I recall seeing a YouTube or something saying that Range Rover Sports are generally more reliable than other JLR products.

I’ve not done any detailed research, but it seems as though most problems with L494s on this forum are to do with the pre-facelift models. Are the later versions more reliable, or just less posted about?

I learned from a LR technician some time ago that the cars continue to evolve and improve through their lifetimes and the ones built later are generally better put together with better components.

Does this seem to be the case with the L494? 2021 P400e Autobiography

The later face lift models get the inline D300 engine which is looking to be a reliable engine in 6 cyl format, very much not in 4 cyl. However earlier facelift models still have the Ford Lion v6 which can snap the crank, we had a 2018 face lift one that did just that at 20k miles MY24 Dynamic SE,MY21 HSE Silver, MY20 SQ7, MY 18 RRS HSE Dynamic , MY 16 RRS Autobiography now gone & MY 2005 Discovery 3 HSE that I will be buried in !

Just to point out that is all about diesel variants.  2023 P440e SE Dynamic on order -cancelled

2022 HSE Dynamic P400e

2017 Discovery 3.0 HSE Silicon Silver Nimbus interior and a few extra toys SOLD

2013 HSE Black, Orkney Grey, Ebony Seats and Ivory Interior SOLD

2006 HSE

Plus a few other cars inbetween!

I have had 2 Sports from 2015 and 2019 and have had no problems with either.
Unfortunately it only the problems that get shouted about. The cars are great
but its the dealers that let the game down.
Graham 2024 110 X Dynamic SE P400e
2019 Hse Dynamic Carpathian grey----gone
Mercedes GLE arrived, now also gone
2015 HSE dynamic Corris grey-gone

Yes, I've had my fair share of main dealer foul-ups. There was a stage when the car would have to go back to rectify something after pretty much every service. Once, the main sump plug wasn't screwed in properly and I ended up having the car trailered from my work car park after the car spewed its oil out in the way in to the office.

Their response "Well, these things happen - the plug is really hard to get to". 2021 P400e Autobiography

I'm a strong believer in the idea that the majority of LR's "reliability issues" are nothing more than poor service by main dealers. If LR got on top of that, they'd climb the reliability indices.

My own experience was that my old TDV8 was a Friday car until I stopped using the main dealer and went to a local indie LR specialist. Car was transformed from "Why's it going back to the garage this time?" to "Oh, it's due a service, is it? How time flies!".

My SDV6 has been with the same indie since I've owned it and, other than a couple of known issues (inlet manifold split, crossover pipe corrosion), it's been fine.

So if you're going to buy an RRS, buy one that has a decent indie service history and then use a decent indie to look after it. A "full LR main dealer service" is not a positive selling point, frankly. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I absolutely agree. Mine's going to be serviced at an independent.

There's probably a very good reason why the OSH website doesn't list repairs and warranty work. 2021 P400e Autobiography

I’m still driving a 2014 L494 with 120k miles on the clock. Apart from the engine self destructing at 80k it’s been very reliable  2014 RRS AB Santorini Black

My 2014 still going strong touch wood, its currently at 185k, original engine, turbos, manifolds, egrs and gearbox. It had couple of diffs but looks like warranty sorted it (was before ownership).

It had full service history, but i change the oil every 9-10k with approved oil (Petronas Syntium 5000 FJ) and a genuine oil filter.

I don't race it when cold but when it warm if i need to put my foot down don't hold back.

I came to conclusion that these cars like to be driven and not for folk does little miles.

Engine oil level is important for these engines and on the fuel cap door it is saying you should check the oil level every 600 miles!

They don't like short journeys. They're mile-munchers and should be driven accordingly. Driving a handful of miles twice a day is a great way to upset them. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I recently picked up a 2019 L494 P525 Auto (5L S/C) which had at the time 16k miles on it from the JLR dealer in Bucks and have been wondering for a while what I should do about it's next service.

I also recently had an L405 which I had serviced by the Croydon dealership and after they damaged the drop tailgate quite badly, I swore I'd never go back there (went to the Crawley garage instead).

Does anyone know of any good JLR indie/specialists in the south region (Surrey/Kent) that may be worth a visit?

Thanks

I remember reading 2017+ is generally more reliable hence why I shopped for a 2017, not sure if it is true or not but mine has been pretty solid.

Chips wrote:

The later face lift models get the inline D300 engine which is looking to be a reliable engine in 6 cyl format, very much not in 4 cyl. However earlier facelift models still have the Ford Lion v6 which can snap the crank, we had a 2018 face lift one that did just that at 20k miles

Wouldn't be so sure...