Keep looking....it's coming. I'm too busy driving the thing to type here, all will be revealed. L319 D4 HSE

1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF

1982 Series 3 SWB

Last edited by RRUK on Tue Jul 08 2008 11:31am. Edited 1 time in total

Interested to know how you get on as Mrs ST has just filled the RRS and paid €1.25 per ltr for diesel!

Maybe a TDV8 is a bit more sensible than a S/C? Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

Nice one... looking forward to what will no doubt be a completely different review to when you had the Transit Connect  

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Oi The TDV8 is a great car especially the Vogue SE  Porsche Cayenne S Diesel 66 Plate

Supertrotter wrote:

Interested to know how you get on as Mrs ST has just filled the RRS and paid €1.25 per ltr for diesel!

Maybe a TDV8 is a bit more sensible than a S/C?

Yeah, but this is all relative.

When we moved here just under 2 years ago it was the equivalent of about 50p per ltr, now it's roughly 102p.

That's 104% increase by my calculations.  Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

To be fair though the exchange rate also accounts for some of that increase  Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

To be fair ST we get the benefit of nicer weather for our £1.40 a litre

To be fair to you being fair JF...BO KS!  Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

Righto, I bet you all think you know what to expect from me about this car after my reactions to the Discovery 3 last week, you might be surprised! (Then again, you might not!)

As you may or may not know, the FF Range Rovers have had an ongoing problem with the diffs blowing up due to a driveshaft quality issue. Land
Rover have finally recognised this and instead of doing a recall, which is bad for business, they have created the Range Rover Assurance Scheme whereby Range Rover owners are contacted by the dealership and then their older 3.0TD6 or 4.4V8 Range Rover has its driveshafts replaced for free. Land Rover have said that all owners will get a new Range Rover Vogue TDV8 for the day and this is how I came about it.

Firstly let's talk about the exterior. On the model I had there is very little difference to my own other than it had the Supercharged grill and vents (which I could fit on mine if I could be bothered, it is afterall a facelift model itself) This car also had the current standard Vogue 19" alloys which have grown on me a lot. Ironically it was also in Stornoway Grey with black leather but somehow the colour suits the bigger Range Rover better I felt.

The interior is very different to mine, the dash and centre console area has all been remodelled to take the newer 6 speed Auto that you all have already, terrain response etc. This car had black leather with the black dashboard and doors with Burr Walnut. First impressions? Stunning, up to date and modern compared to the older dash shape. better laid out and also they have finally replaced nonsensical icons on buttons for words that tell you exactly what it does...Nav, Phone, Settings etc. The same is true of the indicator and washer stalks, much more obvious. The same touch screen Nav is there with Hybrid TV, bluetooth (now with the phonebook ability) phone etc etc. Some of the smaller details have also changed such as the heating control nobs, the ability to switch the rear blowers on and off from the front and the ignition is now positioned to the left of the steering wheel in the dash itself.

There is now also a double cubby in front of the passenger with a nice double release set in the dash. Door cards have changed as have the seats, they no longer have the upper shoulder adjustment which I feel is a great shame, they made the seats really really comfortable, you can literally shape them to fit your body. They still have masses of adjustment though and the electonic lumbar has been improved, the 4 way paddle really does make it go where you want, much better. The leather of the seats is once again, beautiful, tight, smooth and supple, worlds apart from the D3 HSE I tried. Just look at the detailed stitching on it all, the picture of the rear centre armrest is a nice one to show it.

The one thing (other than the seat adjustment that is no longer there) that is also not the best I thought was the power socket position in the front, whereas it used to be to the front of the centre console (easy access for Roadangel etc) it's now in the ashtray right back on the front of the cubby, behind a flap. There's also another one in the cubby as before but the Roadangel cable is now going to stretch across the gear change area, not good I think.

There is now an iPod/AUX socket on the back of the centre cubby box which is a long time overdue.

OK< how does it drive?

Phenomenal! I was blown away, I drove it all day to really get used to it, and overall did about 160 miles in it. Wow, that V8 is SOOOO smooth and yet quite growly when you floor it. Overtaking was a breeze, no need to get the Turbo wound up and ready to go as in the TD6, just dump the throttle and off it flies. The noise from the engine is amazing considering it's a diesel, it really does sound like a V8, sometimes really burbly and gruff, just how you'd want it to be. Pootling around town though is also a complete pleasure, smooth as you like, bags of torque, it's amazing how you weave a Range Rover through traffic! (NB: Lots of practice with one is clearly an advantage for me!)

This really IS the ULTIMATE RANGE ROVER, the one I have said since I was a kid that should be for sale, a big powerful diesel that can also be fairly frugal. I of course did not try to get the best MPG out of it as I was too busy enjoying the power delivery but I know I would get the same as I am currently getting with not too much trouble.

Driving this model has certainly made up my mind. The quality and solid feeling of the Range Rover far outweighs the potential additional cost compared to the Discovery 3 (which is still a great car). I spend a lot of time in my car, use it for all sorts of things (driving, shooting, fishing, logging, carrying etc etc) and this car does it with ease, comfort, class and distinction. The D3 would still do it all but you don't get any sense of occasion. I saw Top Gear the other night and JC said "When was the last time you just went for a drive?" he has it so right. This engine made me want to just go for a drive, purely for the enjoyment, it's that good.

Brilliant. Will I be buying one?

You bet your last pound I'll be trying my best! Even Mrs RRUK said we should get it! HURRAY

Photos for your delectation:

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Seem you do get what you pay for!

Really thorough and interesting review and really makes me think twice about going the S/C route (Altho may still be tempted to wait for new 5L!) and look at FFRR TDV8.

My one question is although it is WAAAY smoother, quieter and punchier than the TD6, have you compared it to the same engine in the RRS?

I have read in a few mags, as well as on the foum that it is SOOOOO much better again in the Sport (Quieter and smoother with more V8 than diesel characteristics).

Personally, if I were to buy another RRS it wouldn't be until the major overhaul/facelift as I just don't want to be in the same cabin two cars on the run. I like to experience new drives/interiors with each new car therefore I have never had 2 of the same cars on the run.

A nice quandry though, none the less  Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

no I've not driven the Sport version, simply because I don't think I'll have another Sport so see little point. Have also heard that its better but from Sport owners so.....!

The 4.2Supercharged Range Rover is also awesome and if fuel price is not an issue (cos you are rich, do low miles or it's cheap where you live) then get one of those as they are all the Vogue SE spec. one with the newer interior would be lovely. L319 D4 HSE

1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF

1982 Series 3 SWB

Excellent review Adam... and the car looks lovely. It does shift for a FFRR and now they have DR, they even drive less like a boat now (compared with similar offerings).

Super... I suppose there's not the option of you driving them back to back is there? That's what I did.. took the TDV8 RRS out followed straight by the FFRR. It's easy to tell them apart then. This is the age old dilemma - do you go for the stately interior of the FFRR and sacrifice some of the appeal of the RRS, or dive in for the better driving and "they're looking at me" effect of the RRS? As you say, nice to have the option  

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Shmoogle, I think a word with James at CHL may be in the offing!

Oh, what do you know? I'm in London on 16th August...  Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

Well I never!  

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