I've had BMW's for over 20 years, currently drive a 2 year old 530i M Sport. Looking for something different now!

I really like the looks of the new RRS, so I thought I'd change the habit of a lifetime and test drive one.

Generally RRS is a nice drive, but only had 20 minutes or so on various roads. OK, I'm convinced with the ride comfort, quietness, etc. The tech/multimedia has a long way to go to match iDrive, but you really only need to mess with it infrequently in general, so the frustration with the slowness will be minimal. I hear that's being updated for new builds?

I am concerned with initial lag from pull away. I commute 100 miles/day with town driving near where I work and this lag feels like it would drive me nuts in traffic. I will need a more serious test drive to convince me on this, but happy to hear if it varies by model or driving mode (the sales guy said dynamic mode would solve this, but I didn't feel that it did). What is the cause, is it turbo lag?

I've read about niggles and issues here on the forums, and it is unfortunate when things go wrong, but I can get past that, hopefully with good dealer service.

I am really bothered that they remain easy to steal, and yes BMW had similar problems which also bothered me. BMW seem to have a solution now, but the LR solution doesn't seem to be stopping the problem (yet) (gone in 60 seconds). Does the new Secure system help?

Bottom line, I am trying to convince myself that it will all be good, but I am so worried with forking out so much for a premium product only to be disappointed. I'm almost there, would appreciate comments. Thanks.

Turbo diesel lag? You get used to driving around it IMHO.

I now only notice it when my dealer tempts me with s/c V8s as service loaners - the throttle response on those is chalk and cheese to the XF diesels I have driven for years (Same engine as the RRS I have on order).

I only get caught out rarely these days with an off-boost engine. MY2016 HSE D SDV6 - gone due to fuel dilution problems.

By the age of 50 you have the face you deserve - George Orwell.

I'm in a similar boat but a few weeks ahead of you. I've had BMWs back to back for the past 12 years. A 325 convertible then an M3 convertible which was reluctantly sold to make way for an X5 for kids. I've had it 5 years and would have put a lot of money on me buying another as its superb. I live in inner London so have nervously awaited it being stolen, certainly in its early years, when it topped the list of stolen vehicles year after year. Luckily, no major incidents.

I couldn't understand the premium being sought for the RRS so test drove one back to back with a new X5 earlier this year, really aiming to discount once and for all any notions of buying an RRS. The opposite occurred. The RRS is in a different league in every regard, perhaps with the exception of the quality of its Sat nav display, though not its usability in my view. I subsequently rented an RRS for a week driving round Scotland just to be sure and ordered my new car as soon as I got home. It should get to me mid to end September.

The cost of it the RRS is horrific but if your alternative choice was a similarly specc'd BMW X5 it's maybe 20-25 per cent more. My view is it is definitely worth that premium. BMWs are superb cars but I think have currently lost their way a bit in styling. The new X5 is plug ugly, and it drives very lightly I felt. The plastics and leathers and finishes aren't as solid as the RRS and the driving position not nearly as commanding.

I've just returned from a weeks holiday in Scotland yesterday, driving 450 miles. The X5 as ever did it superbly but I spent many moments excitedly thinking the next time I do it will be in an RRS.

On security have a look at one of my posts on this. I was similarly concerned but my dealer has made me feel a lot more comfortable about it on the new cars being built now and the changes they are making to existing cars if owners wish. Regardless I'll be using a steering wheel lock at nights for the first year or so which is a nuisance, sure, but no different than I would be doing if it was a new BMW I was buying.

Thanks.

The RRS I drove had the HUD (which also requires the solar windscreen, so total cost is £1750), but I liked the navigation on the screen and in the cluster, i.e. it was clear and simple.

Hiring one for a week is a good idea.

Cheers

Pull away from standstill is a major pain in the ass for me with all the diesel variants. It's much less of a turbo-lag issue but a gearbox programming "feature". Essentially the car will always try to pull away in 2nd gear in order to get a smooth and progressive take-off. If you stamp on the gas it takes a moment to switch from 2nd to 1st which happens while the turbo is spooling up.

In my previous L405 Vogue and L494 3.0L ATB it was infuriating and led to more than a couple of twitchy bum moments at roundabouts. Once the power does kick in the pull-away is excellent though, but if doing it in a gap in traffic then its almost as if you've hesitated to make a decision to go then decided to at the last minute! There are ways around this, which I inevitably began to employ. If you select 1st gear on the paddles if you know you're going to need a quick pull-away then use the paddles on the initial upshifts it's fine - just frustrating that the gearbox is slow to recognise when you want the power on pulling away.

In contrast the Supercharged, and even more so the SVR, is programmed differently. It definitely isn't just the fact that it's supercharged over turbocharged, although I appreciate there will be a slight difference in perceived lag because of that.

It is a LR known issue with the early RR/RRS diesels as the press bulletin for the MY16s mentions that it has been addressed (along with the heated seat controls).

Having said all of the above, I'm in the process of looking for another L405 (although the 4.4L this time) but, as it won't be a daily driver in traffic, I'll tolerate the "lag". It might be that there's a different gearbox programme that can be flashed into older models now.... SOLD - 15 plate Estoril SVR

SOLD - 64 plate Aleutian Silver Supercharged

SOLD - 63 plate Corris SDV6 Autobiography

Simple solution is to get the Supercharged and be done with it.

Dickie, have you sold yours yet? Mark

SVR in Estoril Blue

That certainly would put a smile on my face (I was considering an M5, etc also).

However, at a 100 mile/day commute it's a steep expense for that fun ! Tony

With a 100 mile a day commute, you would be putting about £150 of fuel a week into it but then I don't know what real world mileage you will be getting from a gasping 3 litre diesel though I expect he depreciation of the SC will be more too. Mark

SVR in Estoril Blue

I expect fuel would be 20 mpg vs 30+ mpg (currently I'm getting 33 mpg out of a 530i).

Of course the main issue is that depreciation is way more significant, at least 2x the fuel cost. Cars, we love 'em, but they do take a lot of our hard earned . Tony

You can see my average fuel usage in my signature, thats genuinely calculated.

Depends on the type of roads, I can average 25-35 on motorway with cruise control set at 70(ish)....

A-Roads seem to be more 20-24mpg

Spirited driving....well thats much much lower  2014.5 Mariana Black 5.0 Supercharged V8 Autobiography

I do agree pulling away is not as high-powered as I´ve experienced in other (mostly smaller sportier) cars. For instance I used to drive a Volkswagen Golf, it produced a little bit more spice on the get-go. However I feel the RRS flows as it goes, I enjoy the smooth start when you put your foot on the gas.

But I do have the luxury not to be driving under time pressure, in morning traffic, with 2 kids in the back and an 8 AM job appointment to get to. So yeah, that´s how I see it  I've got a Range Rover and a little Mercedes. I normally drive my Range Rover because I feel like a monster in it. Nobody messes with me.

Emma Bunton

Interesting post this. I too am thinking about a new RRS for next year at some point but am concerned about build quality etc. I currently have a BMW640d Gran Coupe which is a lovely car and great engine.

We had one of the early Evoques which we kept for 2 years then got rid of, too small and terrible engine!Build quality was so so but I believe the recent Evoques aren't great from a build point of view.

I went looking at my local LR dealer yesterday just to see and sit in a RRS and check out the colours in the metal. I was looking at Waitomo or Carpathian,they had two brand new Waitomo ready for Sept delivery which looked nice, vey similar to Havana but not quite as browny I don't think I am interested to see Carpathian and the sales guy said they had a Scotia Grey RRS with Stealth Pack on which went down a storm!

Spec I am interested in is SDV6 HSE Dynamic with quite a few extras!!

Hey Themacs do you mind telling me which dealer you saw the waitomo in , I have mine on order and would love to see it in the metal

Hi, they had two customer cars ready for September delivery at Hatfields Liverpool