FF RR TDV8 Opinions
Discussion
Hi folks,
Bit of input needed if possible.
We currently have a very agricultural Disco 2 plus a number of other cars which together pretty much cover all the bases (fun, speed, practicality, dog transport, escape from 1/2 mile dirt track drive in Scottish winter etc). However we have been thinking recently about trying to combine the 4x4 side of things with some comfort, luxury and better road manners!
After lots of research the TDV8 Range Rover looks to be an attractive proposition. However what I do not want is to spend a serious chunk of cash on an unreliable car. We need / want something that just works. I know there are other manufacturers out there with dramatically better reputations for reliability but I do really fancy a TDV8 RR (or Disco 4 - I think they but they are too new and too expensive to fit in budget). Have been warned off the D3 in a big way by the local independent.
So to my question:- In general should I expect say a 2008 / 2009 50k / 60k mile Range Rover TDV8 to be a reliable car or will I have to accept that even these luxury barges will have a few annoying and expensive LR "idiosyncrasies"?
Do LR still have a shocking reputation for reliability with their newer cars? I did hear that the later L322 RR models were much better than previous LR offerings in this regard.
Cheers for the advice / comments / outbursts of fury and indignation
TD
Bit of input needed if possible.
We currently have a very agricultural Disco 2 plus a number of other cars which together pretty much cover all the bases (fun, speed, practicality, dog transport, escape from 1/2 mile dirt track drive in Scottish winter etc). However we have been thinking recently about trying to combine the 4x4 side of things with some comfort, luxury and better road manners!
After lots of research the TDV8 Range Rover looks to be an attractive proposition. However what I do not want is to spend a serious chunk of cash on an unreliable car. We need / want something that just works. I know there are other manufacturers out there with dramatically better reputations for reliability but I do really fancy a TDV8 RR (or Disco 4 - I think they but they are too new and too expensive to fit in budget). Have been warned off the D3 in a big way by the local independent.
So to my question:- In general should I expect say a 2008 / 2009 50k / 60k mile Range Rover TDV8 to be a reliable car or will I have to accept that even these luxury barges will have a few annoying and expensive LR "idiosyncrasies"?
Do LR still have a shocking reputation for reliability with their newer cars? I did hear that the later L322 RR models were much better than previous LR offerings in this regard.
Cheers for the advice / comments / outbursts of fury and indignation
TD
see the problem is that you used the word "reliable" in conjunction with "Land Rover". You even then got crazy with "it just works"! lol
Much as I love them; It would be insane to think it wont throw you big bills, whether it be D3, D4, RRS or RR.
However if I had to pick, the TDV8 in the RR is a peach.
The other way of looking at it, is that D3's are now so cheap you can put the money saved away for repair bills! I reckon the little indies are now getting the hang of D3's and yanking the body of them.
I think the last point is that it isnt so much which generation of car is most reliable, although it does factor; a big part of the picture is whos ownership was LR at the time. e.g. the Ford era was dire, and seemingly the Tata era is better, but maybe its just cold hard R&D cash and time on their side.
Much as I love them; It would be insane to think it wont throw you big bills, whether it be D3, D4, RRS or RR.
However if I had to pick, the TDV8 in the RR is a peach.
The other way of looking at it, is that D3's are now so cheap you can put the money saved away for repair bills! I reckon the little indies are now getting the hang of D3's and yanking the body of them.
I think the last point is that it isnt so much which generation of car is most reliable, although it does factor; a big part of the picture is whos ownership was LR at the time. e.g. the Ford era was dire, and seemingly the Tata era is better, but maybe its just cold hard R&D cash and time on their side.
Edited by mikeh501 on Monday 10th November 08:58
Yup, I figured I was venturing towards the outer edges of sanity with the "it just need to work" comment - but hey, it was worth a shot.
Thing is that I am really struggling to find a non LR alternative that I like to look / idea of. So many of the Japanese offerings are dull, way too blingy or have pretty poor write ups.
The other bunch of options that somehow fail to float my boat are the X5 / Q7 / Cayenne / RRS type things. I am sure they are all great, and possibly far better suited to what I really need, but truth be told I find them all a bit too "footballer".
I guess the alternative is to satisfy the luxury, comfort, better road car type stuff with a non 4x4, but even doing this the D2 really still has to go - for all it's charm and capabilities it is a pretty hideous thing to drive on a bumpy road (it has std springs not the air bags).
Used to have a Defender which I loved despite all its foibles but the rust was insane.
Thing is that I am really struggling to find a non LR alternative that I like to look / idea of. So many of the Japanese offerings are dull, way too blingy or have pretty poor write ups.
The other bunch of options that somehow fail to float my boat are the X5 / Q7 / Cayenne / RRS type things. I am sure they are all great, and possibly far better suited to what I really need, but truth be told I find them all a bit too "footballer".
I guess the alternative is to satisfy the luxury, comfort, better road car type stuff with a non 4x4, but even doing this the D2 really still has to go - for all it's charm and capabilities it is a pretty hideous thing to drive on a bumpy road (it has std springs not the air bags).
Used to have a Defender which I loved despite all its foibles but the rust was insane.
Completely agree on your sentiment. Im in a similar boat, currently driving an Audi S5 and have a hankering for the size and capability of a large 4x4. Nothing really floats my boat out there apart from a D4 or 2010>RR but the thoughts of it being unreliable and keep dripping bills at me just put me off. I like the look of the Jap offerings but 4pot diesel and coil springs doesnt cut the mustard; and a V8 Land cruiser is completely ridiculous money. Ive got no interest in an X3/5 nor Merc stuff; and the Q7 looks horrendous.
My 90 is a toy and hobby so i couldnt care less if it gives me trouble (which it does!) but for my main vehicle i need something without the hassle; which i fear would be the case.
Maybe ill do it anyway lol. nothing ventured etc lol.
My 90 is a toy and hobby so i couldnt care less if it gives me trouble (which it does!) but for my main vehicle i need something without the hassle; which i fear would be the case.
Maybe ill do it anyway lol. nothing ventured etc lol.
TorqueDirty said:
Yup, I figured I was venturing towards the outer edges of sanity with the "it just need to work" comment - but hey, it was worth a shot.
Thing is that I am really struggling to find a non LR alternative that I like to look / idea of. So many of the Japanese offerings are dull, way too blingy or have pretty poor write ups.
The other bunch of options that somehow fail to float my boat are the X5 / Q7 / Cayenne / RRS type things. I am sure they are all great, and possibly far better suited to what I really need, but truth be told I find them all a bit too "footballer".
I guess the alternative is to satisfy the luxury, comfort, better road car type stuff with a non 4x4, but even doing this the D2 really still has to go - for all it's charm and capabilities it is a pretty hideous thing to drive on a bumpy road (it has std springs not the air bags).
Used to have a Defender which I loved despite all its foibles but the rust was insane.
Have you thought about a Touareg? They are an awful lot less "Council" than their contemporaries in appearance and are supremely capable both on and off road. Thing is that I am really struggling to find a non LR alternative that I like to look / idea of. So many of the Japanese offerings are dull, way too blingy or have pretty poor write ups.
The other bunch of options that somehow fail to float my boat are the X5 / Q7 / Cayenne / RRS type things. I am sure they are all great, and possibly far better suited to what I really need, but truth be told I find them all a bit too "footballer".
I guess the alternative is to satisfy the luxury, comfort, better road car type stuff with a non 4x4, but even doing this the D2 really still has to go - for all it's charm and capabilities it is a pretty hideous thing to drive on a bumpy road (it has std springs not the air bags).
Used to have a Defender which I loved despite all its foibles but the rust was insane.
We swapped a 4.4 FFRR for a TDv6 Toerag a few years ago and in many ways, the VW was a much more superior vehicle than the Rangy (plus you can get an R50 version, which is properly rapid for a big truck without being too shouty).
schmalex said:
Have you thought about a Touareg? They are an awful lot less "Council" than their contemporaries in appearance and are supremely capable both on and off road.
We swapped a 4.4 FFRR for a TDv6 Toerag a few years ago and in many ways, the VW was a much more superior vehicle than the Rangy (plus you can get an R50 version, which is properly rapid for a big truck without being too shouty).
Actually yes, this has crossed my mind; good call. We swapped a 4.4 FFRR for a TDv6 Toerag a few years ago and in many ways, the VW was a much more superior vehicle than the Rangy (plus you can get an R50 version, which is properly rapid for a big truck without being too shouty).
I have read very varying reviews about these cars but as you say they do seem to be much more honest and dependable 4x4s than many of the more bling alternatives, yet still with a good dose of quality.
Having said that, there is not a HUGE gap in used prices between these and the RR - and that just means I end up getting in to a man maths situation. First I convince myself that the RR is clearly the better option, and soon after I am looking at high mile Bentleys and Porsches asking myself why I would not just buy one of these instead (by this time I have decided to keep the Disco 2 for dog transport thus negating the entire point of the search for a replacement 4x4!)
TorqueDirty said:
schmalex said:
Have you thought about a Touareg? They are an awful lot less "Council" than their contemporaries in appearance and are supremely capable both on and off road.
We swapped a 4.4 FFRR for a TDv6 Toerag a few years ago and in many ways, the VW was a much more superior vehicle than the Rangy (plus you can get an R50 version, which is properly rapid for a big truck without being too shouty).
Actually yes, this has crossed my mind; good call. We swapped a 4.4 FFRR for a TDv6 Toerag a few years ago and in many ways, the VW was a much more superior vehicle than the Rangy (plus you can get an R50 version, which is properly rapid for a big truck without being too shouty).
I have read very varying reviews about these cars but as you say they do seem to be much more honest and dependable 4x4s than many of the more bling alternatives, yet still with a good dose of quality.
Having said that, there is not a HUGE gap in used prices between these and the RR - and that just means I end up getting in to a man maths situation. First I convince myself that the RR is clearly the better option, and soon after I am looking at high mile Bentleys and Porsches asking myself why I would not just buy one of these instead (by this time I have decided to keep the Disco 2 for dog transport thus negating the entire point of the search for a replacement 4x4!)
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