Wednesday 23rd January 2013

PH Fleet: Range Rover Vogue SE

Harris's old Range Rover is in its element in the, er, elements

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I’d like to think that somewhere inside the shed the Rangie was jiggling about like an excited Spaniel the moment the Met Office correctly forecast the arrival of snow.

Mileage seems no bother for the big V8

It was last started in mid December, but after a quick battery charge the V8 coughed into life with little effort and idled like it was brand new. Are all 3.9 V8s of this era as healthy after 153,000 miles? I just can’t quite believe how smooth and responsive it is and how fresh it feels after extended periods of slumber. One day I must get it serviced. I think it had an oil change in 2010, but can’t be sure.

The exhaust has now completely separated from behind the centre box, and even though the demi-NASCAR grumble is lovely and I enjoy setting-off car alarms, a new back section was needed, so I searched the web and ended up using Rimmer Bros, mainly because of the Red Dwarf reference.

Instead of ordering it online, I thought I’d use the telephone, and wouldn’t you know it a very helpful chap confirmed what I needed and charged me £127.50. This is a vast investment in the Rangie by previous standards, so it had better be good. For the moment, the old one still hangs from its mountings.

Rangie unstoppable despite budget Forecums

In the snow, on its budget Forecum rubber, the thing is unstoppable – not just because it has grip to spare, but because its general tattiness and designated role as forest track nail mean one doesn’t mind glancing off the odd wall. Yesterday I reverse pushed a courier van up a hill by shoving the tow-hitch into the van’s metal bumper protector. It didn’t even wheelspin.

The problem I have with the Rangie is that it would appear that it might be increasing in value. This was never the intention. I wanted an old Defender when I bought it in summer 2009, but they were so pricey I though an old one of these would be nearly as useful and much better value. It hasn’t really corroded much over the past two years, and it would take a few quid to make it a ‘nice’ car, but as I bashed it down the side of a large, malevolent Hawthorn bush yesterday, I did wonder if I might need to retire it from such duties and begin a restoration process. But I just know that the moment I become precious over it, the motor will go pop and the bodywork will spontaneously combust.

The twin Kenlowe fans that a previous owner fitted will need sorting for the summer, but right now the motor is barely warm sitting in traffic.

I love the fact that the snotty old Rangie whose cost to me I now forget is currently the most popular car in the household. We squabble over the keys in the morning.

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FACT SHEET
Car: Range Rover Vogue SE V8
Run by: Chris Harris
On fleet since: September 2009
Mileage: 153,000
Purchase price: £1,800 (I think)
Last month at a glance: Removed from hibernation. Now full-time family wheels in the snow. £127 on new rear exhaust section.

Previous reports:
PH Fleet: the Harris collection

[80quattro]

Nice Range Rover, must be a real hoot in the snow !

[Harry Flashman]

Always wanted one of these - but potential repair disaster put me off. If I move out of London and have a nice, warm garage attached to the house with power sockets, heating and room to tinker, I shall have one. If they're still affordable.

[pSyCoSiS]

Epic cars, these.

Love them.

I had an LPG one last year, 1992, with a pre-soft dash.

Unfortunaltey, the snow came a little late, and I didn't get a chance to see how good it would be.

But always imagined it would take the snow in it's stride!

[b14]

They aren't expensive to fix at all, unless the fuel injection goes or the chassis dies. Literally everything else (engine included) can be bought and fitted for around or less than £500. Engines + gearboxes are cheap second hand and they really can be DIY'd so easily.

Even the chassis isn't too bad to fix by patching unless it has gone rather terminal, but a fully fitted replacement galvanised chassis won't be too ruinous to replace.

[V8 FOU]

I had one of these, then a CSK, then an LSE. All fantastic in the snow. Now I have a P38 which is downright dangerous in the snow. Must be the 18" wheels/tyres. They are toyo H/T, supposed to be good in the snow. Now looking for some 16" wheels and chunky tyres so I can have some fun.
Traction control? Pfft. Useless.

[Prev]

It sounds exactly the same as my V8 disco. It sits in a field for 6months of the year doing nothing other than going green and making the grass go brown. But as soon as snow is on the cards or I decided to take it on the beach I put a battery in it and she always fires up first time. Never complains and idles like I use it everyday. Like yourself I can't remember the last time it was serviced. Prob due one.

Brilliant engine and it's done 173k.

[Prev]

It sounds exactly the same as my V8 disco. It sits in a field for 6months of the year doing nothing other than going green and making the grass go brown. But as soon as snow is on the cards or I decided to take it on the beach I put a battery in it and she always fires up first time. Never complains and idles like I use it everyday. Like yourself I can't remember the last time it was serviced. Prob due one.

Brilliant engine and it's done 173k.

[EdLeMas]

The V8 in my SD1 Vitesse always starts first time, even if unused for a few months - they seem to be indestructible as long as the electrics are in decent nick.

As for Rimmer Brothers, anyone with an old Rangie, Rover, Triumph, or MG need not look anywhere else. Customer service has always been brilliant and their knowledge of the motors is second to none!

A stab of throttle in neutral gets the SD1 rocking on its springs so I can only guess the effect it has in the Range Rover!

[geeks]

Clear that roof Harris its dangerous

[Chicane-UK]

As much as I dislike fashionable 4x4's, something about tearing around snowy country back lanes in something like this is hugely appealing. Top shedding

[X5TUU]

I really do think that's the best shape RR ever built to date

Would love one but I think the MRS would go light at needing to rent another garage for another vehicle lol

[LuS1fer]

A RR is definitely on my list of things to do but I have nowhere to park one.

I would certainly look at one given my semi-rural location and the increasing frequency of snow forcing me onto concentration camp train carriages whilst envying those who continue travel like the snow didn't happen.

Values will always increase when we have snow - maybe not in summer.

[Denorth]

I have a joy of driving old Disco I V8 time to time (I think it is from 1996 or something). May be couple of weeks a year on stty roads and a bit off-roading

I smile all the time while driving just can't stop

Edited by Denorth on Wednesday 23 January 11:43

[Gadgeroonie]

snow video of the RR please !

[NickHKent]

I absolutely love these, would love one!

[LewisR]

I've always hated offroad 4x4s with a passion.

I want one now. Have done since the TopGear Bolivia special.

I don't need one; must buy a yacht.

[0llie]

Yup, my old Discovery V8 got all manner of abuse when I had it (check my garage pic, car was totally standard other than I removed the lower front bumper). 119k miles down, it never, ever failed to start, and pulled as strongly as others with far fewer miles. The thing went places off road I never, ever thought possible (and I've been into off roading since I was about 9, so I've seen quite a lot), and it really solidified my trust in the car. I really, really wish I hadn't got rid of it now, but insurance on it at my age is just silly.

I've been without a Land Rover for all of 4 months, and I am in need of another. A Range Rover Classic would be spot on, other than I don't think they are hugely suitable for trialling unless heavily chopped about, would almost seem a waste! Better keep saving for that Defender, then drop a 3.9 in it and put it on carbs

[wiffmaster]

My Classic was unstoppable in the snow - you could be quite daft and it still wouldn't slide. Our newer L322 is still unstoppable, but all that extra weight means it never feels quite as sure-footed going down a steep snowy slope.

I'm moving to London next month...I think another Classic may well be at the top of my shopping list as I miss my old one so much.

[martin mrt]

Reading this makes me want to do something with mine, it's been sat for over a year, not running.

I just need someone who will get it going and then weld the rusty bits.

Hmmmm

[Trusty Steed]

Here is my trusty Classic, obviously pic taken in the summer, but today, enjoying herself in the Peak District doing the school runs!