Hi guys,

This is my first post so please be gentle with me.

I've had my mercedes E class, 280 diesel sport for 4 years and I want something new.

The cars I have my eyes on are the BMW X5 diesel and Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8.

I am looking at spending at most 33k (2010 plate) and I want a diesel again.

I know I need to go take some out for a test drive and have been looking on auto-trader today but I'm not really clued up on cars so just need a bit of advice. 

What would be your choice of car up to 33k out of the size of cars I am looking at? Anyone help me out on what to pick?

Cheers /|\

Well this is a RRS forum so.....  2007 TDV6 HSE Stornoway Grey
2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Can you get a nice 2010 RRS TDV8 for 33k with LR warranty and reasonable mileage? If so, then that would be pretty interesting. The diesel V8 is a superb engine, and of course the off road capabilities are far far better than an X5.
If you're just after a big 4x 4 and just using it on road the X5 will be more economical...maybe a little more reliable..but a whole lot more boring. I've had both, and after a month in a X5 it became just a bit mundane, whereas in a RRS you just want to drive and enjoy it.
I've just returned from Ireland and had to park in a total quagmire of a field for several hours. An X5 would have stood zero chance of extricating itself from the mud..the RRS, in my case the TDV8, just thought about the situation, adjusted the power accordingly to each wheel, suspension raised, and then crawled out as though it was on tracks! Every other vehicle was stuck. Quite remarkable.
If you are buying from a LR dealer, you should obtain a Land Rover Experience voucher from them, and then get yourself booked into a half day course at Eastnor in a RRS, especially on a filthy day, and you will be stunned at the massive capability of these vehicles (plus Discos and RRSs). For none LR drivers, these courses are a total revelation.

33k for a 10 plate, may be pushing it for a TDV8 but you may find a high mileage 3.0 TDV6, and then maybe an SE which doesn't have a couple of the toys that make it even more special to have a RRS.

I've driven both and there really is no comparison. Just get a chance to belt it down a country A road and then turn on to a field or rough track, no other car does it like an RRS.

Also an RRS doesn't look like a bread van (sorry LR4 drivers!) 2007 FR2 Stornoway Grey and every toy
2008 RRS 2.7 SE Carins Blue, My First RRS, off roaded, i miss it!
2009 FR2 Electric Blue, side bars, towbar off road loved it, miss it want it back
2010 RRS Buck Blue, 3.0TDV HSE with Alpaca
and a mini cooper convertible

DaveRRS wrote:

Well this is a RRS forum so.....

Just asking nicely  /|\

peanutbob wrote:

Can you get a nice 2010 RRS TDV8 for 33k with LR warranty and reasonable mileage? If so, then that would be pretty interesting. The diesel V8 is a superb engine, and of course the off road capabilities are far far better than an X5.
If you're just after a big 4x 4 and just using it on road the X5 will be more economical...maybe a little more reliable..but a whole lot more boring. I've had both, and after a month in a X5 it became just a bit mundane, whereas in a RRS you just want to drive and enjoy it.
I've just returned from Ireland and had to park in a total quagmire of a field for several hours. An X5 would have stood zero chance of extricating itself from the mud..the RRS, in my case the TDV8, just thought about the situation, adjusted the power accordingly to each wheel, suspension raised, and then crawled out as though it was on tracks! Every other vehicle was stuck. Quite remarkable.
If you are buying from a LR dealer, you should obtain a Land Rover Experience voucher from them, and then get yourself booked into a half day course at Eastnor in a RRS, especially on a filthy day, and you will be stunned at the massive capability of these vehicles (plus Discos and RRSs). For none LR drivers, these courses are a total revelation.

Can anyone offer some more advice?

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Should I buy RANGE ROVER SPORT 2010 or BMW X5 2010?

Hi guys,

This is my first post so please be gentle with me.

I've had my mercedes E class, 280 diesel sport for 4 years and I want something new.

The cars I have my eyes on are the BMW X5 diesel and Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8.

I am looking at spending at most 33k (2010 plate) and I want a diesel again.

I know I need to go take some out for a test drive and have been looking on auto-trader today but I'm not really clued up on cars so just need a bit of advice.

What would be your choice of car up to 33k out of the size of cars I am looking at? Anyone help me out on what to pick?

Cheers

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" /|\

Hi,

All I can say is drive both for as long as you can before you decide. I admire the X5 but in my very humble opinion it falls short of the appeal of the RRS. For me, it just doesn't feel special.

Competent - yes
Brilliant in parts - yes

but it fails to be a Range Rover and all the good things that means. Maybe I am lucky, I drive an 09 which has not had a single fault, maybe if it had spent weeks in the garage my view would be different. Maybe.......

Ps I don't believe all X5s are faultless either. Graham

09 TDV8 Zermat Silver

Tried X5 when I bought RRS - seat and suspension too firm for me - felt like being whacked up arse with a cricket bat over every bump

Also heard they even get stuck on wet grass which for me towing caravan on farm sites would be a problem

Some my10 RRS on autotrader for sub £33k with reasonable miles

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/ca...ynew%2Cnew

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/ca...ynew%2Cnew

Dealer only offered me £32k p/x this month with 22k miles so you should be able to get one cheap with higher miles  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

Thank you so much for your help.

I greatly appreciate the advice you have given me.

Best Regards,

B. Safe /|\

If you get intouch with one of these 3 musketeers http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic25314.html i'm sure they will be more than happy to sell you a RRS they are well respected and are site sponsors so you will be well looked after, if the sport doesn't tick most of your boxes then try a X5, personally i didn't even think of an X5 before i bought my sport because i knew i wanted a sport in the first place. The sport has everything and more i want out of a motor, the X5 is something i'm sure i would get bored of very quickly. just my opinion. I would advise just as the ppl have above, try them both, and then post up some pics of your sport when you get it.

The BMW handles better and arguably may have the better mechanicals.

However having had both the X5 and Sport the Sport has a classier interior. The BMW just appears, to me anyway, to have the same basic look and layout as all their cars and so doesn't give you that something special.

To be honest I simply got bored with my X6 for the same reason it was just the same switch gear etc as a 3 series and for the money I wanted it to be different.

The RR has class!!

I was at a LR event at Eastnor Castle back in 1999 where a few select people who drove Mercs, BMWs, Jags and Lexus etc had been invited, and while they were getting there pre drive speech the spokeman said "we can go anywhere in as much luxury and at the legal speeds as you, but you can't go everywhere we go!)
That stuck with me and I often use that when asked why I buy a LR!

drdelrrs wrote:

The BMW handles better and arguably may have the better mechanicals.

However having had both the X5 and Sport the Sport has a classier interior. The BMW just appears, to me anyway, to have the same basic look and layout as all their cars and so doesn't give you that something special.

To be honest I simply got bored with my X6 for the same reason it was just the same switch gear etc as a 3 series and for the money I wanted it to be different.

The RR has class!!

If you just want a 4x4 because you want the benefits of raised driving position etc. then the X5 would be fine. It would probably be more reliable and cheaper to run too. They're not known for being any good off tarmac though.

If you want a 4x4 that will go anywhere you want it to go then the RRS would be the one to go for. Actually, the Discovery would be the one to go for in that regard but you asked about the Sport. The Sport is extremely capable off road - anyone who tells you they're rubbish in the mud or snow doesn't know what they're talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endsc...A&NR=1

Most Sports just get big wheels and polish thrown at them, however, so half a tonne of off-road capability is being hauled around for no real benefit. If that's your thing then be aware that big wheels have been implicated in enhanced suspension component wear although not everyone suffers so it might just be a possible contributing factor along with driving style and road conditions.

I have a 57 plate TDV8 and I'm getting little more than 20mpg just doing my regular local roads driving. On a reasonable run that wll go up to mid-20s. Seen 28mpg on a long slow motorway run once. So you can see that the fuel costs can be quite scary.

Reliability can be a real issue with them too. I've had a new alternator and anti-roll bar bush so far this year and on Thursday it's going in for a new rear dynamic anti roll bar and starter motor. So, you need to get a warranty when you buy a Sport - so far, the warranty has covered about £2k worth of work. This year.

If you want a capable, fast on-road 4x4 have a look at the Cayenne. Fuel costs will be much the same as the RRS but it will show a clean pair of heels to the Sport/X5. And it's actually capable of getting its tyres muddy too in a way that the X5 wouldn't dream of. The VW version (the Touareg) is quite capable off road too, apparently, and can be had for quite small money.

If you're set on the Sport, then I would suggest going for the best post-2010 TDV6 you can get. The 3-litre engine is very good and whilst it might not have the noise of the TDV8, it's noticeably better on the fuel and the performance is close enough not to be an issue. The facelifted interior is also very nice. Whether you can get the right one for you for less than £33k will be interesting. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed