Old Range Rover pitfalls?

[xm5er]

I'm considering an old V8 rangie (gas converted) as a tow horse for a new business venture. Looking in the age range of 1990-1994. I wondered what I ought to look out for?

Any guidlines much appreciated.

[zumbruk]

Leaks, rotten tailgates, dodgy electrics, electrolytic corrosion along bonnet edges, tops of front wings and bottoms of doors, dents on roof (people sit on them at gymkhanas and suchlike), noisy transfer boxes, leaking steering boxes, brake disc wear (it's a big, heavy car - the brakes work hard).

[Graham]

zumbruk said:

(it's a big, heavy car - the brakes work hard).

i set fire to the front pads on my old vouge on a spirited drive a few years back !!!!

[judgea]

I had a 94, long wheel base, county. I loved it. But problems got the best of me--brake-abs system, air suspension system, cv joints, all expensive failures. Then, at 115,000 mi., which I considered young age b/c I really took care of the veh., the head gasket began leaking oil/pressure into my water system, causing water hoses to burst. Appr. $5000. later, not fixed. Had to get rid of the veh. for a volvo. I will always want another range rover, but Land Rover needs a more dependable product.

[Andrew Noakes]

I looked at a few of these last year. Terrific vehicles, but the build 'quality' is depressing and, unlike a Land Rover, there are dozens of complicated, expensive, often electronic, systems which can and do go wrong. I still fancy one, though...

[xm5er]

Thanks for the info lads. Maybe I should look at the pikier end of the 4x4 market.

I need something that can tow about 2.5 tonnes (braked) without mugging me at the pumps. Any ideas?

[c c]

xm5er said:

Thanks for the info lads. Maybe I should look at the pikier end of the 4x4 market. I need something that can tow about 2.5 tonnes (braked) without mugging me at the pumps. Any ideas?

TDI/TD5 Disco

[gazzab]

but discos can cost a fortune to run as well.
A friend of mine runs an indie landrover servicing place. he recommends anything but discos, freelanders and rangies to anyone who asks. Big bill potential always there. Dont drive that nice , very slow BUT good off road.

[Skyedriver]

gazzab said:

but discos can cost a fortune to run as well. A friend of mine runs an indie landrover servicing place. he recommends anything but discos, freelanders and rangies to anyone who asks. Big bill potential always there. Dont drive that nice , very slow BUT good off road.

Scary but there again, I have a friend who used to run a Mini based business and when folks came in looking for a cheap mini as a first car for their kids etc he would always say "buy a Nova!"
There again he always said that Landies, Range Rovers etc were cr@p too!

[c c]

gazzab said:

but discos can cost a fortune to run as well. A friend of mine runs an indie landrover servicing place. he recommends anything but discos, freelanders and rangies to anyone who asks. Big bill potential always there. Dont drive that nice , very slow BUT good off road.

There is always a “Big bill potential” with 4x4s. Depending on use and abuse plus some luck I guess.

I've been driving Landies Range-rovers & Disco for some years now. Some have been better than others have but none have been terrible. Servicing is always reasonable considering the complexity of 4x4s provided you stick to trusted indi specialists.

[davidy]

Isuzu Trroper, LR Defender and Jeep Cherokee all should meet your towing requirements

davidy

[sb-1]

I have just bought a 1990 Rangie 3.9 Vogue SE Auto.

Collect in a couple of weeks.....will let you have my observations later!

Steve

[rich 36]

Despite my reluctance with all thing LR
had S3 and disco 2
always liked the RR shape, would be interested to see how you get on
(mind those bollards when parking though)
rich

[liszt]

sb-1 said:

I have just bought a 1990 Rangie 3.9 Vogue SE Auto. Collect in a couple of weeks.....will let you have my observations later! Steve

Today is the day for it!

I just bought a 1991 Vogue SE Auto. Original 3.9 engine has been replaced with a 4.0 and it has already been gas converted. Bargain!

Edited to add: Picking it up tomorrow.

Just been quoted £303 for fully comp insurance. Now that I can live with

>> Edited by liszt on Tuesday 19th April 13:24

[sb-1]

My insurance is only £209 fully comp(but ltd milage,3K)Classic Policy

Althought I could have paid under £200 using my NCB,but less happy with the cover. Collect car tomorrow.

Steve

>> Edited by sb-1 on Friday 22 April 22:30

[R6RY D]

i would agree that classic range rovers are a bit tempremental, however i am on my second one, have also had a much newer shogun diesel , which was truly awfull on fuel and slow to boot aswell! To be fair the jap stuff does not have half as many niggles but, if they do go wrong they are proper money, not 50 notes for a second hand axle etc! Which is something you should definately think of, price and availibity of parts is key to any 4x4.

[sb-1]

I've got Rangie & pretty good it is to!

Steve

[sb-1]

Not quite as good as I hoped.Had it checked out by a specialist today,and they found a fairly long list of faults....more soon should have a quote tomorrow.

Steve

[rich 36]

Still like the shape a lot, and the fourtrak we bought for last winter, will probably not MOT in November, might be a Rangy next winter yet, i'll follow this thread with interest.

[sb-1]

sb-1 said:

Not quite as good as I hoped.Had it checked out by a specialist today,and they found a fairly long list of faults....more soon should have a quote tomorrow. Steve

Had a rough estimate of £1500-1800!

Think I'll go somewhere else.