My Classic Range Rover journey/maintenance questions

[bp81]

Hi guys

I have recently aquired an exclusive classic Range Rover. As I was bought up in the 80s and 90s I grew up with these big beasts and think they are pretty cool, I know a lot of people think they are a tractor like breeze block but each to there own and I think they have something about them.

Anyway I purchased one about 4-5 months ago vogue se soft dash 91k miles good Land Rover sh and thought I'll spend a couple of grand getting her nice and I will use it as a practical every now and then car. Little did I know that as I started having some body work repairs the beast was hiding a lot Nastys corrosion to sills a lot of rusty areas that aren't obvious to the eye with out taking the car apart. Also a lot of electrical gremlins etc so shock horror a 25 year old car was in worse shape than it looked

Anyway while I was remedying these issues and seeing my bank balance dissapear by using every Land Rover part I could get my hands on I found another car much Lower mileage and full history and great condition so I thought I would buy that get that 100% and sell the soft dash.

So long story shorter I've had a lot of hassle and had to pay through the nose by using people who aren't experts on Range Rover classics so I have had to pay for there learning curve and although the soft dash is about ready for sale I have a few issues to tackle on the car I am keeping.

So I wondered if anyone could reccomend good Range Rover specialists to maintain the car for mechanicals electrics and the type and a main dealer to use when you need the obligotary annual stamp in the book. I live in Marlow but work in harrow which is greater London on the north west side. Happy to travel 30 miles ish for the correct guy/company.

If anyone's interested here are some pics of the car im keeping just after she left the paint shop.

Thanks to anyone that does have any suggestions and I won't come crying back in the unlikely event it doesn't work out.

[bp81]

[paintman]

Can't help with recommendations in your area, but find a good indy LR specialist & use them for all the work. Keep the bills to maintain a record of its service history & I wouldn't worry about the 'main dealer stamp' as I wonder how many at the main dealer have any idea of working on a Classic - they haven't been made for over 20 years.
In Leicestershire I'd be happy with one that had up to date servicing bills from Swinfield Cooper or Stuart Armson.

Edited by paintman on Saturday 28th May 21:31

[bp81]

Thanks paint man I agree the main dealer stamps aren't worth much in comparison to a specialist who knows what he's doing but I just think there is a vanity value in years to come if and when you need to shift the car. I just think you cover more of the bases if you aren't selling to someone in the know.

[paintman]

If it hasn't been done already get your current one thoroughly anti-corrosion treated. The late RRC - post 1990 - do have something of a reputation for being worse that earlier ones & I've seen some shockers. Whilst the visible exterior panels - apart from tailgates & bonnet - are alloy, all the underpanels are steel.
That said, mine's a 1986 & I've done a fair bit of welding in the 20+ years I've owned it.

[t400ble]

Its upside down lol

[bp81]

That definitely rang true on my soft dash car looked good before I bought it but as the odd panel was taken off for work more and more work appeared but it's now mint but will hopefully get the anti corrosion work done on the grey one when I find some one decent in my neck of the woods.

Strange the photos came straight from my iPhone not sure what my sausage fingers did wrong?

[300bhp/ton]

bp81 said:

Strange the photos came straight from my iPhone not sure what my sausage fingers did wrong?

You probably held the iPhone upside down when taking the pics. The orientation sensor will make them look the right way up on the phone however. But won't when you upload them.


I also can't see the point in dealer stamps. Frankly a main dealer is probably one of the worst places to take vehicle like this, as they won't have worked on them for years and likely have no real knowledge of them. Not too mention stupid pricing, one of my local dealers charges up to £170/hr labour rates!!!

As for working on them. Land Rover's are pretty common in the UK, so there are literally 1000's of specialists about. They are also simple vehicles and with good parts supply. You really can't get an easier vehicle to own and maintain in the UK.