Land Rover build quality?
Discussion
So, as per my other thread I'm thinking of changing my three door sports hatch for something more rugged which will easily accommodate 3-4 hefty blokes (I'm into powerlifting) and will be able to shrug off potholes onsite. It won't be used for any towing/load carrying but I quite fancy something a bit chunky tbh as I'm used to a big open cab being a truck driver.
Was originally looking at pickups but have started to consider SUVs on the good advice of people both on here and offline. I only want to spend about £12k as I'm also buying a project car (and a house) soon, and I keep seeing oldish Range Rovers in good aesthetic condition within my price range - generally 2010-2013 models with 50k-80k on the clock.
Main concern is build quality as I saw a lot of rather worrying things in the few months I worked for JLR as a driver back in 2017. I worked mainly on the Disco/RR/RRS/SVR line and spent a lot of time ferrying vehicles between the different workshops and sites.
I've seen things like interior panels being fixed with superglue, leather blemishes masked with shoe polish, and (the worst!) a high spec SVR which had failed the rattle test five times fixed by wedging a bit of blue foam before sending off for despatch. All done by the subcontract techs who were working to strict productivity targets.
However, I've heard that the company I worked through were let go shortly after I left, and I don't know whether previous ranges were built in-house and whether JLR in-house quality control is any better? I appreciate that they can be expensive cars to maintain anyhow due to the complexity, but it's the above that's really making me think twice.
Was originally looking at pickups but have started to consider SUVs on the good advice of people both on here and offline. I only want to spend about £12k as I'm also buying a project car (and a house) soon, and I keep seeing oldish Range Rovers in good aesthetic condition within my price range - generally 2010-2013 models with 50k-80k on the clock.
Main concern is build quality as I saw a lot of rather worrying things in the few months I worked for JLR as a driver back in 2017. I worked mainly on the Disco/RR/RRS/SVR line and spent a lot of time ferrying vehicles between the different workshops and sites.
I've seen things like interior panels being fixed with superglue, leather blemishes masked with shoe polish, and (the worst!) a high spec SVR which had failed the rattle test five times fixed by wedging a bit of blue foam before sending off for despatch. All done by the subcontract techs who were working to strict productivity targets.
However, I've heard that the company I worked through were let go shortly after I left, and I don't know whether previous ranges were built in-house and whether JLR in-house quality control is any better? I appreciate that they can be expensive cars to maintain anyhow due to the complexity, but it's the above that's really making me think twice.
Edited by AllDayBreakfast on Sunday 22 March 04:23
Sadly, I think you may be right.
What I've never understood is how so many reviewers just seem to accept these issues - barely a mention of reliability from ol Jeremy in his glowing reviews. Like I was just reading a comparison between the Grand Cherokee and Discovery and they awarded the Disco the win, whilst claiming the Cherokee to also be very good.
They praised the entertainment system in the Disco, but then mentioned in next breath that it had stopped working in their test model, in exactly the same way the stereo had in their test Velar too. Apparently this was ok though as JLR had claimed to be 'working on a fix'.
What I've never understood is how so many reviewers just seem to accept these issues - barely a mention of reliability from ol Jeremy in his glowing reviews. Like I was just reading a comparison between the Grand Cherokee and Discovery and they awarded the Disco the win, whilst claiming the Cherokee to also be very good.
They praised the entertainment system in the Disco, but then mentioned in next breath that it had stopped working in their test model, in exactly the same way the stereo had in their test Velar too. Apparently this was ok though as JLR had claimed to be 'working on a fix'.
I really wouldn't look towards PH as an arbiter of informed LR knowledge and experience.
Sure, they all know someone down the pub (now closed) who had one that needed £10k of repairs every time the key was turned or a manager's friend who had one that needed a live-in mechanic just to risk a trip to the shops or a bloke at the garage who used to have one which broke down before it even left the production line, but PH's real collective knowledge lies in fifteen year old silver BMW 5 series diesel estates and not LRs.
But it's always good at trotting out an ancient Toyota advertising tagline as though it's an enshrined truth.
Sure, they all know someone down the pub (now closed) who had one that needed £10k of repairs every time the key was turned or a manager's friend who had one that needed a live-in mechanic just to risk a trip to the shops or a bloke at the garage who used to have one which broke down before it even left the production line, but PH's real collective knowledge lies in fifteen year old silver BMW 5 series diesel estates and not LRs.
But it's always good at trotting out an ancient Toyota advertising tagline as though it's an enshrined truth.
Cold said:
I really wouldn't look towards PH as an arbiter of informed LR knowledge and experience.
Sure, they all know someone down the pub (now closed) who had one that needed £10k of repairs every time the key was turned or a manager's friend who had one that needed a live-in mechanic just to risk a trip to the shops or a bloke at the garage who used to have one which broke down before it even left the production line, but PH's real collective knowledge lies in fifteen year old silver BMW 5 series diesel estates and not LRs.
But it's always good at trotting out an ancient Toyota advertising tagline as though it's an enshrined truth.
Can you put your hand on your heart and say a new LR is as reliable as a Toyota?Sure, they all know someone down the pub (now closed) who had one that needed £10k of repairs every time the key was turned or a manager's friend who had one that needed a live-in mechanic just to risk a trip to the shops or a bloke at the garage who used to have one which broke down before it even left the production line, but PH's real collective knowledge lies in fifteen year old silver BMW 5 series diesel estates and not LRs.
But it's always good at trotting out an ancient Toyota advertising tagline as though it's an enshrined truth.
Go Hilux or Landcruiser - brilliant things.
Cold said:
I really wouldn't look towards PH as an arbiter of informed LR knowledge and experience.
Sure, they all know someone down the pub (now closed) who had one that needed £10k of repairs every time the key was turned or a manager's friend who had one that needed a live-in mechanic just to risk a trip to the shops or a bloke at the garage who used to have one which broke down before it even left the production line, but PH's real collective knowledge lies in fifteen year old silver BMW 5 series diesel estates and not LRs.
But it's always good at trotting out an ancient Toyota advertising tagline as though it's an enshrined truth.
You can ignore PH'ers comments but independent survey results don't look too great either. I've never owned one but I too have heard the stories first hand from owners but since that would be deemed as anecdotal pub chat, I just looked at What Car's 2019 survey. All but one class that JLR are represented in, they have a car sat dead last. The class they don't, they're third from last. Overall manufacturer results, they're 26th and 31st out of 31. In slight defence, the XJ does sit top of the class for luxury cars. Sure, they all know someone down the pub (now closed) who had one that needed £10k of repairs every time the key was turned or a manager's friend who had one that needed a live-in mechanic just to risk a trip to the shops or a bloke at the garage who used to have one which broke down before it even left the production line, but PH's real collective knowledge lies in fifteen year old silver BMW 5 series diesel estates and not LRs.
But it's always good at trotting out an ancient Toyota advertising tagline as though it's an enshrined truth.
We have had a couple of 'disco 4s, some of the best cars we have owned, zero issues with any of them.
All were at least 3 years old when we had them, the oldest 6 years when we sold it.
I've also read the issues that can plague them, but would happily buy another, a post 2012 8 speed Disco 4 can be had for very early teens now. Be prepared for the very rare crank shaft failure (either with some money set aside or a good warranty)
A post 2011 Cayenne is also a nice place to drive around in, and early cars could be in budget now.
All were at least 3 years old when we had them, the oldest 6 years when we sold it.
I've also read the issues that can plague them, but would happily buy another, a post 2012 8 speed Disco 4 can be had for very early teens now. Be prepared for the very rare crank shaft failure (either with some money set aside or a good warranty)
A post 2011 Cayenne is also a nice place to drive around in, and early cars could be in budget now.
I've always done well with Hiluxes however if you don't need serious 4x4 capability or to carry stuff pick ups can be a bit rugged if you just want a comfortable car !!, maybe something like a Volvo XC 90??? if you like tinkering with stuff any solid axle landrover ,discovery or rangerover might work , 80/100 series land cruiser might be worth a look too ... lots of them in your budget too ...
AllDayBreakfast said:
So, as per my other thread I'm thinking of changing my three door sports hatch for something more rugged which will easily accommodate 3-4 hefty blokes (I'm into powerlifting) and will be able to shrug off potholes onsite. It won't be used for any towing/load carrying but I quite fancy something a bit chunky tbh as I'm used to a big open cab being a truck driver.
Was originally looking at pickups but have started to consider SUVs on the good advice of people both on here and offline. I only want to spend about £12k as I'm also buying a project car (and a house) soon, and I keep seeing oldish Range Rovers in good aesthetic condition within my price range - generally 2010-2013 models with 50k-80k on the clock.
Main concern is build quality as I saw a lot of rather worrying things in the few months I worked for JLR as a driver back in 2017. I worked mainly on the Disco/RR/RRS/SVR line and spent a lot of time ferrying vehicles between the different workshops and sites.
I've seen things like interior panels being fixed with superglue, leather blemishes masked with shoe polish, and (the worst!) a high spec SVR which had failed the rattle test five times fixed by wedging a bit of blue foam before sending off for despatch. All done by the subcontract techs who were working to strict productivity targets.
However, I've heard that the company I worked through were let go shortly after I left, and I don't know whether previous ranges were built in-house and whether JLR in-house quality control is any better? I appreciate that they can be expensive cars to maintain anyhow due to the complexity, but it's the above that's really making me think twice.
Owning a Range Rover is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. The ride is like nothing else and you feel like a king when you're inside. Then she has a breakdown and sheds her fluids all over your drive.Was originally looking at pickups but have started to consider SUVs on the good advice of people both on here and offline. I only want to spend about £12k as I'm also buying a project car (and a house) soon, and I keep seeing oldish Range Rovers in good aesthetic condition within my price range - generally 2010-2013 models with 50k-80k on the clock.
Main concern is build quality as I saw a lot of rather worrying things in the few months I worked for JLR as a driver back in 2017. I worked mainly on the Disco/RR/RRS/SVR line and spent a lot of time ferrying vehicles between the different workshops and sites.
I've seen things like interior panels being fixed with superglue, leather blemishes masked with shoe polish, and (the worst!) a high spec SVR which had failed the rattle test five times fixed by wedging a bit of blue foam before sending off for despatch. All done by the subcontract techs who were working to strict productivity targets.
However, I've heard that the company I worked through were let go shortly after I left, and I don't know whether previous ranges were built in-house and whether JLR in-house quality control is any better? I appreciate that they can be expensive cars to maintain anyhow due to the complexity, but it's the above that's really making me think twice.
Edited by AllDayBreakfast on Sunday 22 March 04:23
For what it's worth, I ran a couple of XF's, for a few years. They never failed to start, they never conked out. And they were fabulous to drive. Yes, one had problems, window regulator, inlet manifold (which JLR covered 50% of the bill on, at 104k miles) but that was it. I'd happily take another but the car park at work is tiny, and shared with people who dgaf about their cars. I prefer mine without dings/scratches. Regarding RR, I couldn't say, but to tar the whole JLR thing with the same brush? Uh huh. I've had 3 X-Type's, too, and all were reliable as cast-iron.
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