MY 2012
I seem to have the opposite experience to all my searches.
I think the suspension is overly firm.
The handling is certainly impressive for 2.5 tonnes of 4x4, though I would have preferred to avoid all the added complication to achieve this.
My everyday drive is a Transit custom Tourneo and the sport is remarkably similar in road comfort to it.
Potholes and repairs are harsher than I would have expected in the sport, (being used to P38s) and speed bumps are backbreakers.
This I'm guessing is due to overly stiff damping, and of course the low profile tyres to some extent.
Now to the question.
Does anyone know exactly how the variable dampers work? As there are only two tiny wires, I'd assumed they work a solenoid to changeover a high / low damping rate? But that's not really variable, is it?
I'd really like to be able to try whatever is the lowest damping rate, but don't know if this is possible with any of the terrain settings on-road.
Would the dampers default to a low or high rate if I disconnected them, (or one).
rgds Alan Series 3 109
Classic 2-door
101FC GS
Three P38 4.6L
RRS mk1 2012

What wheels and tyre size are you running? 2023 P440e SE Dynamic on order -cancelled

2022 HSE Dynamic P400e

2017 Discovery 3.0 HSE Silicon Silver Nimbus interior and a few extra toys SOLD

2013 HSE Black, Orkney Grey, Ebony Seats and Ivory Interior SOLD

2006 HSE

Plus a few other cars inbetween!

19in is the smallest I could fit over the later brakes, and they came with 55 profiles (should be 50).
so my 255/55x19 is the most comfortable possible.
Alan Series 3 109
Classic 2-door
101FC GS
Three P38 4.6L
RRS mk1 2012

The RRS's suspension is much firmer than something like a P38 would be. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Slight understatement
I guessed it would be a bit more road orientated, but I still expected it to "feel" like a Range Rover, and, well, it doesn't really.
More like a heavy go-kart
Alan Series 3 109
Classic 2-door
101FC GS
Three P38 4.6L
RRS mk1 2012

The variable dampers, if they break (and they eventually do) will default to the “hard” setting. Actually, just one is enough to give an impression of overly hard suspension.
There is however a known issue with one of the major “OEM-quality” damper manufacturer, who offers the more expensive variable dampers for the L320, which turn out to be just dampers with a resistor pack stuffed inside to fool the chassis into believing it’s a genuine, working thing, so if you’d replace, give a search on the US forum beforehand, it was well pictured there. Regards etc.,

Wojtek

---
WAS: 2006 RRS Supercharged
IS: 2010 RRS TDV8 HSE

Are your dampers original? How many miles have they covered? 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

TheWojtek wrote:

The variable dampers, if they break (and they eventually do) will default to the “hard” setting. Actually, just one is enough to give an impression of overly hard suspension.
There is however a known issue with one of the major “OEM-quality” damper manufacturer, who offers the more expensive variable dampers for the L320, which turn out to be just dampers with a resistor pack stuffed inside to fool the chassis into believing it’s a genuine, working thing, so if you’d replace, give a search on the US forum beforehand, it was well pictured there.

Have you actually had the vehicle read for fault code's, or have any warning lights showing, as the system consists of slightly more than a couple of wires going to a solenoid in the damper, there is over a hundred codes attributed to the ADM module so it might help. I had my old P38 for over ten years prior to having both a pre-facelift and facelift variants of the Sport although only facelift one has CVD obviously, there is no comparison in ride level, I would describe the P38 ride and handling more to wallowing around in a old boat. Have you driven any other Sport's with the system to make a comparison?

Cheers
Col

When the dampers go soft a pothole will throw you into the next lane so be careful.
What tyre pressure are you using that makes a big difference. Thats your primary shock absorber.
I find 36 in the back is far too much Always listen to old people or when they die you will live on in ignorance.
The avatar is a picture of the man with a big cock.
Learned to 4x4 on 100 mile beach and Frazer Island QLD
Dont spend money on old cars you will never get it back

I run mine at 36f / 39r and don't have issues. So if one finds the car struggling with potholes then that might suggest an issue with bushes or dampers. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

aln101 wrote:

TheWojtek wrote:

The variable dampers, if they break (and they eventually do) will default to the “hard” setting. Actually, just one is enough to give an impression of overly hard suspension.
There is however a known issue with one of the major “OEM-quality” damper manufacturer, who offers the more expensive variable dampers for the L320, which turn out to be just dampers with a resistor pack stuffed inside to fool the chassis into believing it’s a genuine, working thing, so if you’d replace, give a search on the US forum beforehand, it was well pictured there.

Aha, this is the sort of info I was after. Any way of checking that would be obvious.

RRSTDV8 - Vehicle is only at 70,000 so original dampers I would have thought.

Alan

I have new rear shocks and front sus arms and run at 32 psi all round Always listen to old people or when they die you will live on in ignorance.
The avatar is a picture of the man with a big cock.
Learned to 4x4 on 100 mile beach and Frazer Island QLD
Dont spend money on old cars you will never get it back

32psi all round? Yikes, that's very low for the rears. What tyre / sizes are you running? 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

255 55 19 Always listen to old people or when they die you will live on in ignorance.
The avatar is a picture of the man with a big cock.
Learned to 4x4 on 100 mile beach and Frazer Island QLD
Dont spend money on old cars you will never get it back