Hi all, ive been umming and arrring for sometime now whether to go for an RRS (TDV6), i'm always reading the horror stories with unreliability issues etc but surely that comes with any car?! We just don't hear of how reliable they are as much we should!

Anyway I was wondering what peoples opinion was on mileage etc.... In short I have around 15/16k to spend (as soon as my 370Z roadster sells), most of them in this price bracket are pushing the 100k mark. Would I be better trying to find one with say 100/110k with full service history, major parts replaced etc, than one with say 80k? When do parts generally fail, or when are major services due on them? I hear the suspension compressors are an expensive part to repair (my Sl500 merc one was 2500 - ouch!), when do these normally fail?

Cheers

Big cam-belt service at 90,000 miles or 7 years (someone will qualify that) I believe, so worth making sure you factor that into any car you buy that's not had it done

There are some cracking cars out there.....and also some real lemons......buying a higher mileage one that's been looked after would be a better buy in my view that one that has lower mileage but hasn't been cared for as much. There are a number of common things that go wrong, alternators, batteries, electricals, air suspension, EGR valves, turbo's rear boot mechanisms, etc etc, some of which you'll be able to fix fairly cheaply, some will come with big bills, so whatever you do, try and get one with a decent warranty  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
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GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Beancounter_74 wrote:

Big cam-belt service at 90,000 miles or 7 years (someone will qualify that) I believe, so worth making sure you factor that into any car you buy that's not had it done

There are some cracking cars out there.....and also some real lemons......buying a higher mileage one that's been looked after would be a better buy in my view that one that has lower mileage but hasn't been cared for as much. There are a number of common things that go wrong, alternators, batteries, electricals, air suspension, EGR valves, turbo's rear boot mechanisms, etc etc, some of which you'll be able to fix fairly cheaply, some will come with big bills, so whatever you do, try and get one with a decent warranty

Hi,

I paid £15.5k for my 4.2ltr Supercharged RRS. I thought the same thing when looking for my first one, i got a lot of peace of mind when i bought from a local dealer and as part of the 'deal' i struck with him i got a 15month Autogroup Ultimate protection warranty with it (normally about £5-600)

My RRS SC has a few niggles but nothing serious and im just trying to iron these out after having it for just a couple of weeks. Hopefully the warranty will cover any major work that may need doing but i reviewed the service history and maintenance paperwork at the dealership and most bits had been replaced recently (such as front arms and suspension compressor, alternator, and a few other things) Also got the HDC fault when i test drove, but he put a new battery on which did resolve this although it is an 'underpowered' battery he installed (meets the handbook requirement) when reviewing the comments on here for the 'sensitive' electrics on this car and could be the cause of one of two other niggles i have at the minute.

Still left to do on mine;

1. 4 Wheel Alignment
2. Change and upgrade the battery (if this doesnt resolve an issue i have my warranty does cover the fault)
3. Upgrade the bluetooth
4. Somehow resolve the issue with the 'Invalid Disc' error on CD player, this may need replacement

Take it on a good test drive, ensure you look for speed bumps (believe it or not!) and listen out for heavy telltale knocks when riding over them, this could mean some suspension work is needed (other than the compressor). Try to get a look at the service history and and reciepts for work to see what has been done. Test all the electrics on the test drive (not just on the forecourt - some gremlins can take a minute or two to appear) especially those relating to the suspension.

if you find one you like, remember a dealer, even an independant one, has to stick to the Sale of Goods Act, generally they do so what you get is in good nick, because most will do the work before they put in on sale but dont be afraid to ask for things to be done either. If id known that a slight pull could be the 4 wheel alignment then i would have pushed to have had this done before pickup as well but only got that bit of insight on here afterwards.

For what you are willing to pay, remember, its probably going to be 6-8 years old, so expect a niggle or two, but you get 3months warranty from any dealer as standard under SOGA so a little light relief, see what extra warranty the dealers offer, sometimes the price can be bartered even further than you think if you willing to take this. FOrecourt price on mine was £17995, we struck a deal at £15.5 cash if he threw in the 15month warranty top level protection. I was also pushing for a service plan but as an independant dealer he didnt do them. shame but im currently asking around to see if any LR specialists offer service plans on vehicles they may not have sold.

I got both a service plan and warranty on the subaru i have and it hasnt cost me a penny in 3 years, despite 8 services, 8 new tyres (pirellis) a new turbo, prodrive suspension (like for like) and new computer all at a prodrive garage. The warranty cost again £500 and the service plan is £15 per month, i've had £6.5k of work done (thats parts alone) and its not cost me a penny more so i'd always reccommend them. Not had any major issues with the scooby, its just been general service work and replacements for cars like that, especially the prodrive.

In my view, do your research, get the protection if possible, and it's definitely worth the gamble!

Good hunting!

Rich Pro-Drive Ltd Edition Subaru Impreza
RRS 4.2Ltr SC V8

My RRS is on 113k and it looks and drives like a car on half that. I would recommend buying something that you can see has been cared for, as apposed to something on less miles that looks a bit rougher.

I bought a 1 owner car with a full comprehensive history, cambelt just changed, oil service done, 4 new tyres all round, the minor advisoried on the MOT rectified, previous owner was pretty well off so you could tell that no corners had been cut in the care for the car. If you keep this sort of ownership up then it will show through when you come to sell the car, which is the sort of thing a buyer will notice if they are serious about purchasing a RRS.

I've done no more than 5000 miles im my TDV6 (as I don't do many miles) but it's been fantastic, all I've had to replace is a washer fluid level sensor (£2 or £3 i think it was) and more recently a boost pipe (£35). Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

Remember buying private, you have no protection at all and unless you're familiar with this type of car and its niggles and issues, could be lumbered with a lemon that just empties your wallet quicker than you can fill it. Better to buy from some form of company, rather than 'john selling on his drive' because at least you have the Sale of Goods Act, its not much, but its better than nothing. Pro-Drive Ltd Edition Subaru Impreza
RRS 4.2Ltr SC V8

Beancounter_74 wrote:

Big cam-belt service at 90,000 miles or 7 years (someone will qualify that) I believe, so worth making sure you factor that into any car you buy that's not had it done

Transmission fluid changes at 70/80K.. sealed for life is no longer observed.. i had the ZF box, transfer
and diff oils changed at the same time, the gearbox should be a dual flush with the body off,
so could be expensive Another Pommie Bar Steward down under

MY20 Defender 110 SE P400 Eiger/Ebony
MY10 3.0 RRS TDv6 Fuji/Ebony/Anigre

Great thank you for all the advice, it looks like then so long as the history is comprehensive I could be better getting one with 100k than 80k if the major services have been completed.

Things like the suspension compressor etc, are they fairly striaght forward to change or is it dealer only? I know my SL500 would have been a pig to do myself.

Problem with some of the bigger jobs (cam-belt, turbo's) is that they are 'body off' jobs, so a lot of the labour charge is to just gain access to the necessary parts - no a great design to be honest.  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

I have heard that, quite a scary thought really....Awful design tbh!! I will look into these aftermarket warranties but from previous experience they aren't worth a bean, particularly on a high mileage car.

Search for 'warranty' on here and you will get a host of information about who people use/recommend, but whatever you do go for, be sure to read the small print, VERY closely.  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

I am currently selling my Range Rover L322 TDV8 Vogue SE, it's at 102,000 miles but running like a dream, I just fancy having a Supercharged.

Mine is an example of a high miles car but with full LRDSH, all work done at a Dealer, reliable and plenty of life left in it. These types of cars DO exist out there, as I'm sure is the same with the RRS.

It pays to be selective, there's always another one so don't let your heart rule your head. L319 D4 HSE

1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF

1982 Series 3 SWB

cfoster - unless you have your heart set on an RRS, I'd be making some inquiries to RRUK for his FFRR  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

haha I have looked at his one, looks lovely but its out of my budget, plus I 'think' I prefer the sport shape (although I'm sure the RR's are better built!). Can't see it hanging around for sale long it looks mint!