RR, RRS or something else?
Discussion
In the New Year I'm going to replace my 5 year old MB E350 Estate with an SUV. Before that I had an RRS which I absolutely loved, and my heart wants to go back to an RRS or even a full fat RR.
With used prices having gone through the roof, I'm baulking at paying £40k-£50k (my budget) on a 3-4 year old car that I would expect to keep for another 4-5 years. I need height, comfort, good towing capacity and plenty of room in the boot for three dogs.
Two questions:
- is there anything else I should be considering that comes close to the RR experience and sense of occasion
- Would I be mad to spend the money on a four year old RR/RRS and not expect it to cost me an arm and a leg in repairs over the next 4-5 years?
With used prices having gone through the roof, I'm baulking at paying £40k-£50k (my budget) on a 3-4 year old car that I would expect to keep for another 4-5 years. I need height, comfort, good towing capacity and plenty of room in the boot for three dogs.
Two questions:
- is there anything else I should be considering that comes close to the RR experience and sense of occasion
- Would I be mad to spend the money on a four year old RR/RRS and not expect it to cost me an arm and a leg in repairs over the next 4-5 years?
I think 3-4 years old is the sweet spot for getting a bargain thats done a lot of its depreciating. I bought a 3. 5 year old RRS V8 10 years ago with 30k miles on it for £30k (about £68K new). Now has 130k miles on it and not worth much, but ive limited the depreciation loss to say £20-25k for over 10 years of luxury motoring to date. Some years I drove 20k miles, but in recent years just 3k miles.. I have a friend who put 230k miles on his RRS V8 before selling it.
Other than a couple of sensors, suspension components and consumables, its never let me down and is as nice to drive now as it was the day I bought it. Due to working from home dont do much mileage these days so I plan to keep it another 5 years at least, maybe longer. I cant justify spending another £50k on a few year old model just to sit on the drive.
Other than a couple of sensors, suspension components and consumables, its never let me down and is as nice to drive now as it was the day I bought it. Due to working from home dont do much mileage these days so I plan to keep it another 5 years at least, maybe longer. I cant justify spending another £50k on a few year old model just to sit on the drive.
At that price you'll be on pre-facelift, which is fine, but a bit inferior for comfort/ride and tech; and it does feel old now, especially compared to a recent MB.
Don't go for an Autobiography as that bites into boot room with the seats, Vogue SE is the sweet spot aside from AB.
V6 diesel is adaquate for towing but do get one with the electronically deploying towbar, as an aftermarket fit will require bumper mods IIRC. Look for oil dilution, and some of these engines can go bork, but that would have happened by now.
I wouldn't get a pre-2016 as there were a number of updates to the internals and wiring etc.
Would I recommend you spending 50k then having for 5 years? Only on the right car, then it's unlikely to cost big bills, probably the suspension. Tyres and Brakes are reasonable.
I do think a much newer, better specced XC90 is actually a far better option than a pre-facelift L405 for the same money. If you must, try to stretch for post-facelift, I.e. 18/68 plate onwards. It is much better, and you will pine for one.
Don't go for an Autobiography as that bites into boot room with the seats, Vogue SE is the sweet spot aside from AB.
V6 diesel is adaquate for towing but do get one with the electronically deploying towbar, as an aftermarket fit will require bumper mods IIRC. Look for oil dilution, and some of these engines can go bork, but that would have happened by now.
I wouldn't get a pre-2016 as there were a number of updates to the internals and wiring etc.
Would I recommend you spending 50k then having for 5 years? Only on the right car, then it's unlikely to cost big bills, probably the suspension. Tyres and Brakes are reasonable.
I do think a much newer, better specced XC90 is actually a far better option than a pre-facelift L405 for the same money. If you must, try to stretch for post-facelift, I.e. 18/68 plate onwards. It is much better, and you will pine for one.
Have you considered the Discovery, OP? I’m looking to spend a similar sum on a similar type of car and like you I’m not sure that the FFRR is the right choice due to it being an old design, plus the age and mileage of the actual car £45k buys you.
The RRS is apparently a bit tight inside as we need room for child seats plus a dog, and again is an older model now, so the Disco seems to be a great option. It’s a few years fresher than the RRs and my budget buys an approx 2 years newer example. Also from 2018 the spec was improved with an uprated engine and I believe a better infotainment system.
We currently have a 2019 Q7 as a company car which we could buy from the lease firm but I fancy a change. The XC90 is a nice option but I can’t see it being as refined as the D5, and the X5 and GLE don’t particularly appeal.
The RRS is apparently a bit tight inside as we need room for child seats plus a dog, and again is an older model now, so the Disco seems to be a great option. It’s a few years fresher than the RRs and my budget buys an approx 2 years newer example. Also from 2018 the spec was improved with an uprated engine and I believe a better infotainment system.
We currently have a 2019 Q7 as a company car which we could buy from the lease firm but I fancy a change. The XC90 is a nice option but I can’t see it being as refined as the D5, and the X5 and GLE don’t particularly appeal.
Interesting thread as I am in a similar position. I've been looking for an L405, I decided to target a 2017 model year as it has some improved tech. It would be a 4.4, preferably AB with light interior. I know the 2018 onward moved this on again, but I don't like the facelift looks as much. However, having now missed out on 2 main dealer cars that sold very quickly, I'm also now wondering if I am at risk of purchasing a car that albeit very nice and clearly sought after right now which is reflected in the prices, in the next 2 to 3 years becomes a bit of a dinosaur. I say this with sadness as I've had an L322 before, loved it and found it such a versatile vehicle.
On the plus sides, i.e. making me go after the FFRR, I like the looks, performance, comfort, space, versatility for long road trips, ability to tow and the fact that they never look like they are trying to hard in the styling department. I struggle with some of the looks of the larger German SUVs, particularly the performance versions. And I don't want a harsh riding SUV, that claims to be set up for 'handling. Albeit, I have considered a Cayenne - more below.
On the downsides to the FFRR, or at least what I'm thinking may be downsides. Fuel getting more and more expensive, the RR starting to look a little profligate, the new one making the L405 look dated, a raft of trade-ins hitting the market over the next year as some people upgrade to the latest model. Complexity to fix it, I'm really only considering a main dealer car, with full warranty which I can extend.
I've also thought, a nearly new discovery, is actually likely to be even more versatile than the RR and isn't at the end of its's model cycle so may be a safer bet. It's just that it would be a head purchase rather than heart, hence less drawn to it than the RR.
I am also starting to wonder whether to take the plunge and go EV or hybrid for our main car. The two I would consider are Tesla model S - good space, decent range and charging network. Or possibly a Cayenne hybrid. Again, seems decent space and quality, just hard to find one that doesn't have the typical German coal hole of a black interior which I just don't like. I basically need something that seats 5 people in comfort.
Many dilemmas here, wondered if any one else had thought this through and where you landed ?
On the plus sides, i.e. making me go after the FFRR, I like the looks, performance, comfort, space, versatility for long road trips, ability to tow and the fact that they never look like they are trying to hard in the styling department. I struggle with some of the looks of the larger German SUVs, particularly the performance versions. And I don't want a harsh riding SUV, that claims to be set up for 'handling. Albeit, I have considered a Cayenne - more below.
On the downsides to the FFRR, or at least what I'm thinking may be downsides. Fuel getting more and more expensive, the RR starting to look a little profligate, the new one making the L405 look dated, a raft of trade-ins hitting the market over the next year as some people upgrade to the latest model. Complexity to fix it, I'm really only considering a main dealer car, with full warranty which I can extend.
I've also thought, a nearly new discovery, is actually likely to be even more versatile than the RR and isn't at the end of its's model cycle so may be a safer bet. It's just that it would be a head purchase rather than heart, hence less drawn to it than the RR.
I am also starting to wonder whether to take the plunge and go EV or hybrid for our main car. The two I would consider are Tesla model S - good space, decent range and charging network. Or possibly a Cayenne hybrid. Again, seems decent space and quality, just hard to find one that doesn't have the typical German coal hole of a black interior which I just don't like. I basically need something that seats 5 people in comfort.
Many dilemmas here, wondered if any one else had thought this through and where you landed ?
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