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Its the old arguement.

But what is a "proper" 4x4?

For me its mechanical traction control, the ability to go anywhere any time without major mods and of course no electronics to hinder you.

But does that make it a proper 4x4?

For instance, BMW x5, is that a proper 4x4? A RR Sport, is that a proper 4x4? Both have electronic 4x4 systems which shut down in extreme conditions (for safety) but with correct tyres both are capable off road cars.

A proper 4x4 is any 4 wheel drive car whose driver fully understands the capabilities and deficiencies of his vehicle.

"proper 4WD" is generally recognized as having a separate chassis, with hi-lo transfer case.

and can often be found with their flabby bulk being dragged out of the goop by us fakers in our make-believe fourbies ...

Eddy wrote:"proper 4WD" is generally recognized as having a separate chassis, with hi-lo transfer case.

and can often be found with their flabby bulk being dragged out of the goop by us fakers in our make-believe fourbies ...

AMEN

Hmm, for me it's always just been vehicles which are very, or surprisingly capable off road.

Obviously - in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing with it!

Niva, old-school Range Rovers, first generation of the Discovery, Toyota Land Cruiser (my only experience being with a long wheel base, white B reg one with a lovely sounding 4 litre diesel power unit with more torque than god), Series & Defender Land Rovers being some of the obvious ones - though I've always had a lot of respect for the old Suzuki SJ series and the old 4WD Panda after seeing what they could do off road.

I've never had a chance to try a Daihatsu Fourtrack off road - but it wouldn't surprise me if with decent rubber on the wheels if they were pretty good.

Things which don't fit the bill in my view: Kia Sportage, the modern Range Rovers with about as much ground clearance as my Suzuki Cappuccino, BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Vauxhall Frontera (not as if you'd get far enough before it broke down to test its abilties anyway...). There are dozens more which I can't think of off the top of my head too.

There are dozens of other cars out there too which I don't think of as "proper" 4x4's - doesn't mean they're bad cars, just means I've not thought of them in this category!

It's a tricky one to quantify though! It's a bit like asking "What's a sports car?" and leaving the floor open!

This is my current effort at a 'Proper 4x4'.

and don't be so mean about fronterras, mine has not broken down yet, although i do have to climb in from the passenger side as drivers door hinges knackered, and i have to jump start it every morning, and she stalls after the first 200 yards, and she looses power, and one of the back doors doesn't open, and the sunroof leaks, and the spare whhel carrier is seized up, and the brakes bind, and i have to buy fuel every couple of miles, and the radio doesn't work.
but she is pretty usefull on snow.

Lots of difflocks get my vote...... unstoppable and now living out its life somewhere in the Netherlands.

Mmmmmmmm G Wagon ........ me likes G Wagon.

Oooh, I'd forgotten about the G-Wagon. Been ages since I saw one.

There was a V8 powered version of that as well wasn't there? Someone who lived up the road from us used to drop their kids off at my primary school in one (beige, think it was C reg), and the main thing I remember about it was that it made a lovely noise!

Granted, I was about 5 at the time.

Had an AMG G-Wagen in work for accident work, scary fast.