Thanks to everyone who contributes to RRSPORT - it’s a great site. I’ve been entertained and informed over the last few months whilst researching the RRS and trying to decide whether it’s the right vehicle for me. For those interested here’s a summary of my observations:

During the time, I drove two RRS’s – both the MY2010. The first was the 3.0V6 and the second the 5.0SC. Both cars were great fun. I was struck by the driveability, and the compliant suspension and ride of both cars … and the pace of the 5.0SC! The fun-factor was nearly off the scale!

Like wackyjim prior to his conversion to RRS, I drive an Audi. In my case it’s an S5 – a 4.2V8 with auto. Although this is a really fantastic car to drive (which I’ve owned for 18 months) I found myself lusting after a performance SUV – hence the interest in the 5.0SC. As an aside, I’ve been driving Audis for ten years and found the ownership experience to be pretty-well first class.

It was difficult to find a dealer with a 5.0SC RRS demo vehicle, but in the end I found one quite close by. Incidentally, LR were of absolutely no help in trying to locate a test drive.

So, what of the competition? Well, I thought (briefly) about a Cayenne. As observed on a trip to the South of France, this is the SUV-of-choice in Monaco – but only in black.

I considered another Audi – an RS6 avant. It wasn’t at the top of my list and I didn’t drive one – but I might have done had my local dealer shown any interest in my enquiry! This is a general observation that applied to all the dealers I had contact with - if they didn’t hold a demonstrator they were just not interested. And most of the dealers didn’t hold the top-end models.

Back to the competition! The offerings from BMW are the X5 and the X6. I drove two X6’s - a diesel and the X6M. The X6M was a sensation, morphing from high-powered limousine to rabid beast at the press of the M button! What a car! However, it’s a small point but my S5 has only two seats in the back – just like the X6, and on more than one occasion it has been an issue. So, although I loved the styling, quality, comfort and performance of the X6 I decided the accommodation was too compromised.

To cut a long story short, I’ve placed an order. And the order is for an X5M – all the comfort and pace of the X6M but with the practicality of three seats in the rear and a split tailgate (which I’ve ordered with power open/close).

I would love to have ordered a 5.0SC RRS. The impression in the driving seat was outstanding – a supremely enjoyable experience. However, in the end I decided not to go this route – you pay your money and make your choice! The temptation was strong but I will probably look again in three years time when the new model will be out. In the meantime, I’ll log onto RRSPORT from time-to-time just because it’s such an entertaining site, with enthusiasts who have a real passion for their vehicles.

If anyone is interested, I’ll let you know what the X5M ownership experience is like. Expected delivery is end of May.

Hi, interesting post!

I can see why you went for the X5 over the X6, but why the X5 over the RRS? Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.8::MG Montego Turbo::MGB GT::Rover Sterling::MGF::MG ZT 190+
Discovery Series II Td5 GS::Discovery 3 TDV6 S::Freelander 2 TD4 XS::Freelander 2 TD4 SE
Range Rover Sport TDV6 3.0

i too would be interested in the X5M experience so hopefully you'll keep us informed of your ownership experience. I fully intend buying a new car next year and I planned to buy another RRS. However, recent horror stories reported on here (WackyJim comes to mind as well as several others) really has put me off big time and I am now thinking X5 or ML. I need one 4x4 in the family so if it is for me, it has to be top end. Otherwise, I'll consider trading SWMBO's car for a lesser 4x4 and buy myself a decent Merc / Audi.

Good luck with the X5M. I drove my pal's M6 last week. It was bonkers fun!
Muff If you see a bandwagon - it's too late.....

Java Black HSE TDV6 O7, alpaca, FF sunroof, adaptive Xenon headlights, SC grill, black privacy glass, clear indicators, tow-pack, colour-coded all black.Gone, but forever in my memory. Until my new one comes...
In the stables:Mercedes CLK 230K Cab W208; BMW 318d; VW Golf (LHD) 1.6 SE in Spain:New RRS to come soon...

muffd wrote:

I am now thinking X5 or ML.

muff,
my ML never felt like the steering wheel was connected to the front wheels,whereas the RRS has to be about the most direct steering on any of the big 4x4s, my mate has a Q7 and an x5 in his company, and when he changes cars in the autumn it will be for a couple of RRSs - dont do it,you know it makes sense

regards
dave
ps were you having a wee trip down to the national? saw you heading north past symington earlier, it was the short number that gave it away!! MY10 TDV6 SE (debadged ), Santorini Black, Flappy paddles, Privacy Glass, 20" Stormers, Mudflaps!

Gone: a comprehensive list of imprezas and a Merc ML AMG

Hi Dave

I know - I am just thinking of looking at comparisons. I am not a BMW fan at all and the last time I drove an ML before buying my current RRS left me completely unimpressed. I was down your way this morning at Troon marina watching my mate and his son preparing their boat for anti-fouling (bloody hard work and I'm glad I only watched!).  If you see a bandwagon - it's too late.....

Java Black HSE TDV6 O7, alpaca, FF sunroof, adaptive Xenon headlights, SC grill, black privacy glass, clear indicators, tow-pack, colour-coded all black.Gone, but forever in my memory. Until my new one comes...
In the stables:Mercedes CLK 230K Cab W208; BMW 318d; VW Golf (LHD) 1.6 SE in Spain:New RRS to come soon...

Hi

I had one of the early RRS and after 2 year of fauly free motoring I moved to the BMW X5 twin Turbo D M Sport.

what a car!!!!

I have had 2 year of fault free insane driving, the performance and quality of the X5 is great....

only one huge problem...the size of wheels/tyres turn the car into near useless in the snow, during the recent bad weather it is was very frightening which is not the same as when I had the RRS out in switzerland in the deep snow.

the RRS beats any 4x4 in the snow and that is important to me.

so why did i move?

well the pti was rubbish the ipod intergration was crap, X5 was bigger and sportier and it only cost me 5k in loss to own the car nearly 2 years.


so why am i coming back


The TDV8..... what a sound, now i know BMW are doing a new V8 diesel now for the x5 but i have had one for the last 2 years and my next car i will be keeping for 3-4 years because of the current car market so i dont realy want the same car again. I love the new seats and intergration of the ipod etc and everytime i ride shotgun in my collegues car when i get out and back into my car i find myself trying to get my BMW into that amazing seating position but I can never replicate it.

Now I know now I will hate some things about the RRS and big on that list will be the tailgate that never closes first time and it should have been like the FFRR and The X5 but i will live with it, everything else will be ok as long as i dont get a friday aftrnoon car

going to order this week

TDV8 HSE
Black
Ivory Prem Leather
Extended leather
DVD's
Hybrid
DPF
Grand Black Trim
Priv Glass

mods to do

Side steps
Colour code
upgrade to 22" wheels
Exhuast trims

remenber both cars are great for different reasons and it was summed upto me last when i ordered the X5, if you want a great looking car go for the RRS if you want a great exciting drivers car go for the X5, personally I think there was some truth in that and had i not wanted to the same care for 6 ish years I would have gone for the X5 again so this time RRS and most probly X5 the time after unless the next RRS is completely new.

Hope this is of some use.

R Neil 2010 RRS TDV8 Overfinch GTS