Hi all, sorry if there is a buying guide I had a quick look and did not notice one.

So I'm new here and new to range rovers in general. I've browsed around youtube but am looking for what to look out when buying one or waiting for the right one to show up.

I am currently looking at buying an 06 range rover sport hse. Its on 110kish miles.
Cambelt done around 86k
Full service history
Just had the hand brake rebuilt? As stated is a common fault.
New compressor pump

Assuming all that work is backed up with proof and recipts what else should I be on the look out for? Any tell tale signs if its a good or bad one?
I've heard the gear box's are a weak point?

Its obviously a bit of an investment and just read some horror stories about them! Any tips on what to look out for and what to check is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi there,

If you could post what engine it’s fitted with you’ll get appropriate info and/or post a link to the advert. You will read horror stories as it’s a rarity that people write good things as they’re enjoying the car. There are pit falls and some you can look out for and others it’s just luck.

Check the passenger footwell to see if it’s damp.
Find out when or if the transfer box & diff oils have been changed. With that mileage I’d like to think perhaps once.
Might be worth asking if the EGRs’ have been blanked.
Check every button works inc cruise.
Brakes, see if you can see how much meat is left to save you cash. Also on the drive check for wheel wobble.

These are generic items and others will be along with engine specific pointers.

Steve. 2006 2.7 TDV6 HSE in Cairns Blue.

Thanks for the reply, sorry thought the hse only had one engine option, see I know nothing! it’s the tdv6 2.7 diesel.

HSE was also available in the early days (up to 2007) with a 4.4lt V8 Naturally Aspirated Petrol engine, they are quite rare models - the TDv8 HSE came a little later in March 2007. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

I was in the same boat as you 6months ago. I was dead set on owning one but the horror stories put me off.
I went ahead and purchased mine 06 HSE v6 113k mileage.
My advice would be if there's any doubt, the car hasn't been 100% cherished walk away.
Service history is vital, make sure it drives as it should, everything works etc.
There is a lot of dogs out there, a £5k purchase can soon turn into an £7-8k spend, these cars require constant maintenance.
I've spent £2k on maintenance in the first 6months, I consider that reasonable.
Fingers crossed that should subside a bit from now on, £1-1500 a year.

Check to see if the oil pump was changed when the belts were done as some cars of around 2007 suffered with weak pumps yours may be early enough to not had the weaker pump but i think i would be happy if i knew the pump had been changed

My advice would be.......

Remember you’re buying a 13 year old run around that weighs over 2 tons. Also bear in mind that “technically” the car is bastardised Land Rover Discovery. The Range Rover Sport has issues because of how’s it’s crammed together.

You’ll need a cash pot probably at least 1 third the price of the car for the first year, potentially more. Just because your car is old and cheap it’ll still be very expensive when it goes wrong. An if possible only let specialists do any work or repairs, otherwise repairing a botched repair can get hella expensive.

Last edited by Mgtow127@gmail.com on Wed Apr 24 2019 8:00pm. Edited 1 time in total

Never new the sport was crammed together

The difference between RRS and Discovery is about 5 inches in the wheelbase. This is basically in the rear prop shaft. Everything else is basically the same in terms of the drive train. The RRS and Discovery engine bays are basically the same. The issue with space applies to the TDV8, not the TDV6.

Perhaps you should get your facts straight before allowing your own disappointment to poison the advice given to others. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

And I thought the troll was leaving as he never has anything positive to say just on everyone else’s new toy

What's needed is some strong moderation to nip trolling in the bud. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

The L494 (RRS2) is designed to be what it is from the ground up, the first RRS sport is basically a Discovery but smaller. It was designed around previously existing platform, unlike the newer RRS2.

RRSTDV8 wrote:

The difference between RRS and Discovery is about 5 inches in the wheelbase. This is basically in the rear prop shaft. Everything else is basically the same in terms of the drive train. The RRS and Discovery engine bays are basically the same. The issue with space applies to the TDV8, not the TDV6.

Perhaps you should get your facts straight before allowing your own disappointment to poison the advice given to others.

Tom_w_27 wrote:

I was in the same boat as you 6months ago. I was dead set on owning one but the horror stories put me off.
I went ahead and purchased mine 06 HSE v6 113k mileage.
My advice would be if there's any doubt, the car hasn't been 100% cherished walk away.
Service history is vital, make sure it drives as it should, everything works etc.
There is a lot of dogs out there, a £5k purchase can soon turn into an £7-8k spend, these cars require constant maintenance.
I've spent £2k on maintenance in the first 6months, I consider that reasonable.
Fingers crossed that should subside a bit from now on, £1-1500 a year.

Mgtow127@gmail.com wrote:

RRSTDV8 wrote:

The difference between RRS and Discovery is about 5 inches in the wheelbase. This is basically in the rear prop shaft. Everything else is basically the same in terms of the drive train. The RRS and Discovery engine bays are basically the same. The issue with space applies to the TDV8, not the TDV6.

Perhaps you should get your facts straight before allowing your own disappointment to poison the advice given to others.

There are various other adjustment, changes throughout the suspension/driveline.