I am in the market for a used RRS and looking at MY18 to MY21 depending on spec. I would use it off road so a Dynamic HSE seems like the right choice as it has a low range transfer box.

However, I am really struggling to choose which engine. Originally I was thinking SDV6 as I prefer diesels but reading on here people's accounts of crank failures and the resulting repair bill, I am not sure now. I have also been looking at the D300 MHEV and P400 PHEV but I am concerned that buying a second hand hybrid will mean that within my ownership (5-7 years), I will have to replace the battery for £ks due to lose of charge or failure..

Is there an engine choice that will offer the least chance of engine failure or a significant bill over 5-7 years of ownership?

Looking at buying approved used and driving 10k per year.

TIA,

Jacks

Later cars typically have updated components, so whatever problems you see with the older cars should have been ironed out to some extent.

Approved used will give you a years warranty so you can get any issues sorted out fairly easily (and you're not tied into LR servicing in that time). PHEV batteries have a 6 year (60K) warranty.

Personally, I'd lead you toward a MY21.5 as it'll be the most up-to date. Choice of engine depends on what you need from it. Most of my journeys are less than 30 miles, so the PHEV works very well for me.

D300 will of course be cheaper (you'll always pay a premium for PHEV).

All Sports will have a low range option. 2021 P400e Autobiography

The most reliable engine in the L494 is the V8 Supercharged, followed by the SDV8.

It all depends if you will do lots of driving or not: SDV8 in case of the former, and SCV8 for the latter  --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport Supercharged V8 HSE Dynamic



Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9
Discovery 4 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zXrtKO
Range Rover/Sport L320/L322/L494 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zc58JQ

I don't think the V8s were offered for post 2018? 2021 P400e Autobiography

The SDV6 has been known to have crank failures but there are a lot of SDV6 engines out there - they're in the RRS, Discovery, FFRR and the rate of failure isn't monstrous (albeit awful for those that suffer it).

Likelihood of a crank failure is probably the same as likelihood of having to replace a MHEV/PHEV battery, frankly.

The best way to maximise longevity with these cars is to find and use a decent LR specialist, not a LR dealership. Someone who will service it properly and do so with care - that goes a long way to reducing the risk of failures.

I'd suggest looking at bit older and getting the last of the SDV8. That'll come with low range and the active rear diff which makes it even better off road. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Last edited by RRSTDV8 on Wed Apr 10 2024 8:57am. Edited 1 time in total

SpiderPig wrote:

All Sports will have a low range option.

Yes you are probably right but from research it seems the MHEV uses a 48v battery which I hope wouldn't be too expensive. Second hand 48v batteries are going for £700 on ebay.

In my mind keeping a hybrid for so long, a battery replacement is inevitable. I think this makes the PHEV economically unviable for very long term ownership. That said, as EV become more common maybe better options for repair become available.

Would a D300 non-MHEV be a better choice than the SDv6 on the P494?

4535jacks wrote:

Yes you are probably right but from research it seems the MHEV uses a 48v battery which I hope wouldn't be too expensive. Second hand 48v batteries are going for £700 on ebay.

In my mind keeping a hybrid for so long, a battery replacement is inevitable. I think this makes the PHEV economically unviable for very long term ownership. That said, as EV become more common maybe better options for repair become available.

4535jacks wrote:

Would a D300 non-MHEV be a better choice than the SDv6 on the P494?

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Yeah, a lot of straight talking from Harry's Garage there.

He doesn't really address any future for ICE cars though, just explores the EV/battery side of things.

Right enough that the D300 is cheaper than the P400e.

He's taking the side of economics here, but of course he could easily afford to run a P400e if he wanted to. 2021 P400e Autobiography