Early Range Rovers (Classics) had an affinity with rolling over going around corners at speed and if swerved at speed. So much so that all police force traffic Range rovers at the time were banned from high speed pursuit. When air suspension was introduced this was corrected by allowing the car to squat down above 50 MPH greatly reducing the tendency to roll. Fitting coils removes this safety feature. The construction and use, type approval certificate for the P38 does not cover coil springs, therefore any P38 on coil springs is technically illegal to use on British roads. But having said that there are possibly thousands of modified cars on the roads that are technically in the same boat, but nobody seems to care. If the European regulations currently being considered come fully into force in this country havoc will ensue. Worse case scenario is that ANY vehicle fitted with a non standard or non factory approved part or that has a modification NOT listed on it's original manufactured spec it will not pass the MOT. This already happens in some European countries.
Im all for the fact that something should be done regarding modifications, ive seen some horrific diy jobs! but outright baning them is just ridiculous!
Maybe make it so the mod must be inspected and signed off by a mot tester (or other similar qualified person! dvsa?) To confirm it meets certain standerds before being allowed on the road
Cos lets face it some manufacturers are shocking and ive seen mods that actually improve the car
I doubt that an MOT tester would be able or qualified to comment on the safety aspects of such modifications. That's what type approval is for (and I'm pretty sure that involves a lot more than a quick looksee!)
The construction and use regulations type approval certificate for the P38 does NOT cover coil springs, it was issued to a vehicle fitted with EAS. So technically any P38 on coils is NOT type approved to be on public roads. Not that anyone takes any notice of this fact.
And they probably never will until there is a serious accident caused by someone putting their P38 on coils and it falling over at speed or otherwise misbehaving as a result.
Under EU rules, supposedly if the car is legal and has an MOT in one EU country, defacto it is legal in any other EU country, certainly for the duration of a holiday.So whats the situation if I decide to tow my 'van to France with my p38 dhse on springs ? Am I legal or what ?
a decent set of coils on a p38 doesnt make a dangerous vehicle and neither were classics prone for rolling though early soft spring non roll bar did lean some ,motorway height is just under inflated bags