A couple of the guys who I met yesterday, told me they leave their cars in Access mode height when parking up - it's a good look so I've been told. Been trying it this morning, and just wondering how many more of you do that.

My 22'' wheels really fill the arches and it does look mean - but perhaps a little too low down for my liking...

Nick we all should do it, well if your a short like I am. Mate it is raining outside is the car clean or will you have to go out at lunch time.

If you are leaving the car parked for any length of time (more than a couple of hours) then lowering to access mode puts all the electronics into "sleep" mode which saves on battery drain. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Misery, got it washed yesterday evening when I got back, and then it rained last night and got it washed and hand waxed this morning....all is good in my world - my cars are clean and I'm happy.

Maserati day today.....and it looks as clean as first day it arrived!!

Also makes it more difficult for the low life who may want to nick your spare wheel.  RRS TDV8 Buck Blue (no, not now in my dreams). ..........D3 TDclankety clankV6 ............BMW 318i

Good point, so far it's only Jay and Misery Wil who do it for asthetic reasons then....

I put it in access mode just about every time i park. With 22in Stormers installed it looks incredibly 'PHAT' and it really makes entry and exit easy, especially when removing children, as it is the perfect height. Don't laugh but it was one of a number of contributing reasons why i purchased this fantastic vehicle.

I always put mine in access, mainly because the ceilings in the multistorey carparks around here are quite low and also because it is easier to get in and of the car. The car does look better too if it is parked in access mode. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

What i can't get over is the amount of attention that my TDV8 gets especially when lowered. I was expecting a little bit of attention when i purchased it, but i can honestly say that it is almost uncomfortable sometimes. Young & old just love it and i have only ever recieved positive responses. I don't think that i would have received this much adulation if i had purchased a ML, X5 or any other 'softroader' as they do not have that wow factor.

mr boombastic wrote:

What i can't get over is the amount of attention .......... ML, X5 or any other 'softroader' as they do not have that wow factor.

MR B, as someone who also lives in NSW, Sydney to be exact, X5's and ML are so common its unbelievable, especially on the North Shore they are seen as much as Fords and Holden's, The Sport will get the attention of other road users and pedestrians as it is a rarer beast .....for now  Another Pommie Bar Steward down under

MY20 Defender 110 SE P400 Eiger/Ebony
MY10 3.0 RRS TDv6 Fuji/Ebony/Anigre

Yeah we always put the cars in access mode when parking up.. (disco and rrsport in my sisters household anyway) and my old RR Sport..

Is bloody annoying when the passenger just opens the door.. and its like 'WAIT, shut the door.. i haven't turned off yet...!!'

To me personally the ML & X5's etc just look like glorified station wagons on stilts. The Sport has the square jawed masculine and regal good looks that an expensive 4wd ahould have.

The Sports are definately getting more poplular, but they will never sell in the volumes of the others. If Landrover ever gets it right wtih these vehicles in regards to fit, finish & reliability they would make a killing. They certainly seem to have an 'aura' about them that no other 4wd seems to have.

No need to annoy the passengers Kam, it only takes 15 secs to go down so I start lowering 30 secs before I stop then it's all over with when somebody wants to open a door, of course if you are travelling at warp speed and then stopping instantly it won't work!

Its amazing after all the years of modern LR's having air springs with access mode settings, how many of the great unwashed public are amazed to see the car lowering to access level, great entertainment for little boys! 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

yea i pretty much do it everytime i park. If someone opens the door it carries on lowering once all the doors are closed im pretty sure.

I also (nearly) always park up in access mode as my g/f is pretty short, so it makes it easier for her to get in and out. I'm not tall myself so it's just the right height for me to slide into the seat without having to "step up" into the vehicle. Unlike the Defender with 3" suspension lift, it's a mountaineering exercise getting into that!
The only time I don't go into access is when I'm parked next to a "lesser" 4x4 - XC-90, ML, etc, when I put it right up into offroad mode just so it's taller. Don't know why, but it's just something I do - no doubt there's some deep rooted psychological reason!
I also leave the RRS parked up for 3 weeks when I'm away in Canada - always in access mode, and she fires up 1st time always - no battery drain to speak of.
It IS annoying when a passenger opens the door before it's lowered. I haven't got into the habit of lowering before I come to a stop like Tim. Must get into that!
ANT

Oh, I lower and raise it in traffic jams or lights sometimes - it does get peoples attention hehe.  Range Rover Evoque 5 door on order.
2006Java/Alpaca/4.4HSE/PTIS/Tracker/pp/Tasmods/Black side repeaters/Custom exhaust (gone but not forgotten!)
Land Rover Defender 110 CSW 200 TDi blue (Offroad prep'ed).
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
Aston Martin DB9 Tungsten Silver
Another Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (Christinemobile)
1990 Mini Cooper SE - classic! (now sold)
New addition - 1972 Triumph Stag Pimento Red