mkacala
Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: london
Posts: 78
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guys any advice on weather I should fit side steps - i think they would be good for the kids getting in and out of the back . I have heard that they dont make it any easier for the driver to get in or out .
any pros and cons from the guys that have them but be very welcome ,
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 16th Jan 2011 1:35 pm |
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DrLex
Member Since: 15 Jul 2005
Location: Ciderspace [Oi be in Zummerset]
Posts: 4863
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I've had them for five years and they've been ideal for helping the children (now 10 & 11) get in and out, plus the outlaws use them when along for the ride.
If you leave the car in off-road height in car parks, they will protect your doors from being dinged by careless opening of front doors from cars parked alongside; you'll need to fit the plastic side-strips to deflect rear doors.
They're of use when loading stuff on roof bars/racks and washing the roof (if you need to between dealer services).
Downsides:
Some people complain of dirty trouser cuffs if they brush alongside the edge.
There are plenty of reports here of the aluminium trim falling off (rivets decaying) & such is not available separately, although member Navigator was looking into fabrication costs.
Certain off-road use will bend or break them.
You'll need to cut holes in the plastic cill trim on fitment; if you want to remove the steps later, you'll need to fork over £80 for more trim or find someone who wants to swap theirs & buy your steps. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
Member of Club Med Sucks
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| 16th Jan 2011 1:52 pm |
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FirstKnight
Member Since: 15 Jun 2010
Location: Buckinghamshire, UK
Posts: 82
  
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I agree with DrLex.
My steps are a must; although my youngest would manage without them, even I like them - I'm only 5ft 6in though - and they help with accessing stuff on the roof racks. I've never dirtied my suit on them but then I make a point of stepping on them all the time and not stepping over them on occasion as I've seen some do.
I was told by the LR Experience chap I spent a day with that the steps would be fine off-road unless I was looking to do something extreme or wasn't careful but I would get slider's with some non-slip tape if I intended to do extreme off-roading anyway.
I wash my car twice a month on average so hopefully the steps will last awhile. Range Rover Evoque Dynamic Si4 Coupe Lux in Orkney Grey
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| 16th Jan 2011 2:11 pm |
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jamieg7762
Member Since: 05 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1232
 
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I agree with both above.
They come in handy for loading roofboxes etc
Friends & family that get in the car try getting in without stepping on the side steps & as Dr Lex say's they end up dirting thier trousers/legs, it is also funny to whatch.
They do get very slippery in the snow & ice though. d4 HSE in Corris Grey with Black options pack
D3 with the following
Alive Tuning EGR blanking kit
Alive Tuning Re-map
Alive Atrics console
Samco intercooler hoses (from Alive Tuning)
Alive Tuning De-Cat pipe, lovely tone!
Retrofit OEM Hybrid TV tuner
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| 16th Jan 2011 2:20 pm |
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mwhwsmith
Member Since: 14 Feb 2010
Location: Herts
Posts: 76
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Agree with the benefits above. One other problem with them though:
In snowy weather ice builds up on them. When you open the drivers door the plastic trim on the bottom of the door will scrap over the ice easily but when you close the door (because of the angle of the trim), it will dig into the ice. The door will still close but the trim will fall off - not very good !
However a roll of gaffer tape in the car will 'fix' that problem between dealer visits.
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| 16th Jan 2011 3:36 pm |
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mkacala
Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: london
Posts: 78
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guys many many thanks for all the advice - very much appreciated since steps will cost me over £200 !
this may sound a bit funny but can anyone explain how to get inot the car with steps fitted ? - i assume that the steps are not used for getting into the driver seat ?
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| 16th Jan 2011 8:56 pm |
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jamieg7762
Member Since: 05 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1232
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Stand on them  d4 HSE in Corris Grey with Black options pack
D3 with the following
Alive Tuning EGR blanking kit
Alive Tuning Re-map
Alive Atrics console
Samco intercooler hoses (from Alive Tuning)
Alive Tuning De-Cat pipe, lovely tone!
Retrofit OEM Hybrid TV tuner
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| 16th Jan 2011 9:01 pm |
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WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
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Steps can be used by anyone getting in or out of the vehicle, also a handy step when washing the roof. The snow and ice never caused me a problem - just scraped it away before opening the doors. 1996 Discovery 1 300TDI ES Biarritz Blue, sold
1999 Discovery 2 TD5 ES Rioja Red, sold
2002 Discovery 2 TD5 ES Buckingham Blue, sold
2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Adriatic Blue, sold
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Zambezi Silver, sold
2011 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE Nara Bronze, sold
2016 Volvo XC60 D5 AWD Lux Nav Twilight Bronze, sold
2020 Range Rover Evoque P250 First Edition, Nolita grey, sold
2023 Range Rover Evoque P300e Autobiography, Carpathian grey
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| 16th Jan 2011 9:04 pm |
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2DISCO3ORNOT
Member Since: 27 Apr 2009
Location: at sea
Posts: 1209
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I reckon another plus is that you step out rather than slide out of the drivers seat which saves the seat cushion 
Gotta have them for the nippers, its a no brainer 
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| 16th Jan 2011 9:16 pm |
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jamieg7762
Member Since: 05 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1232
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Everybody I know gets in differently.
I tend to open the door, step on the step with my right foot and then straight into the d3 with the other foot followed by the rest of my body. I find that comfortable for me, I am 6' and 16 stone.
The wife, 5' & a fagbut, weight, double figures, she steps on with both feet, then spins around, sits down then spins her legs in.
My mum seems to kind of fall in and spend the next 10mins spinning around to sit on the seat facing forward.
As mentioned before other people seem to step straight in & then complain they have dirtied thier trousers/legs  d4 HSE in Corris Grey with Black options pack
D3 with the following
Alive Tuning EGR blanking kit
Alive Tuning Re-map
Alive Atrics console
Samco intercooler hoses (from Alive Tuning)
Alive Tuning De-Cat pipe, lovely tone!
Retrofit OEM Hybrid TV tuner
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| 16th Jan 2011 9:19 pm |
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NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
 
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mkacala wrote:can anyone explain how to get inot the car with steps fitted
I use the foot furthest from the car (if driver's side, right foot) on the step, sometimes hold onto the A pillar, then launch myself onto the seat.
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| 16th Jan 2011 9:24 pm |
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jamieg7762
Member Since: 05 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1232
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I find a grab handle on the A pillar (between the windscreen & door) would make the task alot easier
I find myself grabbing the steering wheel to help get in. d4 HSE in Corris Grey with Black options pack
D3 with the following
Alive Tuning EGR blanking kit
Alive Tuning Re-map
Alive Atrics console
Samco intercooler hoses (from Alive Tuning)
Alive Tuning De-Cat pipe, lovely tone!
Retrofit OEM Hybrid TV tuner
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| 16th Jan 2011 9:26 pm |
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mkacala
Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: london
Posts: 78
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guys many thanks - i uderstand now - love the idea of step on with right foot and launch into the drivers seat !
great site - even getting into the car can be sorted on here - wonderful !
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| 16th Jan 2011 9:31 pm |
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NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
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Maybe 'launch' wasn't the best word to use
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| 16th Jan 2011 9:41 pm |
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hensoni
Member Since: 01 Oct 2007
Location: Sleepy Somerset
Posts: 576
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I fitted steps last year.
The potential for corrosion on the pop rivets is probably due to the holes being drilled in the step metalwork after painting. The holes (in steel) are badly burred and this will cause undue fretting on the rivets (aluminium) as the steps and trim "fit where they touch."
The problem is made worse by very thin paint finish and the fact that the whole assembly acts as a trap for road crud.
I applied copious quantities of Hammerite on the underside of mine.
I also over-painted the brackets before fitting.
6 quid for a baby tin of Hammerite and an hours slap-dash with a brush. Club missing my D3
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| 18th Jan 2011 2:05 pm |
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