Range Rover - 3 months on
Discussion
For many years I've longed for a Range Rover with no rational reasoning behind this. This is complicated by my work mileage making ownership of such a beast impractical. In May I finally found a way round this, and the wife now drives a Range Rover 
The car that I bought was a 2005 Facelift, Full Fat Range Rover, 3.0 Diesel Vogue. This means that it brings lots of toys, and slightly improved fuel consumption. More on that later. Unusual toys of note include the Venture Cam, and very effective Heated Seats with electric controls adjusting the headrest forward and back as well as up and down.
First impressions were that the car is bloody big and rather slow. Time has not really changed that, although my perception has changed. People who are not used to the car talk about the engine noise, and it's true while accelerating it is vocal, but in an impressive, thunderous way that makes cyclists tremble. Friends talk about the feeling of speed as the car squats, and are then surprised to find we are doing only 40 miles per hour.
I've done a number of long trips, including the slog back from Le Mans, and the car is truly impressive soaking up the miles. Once up to speed the engine note quietens considerably.
I mentioned Le Mans didn't I? 1,100 miles round trip, with a 22 foot caravan behind. Bit of mud (unusual y less so than normal). 19 mpg - not bad I felt, although the mate who was car sharing was shocked at just how much juice it can swallow in one go. I keep the cost of a tank down to £115 by filling up at 1/4! Whils't on Le Mans - Mad Friday! Obviously no burn off's from me, but the crowd were very appreciative and positive comments all round on the car. It appears to win fans amonst petrolheads..
What have I had to spend? The rear fuel pump packed up early on and cost me £280. I'd expected it at some point. Fuel consumption is worse that I'd hoped, 21 mpg in it's school run role, 20 mpg towing, and never anywhere near the 30 mpg that I'd hoped for. I've learnt not to look.
No serious off-roading yet, although we did have a very capable foray into a field in search of a mobile phone mast. The car also proved itself to be much quicker than expected when a swift return journey was needed to meet school pick-up times.
And today - we've been to London and back to collect a car for the step-lad. I think I've finally found the ultimate car. Full Fat Range Rover, the car that can do it all.
The car that I bought was a 2005 Facelift, Full Fat Range Rover, 3.0 Diesel Vogue. This means that it brings lots of toys, and slightly improved fuel consumption. More on that later. Unusual toys of note include the Venture Cam, and very effective Heated Seats with electric controls adjusting the headrest forward and back as well as up and down.
First impressions were that the car is bloody big and rather slow. Time has not really changed that, although my perception has changed. People who are not used to the car talk about the engine noise, and it's true while accelerating it is vocal, but in an impressive, thunderous way that makes cyclists tremble. Friends talk about the feeling of speed as the car squats, and are then surprised to find we are doing only 40 miles per hour.
I've done a number of long trips, including the slog back from Le Mans, and the car is truly impressive soaking up the miles. Once up to speed the engine note quietens considerably.
I mentioned Le Mans didn't I? 1,100 miles round trip, with a 22 foot caravan behind. Bit of mud (unusual y less so than normal). 19 mpg - not bad I felt, although the mate who was car sharing was shocked at just how much juice it can swallow in one go. I keep the cost of a tank down to £115 by filling up at 1/4! Whils't on Le Mans - Mad Friday! Obviously no burn off's from me, but the crowd were very appreciative and positive comments all round on the car. It appears to win fans amonst petrolheads..
What have I had to spend? The rear fuel pump packed up early on and cost me £280. I'd expected it at some point. Fuel consumption is worse that I'd hoped, 21 mpg in it's school run role, 20 mpg towing, and never anywhere near the 30 mpg that I'd hoped for. I've learnt not to look.
No serious off-roading yet, although we did have a very capable foray into a field in search of a mobile phone mast. The car also proved itself to be much quicker than expected when a swift return journey was needed to meet school pick-up times.
And today - we've been to London and back to collect a car for the step-lad. I think I've finally found the ultimate car. Full Fat Range Rover, the car that can do it all.
NeilyWheelie said:
Nice Car - congrats.
2 Months ago we purchased a 2003 3.0 diesel Full Fat Range Rover - ours has the same wheels as yours and is in black with the biscuit coloured leather. Obviously ours isnt the facelift version either, and has the previous bmw-esque satnav.
Ref the MPG you are getting - that seems low to me. Our is doing about 26 at the moment, and has only been doing very short local trips. I can see 28-29 on a lonng run. We're heading down to the south of france in august and I was hoping to see 29.
Fanastic car though - very comfortable and capable cruiser when you need it to be.
Ours is mid-facelift. Touchscreen stereo, but not the new dash and 4wd selection. Mostly this means no ipod connectivity options.2 Months ago we purchased a 2003 3.0 diesel Full Fat Range Rover - ours has the same wheels as yours and is in black with the biscuit coloured leather. Obviously ours isnt the facelift version either, and has the previous bmw-esque satnav.
Ref the MPG you are getting - that seems low to me. Our is doing about 26 at the moment, and has only been doing very short local trips. I can see 28-29 on a lonng run. We're heading down to the south of france in august and I was hoping to see 29.
Fanastic car though - very comfortable and capable cruiser when you need it to be.
Fattyfat said:
Love these having driven a couple a few years back. What's the major faults to look for?
Everything....From what I can work out if you keep on top of things and have a good (and cheap) indy it's fine. It's when you let them build up. Gearboxes do seem to go if their oil is not changed. Mine has been done.0llie said:
Great looking car, good to see you're enjoying it I think we saw your rig a few times around the Le Mans weekend, in the PH Friday service and on the péage.
Do the facelift cars still run the GM gearbox?
It's very possible! 3.0 td6 facelift on GM. The V8 was not and had a slightly updated dash. Sadly pushed the budget too far for a good one. I think we saw your rig a few times around the Le Mans weekend, in the PH Friday service and on the péage.Do the facelift cars still run the GM gearbox?
bakerstreet said:
Great looking cars. How the heck did you ever think it was going to be capable of 30mpg!!
Mad momentI think that this is a car that I am going to have to keep up with.
Currently two problems
1. Passenger cup holder demolished by my daughter. £85 quid for a new one so I need to find time to remove to see if it's an easy repair.
2. Rear view camera packed up. Seems a common fault. £400 for a new one. £360 for the updated one, or there's a guy on ebay who will update with a Sony CMOS for £100. As the original one is rubbish I'll not be spending £400 on it.
Currently two problems
1. Passenger cup holder demolished by my daughter. £85 quid for a new one so I need to find time to remove to see if it's an easy repair.
2. Rear view camera packed up. Seems a common fault. £400 for a new one. £360 for the updated one, or there's a guy on ebay who will update with a Sony CMOS for £100. As the original one is rubbish I'll not be spending £400 on it.
So now a further 6 months on.
the car has not needed a garage in that time - although it did need a battery for Winter. Turned that someone had put a very lowspec one in so just as well that I changed it early.
It's getting ready for new discs on the front I think. Passenger seat has stopped working - I'm assuming it's the fuse as there is no way even in RR land that all movement would stop... I keep forgetting to investigate.
It's made a rare work journey with me today as I suspect I'd be traversing some fields - a job which in even muddy conditions it did well....
the car has not needed a garage in that time - although it did need a battery for Winter. Turned that someone had put a very lowspec one in so just as well that I changed it early.
It's getting ready for new discs on the front I think. Passenger seat has stopped working - I'm assuming it's the fuse as there is no way even in RR land that all movement would stop... I keep forgetting to investigate.
It's made a rare work journey with me today as I suspect I'd be traversing some fields - a job which in even muddy conditions it did well....
Booted it. Strange noise, less power, smokey
AA tell me that Air Flow readings are all over the place.
Does not like starting, although once it's going it will idle smoothly. Stutters under power.
AA think Turbo related. Might be right - but smoke is wrong colour. I'm hoping for an injector....
Time will tell.
AA tell me that Air Flow readings are all over the place.
Does not like starting, although once it's going it will idle smoothly. Stutters under power.
AA think Turbo related. Might be right - but smoke is wrong colour. I'm hoping for an injector....
Time will tell.
Time for an update....
First of all. ^ Above picture was due to wife putting Petrol in it. Took some time to work this out as she did not get a receipt. Still the fuel system got a good clean out. Fortunately it was a 50/50 mix and did no long term damage.
My eyes are now wandering over TDv8 and it's highly likely to move on in the next 7 days. This is the first time I have ever bought the same model of a car in succession.
LR - you build a good 'in. Ten years old, and still holds it's own.
First of all. ^ Above picture was due to wife putting Petrol in it. Took some time to work this out as she did not get a receipt. Still the fuel system got a good clean out. Fortunately it was a 50/50 mix and did no long term damage.
My eyes are now wandering over TDv8 and it's highly likely to move on in the next 7 days. This is the first time I have ever bought the same model of a car in succession.
LR - you build a good 'in. Ten years old, and still holds it's own.
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