As a recent returning disco owner I am well acquainted with 10ish miles to the gallon, (V8 ES 2001 7 seater) dreadful turning circle and cold shower in the rear from leaking sunroofs, but I just can't remember the vehicle having such a terrible ride. Modern potholed roads have the car shuddering and leaping about and it feels as though it's going to shake itself to bits.
The car was converted from air to springs by the PO and I've had it all checked out and dampers and springs are fine but the ride is appalling.
I am prepared to reinstate the air if people think it's worth it but changing the spring/damper setup would be easier. Does anyone have a recommendation on the best manufacturer, I don't know what is currently fitted but I hear people talking about Terrafirma?
Any ideas?
Cheers
Ian

My D2 V8 is fine on springs, what size wheels have you got?

255/65R16's are the best for ride, the 18" are harsh riding, 19" even worse if someone fits RR Sport wheels.

Peter

The D2 like the D1s fitted with steel springs from the factory didn't "shuddering and leaping about and it feels as though it's going to shake itself to bits" seems you need restore you suspension, springs + dampers, to some thing similar with bog standard genuine or OEM parts such as Monroe, forget the uprated/ performance kits such as Terrafirma.

The larger the wheels the harsher the ride to some degree the ride, unless the suspension design is also taken into account as it does in modern cars, even then you can still feel pot holes as I have found out on cars I drive with larger wheels plus low profile tyres.

You will also have to sort out the engine if it only gives u 10mpg.

Does your car have ACE? (Active Cornering Enhancement). I have that on mine (and springs) and it is good for improving the cornering because the system effectively counteracts the lean using a hydraulic system. The problem comes when you go down a pot holed road because every time you hit a hole on one side the car leans as a result, and then ACE system tries to counteract the lean by pushing the car the other way. String a hundred small pot holes together in random positions and the car gets very juddery as it constantly tries to correct for all of these slight body lean events. My theory is that the system simply can't keep up and gets saturated making making the whole ride terrible.

One important thing - my Disco had a HORRIBLE ride for ages and then the ACE warning light eventually came on. I got the ACE system repaired and the transformation was huge. The car now has a much better ride - but it is still pretty rubbish over very pitted road surfaces. So even without any warning lights the ACE system can be in need of repair from what I can see.

Anyway, this may all be completely irrelevant for you as you may not have ACE but you never know!

What tyres are on this can have a big difference on ride quality?

Mine is air ACE 18" and was appalling on bumpy roads, but using it for a few months got everything good again, I also use tyres with a good ride.

Mine was barely used for 5 years before I bought it, 2 tyres after a few months started to crack with age