Hi guys,

So I'm looking to acquire an L494 RRS, probably an SDV6. I've been doing loads of research, and obviously aware of the pitfalls. I'd like to get some advice based on experience though.

Here are my questions:

1. Is the crankshaft less likely to fail after a certain mileage or time (i.e. if it was going to, it would have by now - I'm generally looking at cars from 8-10 plus years old).

2. Part of me is loath to buy another EU5 car, however it seems to me that with all the dpf and egr issues, the last thing I want is to add potential adblue issues. Also am I correct in thinking that adblue makes oil dilution more likely?

3. I generally buy higher mileage cars - especially diesel, thinking that cars used for short journeys are far more likely to be encountering issues, I'd rather pay less for a vehicle used as it was designed to be used (at least in terms of the engine!).

4. Real world mpg for SDV6 driving mainly extra urban? Obviously I'm not buying a Range Rover for economy, but I'm choosing the SDV6 as giving a nice compromise between economy and performance (and I know the V8 enthusiasts will think this crazy and I should get an SDV8!).

Any other top tips? I'm thinking I would like HSE or Autobiography Dynamic spec.

Oh, finally, rear passenger space - I previously had a FFRR, which was pretty disappointing in terms of rear space - what's the RRS like if you have a 6'1 driver and 6' rear seat passenger? Obviously I need to get out and drive some, but it would be great to hear some feedback.

As I see no reply’s so far… for 7 years I’ve owned my l494 HSE 3.0 SDV6, after various LR cars since1989. The crankshaft issues , can’t comment on as we only hear about the ones that fail. DPF/EGR problems? Again have had no issues . Never had to top up addblue between service , MPG .. seem to average mid 30 s,never achieved the 40 + sometimes quoted, once got close at 39 on a good 330 mile run, which on mostly A roads was done in 6 hours . only an HSE.. but with loads of extras extras, was an ex LR managers car, pan roof, lovely, deployable side steps, don’t really need as can use access mode on suspension, 22inch wheels, not keen as guite a firm ride. Perhaps a heated steering wheel would have been nice. No dynamic drive, but in sport mode, more than lively.Im a 6 ft driver and can sit behind my seat, although it difficult to drive then ! . Only costs were rear pads/ discs last year and advisory fronts this year, other than that nothing. Have always run on premium diesel or city diesel with millers aditive. Avoid short runs and try and make it work a bit, difficult! Again as with all cars we seem to only hear from unhappy owners, or have I been lucky?

The V8 Diesel has far less issues particularly with regard to the crankshaft which s V6 issue Always listen to old people or when they die you will live on in ignorance.
The avatar is a picture of the man with a big cock.
Learned to 4x4 on 100 mile beach and Frazer Island QLD
Dont spend money on old cars you will never get it back

Cornishman wrote:

As I see no reply’s so far… for 7 years I’ve owned my l494 HSE 3.0 SDV6, after various LR cars since1989. The crankshaft issues , can’t comment on as we only hear about the ones that fail. DPF/EGR problems? Again have had no issues . Never had to top up addblue between service , MPG .. seem to average mid 30 s,never achieved the 40 + sometimes quoted, once got close at 39 on a good 330 mile run, which on mostly A roads was done in 6 hours . only an HSE.. but with loads of extras extras, was an ex LR managers car, pan roof, lovely, deployable side steps, don’t really need as can use access mode on suspension, 22inch wheels, not keen as guite a firm ride. Perhaps a heated steering wheel would have been nice. No dynamic drive, but in sport mode, more than lively.Im a 6 ft driver and can sit behind my seat, although it difficult to drive then ! . Only costs were rear pads/ discs last year and advisory fronts this year, other than that nothing. Have always run on premium diesel or city diesel with millers aditive. Avoid short runs and try and make it work a bit, difficult! Again as with all cars we seem to only hear from unhappy owners, or have I been lucky?

The V6 diesel is known for having crank issues but when one considers how many V6 diesels LR have sold over the years - a million? - the number we hear about failing is quite small.

Having said that, there is no magic "if it's got to X miles it'll be ok" figure. Some fail early, some fail later. There does seem to be a suggestion that insufficient oil is a cause. Ensuring the thing is fully topped up with oil wouldn't be a bad start.

The DPF isn't an issue so long as you drive the thing enough - doing lots of short journeys is a no-no. As you ask about extra urban mileage figures, I assume you'll be doing sensible length journeys and so you should be ok. Oil dilution happens more when the DPF needs to be regen'd a lot and also goes through lots of partial regens meaning more fuel in the oil.

My SDv6 is now on 162k miles and over the 110k miles I've had it, it shows around 26mpg. Improves a bit on a sensible run, drops a bit when in more stop-start driving (or when "making progress").

Getting an early L494 as HSE Dynamic or AB Dynamic will get you the active rear diff with torque vectoring - a bit more sporty on road and, should you ever go off road, a bit more traction as you get the rear diff locking as well as the centre one.

Rear space isn't amazing compared to many large cars, but I recently did a 3hr+ trip to north Wales (and the same back the following day) with 3 friends. All of us around 6ft. No complaints from the rear seat passengers (I asked the chap behind me if he was ok and he said he was fine - I'm around 6ft1 and have the seat fully back). We had 4 shotguns, boots, coats, and overnight stuff in the boot and it was a bit tight but just able to pull the load cover over (with a bit of a lump). That's in a L320. The L494 is bigger in the rear seats and boot, I believe. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed