2018/19 Range Rover Sport Questions?

[snerkler]

I currently have an F15 X5 x30d M Sport and have started looking at petrol Range Rover Sports (SVR, HSE/HST, Autobiography) and have some questions. My budget will stretch to a 2018/19 model:-

1) Is the suspension in the SVR much harsher than the HST and Autobiography, and would I notice a harsh ride compared to my X5. I assume all the RRS’s have air suspension?

2) Is the 3.0l P400 a decent engine or does it not have enough power/torque for this kind of vehicle?

3) Are there any major and/or common issues to look out for? I know they used to have air suspension issues, is this still the case?

Any help appreciated.

[mike_e]

We currently have two RR Sport, a 5.0SVR and 3.0 V6 Diesel. The diesel replaced a thoroughly horrid X6 40d whose 4WD system was appallingly bad by comparison to the Range Rover.

The SVR is a marginally harder ride than the diesel, only really noticeable over bumps though, and generally quite a smooth ride. Body roll is about the same due to the air suspension, (so yes they do still have it). It's the only car I've ever owned where the handbook has a cabin noise level warning, thanks to the switchable exhaust system.

I've heard some bad reports on the Ingenium engines in some configurations so we opted for the older diesel version particularly for the long journey economy. Diesel unit is smooth and quiet, it has bags of torque so does get up and go, yet returns very sensible mpg. The 105 litre fuel tank in the SVR is very quickly emptied if driven as intended, but 30+mpg is possible on a run, add 20 or so more mpg for the diesel.

Not known for their reliability and often expensive to repair and maintain. Suspension arm bushes are a weak point as are the electrics and suspension air bags. That said, we've not had any issues with the 2 RRS or Jaguar XF in the past few years. The cabin layout is very nice, better than the BMW IMO, more refined and luxurious but then you are paying more.

[snerkler]

mike_e said:

We currently have two RR Sport, a 5.0SVR and 3.0 V6 Diesel. The diesel replaced a thoroughly horrid X6 40d whose 4WD system was appallingly bad by comparison to the Range Rover.

The SVR is a marginally harder ride than the diesel, only really noticeable over bumps though, and generally quite a smooth ride. Body roll is about the same due to the air suspension, (so yes they do still have it). It's the only car I've ever owned where the handbook has a cabin noise level warning, thanks to the switchable exhaust system.

I've heard some bad reports on the Ingenium engines in some configurations so we opted for the older diesel version particularly for the long journey economy. Diesel unit is smooth and quiet, it has bags of torque so does get up and go, yet returns very sensible mpg. The 105 litre fuel tank in the SVR is very quickly emptied if driven as intended, but 30+mpg is possible on a run, add 20 or so more mpg for the diesel.

Not known for their reliability and often expensive to repair and maintain. Suspension arm bushes are a weak point as are the electrics and suspension air bags. That said, we've not had any issues with the 2 RRS or Jaguar XF in the past few years. The cabin layout is very nice, better than the BMW IMO, more refined and luxurious but then you are paying more.

Thanks for the reply. I'm wanting to move away from Diesel due to doing short runs these days (4 mile commute) so it's the 3 litre P400 or the 5 litre V8. I've just looked into service packs for the SVR and it's coming in at £2200 for 3 years which is quite a bit more than the X5, but within budget. I need to look into the 3 litre P400 service pack.

I've been reading reports of 15mpg around town for the SVR which I guess will be more like what I'll get doing the short runs. Ride comfort is a concern as the roads in Derbyshire are beyond abysmal, and also we have a lot of speed bumps around us, especially the square shaped ones.

I've seen that the Autobiography Dynamic also has a V8, any idea if it's the same as the SVR or whether it's detuned, and also whether the ride comfort is different?

[Cold]

snerkler said:

I've seen that the Autobiography Dynamic also has a V8, any idea if it's the same as the SVR or whether it's detuned, and also whether the ride comfort is different?

That would be my car.

Yep, same engine but a slightly lower state of tune. The aftermarket can help with some simple mods if you're that way inclined. I haven't bothered.
It also has a softer suspension setup which is mainly centred around the tune of the dampers and the cross link system. Ride comfort is similar between the two, but the SVR is more composed with less roll and pitching when flinging it around.
The SVR expects you to be a hooligan, the non-SVR supercharged allows it.

Further to the earlier comment about bushes and their life expectancy, I believe Polybush now do sets for the L494 which I may well experiment with next time around. If it's awful I'll swap back to genuine stuff.

To go with the comfort spec, the non-SVR supercharged has lovely heated/cooled front armchair seats with a conventional rear bench and option of two small jump seats in the boot. On a personal note, I prefer the armchair seats (because I'm an old fart) but I haven't heard anything bad about the buckets in the SVR and I believe there is a cooled option for them on the 18MY onwards.

One of the things I really enjoy about my car is its anonymity. It looks like a nice spec diesel RRS and as such blends in. While the exhaust is still fruity it's not nearly as outrageous as the SVR. I'll agree that not everyone would see these as plus points.

[snerkler]

Cold said:

That would be my car.

Yep, same engine but a slightly lower state of tune. The aftermarket can help with some simple mods if you're that way inclined. I haven't bothered.
It also has a softer suspension setup which is mainly centred around the tune of the dampers and the cross link system. Ride comfort is similar between the two, but the SVR is more composed with less roll and pitching when flinging it around.
The SVR expects you to be a hooligan, the non-SVR supercharged allows it.

Further to the earlier comment about bushes and their life expectancy, I believe Polybush now do sets for the L494 which I may well experiment with next time around. If it's awful I'll swap back to genuine stuff.

To go with the comfort spec, the non-SVR supercharged has lovely heated/cooled front armchair seats with a conventional rear bench and option of two small jump seats in the boot. On a personal note, I prefer the armchair seats (because I'm an old fart) but I haven't heard anything bad about the buckets in the SVR and I believe there is a cooled option for them on the 18MY onwards.

One of the things I really enjoy about my car is its anonymity. It looks like a nice spec diesel RRS and as such blends in. While the exhaust is still fruity it's not nearly as outrageous as the SVR. I'll agree that not everyone would see these as plus points.

Thanks for the reply. The Autobiography does sound appealing, whilst the SVR appeals to my inner boy racer I have to realise my age and that I don't drive like that Comfort is a concern these days and the idea of a softer ride is more appealing, I do love how soft and squidgy the ride is on my X5 and notice how 'bouncey' my wife's Evoque is in comparison. It sounds as though the Autobiography gives you the comfort whilst still having the nice engine note to excite the soul.