I have four centre locations which are pretty similar in terms of travel time;

Market Harborough - 2hr 20
Luton Hoo - 2hr 20
Solihull - 2hr 50
Gaydon- 3hrs

Which centre would be the best overall experience? Also what is included in the complimentary experience - can I combine a factory visit? 2017 MY - Dynamic, same again!

2016 MY - Dynamic - same spec again all round, engine a noticeable improvement

2015 HSE Dynamic - same spec as the last plus Meridian, Full Size Spare & InControl Apps

HSE Dynamic 2014:
Ebony / Lunar, Heated Mirrors, Privacy Glass, Heated Steering Wheel, Red Callipers, Interior Mood Lighting, Ebony Headlining, Panoramic Roof, Electric Towbar, Centre Console Fridge.

Previously: 2011 RRS, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Audi S5 Cab, RRS, Audi S4 Cab.

I thought Luton Hoo was a bit small and simple when we had the forum day there earlier this year. They might have more there but I didn't see much evidence of it.

I did Gaydon a couple of years ago. A nice site but again it's quite compact. I think they may have extended it recently but I'm not sure. You can have a look at the Heritage Museum whilst you're there (might have to pay extra for that, not sure). When we did Gaydon they were only offering 1 hour taster sessions as they admitted the site was small. If they're doing longer sessions now then that would suggest they have extended it.

I haven't been to the other two but Solihull's course looks interesting from what I've seen in various pictures. If you could combine it with a factory tour then that might be a good day out.

If you can, I'd consider making the extra effort to get to Eastnor. The tracks and wading trenches there are quite good fun and the site is quite large. The usual concrete obstacles as you find at all sites, designed to show off the axle articulation etc., but the opportunity to use some of the development tracks in the woods makes it a bit better I think. You'd need to check whether your session would include those tracks however. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I was thinking Solihull and to combine a factory tour whilst I was there...

It's a half day experience so assume I can pay extra for the factory tour..? 2017 MY - Dynamic, same again!

2016 MY - Dynamic - same spec again all round, engine a noticeable improvement

2015 HSE Dynamic - same spec as the last plus Meridian, Full Size Spare & InControl Apps

HSE Dynamic 2014:
Ebony / Lunar, Heated Mirrors, Privacy Glass, Heated Steering Wheel, Red Callipers, Interior Mood Lighting, Ebony Headlining, Panoramic Roof, Electric Towbar, Centre Console Fridge.

Previously: 2011 RRS, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Audi S5 Cab, RRS, Audi S4 Cab.

I'm sure if you phone and speak to them they'll let you pay extra to do that. After all, this is JLR - taking money off of people is what they do very well...  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Hi elusive82, welcome to the forum

I've been to Eastnor twice on their self-drive days - using our own vehicles on their tracks with instructors present. Great fun but sadly they've stopped doing them now.

I quite fancy doing a day there in one of their vehicles. A day in the new RRS might be fun... 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Solihull isn't included for the complimentary half day

So choices are between Market Harborough and Luton..which is best???

I'll book a factory tour separately as it's 3 hours and travelling will be 6hours there and back.. 2017 MY - Dynamic, same again!

2016 MY - Dynamic - same spec again all round, engine a noticeable improvement

2015 HSE Dynamic - same spec as the last plus Meridian, Full Size Spare & InControl Apps

HSE Dynamic 2014:
Ebony / Lunar, Heated Mirrors, Privacy Glass, Heated Steering Wheel, Red Callipers, Interior Mood Lighting, Ebony Headlining, Panoramic Roof, Electric Towbar, Centre Console Fridge.

Previously: 2011 RRS, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Audi S5 Cab, RRS, Audi S4 Cab.

i did Luton earlier in the year, excellent half day.
Would recommend it. MY13.5 Autobiography, Santorini Black, Privacy Glass. Gone
Driving a milk float for now.

We did the Rockingham Castle experience, it was really good. We went mid week and had the main man to ourselves. He was really good both on road and off road, we had the new Range Rover, very nice!
He knows his stuff ,

elusive82 wrote:

You must be quite confident to take your own motor out on the course, its a shame they've stopped the option as its a amazing opportunity for people to experience the limits of their own motor

"It's important to remember that the courses are designed and built by Land Rover. They know what the vehicles can and can't do so it's actually not that bad"

The one up in Dunkeld is about as real life as you can get, the day starts with a drive on road to get a feel for the vehicle
The site uses a mixture of man made obsticles and open countryside, even a run through the Forrest on the massive Dunkeld estate (the Dunkeld Hilton is on site as well) well worth the day out, but is obviously a bit far for most!

Cheers
Dave MY10 TDV6 SE (debadged ), Santorini Black, Flappy paddles, Privacy Glass, 20" Stormers, Mudflaps!

Gone: a comprehensive list of imprezas and a Merc ML AMG

I did the Rockingham course before I bought my RRS1 and found it much better than the Luton Hoo course. The venue was larger with a lot more mud than Luton.

Amazing what a factory spec car with normal supplied road tyres can do!

Jim

Sounds a bit like Eastnor in that regard. Lots of real tracks as well as the man-made obstacles. There's enough there for a full day's fun and more.

Tempted to make the effort to go up to Dunkeld... 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

jim4244 wrote:

Amazing what a factory spec car with normal supplied road tyres can do!

Jim

I've got an experience day booked at Luton in the new RRS in Dec at Luton.

Thinking I might change it now.

I fear, that having been well used to driving off road in 4x4s and large tractors, any of the courses will seem fairly tame to me.

Still be interesting to see the capability of the vehicle though.

Jim Current 2010 RRS TDV8
Gone 2009 D3 HSE TDV6
Gone 50th anniversary Defender
Gone 1992 Defender 200 TDI
Gone 1988 Defender TD
Gone 1979 Series 111 V6 Steve Parker conversion

If Luton offer full day experiences, maybe they have more stuff than we saw. To be honest, if you've done lots of off roading then the course will probably seem a bit "been there, done that". Still worth doing though as it lets you throw someone elses pride and joy at the scenery  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed