Are Range Rover Sports really that unreliable?
Discussion
Never had an issue which wasn’t limited to a single fault, rectified on each of the past 5 new LR’s I’ve had (aside the pos DS).
Our RRS was perfect, only the the active roll bar leaked and needed replacing under warranty. But the oil dilution would be my concern on the TDV6 moving forward. Have a LR warranty....
Our RRS was perfect, only the the active roll bar leaked and needed replacing under warranty. But the oil dilution would be my concern on the TDV6 moving forward. Have a LR warranty....
Vroomer said:
Hi
I've been thinking about a RRS and loved the test drive but have been put off by tales of unreliability. What's the truth here? (I'd be buying a 2016 model.)
Thanks.
I've had a few Range Rovers.I've been thinking about a RRS and loved the test drive but have been put off by tales of unreliability. What's the truth here? (I'd be buying a 2016 model.)
Thanks.
Buying a new one is like buying a new build house. You'll have a snagging list after a couple of weeks, that lot gets put right and you'll have another list after a few months. When that is done you have a good car. Probably.
But Land Rovers aren't really well enough put together for the price and when compared to something like a Porsche.
Also, I tend to find that Land Rover dealerships are pretty low rent when one considers that they are selling luxury cars. I have better service from our local Mini and Fiat dealerships than our LR dealership. Which makes any problems I do have with the cars seem considerably worse.
So said:
I've had a few Range Rovers.
Buying a new one is like buying a new build house. You'll have a snagging list after a couple of weeks, that lot gets put right and you'll have another list after a few months. When that is done you have a good car. Probably.
But Land Rovers aren't really well enough put together for the price and when compared to something like a Porsche.
Also, I tend to find that Land Rover dealerships are pretty low rent when one considers that they are selling luxury cars. I have better service from our local Mini and Fiat dealerships than our LR dealership. Which makes any problems I do have with the cars seem considerably worse.
I have found the exact opposite. Buying a new one is like buying a new build house. You'll have a snagging list after a couple of weeks, that lot gets put right and you'll have another list after a few months. When that is done you have a good car. Probably.
But Land Rovers aren't really well enough put together for the price and when compared to something like a Porsche.
Also, I tend to find that Land Rover dealerships are pretty low rent when one considers that they are selling luxury cars. I have better service from our local Mini and Fiat dealerships than our LR dealership. Which makes any problems I do have with the cars seem considerably worse.
I’ve had a few, would never own one without a full LR warranty.
I’ve had engines let go at 15k miles two weeks after first services, suspensions collapse, electrical faults, more suspension recalls than I can count (they often don;t tell you and do the work on the QT at service time), etc, etc....
Fantastic cars, in fact the FFRR are my fav all rounders BUT I would never ever buy one without a LR warranty full stop.
By way of example when the Velar was launched I asked my mate who was the Sales Manager at the Chester RR about them, he was dreading the launch..... sure enough first weekend x15 left the showroom....... 9 where back in for various faults within a week.
The trick is if your buying a second hand one a couple of years ago is to find one where the first owner was meticulous about getting every issue sorted, they will have gone through the pain and you can then end up with a fantastic car, but there is no label on them telling you that lol
another example we have had SWMBO Evogue autobiography from new on a 17 plate, its only done 8k and as been “fine” ..... but “fine” with a Range Rover in this case means that about 1 in10 starts the info system refuses to boot. No reason, just refuses. You can turn the car on and off and it won’t start, just drive and at some point it will just boot. I’m never sure if its an over the air update or what but its damn annoying. We simply cannot be bothered to take it in to get it fixed, mentioned it for first service, “we tested it sir and it worked fine” of course it did, but it may not tomorrow lol
Anyway, I’m now in a hybrid 7 series, as boring as hell, but massively cheaper on BIK...... but boy do a I miss the FFRR despite there tendency to blow up ;-) (ps my last one was on a 15 plate and it was a known fault for the engine to seize, carried over from the previous model block problems which made it even worse).
I’ve had engines let go at 15k miles two weeks after first services, suspensions collapse, electrical faults, more suspension recalls than I can count (they often don;t tell you and do the work on the QT at service time), etc, etc....
Fantastic cars, in fact the FFRR are my fav all rounders BUT I would never ever buy one without a LR warranty full stop.
By way of example when the Velar was launched I asked my mate who was the Sales Manager at the Chester RR about them, he was dreading the launch..... sure enough first weekend x15 left the showroom....... 9 where back in for various faults within a week.
The trick is if your buying a second hand one a couple of years ago is to find one where the first owner was meticulous about getting every issue sorted, they will have gone through the pain and you can then end up with a fantastic car, but there is no label on them telling you that lol
another example we have had SWMBO Evogue autobiography from new on a 17 plate, its only done 8k and as been “fine” ..... but “fine” with a Range Rover in this case means that about 1 in10 starts the info system refuses to boot. No reason, just refuses. You can turn the car on and off and it won’t start, just drive and at some point it will just boot. I’m never sure if its an over the air update or what but its damn annoying. We simply cannot be bothered to take it in to get it fixed, mentioned it for first service, “we tested it sir and it worked fine” of course it did, but it may not tomorrow lol
Anyway, I’m now in a hybrid 7 series, as boring as hell, but massively cheaper on BIK...... but boy do a I miss the FFRR despite there tendency to blow up ;-) (ps my last one was on a 15 plate and it was a known fault for the engine to seize, carried over from the previous model block problems which made it even worse).
jonttt said:
The trick is if your buying a second hand one a couple of years ago is to find one where the first owner was meticulous about getting every issue sorted, they will have gone through the pain and you can then end up with a fantastic car, but there is no label on them telling you that lol
.
Ah, you'd think so wouldn't you. After buying new usually, the most recent one we bought at 2 years old. I think the previous owner probably did a good job of getting any issues sorted, but the dealership (rhymes with Fookers) tried to turn us over by not doing essential work to the car before delivery. They paid up in the end, plus compensation, but they were hard work..
I think in future, if we stay with the LR marque, it will be back to brand new with a healthy dose of prayer.
Barga said:
So said:
I've had a few Range Rovers.
Buying a new one is like buying a new build house. You'll have a snagging list after a couple of weeks, that lot gets put right and you'll have another list after a few months. When that is done you have a good car. Probably.
But Land Rovers aren't really well enough put together for the price and when compared to something like a Porsche.
Also, I tend to find that Land Rover dealerships are pretty low rent when one considers that they are selling luxury cars. I have better service from our local Mini and Fiat dealerships than our LR dealership. Which makes any problems I do have with the cars seem considerably worse.
I have found the exact opposite. Buying a new one is like buying a new build house. You'll have a snagging list after a couple of weeks, that lot gets put right and you'll have another list after a few months. When that is done you have a good car. Probably.
But Land Rovers aren't really well enough put together for the price and when compared to something like a Porsche.
Also, I tend to find that Land Rover dealerships are pretty low rent when one considers that they are selling luxury cars. I have better service from our local Mini and Fiat dealerships than our LR dealership. Which makes any problems I do have with the cars seem considerably worse.
Tin Hat said:
Barga said:
So said:
I've had a few Range Rovers.
Buying a new one is like buying a new build house. You'll have a snagging list after a couple of weeks, that lot gets put right and you'll have another list after a few months. When that is done you have a good car. Probably.
But Land Rovers aren't really well enough put together for the price and when compared to something like a Porsche.
Also, I tend to find that Land Rover dealerships are pretty low rent when one considers that they are selling luxury cars. I have better service from our local Mini and Fiat dealerships than our LR dealership. Which makes any problems I do have with the cars seem considerably worse.
I have found the exact opposite. Buying a new one is like buying a new build house. You'll have a snagging list after a couple of weeks, that lot gets put right and you'll have another list after a few months. When that is done you have a good car. Probably.
But Land Rovers aren't really well enough put together for the price and when compared to something like a Porsche.
Also, I tend to find that Land Rover dealerships are pretty low rent when one considers that they are selling luxury cars. I have better service from our local Mini and Fiat dealerships than our LR dealership. Which makes any problems I do have with the cars seem considerably worse.
The ownership experience of both our LRs has been much better than previous Mercs,BMWs and Audi (the Audi was also pretty good) but the Landrover has been exceptionally good.
Barga said:
The one I use and it’s the one I purchased the cars new from has been first class picking up and dropping of a courtesy car for servicing and the car is returned fully valeted.
The ownership experience of both our LRs has been much better than previous Mercs,BMWs and Audi (the Audi was also pretty good) but the Landrover has been exceptionally good.
There is a lot of variation between dealerships. I have now started using a more distant one and they appear to be very good. They act as a far better buffer between manufacturer and customer.The ownership experience of both our LRs has been much better than previous Mercs,BMWs and Audi (the Audi was also pretty good) but the Landrover has been exceptionally good.
I've been banging on for ages about what a great buy an officially approved four year old FFRR is with it's two year warranty at about £40k. It's a nigh on one hundred grand luxury car for somewhere around £15-20k for three years.
I keep getting tempted, then I read the internet and bottle it!
I keep getting tempted, then I read the internet and bottle it!
Vroomer said:
Hi
I've been thinking about a RRS and loved the test drive but have been put off by tales of unreliability. What's the truth here? (I'd be buying a 2016 model.)
Thanks.
Sorry but the vagueness of your post really annoys me. Your not giving us much to go on. I've been thinking about a RRS and loved the test drive but have been put off by tales of unreliability. What's the truth here? (I'd be buying a 2016 model.)
Thanks.
What would your budget be?
What engine are you looking at?
What cars have you run previously?
I genuinely don't understand what you are expecting people to say.
I ran a Discovery 3 for two and ahalf years and it was a pricey beast to run, but I was buying at the then bottom of the market rate. (I paid £6k) During that period it was pretty expensive to run.
You have to remember that these cars are tremendously complex vehicles.
You have air suspension with multiple settings and components. Sensors and compressors and valves do fail. Airbags are fairly tough though.
Gearboxes and Torque Converters. TCs wear out and fook the box...The general view was that the later 8Sp box is much better....however I recon that won't be the case for ever.
If you have a suitable budget to buy a decent warranty, then I advise you do that. Maybe a £1k a year will cover you, but cheaper than a new 2.0SDV6 engine when it snaps a crank.
Do not kid your self that it will be a reliable car. Its a Land Rover. Best tow cars out there and incredibly versatile, but they need to be working for you to reap the rewards of your mighty 4x4.
I think the answer to the OP is that you never really can tell and it is a bit of a lottery. I've owned two RRs.
The first was a 1994 Classic that I bought when it was 17 years old, that never put a foot wrong in the four and a half years I owned it and which I only sold when too many of the MOT advisories mentioned the word "corrosion"! Obviously there was always something that was prone to falling off, or a button that only worked every now and then, and I never did succeed in getting the cruise control to operate, but the air suspension never gave a monent's problem and the biggest repair bill was for the transmission oil cooler after a stone damaged it on the motorway.
The second was a 2004 L322 which was similarly nearly reliable but, on this, the things that went wrong were the big things, like the engine, cooling system and gearbox (ironically, the "supposedly reliable" German bits!).
Basically, I'd advise buying on condition and maintenance history - not a shiny service book with some stamps in it, which is largely worthless, but lots of receipts showing that it has been regularly serviced and that any issues arising from this, or the MOTs, have been sorted.
The first was a 1994 Classic that I bought when it was 17 years old, that never put a foot wrong in the four and a half years I owned it and which I only sold when too many of the MOT advisories mentioned the word "corrosion"! Obviously there was always something that was prone to falling off, or a button that only worked every now and then, and I never did succeed in getting the cruise control to operate, but the air suspension never gave a monent's problem and the biggest repair bill was for the transmission oil cooler after a stone damaged it on the motorway.
The second was a 2004 L322 which was similarly nearly reliable but, on this, the things that went wrong were the big things, like the engine, cooling system and gearbox (ironically, the "supposedly reliable" German bits!).
Basically, I'd advise buying on condition and maintenance history - not a shiny service book with some stamps in it, which is largely worthless, but lots of receipts showing that it has been regularly serviced and that any issues arising from this, or the MOTs, have been sorted.
Deranged Rover said:
I think the answer to the OP is that you never really can tell and it is a bit of a lottery. I've owned two RRs.
The first was a 1994 Classic that I bought when it was 17 years old, that never put a foot wrong in the four and a half years I owned it and which I only sold when too many of the MOT advisories mentioned the word "corrosion"! Obviously there was always something that was prone to falling off, or a button that only worked every now and then, and I never did succeed in getting the cruise control to operate, but the air suspension never gave a monent's problem and the biggest repair bill was for the transmission oil cooler after a stone damaged it on the motorway.
The second was a 2004 L322 which was similarly nearly reliable but, on this, the things that went wrong were the big things, like the engine, cooling system and gearbox (ironically, the "supposedly reliable" German bits!).
Basically, I'd advise buying on condition and maintenance history - not a shiny service book with some stamps in it, which is largely worthless, but lots of receipts showing that it has been regularly serviced and that any issues arising from this, or the MOTs, have been sorted.
But do try one. If you don't, you'll never know what you've been missing.The first was a 1994 Classic that I bought when it was 17 years old, that never put a foot wrong in the four and a half years I owned it and which I only sold when too many of the MOT advisories mentioned the word "corrosion"! Obviously there was always something that was prone to falling off, or a button that only worked every now and then, and I never did succeed in getting the cruise control to operate, but the air suspension never gave a monent's problem and the biggest repair bill was for the transmission oil cooler after a stone damaged it on the motorway.
The second was a 2004 L322 which was similarly nearly reliable but, on this, the things that went wrong were the big things, like the engine, cooling system and gearbox (ironically, the "supposedly reliable" German bits!).
Basically, I'd advise buying on condition and maintenance history - not a shiny service book with some stamps in it, which is largely worthless, but lots of receipts showing that it has been regularly serviced and that any issues arising from this, or the MOTs, have been sorted.
Deranged Rover said:
But do try one. If you don't, you'll never know what you've been missing.
I’ve heard Range Rovers described as the heroin of the automotive world. They’re not very good for you, will cause you endless problems but the buyers keep buying because there is nothing that will replace one.So said:
There is a lot of variation between dealerships. I have now started using a more distant one and they appear to be very good. They act as a far better buffer between manufacturer and customer.
I’m looking at ordering a RRS next week and have done a bit of research about local dealerships as I’m mid way between two. One is known for being absolutely awful and the other superb, guess that makes my decision pretty easy.djc206 said:
So said:
There is a lot of variation between dealerships. I have now started using a more distant one and they appear to be very good. They act as a far better buffer between manufacturer and customer.
I’m looking at ordering a RRS next week and have done a bit of research about local dealerships as I’m mid way between two. One is known for being absolutely awful and the other superb, guess that makes my decision pretty easy.Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff