Can anyone give advice to a newbie? I'm looking at either a new LR3 or possibly a certified used Range Rover. I can't afford a new Range Rover. Does anyone know what year Range Rover got head-curtain air bags and dynamic stability control added on? These are two features I really want. I don't always trust the salesmen to know for sure, especially on the DSTC feature, or whatever Land Rover calls it. They always think I'm asking about traction control, then give me a little speech about how it's a 4x4 . . .

Thanks to anyone who can help,
Liz

 

Liz,

2003 Range Rover was the first year for all of these features, and they work well !

Bait

 

All I will say is, if your buying a Range Rover, LR3 or any Land Rover product, the actually chances of needing the air bags is quite low...

You should see my Series one 1952 model, no air bags, in fact, no seat belts, oh, one safety feature was put in, a large grab rail across the entire dashboard area. The idea been you hold onto the rail in a crash situation.. oh how times have changed.. and also speeds, as the series one, if I am very lucky can only reach 50mph, though more likely to be travelling at 40mph. (thought that still feels very fast... )

 

Don't be misled these features are necessary.

I have a new TD6 (30,000kms). It has failed completely on two occasions at night on mountain roads and I was LUCKY to survive. All lights and engine failed at over 80kph. Like driving with a blindfold on! Very very scary. Managed to bring it to a halt with no damage or injury except stress. Landrover now say it is fixed but I'm not game to try it for a third time.

 

The "New" style Range Rover has them--starting 2002 in the UK and possibly the rest of Europe? The US got the new model in 2003. The LR3 has them--but like someone else mentioned, I doubt you would need them. A Land Rover (except maybe the freelander) has incredible structural integrity and anyone riding inside them will survive most anything. Dynamic Stability Control is essentially a tool for rollover protection--it cuts power and adds brakes when you steer to quick or lose control on slippery surfaces. This is a pretty generic feature these days, it comes standard on Ford Explorer now, as well as Volvo XC90, etc. First of all, Range Rovers are stable on a 40+ degree side incline. This means the likelihood of actually rolling over is slim to none. After all, its NOT an explorer! Losing control is not very likely in the RR, either, with permanent 4x4, a large curb weight, and auto locking center diff and ETC (traction control SEPARATE from DSC) Of course, if any part of the vehicles ABS system fails, not only do you lose your anti-lock brakes but say bye to traction control, stability control, brake sytem apportioning, etc.

My opinion--Range Rover is sweet, bu many say an LR3 is like a Range Rover for 1/2 the price. Nice 300hp Jaguar engine, too.