Hi, this is my first post on here - you probably get quite a lot of these from first time buyers… part of me is sorry I found this site as it does serve as quite an effective bubble burster reading about all the potential faults I could face. I won’t lie - it scared the hell out of me for a while. I only stumbled on this site by accident - I was actually just looking for opinions on the built-in sat nav!

Anyway a little background… I've been a Jeep Grand Cherokee owner for 15 years, my current one is a 4.7 V8 that's now 14 years old. I always buy them used - couldn’t afford a new one. Mechanically it's fantastic and it never fails to make me smile when I floor the accelerator but it's always had an issue with the heater that costs an arm and a leg to fix (£900) and it breaks again before the following winter. Secretly I've always pined for a Range Rover though and given that my heater has packed in again (perfect timing!) I feel that me and my current car need to go our separate ways…

My Grands have all been mechanically super reliable (possibly because they're pretty old fashioned underneath)… never broken down or failed to start. Most of the issues I've had have been of the annoying to live with but not detrimental to driving so I could get them sorted as and when I wanted. The issues I've read about on here with the air suspension leaks, compressor issues, electric parking brakes and so one terrify me. I can replace a worn shock absorber no problem but these issues are all alien to me. I'm also in my mid forties now and laying on a cold drive on my back under a car gets less appealing with each passing year.

Fortunately (stupidly?) however I've rationalised all this now after remembering what Jeep forums were like when I was searching for solutions to my problems and they're full of doom and gloom too. Nobody comes to a site like this to post happy stories

Anyway I'm waffling a bit - basically my budget is a modest £15k and I'm looking at 2006-2007 model Supercharged Petrol V8's. I've already downloaded your checklist for buying a used one and I'm no stranger to low double-digit fuel consumption so that isn’t an issue. My main worry is finding a way to deal with some of these horror stories if I'm unlucky enough to get a fault. Many of you recommend getting a warranty which seems like sage advice given I'm buying a complex luxury car that would be beyond my reach new. I'll probably end up buying off a private seller given my budget so a dealer warranty is likely not an option. I got a quote off Warranty Direct for £867 for 12 months cover - does that sound about right and would it cover me for all the issues I might encounter? Is there a better option? I read someone recommending Tyre insurance too and LandRover assist? I'm based in Liverpool - what's the local Land Rover dealer like to deal with?

Really appreciate the time any of you spend reading my ramblings and any words of wisdom you might have

Hi

Sounds like you are thinking the right way about buying a used RRS
As far as warranty direct is concerned, make sure the quote you received covers the suspension components as depending on the level cover, it is not always covered as standard. I had to add it to my policy

The other thing I would say is to try to look at as many as possible before you buy, so they become familiar to you and so be able to spot a good one from a not so good one.

Regards

Cannon-fodder

Hi the only warning i will give you is once you get used to driving one nothing else will do . Of course you will read more horror stories about them than Jeeps but you will see much more of them on the road than jeeps.

Having suffered most Sport related traumas, I still wouldn't push someone not to buy, great thing to drive.
As said so many times, look at lots, drive them and get an idea which feels right or wrong. Get the best you can afford and a good history. Won't proclude any future problems but a good warranty is a must as are deep pockets to keep the thing up together. They aren't cheap to run so don't cut corners on buying or running, plenty out there trying to run these on a shoe string  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...😜

Definitely a good idea to weight up exactly what you want to be paying out year after year before getting the RRS. Yes, they are a nice car, not life changing, but nice. Remember that the minute you own a RRS, you own a car that can be a money pit regardless of things actually going wrong. Everything is over priced from the servicing to spare parts. If you go down the main dealer route you are looking at over a grand a year to warranty the car (with assist), £700 to service it and around the £500 to tax it on top of the £300 to £500 a month depreciation (dependant on how old the car is obviously)
Things often go wrong, they have so many gadgets that this is inevitable, yes the warranty covers most but it's the hassle of it going back to the garage for how ever long that doesn't suit everyone. The dealers are mostly ok, but by no means great and many on here have reported shoddy work creating other faults or just things missed when rebuilding the car, this alone is not unheard of at any garage, but L/R charge one of the highest hourly rates I have encountered but do not give quality to match. One example is having to insist that my car was not washed at the main dealer, as the local tesco car cleaners gave my car more respect!!
Personally, I think the idea of owning a RRS is actually better than the owning, I await the barrage of abuse...

Quote:

Everything is over priced from the servicing to spare parts.

Not necessarily. With great sponsors around like Advanced Factors, many things can be more affordable. I service and maintain my D3 (for those that don't know; it's the same thing underneath) myself and thus save a fortune. I bought it privately, with cash, and have zero warranty - some might thing this a ludicrous thing to do but its the problem cars that get fobbed of to garages.

There are many issues that can be easily solved if you know how, for example:

The EPB is fine if kept properly adjusted.
EGRs can be blanked (on earlier ones this is very simple).
Turbo hoses often break/de-laminate but can easily be replaced with longer lasting silicon ones.
The autobox will go on for many many miles if given a flush as appropriate.
Many things that appear to be a major suspension or transmission fault, are actually caused by the battery/alternator/brake bulb/brake switch/steering angle sensor or ABS sensor.
The suspension compressor can at least be replaced with a better version if need be.
etc. etc.

As well as here at RRSPORT, you will have your, slightly more hands on, D3 owning cousins (like me) over on DISCO3.CO.UK to offer help and advice that is second to none (if you're happy to be slated for buying a RRS ).

Good luck  Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

The key to owning a Land Rover product these days, unless you're able to do work yourself, is a decent LR indie. Not a "4x4 specialist" but a "LR specialist". Someone who knows the product inside out, charges half the hourly rate of the franchised dealers and, well, gives a about your vehicle.

I've had the LR warranty since I bought my RRS. It will likely have too many miles on it for them next time so I'll have to look elsewhere. With a decent indie, you can just pick a warranty that covers the "big bill" stuff and pay for the smaller stuff yourself - the warranty will be cheaper and the servicing will be cheaper so the overall yearly cost will be similar. That's my plan, anyway. I'm loathe to use the franchise dealer I've been using because they obviously don't care.

I'm starting to think about doing some routine suspension parts replacement over the next 12 months; struts, arms etc. We think that modern cars shouldn't need things replacing - our Skoda has very little done to it, for example - but the Sport is a heavy vehicle that is expected to go places that ordinary vehicles don't go. That wears out suspension components quicker. Having a very good ride quality when in good condition also means that we notice deterioration more than we might on steel sprung cars.

I could replace my RRS with something newer but that seems like a great way to throw away £1000s for little gain. A newer one will still need stuff doing to it after all. Mine is worth maybe £15k today. To replace it I'd be looking at £30k+. So that's £15k I can use to keep this one going - I quite like the idea of getting it to 200k miles just to prove a point. It's on 88k now so that's perhaps a big ask. I'll use it "in anger" too which will increase wear.

I guess the main fear is the engine. Having had a couple of turbo issues I'm concerned that the poor quality repair work by the franchised dealer has left me a potential legacy in that area. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Thanks for all the responses - think I've had my parade well and truly rained on! Almost makes me want to play it safe and go for the SRT-8 (which is what I was toying with getting when I realised I could get a RRS for the same money). Still - it's made the case for a warranty crystal clear if nothing else.

Good point about the suspension being covered - I read through and don't remember seeing anything specific about it being covered or not although it did mention that carrying nuclear waste and pressure damage from supersonic planes passing by was not covered! On the plus side it definitely covered the Supercharger.

This is going to be my main car (wife has her own) so it needs to be reliable enough to get me to and from work every day. As with the odd problems I've had with my Jeeps the main issue is more the inconvenience of being without a car while it is worked on - (unless we're talking £500 plus to get stuff fixed then it's the cost too lol). Dealers don't usually have courtesy cars available for impromptu visits so it can be a real pain in the backside. I will not be going offroad in this at all - I scratched that itch about 10 years ago and sent my first Jeep to an early grave what with all the mods and bumps it got over a 3 year period

I'm already running a V8, and while it avoids the highest rate of tax because of its age, an extra £200 for road tax isn't a game breaker. £700 for a service seems well OTT though - is that just for an oil/filter change and 'inspection'? Think I would be looking to find a good independent garage to take care of that... I guess with the age of RRS I'm buying, continuing to have LR Dealer stamps in the service book is a false economy anyway? The £15k budget is just for the RRS - I've got a separate £1000 budget to get a suitable warranty sorted but that's it for the RRS funds for now.

I have had 2 different jeeps I had a 53 plate 2.7 diesel and a 57 plate 3.0 diesel
I took the plunge and bought a 56 plate rrs 4.4 privately and there is no comparison in the quality between rrs and a jeep
If you are mechanically minded I would recommend getting a iidtool which will help diagnosing any problems allowing you to repair yourself
But it depends what mileage you do in a year

Cosmo

Hi , and welcome, I think the above posts have covered most things for you. To own and drive one there is no comparison in my opinion, I personally love the things. Best advice I can give you is try to buy one with a good warranty, from past experience they have saved me a lot of money BUT... I still keep buying them as I don't think there's anything out there to touch them. Go for it !!  2007, HSE, Cairnes Blue, Factory tints, Love it !!!

Go for it, they are brilliant!

Dont forget how many are actually out there without issue, compared to the small percent of owners who actually have the interest to join owners clubs and discuss problems.

On the parts front, if you shop around I find it extremely reasonable, air conditioning condenser for £80, front parking sensor £20. Also, there are lots of resources / guides here and on the discovery forum to help you through common issues if your remotely DIY minded.

Good luck in your search

Double post ....

zaphod wrote:

£700 for a service seems well OTT though - is that just for an oil/filter change and 'inspection'? Think I would be looking to find a good independent garage to take care of that... I guess with the age of RRS I'm buying, continuing to have LR Dealer stamps in the service book is a false economy anyway?

£700 is utterly ridiculous. Yes, find a good indy instead.

Here's what a OEM full service kit costs: http://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/003s-rang...3699-p.asp Is £500+ worth of labour reasonable for a service? I don't think so.

If it were me, that's all I'd have to pay. Shows the contrast doesn't it? Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

Can complain all we like but my ten pence is that if you have dealer service history and have a major issue out of warranty, it repays in multiples. Bit like a warranty, you pays your money........ I
n my case, £4200 in service costs over 7 years was more than covered by LR stepping up to the plate when engine lunched itself. I'm am 100% sure that if I hadn't got full dealer history they would have walked with their cheque book.
If the service charges are value for money, that's another question, which I can only agree, they charge far more than the levels of skills they have, should allow🔫 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...😜

A bit like the OP, always fancied one and decided to buy one 3 years ago. Steeled myself for the high running costs after having read some of the forums. I'd had mainly german cars before and got upset when my 7-series headlight bulb replacement cost £200. Little did I know...

Love the RRS (TDV8), wife loves it, kids and dogs love it. It doesn't love me so much though. problems are well documented by other posters, usual suspension knocks, park sensors etc. And while the warrantly covers most of it the hassle of a car spending time in the garage is considerable. Also have to argue a lot about wear and tear vs warranty liability.

The advice on a good independent is excellent, but don't be shy negotiating with the official dealerships. I was also quoted nearly £700 for the oil change service last week and eventually got it down to £295.

Always feel good when getting into it and driving it, and despite all the problems have held on to it longer than usual, my previous record was 2 years with the same car.