Is trading the wife in an option???
As much as I am the man of the house, , when I look back at the final decision on buying a car I think my wife has the casting vote.....
I would have thought for bad hips the higher the better. Getting down into a lower car sounds worse.
What about side steps? Or a small platform/step? Previously..
Vogue SE TD6
Defender 90 2.4
Defender 110 TD5
Vogue 3.5 EFI


Last edited by Contraband on 21st Sep 2013 8:06am. Edited 1 time in total

woodchip wrote:

I always use access height, It not so much that, more of she struggles to lift her leg high enough to get it on the step where as with the volvo you can slide onto the seat from being stud up. It seams like circumstances have forced my hand some what.

Not suggesting things are this bad, but perhaps:




http://www.cuddihymobility.ie/discovery-lowering-seay.html .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Hi mate, I'm new to the forum as I've recently bought a VSE - as a replacement for a Volvo XC90 which we had for 8.5 years! My wife also has problems with her knees and back and with the XC90 she would complain of being uncomfortable within a very short distance and long journeys really were a real "pain". Had the FFRR since June and I am totally amazed at the positive comments from Boss Lady, no more bad aching back, no more aching knees, yes it's not easy for her to get in, I've added side steps to help her and she's learnt the best way to get in and out, which she's more than happy to suffer a little just so she can benefit from THE MOST COMFORTABLE RIDE EVER!!! As others have said, find ways to help her get in and out, it'll be worth it. Mine is just over 4 years old and yes I'm concerned about running costs, but my XC90 cost me a lot of money over the years with quite a few little problems that all added up to a lot of dosh to sort over time. I hope you're happy with whatever you decide and all the best

Could you use a iid tool to preset your RR to drop even lower than the access height?
Is this possible?

I think peejay has nailed it - getting in is only 1 part - the journey & getting out also need to be factored in.

Extended test drive is the only real answer.

would it be possible to use an intermediate step, such as a caravan step, to assist getting up onto the RR steps.
There are different styles and designs which could be put away in the boot after use.
Anything to help.

Jim A.

Sorry to hear this dilemma and of course the boss' health is paramount. You do know one day you will be
sat at the traffic lights and up alongside will arrive..... You know the rest.

What about another car as well as the RR. Treat yourself to a RR as a toy but perhaps a classic being easier and cheaper to keep on the road which IMO are just as special if not more so than any 322. 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Woodchip

I know exactly how you feel . my wife's got MS and she is now in a wheelchair most of the time .
For the moment , because my back still allows me , i am actually lifting her on her seat , in and out , every time .
but as I am 56 , that won't last a long time .
and I don't want to part with the FFRR . and I must say my wife loves the comfort & ride of the FFRR .

I have been looking into a Viano with a platform elevator , and putting monney aside for that .
But I believe i will not part with the FFRR until i can't bear cost for both vehicles anymore ..............

Maybe also I should look into those special seats which slide out of the car ??? Jaybear

2002 V8 , premier edition , 19" alloys ,

janderson41 wrote:

would it be possible to use an intermediate step, such as a caravan step, to assist getting up onto the RR steps.
There are different styles and designs which could be put away in the boot after use.
Anything to help.

Jim A.

On the seat comfort of the Volvo, my wife hated the XC60 seats as they hurt her back after even a short drive and it of course got worse over time.

On the special seats, I would investigate that if I were you, assuming the seat comfort of the FFRR is actually good for your wife.

On the little step, make sure it is strong and stable and big enough so it makes it easier for her to get in and out and not more dangerous.

On the access height change, definitely that should be possible, not sure how much height can still be gained though but I expect a few centimeters.

I suggest to go through all the advice here and hold every option against the light and see what works best foryou and your wife. Keep us posted though and all the best to you and your wife !! MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

As I said in my previous post, we had an XC90 for 8.5 years and the seats were not particularly comfortable, in fact my wife only let on just how much she disliked them after we got the FFRR, so definately find a way to get her in and out so you can keep yours mate

Do deployable steps go lower than the fixed running boards.

Also, have a look at the shorter deployable steps you get on campervans.

Mount that underneath the fixed step and you create an extra step ?? MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

My gf's mum (86, bad hip) could get in the back of my 322, at access height using of one of these folding steps: http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/view_product.php?prodID=8596 - She loved it and the heated rear seats helped  Norman

Current LR: L405 Vogue TDV6 (MY 2014) Aintree Green/ Ivory interior
Past LR: L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 (2002); Discovery series1 V8 (1995)

Well friends this is how it ended today. After lying awake in bed untill 3am this morning wondering just what to do thinking about all the pro's and cons for both cars and then sitting in our yard this morning for a hour just looking at my beloved RR, we made our decission. The RR is going this friday when we considered all things I had to put my family first in relation to running cost and my wifes condition, and a 11 yr old boy who is getting expensive, now dont get me wrong she isn't in pain getting in to my RR that much just yet but slowly its getting there. I never say never and We might find our selves in another RR one day but for now this is where we are. I would love to stick around this forum if you all will still have me, it is a excellent place to be. But for now signing out. All the best. Woodchip. A.K.A . Andrew. If you see me about my number plate is A13 TWO.