehicle
Looking to buy
Hi,

I’m looking at purchasing a Cali and have a salesman telling me the ride is better on the 2wd vs the 4motion model. I’m looking at the 199PS if that helps.

Is there any truth in that and does that mean a 4motion isn’t smooth or is crashy or anything vs the 2wd model?

Appreciate any views but obviously best if you’ve driven both!

Cheers!


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The 4 motion is heavier, but the size of tyre would have a greater bearing, perhaps he has a 2wd "In the system" he wishes you to consider :)

If anything, both are a compromise when fully loaded and you may opt for aftermarket suspension as I have..
 
The 4 motion is heavier, but the size of tyre would have a greater bearing, perhaps he has a 2wd "In the system" he wishes you to consider :)

If anything, both are a compromise when fully loaded and you may opt for aftermarket suspension as I have..

Cheers he does, there is a 2wd I’m discussing at the moment and I’m assuming he’s trying to convince me, but I did want to know if the hint of bull I could smell was actually that!

Interested to know what you fitted and why!

Thank you!


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Ps the car in question has stock 17” Devonports


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Personally i think its the other way around the 4wd is smoother than the 2wd. Vans are smoother the greater the sprung mass ie full van vs empty one.
 
Personally i think its the other way around the 4wd is smoother than the 2wd. Vans are smoother the greater the sprung mass ie full van vs empty one.

Interesting, thanks.

Wondering if anyone buys or avoids any particular models or options due to ride quality.....


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FWIW my vehicle is the smoothest quietest vehicle I have ever owned or driven, its all standard, only noticeable noise comes from certain road surfaces and I find it handles fine.
 
FWIW my vehicle is the smoothest quietest vehicle I have ever owned or driven, its all standard, only noticeable noise comes from certain road surfaces and I find it handles fine.

Thank you, is that a 2wd 150ps? Good to hear your experience!


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Hi, we bought a 2016 Ocean 204 4motion a month or so ago and generally I am very happy with the ride.
It is on 17 Davenports and I recently put on Michelin 235/55 Cross Climate tyres.
Very quiet and smooth on A roads and motorways.
However it can get a little “lurchy” on bouncy UK country roads and I am contemplating a coil and damper upgrade.
I am a definite convert to 4wd - I consider it a no brainer for my needs including skiing and boat trailers on slipways.
 
Hi, we bought a 2016 Ocean 204 4motion a month or so ago and generally I am very happy with the ride.
It is on 17 Davenports and I recently put on Michelin 235/55 Cross Climate tyres.
Very quiet and smooth on A roads and motorways.
However it can get a little “lurchy” on bouncy UK country roads and I am contemplating a coil and damper upgrade.
I am a definite convert to 4wd - I consider it a no brainer for my needs including skiing and boat trailers on slipways.
Thank you, I am sure I would find it great as intend to go camping all year round in some places that are a bit off the beaten track at times! I would be intending on getting some all season or even off road tyres when the initial set has worn if not sooner (unless it came with something already). Also I’d want to use it when the winter gets bad, it would be used all year round so I can’t help but think i’d regret not getting 4motion!
 
The traction on 2wd is really quite limited. I went through the whole same issues and spent the 6k ! to get 4wd and then put all season tyres on the day after delivery. No regrets but be aware you continue to pay at the pump by some margin over 150 2wd.
 
A number of the other forum members eg Trebor have done extensive driving in wintry and “entertaining” conditions using all season / winter / off road tyres and may be able to give more detailed advice on the best options.
 
The traction on 2wd is really quite limited. I went through the whole same issues and spent the 6k ! to get 4wd and then put all season tyres on the day after delivery. No regrets but be aware you continue to pay at the pump by some margin over 150 2wd.

Cool many many thanks, I’m willing to sacrifice the economy for the extra usage I’d anticipate getting out of it. 2wd with off road tyres may be enough though generally, I am considering that too.

Want to tow with it so want the 199/204 engine.

Did you get the diff lock option? If so have you needed it?


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No not the diff lock. Havent needed it so far . Looking at the capability of 4wd calis i have seen on youtube etc without diff lock I think its very extreme use. Mind you never needed to use it on my real 4x4,s except once on the landcruiser.
 
No not the diff lock. Havent needed it so far . Looking at the capability of 4wd calis i have seen on youtube etc without diff lock I think its very extreme use. Mind you never needed to use it on my real 4x4,s except once on the landcruiser.

Thanks I did wonder if it is a step too far! Generally anyway!


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A number of the other forum members eg Trebor have done extensive driving in wintry and “entertaining” conditions using all season / winter / off road tyres and may be able to give more detailed advice on the best options.

Cheers I’ve looked up some posts, seem to be some recommendations for BF Goodrich!


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I have the diff-lock and have used it.
However selecting the diff-lock in advance of needing it means you may not know if you needed it in the first place.
It is also dependant on whether you travel as a solitary vehicle or with others.

However, as we have found with other options, it cannot be retrofitted.
 
I have the diff-lock and have used it.
However selecting the diff-lock in advance of needing it means you may not know if you needed it in the first place.
It is also dependant on whether you travel as a solitary vehicle or with others.

However, as we have found with other options, it cannot be retrofitted.

Cheers, I think I will keep it as an “icing on the cake” option. I am thinking that there will be some time I would wish I have it but maybe a handful of times over 10 years I guess... the correct tyres however, I absolutely want those!!


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P.s. thanks for all the replies, this forum is great!


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We are on our third 180 4Motion and would definitely not have 2wd again. Personally I think they handle better than 2wd although my experience of this is limited to courtesy vehicles. Our avatar shows why we have it. It does have diff lock but have only used it twice. Weather here in the Pyrenees can be far more extreme than the UK but winter tyres have not failed us so far. Standard tyres go back on when we will be back in England in a while. Standard tyres are quieter and seem to give marginally better fuel consumption, overall yearly average around 32.
We have been on muddy UK sites with our cousins in 2wd T5s who have really struggled while we just gently pulled away. All in all very happy with it.
 
We are on our third 180 4Motion and would definitely not have 2wd again. Personally I think they handle better than 2wd although my experience of this is limited to courtesy vehicles. Our avatar shows why we have it. It does have diff lock but have only used it twice. Weather here in the Pyrenees can be far more extreme than the UK but winter tyres have not failed us so far. Standard tyres go back on when we will be back in England in a while. Standard tyres are quieter and seem to give marginally better fuel consumption, overall yearly average around 32.
We have been on muddy UK sites with our cousins in 2wd T5s who have really struggled while we just gently pulled away. All in all very happy with it.

Great! Yeah your avatar definitely shows the need!!! I’m definitely convinced I want it and I’m not hearing much about compromises ride quality wise so think the dealer is indeed telling porky pies...!


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We have a 2018 4 motion 204 Cali, had hired a 2wd 150 a couple of times before and it was fine. Went for the 4 motion because it was replacing a land cruiser Amazon. Of course it’s nothing like the amazon off road, but it drives much better than the 2wd in my opinion. You can feel it being push and pulled round the corner much more sure footed. As for ride, it’s superb, very smooth. We tow as well and like the Amazon you can’t feel it’s there. We also went for the diff lock and have had to use it, on that off road Killer, wet muddy grass with a slight incline! Still on standard tyres mind you.

Sales men will tell you anything if they need to shift a vehicle. It’s a big purchase go for what you want.
 
We have a 2018 4 motion 204 Cali, had hired a 2wd 150 a couple of times before and it was fine. Went for the 4 motion because it was replacing a land cruiser Amazon. Of course it’s nothing like the amazon off road, but it drives much better than the 2wd in my opinion. You can feel it being push and pulled round the corner much more sure footed. As for ride, it’s superb, very smooth. We tow as well and like the Amazon you can’t feel it’s there. We also went for the diff lock and have had to use it, on that off road Killer, wet muddy grass with a slight incline! Still on standard tyres mind you.

Sales men will tell you anything if they need to shift a vehicle. It’s a big purchase go for what you want.

Thank you for your feedback, massively appreciated and is doubly confirming the whiff of bull I sensed was indeed that! :)


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