The Grenadier Forum
Register Now for enhanced site access.
INEOS Agents, Dealers or Commercial vendors please contact admin@theineosforum.com for a commercial account.

hi been lurking here awhile

007

Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Nov 14, 2024
Messages
4
Reaction score
4
Location
Broward County, FL, USA
Hi I thought I'd like to buy a Grenadier and have test driven one at the local dealership. I believe they currently have about 78 in inventory. The test drive was on local roads and a park, they didn't want to head to 95. I read a lot here in the various steering threads. I don't like what I have read as I've owned a number of early Broncos that I struggled with on the highway with similar setups. So thats my story and here's the question. Has Ineos made any public statements or acknowledged there seems to be an issue with many drivers? Any statement they will be addressing an update to their parts or manufacturing?
 
Last edited:

anand

Photo Contest Winner
Forum Moderator
Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Mar 12, 2023
Messages
2,992
Reaction score
4,846
Location
Maryland
Has Ineos made any public statements or acknowledged there seems to be an issue with many drivers? Any statement they will be addressing an update to their parts or manufacturing?
No and no.

The vehicle operates as designed. The steering damper is quite firm to reduce jarring/jolting through the steering in rough off road applications (what the vehicle is primarily designed for); as a byproduct, on road steering has reduced return-to-center and requires some effort in turning the wheel.

Aftermarket solutions exist to alter this behavior, but, if you've read the threads, you've seen that there are issues with that as well.

My personal feeling is that the issues people have with the steering are primarily centered around either the vehicle having the wrong tire pressure (too high), an alignment issue (not enough caster), or expecting it to drive like something they've driven previously
 

FlyersFan76

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Jan 7, 2023
Messages
440
Reaction score
502
Location
West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
I found that driving on the highway with the aftermarket steering dampener was worse. Hitting a speedbump at 65mph was not fun.

My wife's escalade is very similar to that. Prior to my Grenadier I had 3 different Land Rovers starting in 2012 with air suspension so my experience was bound to change.
 

Voader - Oudersopzwier

Grenadier Owner
Local time
10:35 AM
Joined
Jun 28, 2023
Messages
305
Reaction score
595
Location
Belgium - Kortrijk
Hi I thought I'd like to buy a Grenadier and have test driven one at the local dealership. I believe they currently have about 78 in inventory. The test drive was on local roads and a park, they didn't want to head to 95. I read a lot here in the various steering threads. I don't like what I have read as I've owned a number of early Broncos that I struggled with on the highway with similar setups. So thats my story and here's the question. Has Ineos made any public statements or acknowledged there seems to be an issue with many drivers? Any statement they will be addressing an update to their parts or manufacturing?
There is no issue with the steering, just a perception from certain people who think there is a problem. But that’s mostly because they see the grenadier as an SUV, but it isn’t. If your alignment is correct and your tire pressure is correct, you will feel that there is not much of an issue to drive in a straight line. Of cours it’s not a car where you can take a nap and have one finger on the wheel while cruising the highway.
 

007

Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Nov 14, 2024
Messages
4
Reaction score
4
Location
Broward County, FL, USA
From reading on this forum there seem to be a lot of members that disagree that there is not an issue. But I get it really wasn't designed to be driven on the highway and it shines off-road where it should.
So let me change the question--Has Ineos ever publicly acknowledged they are experiencing any manufacturing issues or parts performance issues anywhere on the vehicle?
 

terdrocket

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Oct 11, 2023
Messages
287
Reaction score
479
Location
N. Florida
Other than the wind noise and general driving characteristics associated with driving a boxed shaped, body on frame, solid axle vehicle, you can get on I-95 and keep up with traffic in comfort. Yes, South Florida stop and go and 95+mph driving.
It is NOT a luxury vehicle. It will not drive like any modern vehicle with IFS or air suspension.
The return to center loosens up with some miles on the truck and is a non issue at speed.
 
Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Sep 5, 2024
Messages
72
Reaction score
211
Location
Rhode Island, USA
From reading on this forum there seem to be a lot of members that disagree that there is not an issue. But I get it really wasn't designed to be driven on the highway and it shines off-road where it should.
So let me change the question--Has Ineos ever publicly acknowledged they are experiencing any manufacturing issues or parts performance issues anywhere on the vehicle?
Why would they? There really is no issue with their design. Different does not mean wrong.
I have one on order now and I got to drive one for about 300 miles before placing my order. I really don’t understand the gripes. It feels much like my last Ram 2500 did actually. If you really want to purchase one, tell the dealer that a road test at speed on the highway is needed first. If you are serious, I suspect they will let you take it there.
 

wolftimj

Grenadier Owner
Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Sep 27, 2023
Messages
100
Reaction score
96
Location
Rockwall, TX, USA
From reading on this forum there seem to be a lot of members that disagree that there is not an issue. But I get it really wasn't designed to be driven on the highway and it shines off-road where it should.
So let me change the question--Has Ineos ever publicly acknowledged they are experiencing any manufacturing issues or parts performance issues anywhere on the vehicle?
After about 6 months with mine I really don't think there is much of an issue. I had my dealer max out the caster and now it drives like a truck, which it is. For more perspective I've driven nothing but Rovers for last 25 years. My other current car is a Range Rover. By choice my daily putting around car is the Grenadier. If I have to drive more than an hour or so I'll take the Rover because it's more suited for the highway.

One thing I can promise you is this. If you come to any user forum to hear a bunch of people agree on something, you've set yourself up for failure. I love mine. I'd buy it again. It is not perfect. I've never had a Rover that's perfect either. Hope this helps.
 

007

Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Nov 14, 2024
Messages
4
Reaction score
4
Location
Broward County, FL, USA
Why would they? There really is no issue with their design. Different does not mean wrong.
I have one on order now and I got to drive one for about 300 miles before placing my order. I really don’t understand the gripes. It feels much like my last Ram 2500 did actually. If you really want to purchase one, tell the dealer that a road test at speed on the highway is needed first. If you are serious, I suspect they will let you take it there.
Thanks for commenting I'm in a Ram 1500 4x4 and that's good information.
 
Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Apr 28, 2023
Messages
988
Reaction score
867
Location
Pittsburgh
The actual ride is not bad at all for the unsprung weight. I found it a pleasant surprise compared to 3/4 and 1 ton 4x4's. Is the tracking and return to center up to snuff? No. there are plenty of cars out there today and none have the complaints, any steering kickback, or the learning curve, where you have to resist constantly over correcting on the highway and fatiguing. People may make excuses, but, if nothing is truly gained, then saying its deliberate is kinda tough to support. Also, less than "normal" steering dampers have been put on and a select few have reported wobble issues. Personally I think the 4 link planes of motion permit a resonance, and the setup is a patch, but in the end, I don't really care. And why don't I care? After 500 miles, I was 99% accustomed to the factory setup. I thought I would end up under there with a torch as I'm a persnickety f**k, and really, after a few days it's cool. You'll be shocked your first drive, but it's temporary. Honestly, my biggest worry is valet parking. They drive like robots, and if caught off guard, I can see my front end in the side of someone porsche.

There a few other things you'll want to inspect like the HVAC and power steering box (do other searches). The actual handling? Unless you're severely short on coordination, don't worry about it, even part time drivers will catch on.
 
Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Sep 5, 2024
Messages
72
Reaction score
211
Location
Rhode Island, USA
Thanks for commenting I'm in a Ram 1500 4x4 and that's good information.
Ok, be aware… a Ram 1500 uses a more car like, rack and piñon steering system. The 2500 and 3500’s use a recirculating ball type like the Grenadier. The larger trucks have solid front axels too where your 1500 does not. That is why they feel so similar to a Grenadier.
There is certainly an adjustment to your driving style that will have to be made but it is a pretty natural process.
 

jeffmattSD

Grenadier Owner
Local time
1:35 AM
Joined
Sep 8, 2022
Messages
59
Reaction score
95
Location
San Diego, CA
I did replace the steering dampener with a Fox shock. I definitely like the setup with the Fox shock both offroad and on the highway. I made material difference.
 

anand

Photo Contest Winner
Forum Moderator
Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
Local time
4:35 AM
Joined
Mar 12, 2023
Messages
2,992
Reaction score
4,846
Location
Maryland

CRH

Grenadier Owner
Local time
9:35 AM
Joined
Mar 5, 2024
Messages
328
Reaction score
365
Location
United Kingdom
I was worried about the steering after reading all the reviews. Had a quick test drive in one and it was odd/hard work, it seemed. Test drove another and was just given the keys to drive round the industrial estate as long as I wanted before we went on the test drive. After 10mins of driving on our own on the industrial estate my brain had already retuned itself to the steering. We then want on a test drive in a busy city, I don't know, and it was no problem. Now on near 14000 miles and I drive 1or 2 handed at 60-65mph on our motorways with no problems. Take your time in the vehicle, it's not designed to be rushed. On a sharp turn, take it slowly as you accelerate when straightening up and the steering does right itself slowly but only partially and then it will need to be turned. But just right it yourself and it's quick enough to drive normally. If you put your foot down it keeps turning, without input from you, unlike a normal car where the steering wheel rotates itself quickly to straighten up.
I looked at loads of old Defender drivers around us with very elderly male & female drivers, if they can drive them without any problems why would I have a problem in a Grenadier.
Ultimately, it's easy to drive, I jump in and out then into a 2 seat sports car then back again and it is no problem at all. I swapped a Land Rover Freelander 2 for it, so huge difference from that, but I wouldn't go back and have no regrets.
 
Back
Top Bottom