Anyone run a TDV8 Range Rover sport? Views
Discussion
Hi all.
I’ve owned a full fat tdv8 RR and found it a bit floppy but that’s par for the course as it’s not meant to be thrown around...
I know the sport of same vintage (07) is regarded by many as not a real Range Rover but I must admit I prefer the way it looks and presume it handles a little better. Just wondering if anyone has any real world ownership advice.
And I know the X5 is probably better but I’ve been scared away from bmw due to my current F10 5 series that has cost me nigh on £4000 this year in repairs - no doubt a Friday afternoon car but was 1 owner FBMWSH which I assumed to be on purchase a good ‘un!!!!!
I am sterling myself for ‘don’t be a knob - buy a (insert anything other than a RR) instead
I’ve owned a full fat tdv8 RR and found it a bit floppy but that’s par for the course as it’s not meant to be thrown around...
I know the sport of same vintage (07) is regarded by many as not a real Range Rover but I must admit I prefer the way it looks and presume it handles a little better. Just wondering if anyone has any real world ownership advice.
And I know the X5 is probably better but I’ve been scared away from bmw due to my current F10 5 series that has cost me nigh on £4000 this year in repairs - no doubt a Friday afternoon car but was 1 owner FBMWSH which I assumed to be on purchase a good ‘un!!!!!
I am sterling myself for ‘don’t be a knob - buy a (insert anything other than a RR) instead
The RRS is a fantastic car, hated by many ignorant snobs and all the better for that. I have owned an early V6 for 11 years and 135,000 miles, including lots of towing - much of it across rough fields and through forests. I have also used it a couple of times as a bridesmaids car. When I first bought the car friends made all the cracking jokes about drug dealers ... strangely enough several of them have since gone on to get one themselves.
Mine has been great,(07 TDV8) hse spec currently on 93000 miles,just flew through mot with no advisories.
I have it serviced every 12 months by a local trusted independent who has the necessary equipment to plug it in and read fault codes etc.
Now in its 5th year of my ownership and i will try and give a few pointers .
Suspension pumps need to have been replaced (try in all positions low to high)
They seem to eat front lower ball joints (usually hear knocking on road test)
Brembo brakes discs and pads are not horrendously expensive but need checking
Battery needs to be very good < if not replace with the best one available as many electrical gremlins which they suffer from can be caused by weak battery....theres a lot of electrics to power.
Mine has adaptive xenons which light up the road at speed well
Adaptive cruise control works well.
Seats are superbly comfortable and adjustable to suit all shapes.
I used to have an X5 ,ran that for 3 years and although i loved it much prefer the TDV8 as the soundtrack is amazing for a diesel ,really growls on acceleration and feels quite tight for a big 2.5 tonne truck within limits of course, but quite a nice steer.
Towed nothing bigger than a little 5 ft trailer in mine,but have a mate who drags a mahoosive twin wheel caravan all around britain and hardly notices it is there !
MPG real world is around 28......but can drop around town on short journeys to 18..
Keep thinking i,ll replace mine,but cant find anything within budget that tempts me more and cannot justify 40 grand +to get into a 2 year old one
Price wise they look pretty cheap at the moment ,as long as they have some history of items being replaced at service or suspension issues sorted...
So all in all a big thumbs up from me
I have it serviced every 12 months by a local trusted independent who has the necessary equipment to plug it in and read fault codes etc.
Now in its 5th year of my ownership and i will try and give a few pointers .
Suspension pumps need to have been replaced (try in all positions low to high)
They seem to eat front lower ball joints (usually hear knocking on road test)
Brembo brakes discs and pads are not horrendously expensive but need checking
Battery needs to be very good < if not replace with the best one available as many electrical gremlins which they suffer from can be caused by weak battery....theres a lot of electrics to power.
Mine has adaptive xenons which light up the road at speed well
Adaptive cruise control works well.
Seats are superbly comfortable and adjustable to suit all shapes.
I used to have an X5 ,ran that for 3 years and although i loved it much prefer the TDV8 as the soundtrack is amazing for a diesel ,really growls on acceleration and feels quite tight for a big 2.5 tonne truck within limits of course, but quite a nice steer.
Towed nothing bigger than a little 5 ft trailer in mine,but have a mate who drags a mahoosive twin wheel caravan all around britain and hardly notices it is there !
MPG real world is around 28......but can drop around town on short journeys to 18..
Keep thinking i,ll replace mine,but cant find anything within budget that tempts me more and cannot justify 40 grand +to get into a 2 year old one
Price wise they look pretty cheap at the moment ,as long as they have some history of items being replaced at service or suspension issues sorted...
So all in all a big thumbs up from me
Edited by 4sure on Tuesday 23 January 22:47
The following is copied from another forum:
Hello/Goodbye
Well firstly its been an unexpected and great 7 1/2 years
Up until the time I test drove a RRS I never, ever thought I would have one
Immediately getting behind the wheel changed everything though - its a stupendous place to be
Our route into it was driven purely by weather and towing capability
The image and reputation of the RR Sport had it well down the list however after eventually crossing everything else off it was the last remaining candidate hence the test drive. 7 seats would have been good but the Q7 and Disco scored badly for us at least whilst the XC90 just didnt have the off road credentials, the FFRR was too much of a barge and the Toyota LC was just too big.
Favourite journeys?
Its a choice of 2.
Soon after purchase we had flights booked to the Pyrenees which were cancelled due to air traffic control strikes the night before leading to a non stop trip from "the North" all the way through France in one hit without any drama - 1000 miles each way.
The other contender was a weekend away with mates in a cottage 2 miles up and down an unsurfaced moorland road after heavy snow, when we arrived the local farmer expressed amazement as his tractor had been grounded whilst I ferried my mates in from the main road (Wintrac Extremes definitely helped here)
Fuel consumption in a TDV8 has been covered many times in the forum.
I get 30mpg at 70-80mph on the motorway/Peage and an average of 24mpg overall although it is not commuted in town.
The legendary poor JLR reliability has been a disappointment.
In 7 1/2 years and just under 60,000 miles mine chewed an alternator last year, killed its electronic handbrake this summer and has just been recovered (the only time it died) back from holiday in Wales due to a dead ride height sensor - now fixed.
The original discs have plenty of wear left and brake pads last me approx 40k miles!
Tyres are good for 25-30k too.
Servicing every year is irritating on my Gen 1 car and top rate "road tax" is also a drag but also helps the man maths in deciding its time for a change.
Having a tame indie a mile down the road who have looked after it since its warranty lapsed is absolutely the main reason I have kept it for so long, main dealer service prices are just absurd plus I dont trust them. Warranty insurance is a complete gamble, my attitude to risk is such that I keep tenners stuffed under the mattress and always planned to move it on when the pile diminished however I have been extremely lucky with reliability and am definitely in profit versus renewing every year - plus warranty threads on the forum have me wary of conflicting levels of service and satisfaction as well.
So why the change?
Good question.
Annual servicing costs 1k per 2 years
Vehicle tax costs another 1k per 2y when currently the most efficient cars costs naff all
Fuel consumption versus a more modern car leaves me approx 1k better off too over 2y as well
(the above admittedly have a 'man maths' correction coefficient)
Im also very aware that I have been extremely fortunate with reliability and have arguably bought a blessed car Smile
Despite this I have spent significant cash this year and last year on repairs which will probably escalate the older the car gets.
So all things considered its time to sell
This post isnt a tarty ad because Ive agreed a sale with my indie
He's offered a whisker less than CAP which Im happy with (he accidentally left the CAP papers in the car when he fixed the ride height sensors)
I would arguably get more privately but would have to tolerate tyre kickers and time wasters and also leave myself open to the hassle of it randomly chewing something expensive as they pull off my driveway
Our circumstances have changed so we no longer need towing ability
Recent winters have been mild as well but there have certainly been a couple where our car has been the only one mobile which is essential for my work and that of the missus, we will certainly miss the reassurance of this
I will absolutely miss it
Im handing it over after the weekend, it would have been tonight but its needed as a wedding car for my mate tomorrow
Hello/Goodbye
Well firstly its been an unexpected and great 7 1/2 years
Up until the time I test drove a RRS I never, ever thought I would have one
Immediately getting behind the wheel changed everything though - its a stupendous place to be
Our route into it was driven purely by weather and towing capability
The image and reputation of the RR Sport had it well down the list however after eventually crossing everything else off it was the last remaining candidate hence the test drive. 7 seats would have been good but the Q7 and Disco scored badly for us at least whilst the XC90 just didnt have the off road credentials, the FFRR was too much of a barge and the Toyota LC was just too big.
Favourite journeys?
Its a choice of 2.
Soon after purchase we had flights booked to the Pyrenees which were cancelled due to air traffic control strikes the night before leading to a non stop trip from "the North" all the way through France in one hit without any drama - 1000 miles each way.
The other contender was a weekend away with mates in a cottage 2 miles up and down an unsurfaced moorland road after heavy snow, when we arrived the local farmer expressed amazement as his tractor had been grounded whilst I ferried my mates in from the main road (Wintrac Extremes definitely helped here)
Fuel consumption in a TDV8 has been covered many times in the forum.
I get 30mpg at 70-80mph on the motorway/Peage and an average of 24mpg overall although it is not commuted in town.
The legendary poor JLR reliability has been a disappointment.
In 7 1/2 years and just under 60,000 miles mine chewed an alternator last year, killed its electronic handbrake this summer and has just been recovered (the only time it died) back from holiday in Wales due to a dead ride height sensor - now fixed.
The original discs have plenty of wear left and brake pads last me approx 40k miles!
Tyres are good for 25-30k too.
Servicing every year is irritating on my Gen 1 car and top rate "road tax" is also a drag but also helps the man maths in deciding its time for a change.
Having a tame indie a mile down the road who have looked after it since its warranty lapsed is absolutely the main reason I have kept it for so long, main dealer service prices are just absurd plus I dont trust them. Warranty insurance is a complete gamble, my attitude to risk is such that I keep tenners stuffed under the mattress and always planned to move it on when the pile diminished however I have been extremely lucky with reliability and am definitely in profit versus renewing every year - plus warranty threads on the forum have me wary of conflicting levels of service and satisfaction as well.
So why the change?
Good question.
Annual servicing costs 1k per 2 years
Vehicle tax costs another 1k per 2y when currently the most efficient cars costs naff all
Fuel consumption versus a more modern car leaves me approx 1k better off too over 2y as well
(the above admittedly have a 'man maths' correction coefficient)
Im also very aware that I have been extremely fortunate with reliability and have arguably bought a blessed car Smile
Despite this I have spent significant cash this year and last year on repairs which will probably escalate the older the car gets.
So all things considered its time to sell
This post isnt a tarty ad because Ive agreed a sale with my indie
He's offered a whisker less than CAP which Im happy with (he accidentally left the CAP papers in the car when he fixed the ride height sensors)
I would arguably get more privately but would have to tolerate tyre kickers and time wasters and also leave myself open to the hassle of it randomly chewing something expensive as they pull off my driveway
Our circumstances have changed so we no longer need towing ability
Recent winters have been mild as well but there have certainly been a couple where our car has been the only one mobile which is essential for my work and that of the missus, we will certainly miss the reassurance of this
I will absolutely miss it
Im handing it over after the weekend, it would have been tonight but its needed as a wedding car for my mate tomorrow
silverback mike said:
Thanks any big bills or nasties? Saying that nothing can be worse than my current car!!
How does it handle? And tow. It will need to pull a car on a trailer throughout the summer to Combe......
No, nothing big or nastie that wasn't expected (e.g. belts at 105,000 I think it was - but scheduled). It is now an old car, so some things have broken - top tailgate no longer opens, electric filler cap flap broke, rear load cover spring has gone - that sort of thing. Only time I remember having to call out help was when I was suited and booted and got a flat tyre - that spare tyre cradle is a nightmare. any big bills or nasties? Saying that nothing can be worse than my current car!! How does it handle? And tow. It will need to pull a car on a trailer throughout the summer to Combe......
I used to do a LOT of towing with it and I remember being very disappointed when the removable tow hitch started wearing and knocking - dealer wasn't interested though I think there was a recall later. I replaced it with a fixed towbar - not so pretty, but functional. I used to tow a 14' livestock trailer full of animals or hay (certainly over 2.5 tonnes including the trailer) and often through deep mud. Trailered a Big Healey in a big enclosed Brain James trailer over to Spain and back without flinching. Also trailered rally cars around the UK and then went up into the forests to marshal (and tow cars out occasionally). Biggest problem if you're only towing a sports/racing car will be remembering that you're not allowed in lane 3 - you won't feel it.
As for handling, I used it in local 12-cars and surprised myself at how well it would pull away when pressed (and that the lowly 2.6). I always used Pirelli Scorpio Zeros until recently when I decided they were a bit of an extravagence - I had replaced the low profile tyres (19" I think) that were on it when I bought it with 18" for better off-road capability.
You might get that I love the car.
pwd95 said:
Hi Mike. We've deffo got the same taste in cars 
I also wanted a Sport last year but opted of the FFRR as 1. they were half the price & 2. No 'body off' jobs with the FFRR to worry about (turbos, hydraulic lines etc).
Good luck. Be very interested to see how you get on.
Hello Wynn! Still have the trev. Amazingly I’ve still got the chim albeit a proper Frankenstein now!! I also wanted a Sport last year but opted of the FFRR as 1. they were half the price & 2. No 'body off' jobs with the FFRR to worry about (turbos, hydraulic lines etc). Good luck. Be very interested to see how you get on.
gothatway said:
No, nothing big or nastie that wasn't expected (e.g. belts at 105,000 I think it was - but scheduled). It is now an old car, so some things have broken - top tailgate no longer opens, electric filler cap flap broke, rear load cover spring has gone - that sort of thing. Only time I remember having to call out help was when I was suited and booted and got a flat tyre - that spare tyre cradle is a nightmare.
I used to do a LOT of towing with it and I remember being very disappointed when the removable tow hitch started wearing and knocking - dealer wasn't interested though I think there was a recall later. I replaced it with a fixed towbar - not so pretty, but functional. I used to tow a 14' livestock trailer full of animals or hay (certainly over 2.5 tonnes including the trailer) and often through deep mud. Trailered a Big Healey in a big enclosed Brain James trailer over to Spain and back without flinching. Also trailered rally cars around the UK and then went up into the forests to marshal (and tow cars out occasionally). Biggest problem if you're only towing a sports/racing car will be remembering that you're not allowed in lane 3 - you won't feel it.
As for handling, I used it in local 12-cars and surprised myself at how well it would pull away when pressed (and that the lowly 2.6). I always used Pirelli Scorpio Zeros until recently when I decided they were a bit of an extravagence - I had replaced the low profile tyres (19" I think) that were on it when I bought it with 18" for better off-road capability.
You might get that I love the car.
Really appreciate your input and yes....consumables / odd bits not working are to be expected. I’ve had a tdv8 vogue which was good but a bit floppy.. I’ve also looked at a cayenne but everyone has said a massive no due to imploding engines. My lad is racing in the Combe hot hatch challenge so not massive miles to tow but need to pull decently. I used to do a LOT of towing with it and I remember being very disappointed when the removable tow hitch started wearing and knocking - dealer wasn't interested though I think there was a recall later. I replaced it with a fixed towbar - not so pretty, but functional. I used to tow a 14' livestock trailer full of animals or hay (certainly over 2.5 tonnes including the trailer) and often through deep mud. Trailered a Big Healey in a big enclosed Brain James trailer over to Spain and back without flinching. Also trailered rally cars around the UK and then went up into the forests to marshal (and tow cars out occasionally). Biggest problem if you're only towing a sports/racing car will be remembering that you're not allowed in lane 3 - you won't feel it.
As for handling, I used it in local 12-cars and surprised myself at how well it would pull away when pressed (and that the lowly 2.6). I always used Pirelli Scorpio Zeros until recently when I decided they were a bit of an extravagence - I had replaced the low profile tyres (19" I think) that were on it when I bought it with 18" for better off-road capability.
You might get that I love the car.
I’ll keep the thread updated!!
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