Range Rover Sport 2010 HSE Luxury - VXT Replacement!
Discussion
Not very PH I know but I have done it, pulled the trigger on a 2010 3.0 HSE Luxury, I tried different options but ultimately we needed carrying capability, towing capacity (horsebox) and all weather ability so a decent SUV seemed the answer.
Read a couple of Disco ‘Readers Cars’ so hopefully this thread will be welcomed in the same way.
We love in rural Somerset which when the weather hits (water/snow) we struggle a little with getting about our daily business. Having previously owned a 2010 X5 and 2008 ML they have always been a firm favourite in the household for their combination of space, comfort, practicality and AWD ability.
Despite my desire for fast cars and driving enjoyment the state of our roads (traffic and speed cameras) coupled with a young daughter mean this box has to remain unchecked for a while. My daughter has become more involved in the equestrian world and we intend to support her with that and this could mean a requirement to tow a horse box in the near future.
I looked at some double cab pickups; the ‘16 plate Navara was lovley but to get some spec they are still quite pricey but drove lovely with the independent rear suspension. I tried a ‘16 plate L200 Warrior which I was certain was going to be ‘the one’ but sadly within a mile of the garage I knew it wasn’t to be. The ride was so bouncy, due mostly to an empty load bed and leaf springs, that it just wasn’t pleasant and would of been unbearable as a daily family car.
So this brought me back to the idea of another SUV, considered a Disco 4 but almost had too much room for me and didn’t need 7 seats. Having been a massive fan of the RRS since it first came out, I remember watching Jeremy Clarkson on TG racing one around a military proving ground! I thought this may now be the time to buy one.
It ticked my criteria in every respect BUT they have a reputation, some people run them for years without so much as tyres and servicing whilst others seem to have Brexit rivalling bills nearly every week. The thing is I think a lot of this is hyped up, similar to bore scoring and IMS on the Porsche models. I am not saying they don’t come with their problems and when they do they are costly, but I don’t anticipate every journey is a game of mechanical roulette - I could be wrong!
So my criteria was loose, I wanted a facelift 2010> car with the much improved interior and engine, I wanted a low owner example with clear and comprehensive evidence of servicing and repairs. My preference was to buy privately as this would most likely allow me to meet the person and get a feel for their ownership and care for the vehicle. The dealer option was appealing though only really because there was an element of warranty - the level of cover and likelihood of a payout on a ‘free’ 3 or 6 month warranty seemed low though.
So I looked at a few to get a feel for how these 8/9 year old cars are starting to feel and on the whole they were very pleasant. The RR driving position was lovely and the seats so comfortable, the interior was a really nice place to be with plenty of gadgets available on the HSE model even with no options specified.
A couple of them had some ‘knocky’ bushes which are well documented in respect to age but can be sorted fairly easily so wasn’t overly worried about this.
I wanted to avoid any blinged up examples, preferring to stick with as close to an OEM example as I could find. No real preference on colour although most seem to be grey/black, if I could pick something up a little different that would be a bonus but colour wouldn’t take preference over mechanical history/condition.
Wasn’t looking to spend huge sums but this was flexible dependent on what I managed to track down.
The next update in this story should come tomorrow so watch this space for an update.......
Si
Read a couple of Disco ‘Readers Cars’ so hopefully this thread will be welcomed in the same way.
We love in rural Somerset which when the weather hits (water/snow) we struggle a little with getting about our daily business. Having previously owned a 2010 X5 and 2008 ML they have always been a firm favourite in the household for their combination of space, comfort, practicality and AWD ability.
Despite my desire for fast cars and driving enjoyment the state of our roads (traffic and speed cameras) coupled with a young daughter mean this box has to remain unchecked for a while. My daughter has become more involved in the equestrian world and we intend to support her with that and this could mean a requirement to tow a horse box in the near future.
I looked at some double cab pickups; the ‘16 plate Navara was lovley but to get some spec they are still quite pricey but drove lovely with the independent rear suspension. I tried a ‘16 plate L200 Warrior which I was certain was going to be ‘the one’ but sadly within a mile of the garage I knew it wasn’t to be. The ride was so bouncy, due mostly to an empty load bed and leaf springs, that it just wasn’t pleasant and would of been unbearable as a daily family car.
So this brought me back to the idea of another SUV, considered a Disco 4 but almost had too much room for me and didn’t need 7 seats. Having been a massive fan of the RRS since it first came out, I remember watching Jeremy Clarkson on TG racing one around a military proving ground! I thought this may now be the time to buy one.
It ticked my criteria in every respect BUT they have a reputation, some people run them for years without so much as tyres and servicing whilst others seem to have Brexit rivalling bills nearly every week. The thing is I think a lot of this is hyped up, similar to bore scoring and IMS on the Porsche models. I am not saying they don’t come with their problems and when they do they are costly, but I don’t anticipate every journey is a game of mechanical roulette - I could be wrong!
So my criteria was loose, I wanted a facelift 2010> car with the much improved interior and engine, I wanted a low owner example with clear and comprehensive evidence of servicing and repairs. My preference was to buy privately as this would most likely allow me to meet the person and get a feel for their ownership and care for the vehicle. The dealer option was appealing though only really because there was an element of warranty - the level of cover and likelihood of a payout on a ‘free’ 3 or 6 month warranty seemed low though.
So I looked at a few to get a feel for how these 8/9 year old cars are starting to feel and on the whole they were very pleasant. The RR driving position was lovely and the seats so comfortable, the interior was a really nice place to be with plenty of gadgets available on the HSE model even with no options specified.
A couple of them had some ‘knocky’ bushes which are well documented in respect to age but can be sorted fairly easily so wasn’t overly worried about this.
I wanted to avoid any blinged up examples, preferring to stick with as close to an OEM example as I could find. No real preference on colour although most seem to be grey/black, if I could pick something up a little different that would be a bonus but colour wouldn’t take preference over mechanical history/condition.
Wasn’t looking to spend huge sums but this was flexible dependent on what I managed to track down.
The next update in this story should come tomorrow so watch this space for an update.......
Si
My criteria was slightly different, I wanted a facelift but I wanted the 3.6 TDV8 engine. I managed to find what I'm told is one of the last facelifts before they ditched the engine and put the 3.0 V6 in.
I've had my 2010 TDV8 for a while now and absolutely love it. It's not my daily driver but it's so comfortable and touch wood I've not had any major bills having done probably 40k miles and it now being on about 100,000.
Regular servicing, tyres, (a lot of) fuel and a friend who is a specialist checking out anything I think may be a problem before it actually is.
Wishbones and wheel bearings are basic consumables IME.
I've had my 2010 TDV8 for a while now and absolutely love it. It's not my daily driver but it's so comfortable and touch wood I've not had any major bills having done probably 40k miles and it now being on about 100,000.
Regular servicing, tyres, (a lot of) fuel and a friend who is a specialist checking out anything I think may be a problem before it actually is.
Wishbones and wheel bearings are basic consumables IME.
Edited by AB on Sunday 3rd November 11:22
AB said:
I've had my 2010 TDV8 for a while now and absolutely love it. It's not my daily driver but it's so comfortable and touch wood I've not had any major bills having done probably 40k miles and it now being on about 100,000.
Regular servicing, tyres, (a lot of) fuel and a friend who is a specialist checking out anything I think may be a problem before it actually is.
Wishbones and wheel bearings are basic consumables IME.
That’s lovely and glad to hear you have had lots of trouble free miles from it, I was amazed by the experience of driving one - so cosseted in the cabin it was wonderful. Regular servicing, tyres, (a lot of) fuel and a friend who is a specialist checking out anything I think may be a problem before it actually is.
Wishbones and wheel bearings are basic consumables IME.
Si
Good luck with your search. It's certainly nothing like anything I'd owned or driven before and it's got a real personality, so I think I'd be forgiving it for any issues it might have for me - also, for what they're going for now you get a great drive for not much money compared to a newer 'premium 4x4'.
AB said:
That’s great thank you 
I will update this a bit more tomorrow, but as you have touched upon several people have talked about the character and ability to forgive its shortcomings.Si
https://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic55013.html
Although not sure if you can see it without logging in...
Although not sure if you can see it without logging in...
We've had our 2010 V6 about four years now and mileage just about to hit 110,000, also a Somerset dweller!
We like everything you've discovered already.....comfortable for miles and miles, great tow car, driving position etc. We've had a few issues but nothing our local indie couldn't sort. 20" wheels are stupid if you use it properly, I've broken one and cracked another. Will take it to old school 18"s if we keep it long enough for another tyre change. Run it on Khumo winters all year round.
Cam Belts due a change at 100k or 7 years from memory, the old 'body off' nonsense from LR is long gone and they can be changed without too much fuss.
Good luck!
We like everything you've discovered already.....comfortable for miles and miles, great tow car, driving position etc. We've had a few issues but nothing our local indie couldn't sort. 20" wheels are stupid if you use it properly, I've broken one and cracked another. Will take it to old school 18"s if we keep it long enough for another tyre change. Run it on Khumo winters all year round.
Cam Belts due a change at 100k or 7 years from memory, the old 'body off' nonsense from LR is long gone and they can be changed without too much fuss.
Good luck!
LFB531 said:
We've had our 2010 V6 about four years now and mileage just about to hit 110,000, also a Somerset dweller!
We like everything you've discovered already.....comfortable for miles and miles, great tow car, driving position etc. We've had a few issues but nothing our local indie couldn't sort. 20" wheels are stupid if you use it properly, I've broken one and cracked another. Will take it to old school 18"s if we keep it long enough for another tyre change. Run it on Khumo winters all year round.
Cam Belts due a change at 100k or 7 years from memory, the old 'body off' nonsense from LR is long gone and they can be changed without too much fuss.
Good luck!
I didn't realise the body could stay on for a belt change these days, how do they do it? As for the turbo being swapped, is this still a body off job? We like everything you've discovered already.....comfortable for miles and miles, great tow car, driving position etc. We've had a few issues but nothing our local indie couldn't sort. 20" wheels are stupid if you use it properly, I've broken one and cracked another. Will take it to old school 18"s if we keep it long enough for another tyre change. Run it on Khumo winters all year round.
Cam Belts due a change at 100k or 7 years from memory, the old 'body off' nonsense from LR is long gone and they can be changed without too much fuss.
Good luck!
I'm also a Somerset / Wiltshire lad (I live on the Frome border).
PB
Another Wiltshire resident with a 2010 sport here.
Like the OP I went for the 3.0 TDV6 motor as I much prefer the interior over the older cars.
I bought right at the bottom of the market as I knew these have a reputation for unreliability and large bills (this is my 3rd range)
In the 6 months I've owned the car it has definitely lived up to this reputation. Full details are in my garage on here, but so far:
suspension compressor
EPB module, rear discs, pads and shoes
inlet manifold
and a few other small ticket items as well.
That said, when it's working it's a wonderful place to be and tows the horses without even a hint of strain.
Like the OP I went for the 3.0 TDV6 motor as I much prefer the interior over the older cars.
I bought right at the bottom of the market as I knew these have a reputation for unreliability and large bills (this is my 3rd range)
In the 6 months I've owned the car it has definitely lived up to this reputation. Full details are in my garage on here, but so far:
suspension compressor
EPB module, rear discs, pads and shoes
inlet manifold
and a few other small ticket items as well.
That said, when it's working it's a wonderful place to be and tows the horses without even a hint of strain.
K50 DEL said:
Another Wiltshire resident with a 2010 sport here.
Like the OP I went for the 3.0 TDV6 motor as I much prefer the interior over the older cars.
I bought right at the bottom of the market as I knew these have a reputation for unreliability and large bills (this is my 3rd range)
In the 6 months I've owned the car it has definitely lived up to this reputation. Full details are in my garage on here, but so far:
suspension compressor
EPB module, rear discs, pads and shoes
inlet manifold
and a few other small ticket items as well.
That said, when it's working it's a wonderful place to be and tows the horses without even a hint of strain.
The 3.0 TDV6 is such a peach of an engine. Super smooth, enough poke and some how fairly economical. Like the OP I went for the 3.0 TDV6 motor as I much prefer the interior over the older cars.
I bought right at the bottom of the market as I knew these have a reputation for unreliability and large bills (this is my 3rd range)
In the 6 months I've owned the car it has definitely lived up to this reputation. Full details are in my garage on here, but so far:
suspension compressor
EPB module, rear discs, pads and shoes
inlet manifold
and a few other small ticket items as well.
That said, when it's working it's a wonderful place to be and tows the horses without even a hint of strain.
Ouch! They aren't cheap cars to run. Depending on where you are in Wiltshire, I use a fantastic Land Rover / Range Rover and Marcos specialist in Semmington. I've gone there with all manors of Land Rovers and I find them exceptional, in terms of knowledge and price. The garage is called; Pike Associates
PB
Wow! Thanks for all the posts guys, who knew a RRS would have such a following on here! Indeed I had seen the linked RRS however it came in above my budget and after I had provisionally agreed a sale on this one -
https://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic54856.html
It’s divine, the journey back from London was incredible, quiet, comfortable an absolute joy! I was pleased to secure an unusual colour combo and the mileage, single owner and MASSIVE history along with warranty give me a lot of peace of mind.
The seller was a true gent and took time to explain everything including a number of extras he had purchased.
Having wanted one for so long I can safely say it has lived up to/exceeded my expectations.
Will get a few pics once cleaned, plates on etc.
Si
https://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic54856.html
It’s divine, the journey back from London was incredible, quiet, comfortable an absolute joy! I was pleased to secure an unusual colour combo and the mileage, single owner and MASSIVE history along with warranty give me a lot of peace of mind.
The seller was a true gent and took time to explain everything including a number of extras he had purchased.
Having wanted one for so long I can safely say it has lived up to/exceeded my expectations.
Will get a few pics once cleaned, plates on etc.
Si
SiT said:
Wow! Thanks for all the posts guys, who knew a RRS would have such a following on here! Indeed I had seen the linked RRS however it came in above my budget and after I had provisionally agreed a sale on this one -
https://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic54856.html
It’s divine, the journey back from London was incredible, quiet, comfortable an absolute joy! I was pleased to secure an unusual colour combo and the mileage, single owner and MASSIVE history along with warranty give me a lot of peace of mind.
The seller was a true gent and took time to explain everything including a number of extras he had purchased.
Having wanted one for so long I can safely say it has lived up to/exceeded my expectations.
Will get a few pics once cleaned, plates on etc.
Si
I saw that ad when he put it up for sale and thought it looked like a good car, albeit it £5k more than I paid for mine.https://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic54856.html
It’s divine, the journey back from London was incredible, quiet, comfortable an absolute joy! I was pleased to secure an unusual colour combo and the mileage, single owner and MASSIVE history along with warranty give me a lot of peace of mind.
The seller was a true gent and took time to explain everything including a number of extras he had purchased.
Having wanted one for so long I can safely say it has lived up to/exceeded my expectations.
Will get a few pics once cleaned, plates on etc.
Si
It does have some lovely features though and although the interior would have counted it out for me I'm fairly certain that it's been looked after more than properly and will likely give you no trouble at all.
Enjoy it in good health.
Great looking purchase OP. I tried to buy an identical colour TDV8 RRS before I got the green one from Guy Salmon in Bristol. They simply wouldn't sell it to me as I wanted to pay outright, no finance and no p/ex. Ended up going to Hereford where money talks!
I'm between Bath and Wells so moral support available when it all (inevitably) has a head fit!😉
I'm between Bath and Wells so moral support available when it all (inevitably) has a head fit!😉
Couple of snaps from yesterday, at this point I was starting to get excited -
Then waking through a leafy suburb in London I caught my first glance -
I met with the seller, someone who enthused about every detail on the car and was happy to explain and demonstrate everything. As mentioned I thought the colour combo looked sensational in the flesh and was the perfect combo of light and dark, the photos don’t do it justice.
A lengthy test drive later confirmed that this felt every bit a new car as the day he drove it out the showroom, taught, compliant, whisper quiet and oh so comfortable!
The deal was confirmed, money transferred, V5 done and before long I was pairing my phone to the Bluetooth and adjusting my seat for the drive home.
The first stretch out of London and on the M4 was spent in what seemed like a never ending 50mph speed limit, it was a great opportunity to test the radar cruise control - unnerving at first praying that when the car slowed down in front so to would my car!! But it did and I soon got used to it although found to my peril that when catching up a slower moving vehicle in lane 1, indicating to move out into lane 2, it would slam on the brakes as you moved across into the slower moving lane lol!
A stop for some food and a coffee at Reading services and we were soon on the home stretch, the journey was spent discussing what an incredible vehicle the RRS was, my friend who travelled with me is very much a lightweight sports car man (VX220, Lotus Evora, Alfa 4C) but even he got out at the end and said ‘I might think about getting my wife one of these!’ which is complimentary indeed.
When I got home it was getting late, my daughter asleep in bed and my wife in her pj’s watching tv so no quick run out for them last night, however when I got up for work this morning at 05.00hrs a bleary eyed little girl came down the stairs and said ‘Dad can I sit in the new car?!?’ a little wave of excitement in her voice.
It was a great day and it’s been a long time coming, seller was a true gent and a really genuine person who could have probably talked all afternoon about all things LR so thank you to him! Now it’s time for me to enjoy the RRS and put it to use, will get a thread up to document the journey.
Then waking through a leafy suburb in London I caught my first glance -
I met with the seller, someone who enthused about every detail on the car and was happy to explain and demonstrate everything. As mentioned I thought the colour combo looked sensational in the flesh and was the perfect combo of light and dark, the photos don’t do it justice.
A lengthy test drive later confirmed that this felt every bit a new car as the day he drove it out the showroom, taught, compliant, whisper quiet and oh so comfortable!
The deal was confirmed, money transferred, V5 done and before long I was pairing my phone to the Bluetooth and adjusting my seat for the drive home.
The first stretch out of London and on the M4 was spent in what seemed like a never ending 50mph speed limit, it was a great opportunity to test the radar cruise control - unnerving at first praying that when the car slowed down in front so to would my car!! But it did and I soon got used to it although found to my peril that when catching up a slower moving vehicle in lane 1, indicating to move out into lane 2, it would slam on the brakes as you moved across into the slower moving lane lol!
A stop for some food and a coffee at Reading services and we were soon on the home stretch, the journey was spent discussing what an incredible vehicle the RRS was, my friend who travelled with me is very much a lightweight sports car man (VX220, Lotus Evora, Alfa 4C) but even he got out at the end and said ‘I might think about getting my wife one of these!’ which is complimentary indeed.
When I got home it was getting late, my daughter asleep in bed and my wife in her pj’s watching tv so no quick run out for them last night, however when I got up for work this morning at 05.00hrs a bleary eyed little girl came down the stairs and said ‘Dad can I sit in the new car?!?’ a little wave of excitement in her voice.
It was a great day and it’s been a long time coming, seller was a true gent and a really genuine person who could have probably talked all afternoon about all things LR so thank you to him! Now it’s time for me to enjoy the RRS and put it to use, will get a thread up to document the journey.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff