Hi all I'm looking to buy a 2005-2009 Range Rover Sport 4.2 V8 Supercharged
Just wanted to check how they are in terms of reliability and average running costs. My current car is a Jaguar XF 4.2 Sv8 which I believe is the same engine that's in the RR. It has been totally reliable in the last few years I've owned it so was hoping it would be more of the same. I need the extra room hence wanting to switch to a RR. Just wanted to check with the people that know best how good they are in terms of reliability etc, fuel economy is not an issue as I do very low miles, just need to know about common faults and what to look out for when buying. Thanks very much for taking the time to read this

They aren’t too bad.

The air suspension is likely to require some work.

The gearboxes can be problematic. Try and get a low mileage one.

Other than engine specific issues, they have the same issues as the diesels. Plenty of info on here covering the usual issues. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

It's a land rover. It will fall to pieces. 🤔

Andy K wrote:

They aren’t too bad.

The air suspension is likely to require some work.

The gearboxes can be problematic. Try and get a low mileage one.

Are you sure that those people weren’t talking about the SDv6 engine failures? I don’t recall any member here posting about a V8 S/C failure. Breakdowns yes, MAF sensors on V8’s failing, yes, coolant system issues yes but I don’t recall any actual total failures. In the UK there are relatively few V8 petrols compared to the number diesels sold but if you take a look on the US based Range Rover forum you might get more info there as the vast majority of RRS sold there are S/C’s as JLR only started to sell the V6 and 2.0 4 cylinder diesels over there in the last 18 months. 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

Hi, I've had my 2005 4.2L SC for nearly 3 years (120k miles) and to be fair it's been pretty damn reliable.
Needed a new parking sensor and map sensor but that's about it.
I do low mileage (4k a year) but I make sure it's serviced every 12 months by my local indy RR specialist.
My theory on older cars (probably dumb) is that hopefully any major issues have been sorted out by now by previous owners.
I haven't heard of any members on here having engine problems with the petrol spec and as you say you already know what the engine is like in your Jag, I would expect the same.

Good luck and enjoy! 2016 RRS SVR Estoril Blue
2005 4.2L Supercharged Java Black - gone but was my first love.
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If we all point our RR's in the same direction and accelerate at the same time can we turn back time?

I think the 4.2 SC are ok.

It is mainly the diesels that have the problems.

And a few concerns with the chain on the 5.0

Sounds great thanks for all the replies. The 4.2 supercharged sounds like the one to go for then. I only do 5000 miles a year as I said so fuel costs won't be a problem. I've even seen a few 55 plate models that fall into the low tax bracket which is another bonus. I've also been looking at other brands Bmw X5 and an Srt8 Jeep Cherokee but neither of them have the same appeal to me as the Range Rover. And the interior of the RR is streets ahead of those cars.

I have a 2003 X5 4.4 and a 2005 RRSS.
In my opinion the X5 is a better drive and feels lighter and more nimble.
The rr seems like a massive boat in comparison.. But - the RR sounds (inside at least) way better engine noise
I like the rr but I reckon if I could find a really good X5 4.8is I would have one over a RR.
I also used to have a Porsche Cayenne S 4.5 which was good but felt fragile inside. It pulled like a train tho'.
I driven Jeep 5.7 hemi... Never again. It wallowed down the road like the tyres were flat and was sluggish.

OMG it’s happened, the RRS is now mentioned in the same breath as the BMW X5, in fact it seems for 2010-2013 the prices of both are now pretty much the same. I can remember when the RRS used would literally be double the price of the “equivalent” BMW X5.

So tragic

Never driven either car yet so can't compare unfortunately but I just can't seem to get on with the X5 "looks wise". Always thought they look like a 3 series on stilts. The Range Rover just looks a lot more classy to me. But I suppose if it drives well its worth a look. I'll definitely look at other option but I just keep coming back to the RR sport. There's no other car like it is there lol

I had the 4.2sc for approx 7 years. Took it all over Europe, covering up to 800 miles in a day. Fantastic fun, evenit after my s2000.
Never really broke down, but did experience over heating of the sc in South of France, that's when I realised the supercharger coolant pump was wired backwards (known fault and easy fix).
The only real issue on the 4.2 is the weight and power, if driven spritely, the bushes soon need replacing.
I generally got 10 to 12 mpg and 18mpg on a good run.
I hate to admit, but the 3.0 engine makes far more sense for the RRS, but who wants sense. MY12 RRS HSE
Gone 4.2 supercharged RRS
Gone 90
Gone s2000

Yeah i hear what you're saying. I'm averaging around 18mpg in the supercharged Jaguar XF so it wouldn't be a massive drop for me in terms of fuel consumption. I must admit there are so many more better specced and better condition Tdv8 models around and it would open up a lot more choice for me if I did choose that option. But I think I would miss the petrol V8 noise too much. Plus with me only doing short runs and 5000 miles a year I'd be sure to have DPF and all the other little diesel annoyances a couple of years down the line knowing my luck lol

I think you may find DPF was optional up until around 2011, and by then they had dropped the TDV8, so shouldn't be a problem if you wanted a TDV8.

Cheers
Col