Guys...HELP!!

I have an offer on a private owned RRS 2.7 TDV6, but it has high mileage.

It is a 2007 car with just under 100K on, service history (although a couple of stamps are not main dealer).

I just need some help on go or no go, there is no warranty with it, and the cost to buy extra is high.

Should I or shouldn't I buy?

Is it a nightmare waiting to get me, or is it a safe ish gamble - price is ok and books right for year and mileage.

Comments.

Thanks

if its the right price its worth the gamble mate, id be tempted to get a full Boonah warranty irrespective of the costs just to be on the safe side.

Depends if your looking to keep it for a while or not i suppose, i dont think there are many arround at 100k+ ive not heard of any issues with high mile cars other than the issues all Range Rover Sports suffer with.

would try try to get more info on history first, perhaps contact previous owner, or get print out from main dealer on its service history and warranty and recall work.

Presume you are talking KM's not miles, if miles then 105k will need new cambelt fitting which is a major job and very expensive, as the body has to be lifted off the chassis.

Would tend to think a high milage one is probably more indicvative of a good motor, rather than one that has spent a lot of time in the garage.

Should still be in warranty if 2007, if you have 3 year warranty over there , but non main dealer service may cause problems if they have not used genuine parts in its servicing.

Look at it this way - this car has had to work for its keeper. To rack up 100000kms in 2.5 years it has had to be looked after really well, if it were unreliable it would never have got to that kms in the hands of its owner, he would have ditched it many kms before and bought something else. 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

Great thoughts guys.

It is a LHD (as I'm an ex-pat in Sweden), but the mileage is 100K (160k KM).

So cambelt is a concern if not already changed. Does it usually give any warning before failure? also, is it catastrophic if it goes before being changed (apart from the high cost of replacement)?

After market warranties cost a fortune out here (unless it's a Volvo or SAAB ironically).

The car is right at the end of the RR warranty.

So I guess I could drive it into any RR dealer here and get a service history print off (assuming main dealer servicing)? As for recall's would the print out say which ones affect this specific car and if they have been completed?

Anything else that's major and worth checking or considering? I can accept exhaust, shocks, tyres usual wear and tear.

If I replace cambelt is that usually the major thing? How robust is the turbo and air suspension?

Sorry for all the questions, but I have to decide on this car or a Q7 today - my wife has left the decision with me but loves the Q7 and is terrified of the mileage on the RRS - ouch. Better put the heating on in the dog house!!

Turbos have been a problem on TDV6 - a few here have had failures - usual sign is lots of black smoke out of the exhausts. I would suggest that your car has only ever pounded motorways or been an LR research car (driving round test tracks endlessly in the name of testing!) so the suspension has probably led an easy life.
Cambelts - not sure about this as very few have needed them so far. I had the belt on my Defender changed at 7 years old (that's the interval or 72000 miles) but mine had only done 52000 miles. another 20000 miles later it will be due a 2nd belt change in 2010. Here in the UK there are many LR non franchise specialists who can carry out all the work on most modern Land Rovers if they have the diagnostic equipment (my local blacksmith is also a Landy fanatic and has all the gear and I regularly see farmers Disco3's in there for services) and charge a fraction of the labour rates of the local main dealer. The main dealer did the 1st belt change on my Defender for around £600 including everything. I will ask them to quote me for the next one as they are used to doing them and can do it in 2 days. I will also ask the guy who gives it it's annual TLC as well and expect his charge will be 50-75% of the cost of the main dealer. I wouldn't be afraid to get the belt changed, just shop around for a price, labour will be the biggest part of the charge. I don't know if this is one of the jobs on an RRS that requires them to take the body off - there are some big jobs that require this.
With the state of the pound it may be worth your while asking some of the dealers posting here what they would charge for the job - CHPR in London have an excellent workshop and are members of the forums 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

I'd steer clear, of the HM RRS and the Q7 - with sums involved don't rush it take your time and find an RRS that is less risky even if it costs more

The TDV6 has two belts one at the front and one at the rear, a lot of main dealers will do the change by taking the body off the car as the belt at the rear is difficult to get to. However if it does let go it doesn't do any damage, it will just cut the engine out. The belt at the front is the main one to worry about.

People over on D3 have had it done for around £550 at main dealer, but be careful when getting quotes as they can vary due to some not being aware of the 2 belts that need replacing and will only quote for one.

lespes wrote:

People over on D3 have had it done for around £550 at main dealer, but be careful when getting quotes as they can vary due to some not being aware of the 2 belts that need replacing and will only quote for one.

The lack of product knowledge in the official dealer community continues to amaze me!

Thanks ALL!!

As a direct result of your comments I got more information about the car and previous owners and I think I had a lucky escape!

The last owner had it for just six months and didn't want to comment on anything - (ALARM BELLS!!!!).

So I walked away. I am now looking at other RRS's although my damn wife keeps finding low mileage, sleek Q7's - STOP!!!!

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again.