My german Land Rover dealer was giving
me a brand new TDV8 for three days, from
friday to monday morning including 450 kilometers.

The sound of the TDV8 is amazing, almost like
from a sportscar. The acceleration was a little
bit disappointing, because my 218 hp BMW X5 3.0d
seems to have a better one. Ok, but this I would
blame on the extra 500 kg (!) weight of the RRS.
It also results a worse roadability from this extra
weight. I cannot understand, why the LR engineers
paid so less attention to the weight.

What are your thoughts about this issue (roadability and weight)?

Nonetheless, I will order my TDV8 in about
one week, since the over-all impression of the
car is excellent. Delivery of my car will be end
of september.  I will get my RRS SC 5.0 approximately in nov 2013.
causeway grey.

By "roadability" I assume you mean handling... and the RRS will never handle like the X5 does, simply because the RRS isn't a car on stilts like the X5 is. The RRS does handle well for the size and weight, but let's not forget it's abilities are designed for offroad capabilities.... you won't be disappointed with the whole RRS ownership experience Congrats!  

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award - Runner Up

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RRS Munich. Who do you use for a dealer in the area?? Avalon or Konig?

@shmoogle: yes, it seems like I meant "handling" instead of "roadability".
This is very important to me since I am driving (mostly) very fast on the german
autobahn. Yesterday for example, I just needed 2 hours for 380 kilometers.
Means: if you are driving over 200 km/h, the car has to give you a secure feeling
in curves.

@canaryman: the dealer was Auto Koenig.

Christian I will get my RRS SC 5.0 approximately in nov 2013.
causeway grey.

Those are the guys I bought mine off and where I get it serviced.

Superb bunch of people, Herr Castaldi was the salesman and the chap that looks after my car is Georg Dirschl with the girl in after-sales being Simone Birk. Great bunch, we are all on first name terms and they could not be more helpful. Georg speaks excellent English too which is a bonus.

I may bump into you there one day. (I will be the one in the rugby shirt (Germans are fascinated by Rugby shirts) carrying the bag of doughnuts for the techies))

So you have to bribe them to keep it looking good then! Don't need that at my local dealership! 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Nope they are excellent so I take them something in. It makes a change from some on here that tell everyone how much they rant at the sales staff and how crap the sales staff are etc etc.

My lot even clean out all the dogs hairs and do not leave any water/drip marks on it which I find quite amazing

As odd as it seems.... it's good to reward outstanding service! All about relationships...  

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award - Runner Up

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I'll book mine in ..... do they do collect & return service  
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

Are you sure there's no spare parts you need? Use the VA method of getting a loan RRS, then swapping the parts on it before you send it back. 

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award - Runner Up

Like it here? Then Donate to RRSPORT!!

Hi MDP, yes, that dealer also offers the free collect and return
service since this is a part of the Land Rover Royal Service
which is also offered to us Krauts.  I will get my RRS SC 5.0 approximately in nov 2013.
causeway grey.

 
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

The crowd I use do all of those things, but they get enough money out of me as it is not to need a bribe of doughnuts as well! 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

RRS Munich, just bought the current issue of Auto Motor und Sport, am sure you know that magazine, and they did a comparison test of the TDV8 RRS against the new V10 Touareg and M Class 420 CDI.

I know all German car magazines are biased, but if driveabilty and handling and even practicability are your main concerns, I am not sure the RRS is the route to go...... and the 420 CDI is even a couple of grands cheaper, comes with a fully integrated pariculate filter, needs two seconds less from naught to 100km/h, has a 30km/h higher top speed, much better handling and has the same fuel consumption, almost a non-brainer, isn't it?

I agree the M-class looks a bit odd but I have seen a few which were quite nicely done.

BTW I am not a Merc dealer or something and I (still) like my humble RRS TDV6 but if I would like to go the Diesel V8 route, I'd definitely have the Merc. SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE BUG AND SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE WINDSHIELD

2010 TDV8 Ultimate Edition, zermatt-ebony-grand lacquer, and all the goodies, plus Superchips Bluefin ECU performance upgrade, Gibson Performance exhaust tips

gone after only 7 months: MY10 TDV63.0 HSE, zermatt-ebony-anigree, Dynamic Response, Rear diff-lock, flappy paddles, premium leather, Sunroof, PTI, privacy glass, S/C design 5 Spoke Diamond Turned alloys

Yes you all have very good points, but the RRS V8 has different capabilities than the other 2, which are as you say faster, better handling etc.
Next time you get an invite for an off-road day with LR, as you give the keys back to the instructor, just say to yourself would I have got around that terrain in an X5 or an ML.
They all have their own strenghs and weaknesses in all areas.
 You don't stop playing because you get old, You get old because you stop playing.

07 TDV6 been and gone. 08 TDV6 been and gone. 08.5 TDV8 in evaluation mode and now gone. BMW 535D M sport Been and gone, Now time for RRS No4 - TDV6 HSE in Stornaway with Ebony - 09 Model 6 months old.
RS Cosworth 4x4 Stage 2 Mint for summer
Audi TT
Astra VXR for the daughter.