Hi all,

I'm on the look out for my first RRS for around £15k

Am considering either an HST and leave it stock or maybe an HSE then do the full facelift Autobiography conversion.

What are peoples thoughts between the two options?

Is there much difference between the standard spec of an HST and an HSE aside bumpers/grills etc?

I am also leaning towards the TDV8 rather than the TDV6 as I want the extra grunt and not too bothered about loosing a few MPG

Thanks

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Hi Phil sorry carn't really comment on the HST against the HSE but would go for the TDV8 every time just go in with your eyes open as many will tell you these engines can have there problems. The best thing you can do is service,service,service. I change the oil and filter every 5k and drain BOTH sump bungs, use gen oil filters and good quality oil, use castrol myself.

Good hunting Ian 2008 G4 RRSport TDV8 current
2009 TDCi 90 current
2018 Discovery 5 HSE lux current
1994 Dakar current

im sure you may get more replies, lots of RRS owners are doing things over the weekend, whilst their butler and maids are spring cleaning. The spend their weekdays surfing the web whilst the staff are earning them coin

I would go for the newest, leased abused RRS you can afford, you can always add on extra kit at a later date, that way you are not paying a extra premium for someone else tinkering

Consider thee risk as the TDV8 has been prone to a few hiccups that mean the engine is shot, were as the TDV6 has been less troublesome, maybe a TDV6 with a remap, if you want a few extra horses

Have a search around. Plenty of info on here including a full AB Conversion on a 2006 car (if I remember)

Thoughts? Getting carried away with looks will probably mean that you overcapitalise with a conversion. Looks are in the eye of the beholder ....remember that whatever you decide. Advice, buy the newest car you can with the best history. Leave it standard (my opinion as I hate modded cars)

It's not that we are unfriendly but there is an element of "same question different day" fatigue. Search is your friend.

Good luck  Gone - 2008 Stornoway Grey RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2009 Buckingham Blue RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2010 Alaska White RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Gone - 2017 Chawton White RRS 5.0 V8 Supercharged
Current - 2010 Java Black RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Current- 2024 RRS P400 SE Dynamic

Looking at a HST brochure the main differences between a HST and a HSE are the HST has a Sunroof, Active locking Rear Diff, H/K Logic 7 sound system, Privacy Glass and 20" Stormer Wheels plus Body Kit of course as standard, where as on the HSE they cost options.

There were various no cost options on the HST i.e. Sports Leather Seats which were also cost options on the HSE.

If MPG in not a major concern consider a 4.2 S/C

Cheers
Col

[quote="npinks"]im sure you may get more replies, lots of RRS owners are doing things over the weekend, whilst their butler and maids are spring cleaning. The spend their weekdays surfing the web whilst the staff are earning them coin

I take it you are referring to ADY or BC !!!  In Spain - 2018 F Pace - Frightened away from the Sports due to crank failures
Gone - A couple of RRS, A couple of Disco's. However thinking of another Sport.

yes Ady is the maid and BC is the butler

Hi Phil. Go for it. My opinion (which isn't for everyone!):

1 - I would go HSE rather than HST. Like BKHK I avoid modded cars even if they are factory mods

2 - I sold my 07 TDV8 with 130k on the clock as a part ex on my present TDV8 and got £10k. It was sold again for £11.5k which was a great deal for the buyer as it was in great condition.

3 - The TDV6 is a lovely car but drive the TDV8 and decide.

4 - I service my cars by LR or a very good indie on the nod. Never look at one without a service record & if poss buy one from an owner who has kept all bills. I always keep everything - it shows its been cared for. Get a good warranty. Warranty Direct have a good record here

5 - Read No 4 above again as its the most important!!!!!

Good luck

Phil,

I have just been through the same pain and gone the other way, buying an HST. I specifically wanted the TDV* engine, the sports seats (dodgy back and find the harder seats more comfortable), I wanted 20" wheels that I could put oversized 45 profile tyres on (fill the arches better and Cooper Zeon LTZ's come in 275/45/20) and I wanted the locking rear diff (a lot of shooting at weekend during the season so the combination of Coopers and rear locking diff should get me through most muddy gateways). HST has them all as options.

Managed to find a 2008 with just 34k on the clock and a very full service history for sensible money. Very happy with the investment so far.

I have the Cooper Zeons on too, Nigel. With a 45 profile they fill the arches much better, much more comfortable but a bit of tyre noise at 70ish depending on the surface - not a problem though. Always getting stuck with the Pillelli Scorpions on shoot days (embarrassing being pulled out by old Defenders!) Havnt really pushed my luck with them yet in mud - can I be confident?

Going to give them a few proper shoot day tests between now and the end of the season. Will report back on progress. As you say, embarrassing when the keeper has to pull you out with the old Defender, or worse the HiLux......

A question for the OP: what annual mileage will you be doing in the RRS? A 4.2 S/C would be better than either TD if you don't do big miles.

As for the guys getting stuck on shoots - perhaps try the Grabber AT. Works well in mud. Also make sure you understand the way that TR and associated systems work (assuming you don't already know of course). Always annoying when people in old vehicles on MT tyres tell you your vehicle is rubbish. Put their vehicle on similar tyres and the RRS would get further than they do.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Might be teaching grannies to suck eggs here but one thing folks new to RRS with TR tend to forget is that in muddy ruts TR is a great help but don't forget to switch off your DSC. If you start to use the tyre sidewalls to gain grip by turning the steering back and forth the DSC computer thinks that you are trying to crash the car and will cut the engine power and try to stop you crashing....... which of course you weren't trying to do in the first place! In some slippery scenarios the Sand setting is better than the mud and ruts too. I have the ediff on my RRS2 and find it amazing how often it starts to lock up even in what you perceive not to be very slippery conditions. 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

Last edited by Tim in Scotland on Tue Jan 12 2016 10:07am. Edited 1 time in total

Personally I'd avoid doing any modifications, at least for the time being. The vast majority of mods and AB conversions do not increase the value at all, but actually decease it in the eyes of many buyers.