I know this has probably been done to death but......

I've spent the last few weeks researching purchasing info and advice. One thing that concerns me (obviously) is reliability.

The feeling i'm getting from the forum is that the 4.2 engine is the most reliable, but clearly the most expensive to run.

Ideally I'd like the TDV8 as this seems the best compromise in performance/economy, but the history of turbo failure is a big worry.

Second hand prices over here are a bit weird also

2.7 - around 29 grand (180k plus kilometres)
4.2 - 35 to 45 grand (140k plus kilometres)
3.8 - 40 grand plus (180k plus kilometres)

So, do you spend less and get high kilometre, economical driving but a potential time bomb, or take the chance on a TDV8 at about $10000 premium. Probably with high kays as well.

Or, go the whole hog and get the supercharge?

I guess most people wil praise what they have, but I'm really looking for practical advice please, as this is giving me a headache
😁 Less is more, more or less

Take a tablet.
Many here have had problem free ownership, others have had major problems. As its your money no one can make choices for you. If you do humbles miles get a supercharged, if you do huge miles then a TD, reality is what you save on fuel you will spend on maintaining. If I had it all to do again I would buy a petrol but that's my personal view
Use the search feature as you have put finger on it, the subject is done to death. 2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

Buy the youngest and lowest km one you can within your budget 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

... with a good warranty!

It is up to you and what you would prefer. Yes there are some stories about turbos and other things, but don't forget each car is different, maintained different, driven different, some are just lemons. This site has just over 10,000 members, just think how many sports there are in the world. My friend has a 2005 TDV8 uses it on a farm it has a very hard life, its had bushes and tires thats it, high millage daily put through its paces and not any major problem. Mine is 2007 TDV8 and has just had £5k worth of work, bought it with average millage worked out to be around 10k per year from new with full LRSH, so reasonable, however it had been parked a little while and rubbers etc had cracked, but still what it cost me plus the work still a good deal. As the body was off I had other things done, and a full through and through check, its been in the garage 4 weeks. New they are high end cars and have running cost of just that. buy a Lambo used costs $90k, it still costs the same as a new car in service about £9K a year.

Buy what you want have it checked by a mechanic and get a good warranty Java Black 2007 TDV8 HSE (my first RRS)
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Thanks for all the replies

Bkhk - do you mean lowest Kay's and youngest vehicle of any of the engine types? Mostly the supercharged are the lowest kays.

To be fair, I had a 2.7 disco which was reasonably reliable for me, but the previous owner had a new gearbox fitted and a multitude of other issues.

Is there any cases of turbo failure of the Diesel engines in Australia?

Also, does there seem to be a reason for the failures (such as poor maintenance, or incorrect oil etc) or is it just random.

We'll mostly be using the vehicle for school run, tooling about town and occasional long runs. Less is more, more or less