Talk me out of a 5.0 SC FFRR
Discussion
Cliff, the Defender is currently under general anaesthetic whilst I fit a 3.9 auto power train! I started it a few months ago but time and work (and cold weather) have been against me. Although it will fit in the garage, once it's in I can't work around it, so I've actually been doing everything on the drive, including dismantling and killing the donor Disco V8. I'd kill for some outbuildings like G's!
The engine and box are in, the headers are fitted, I've built a new fuel system with a swirl pot and separate HP pump to feed the EFI, I've had a custom rad built with engine and transmission coolers incorporated (that was £££
) and I was only looking today at what's next. Pipe up the two coolers and the rad, then splice the EFI loom into the Defender, and I think we'll be ready for a test start. Quite looking forward to it - but it's going to need cosmetic attention next. I posted on the weather thread, as things stand this will be the first winter in about 20 years that I haven't had a running 4x4 available, so I think we can confidently expect snowmageddon to arrive...
Back to FFRRs. I must admit I haven't driven either flavour of SC, not least because, as above, there don't seem to be many for sale in the south east, but I'll try and track both types down and see what I think. I'm sure one like yours will be 100% familiar, so it'll be good to make the comparison.
The engine and box are in, the headers are fitted, I've built a new fuel system with a swirl pot and separate HP pump to feed the EFI, I've had a custom rad built with engine and transmission coolers incorporated (that was £££
) and I was only looking today at what's next. Pipe up the two coolers and the rad, then splice the EFI loom into the Defender, and I think we'll be ready for a test start. Quite looking forward to it - but it's going to need cosmetic attention next. I posted on the weather thread, as things stand this will be the first winter in about 20 years that I haven't had a running 4x4 available, so I think we can confidently expect snowmageddon to arrive...Back to FFRRs. I must admit I haven't driven either flavour of SC, not least because, as above, there don't seem to be many for sale in the south east, but I'll try and track both types down and see what I think. I'm sure one like yours will be 100% familiar, so it'll be good to make the comparison.
CAPP0 said:
I've read that the 4.2 is possibly the better drive, and some say more reliable. But the later one has better toys I believe - although of course that's just something else to go wrong.
I’ve owned both, and personally I prefer the 5.0 to drive, although the 4.2 makes a better noise! I just find it more responsive. Reliability-wise, they both seem to be much of a muchness - on similar mileages, I had a couple of bits go wrong on the 4.2 that haven’t failed (yet!) on the 5.0, but that’s what happens with an older car so not unexpected. Nothing major anyway. I think the worst was a dead alternator. On the 5.0, the worst so far has been a couple of ball joints (which I also had replaced on the 4.2). As regards toys, I had an early 4.2 so I didn’t have the cooled seats or the multiple cameras until I switched to the 5.0. I think the later ones had the cooled seats but not the cameras? The control layout is more intuitive in the 5.0, and it may be just me but I find the 5.0 controls slightly easier to reach. I never really used Sport mode in either car, but I could in the 5.0 with no problems, if I wanted to. In the 4.2, I had to lean across a bit to reach the lever!
One thing that’s definitely better in the 5.0 is the proximity sensors. I went through 3 sets in 4 years in the 4.2, but after 2 years with the 5.0 I haven’t replaced any.
As far as fuel consumption is concerned, the 5.0 is supposed to be a tad more economical but they look much the same to me.
Anyway, just a few ideas off the top of my head.
akirk said:
also one posted on a RR group on facebook yesterday...
https://www.facebook.com/mdbone/posts/102122575385...
no idea if any good - not really the age / miles you want...
but worth keeping an eye on facebook groups
That's a mates car. https://www.facebook.com/mdbone/posts/102122575385...
no idea if any good - not really the age / miles you want...
but worth keeping an eye on facebook groups
He is LR fan and I know he has looked after that one.
Its lovely.
CAPP0 said:
Thanks SGirl, interesting stuff. What's the thing with the sound - do they have a different exhaust or is there something else? I guess they both whine with the S/C?
Just reinforces that I really need to go and find both flavours to test drive.
The 4.2 has a nice, refined V8 burble, while the 5.0 is terribly genteel and quiet! So much so that I was thinking of doing something with the exhaust to make it a bit more V8-y. I don’t want a shouty exhaust, but I do like to hear the V8 when I’m driving! Just reinforces that I really need to go and find both flavours to test drive.
Good luck with your quest, choosing one is half the fun.
CAPP0 said:
Thanks SGirl, interesting stuff. What's the thing with the sound - do they have a different exhaust or is there something else? I guess they both whine with the S/C?
Just reinforces that I really need to go and find both flavours to test drive.
The 4.2 has a lot more supercharger whine, but I prefer the sound of the 5, it just suits it more IMO. (especially in SVA flavour, it has a lovely bark about it without the machine gun of the SVR).Just reinforces that I really need to go and find both flavours to test drive.
Update time: Deposit paid 
5.0 SC Autobiography. I had a look at two, one was really overpriced and the owner wouldn't budge on price so I went with the other one and got a good deal. Not collecting for a couple of weeks as they are going to change some things for me (wheel colour, colour-code the door handles, etc) but pics to follow as & when. Thanks again for the input (and apologies to the 4.2 owners
)
5.0 SC Autobiography. I had a look at two, one was really overpriced and the owner wouldn't budge on price so I went with the other one and got a good deal. Not collecting for a couple of weeks as they are going to change some things for me (wheel colour, colour-code the door handles, etc) but pics to follow as & when. Thanks again for the input (and apologies to the 4.2 owners
)Thanks! It's Santorini Black with an Ivory (Parchment? Sand? not sure yet what this shade is called) interior. I'm having the door handles and the side grilles colour coded to match the black, I saw that on another one and it looked good, a simple mod but seems to update the overall look.
Black, whilst I do like it, wasn't my first choice simply because my old AJV8 was black, but I didn't fancy silver, there weren't any Stornoway for sale anywhere, the gold one I saw had a dodgy MOT history, and whilst the Nara Bronze I saw looked gorgeous, I couldn't bring myself to pay over £6.5k more than I did for mine! I did particularly want a light interior, so all good on that front.
Black, whilst I do like it, wasn't my first choice simply because my old AJV8 was black, but I didn't fancy silver, there weren't any Stornoway for sale anywhere, the gold one I saw had a dodgy MOT history, and whilst the Nara Bronze I saw looked gorgeous, I couldn't bring myself to pay over £6.5k more than I did for mine! I did particularly want a light interior, so all good on that front.
Black is a good choice. I wanted Stornaway, and have since buying taken a liking to dark blue (Buckingham?) and dark green (Tonga?). But black has that “don’t you dare mess with this RR because it might just be owned by a high end drug dealer who will track you down and mess you up” quality. Certainly never worry about leaving ours parked in some fairly doubtful places, and been all good so far.
Nice colour combination! Sounds similar to my old car. You'll have hours of fun keeping it clean and shiny. 
Nobody ever messed with my black RR (with factory-tinted windows), apart from an idiot in the vet's car park who dinged my door after she parked 3 inches away from me (I was in my space properly, she was trying to avoid the car on her opposite side). Not sure if that's because people were worried about who the car belonged to though. Certainly you wouldn't think I looked like a drug dealer if you saw me.
My current car is Galway Green, I think the interior is Sand. Didn't like the darker interior initially, I thought it looked too orangey but it's grown on me and it doesn't get as grubby as the Ivory I used to have. I was pleased to have a green car because I thought it would require less washing than a black one, but it's a very dark green so it's much the same. No tinted windows though.
Please post some pics when you get the car, it's always nice to see other people's cars!
Nobody ever messed with my black RR (with factory-tinted windows), apart from an idiot in the vet's car park who dinged my door after she parked 3 inches away from me (I was in my space properly, she was trying to avoid the car on her opposite side). Not sure if that's because people were worried about who the car belonged to though. Certainly you wouldn't think I looked like a drug dealer if you saw me.
My current car is Galway Green, I think the interior is Sand. Didn't like the darker interior initially, I thought it looked too orangey but it's grown on me and it doesn't get as grubby as the Ivory I used to have. I was pleased to have a green car because I thought it would require less washing than a black one, but it's a very dark green so it's much the same. No tinted windows though.
Please post some pics when you get the car, it's always nice to see other people's cars!
Well, today was collection day, and here it is:
Not the best pics yet, just a couple of quick snaps I grabbed. I had the door handles and the top/back half of the side grilles colour-coded, (properly, with that paint stuff, no stick-on covers!) having seen another like that, and I think it really works.
Lovely to be back in one again. It's very nice, very pleased with it. Haven't had much chance to explore the power yet but dear me, it does nip from 70-ish to 90-ish rather rapidly!
Tiny niggles with some creaking leather somewhere on the trim (I'm hyper-allergic to in-cabin noises for some reason) and the steering just has the faintest little twitch at motorway speeds, but the dealers I bought it from seem to be very decent guys indeed (just two of them) so I'm sure they'll help sort that out with no problem. In fact if anyone is looking for petrol Rangies and wants a pointer, PM me, so far I'd heartily recommend them and whilst they sell various marques, they were telling me that they do try to carve a small niche for themselves offering petrol Rangies.
Not the best pics yet, just a couple of quick snaps I grabbed. I had the door handles and the top/back half of the side grilles colour-coded, (properly, with that paint stuff, no stick-on covers!) having seen another like that, and I think it really works.
Lovely to be back in one again. It's very nice, very pleased with it. Haven't had much chance to explore the power yet but dear me, it does nip from 70-ish to 90-ish rather rapidly!
Tiny niggles with some creaking leather somewhere on the trim (I'm hyper-allergic to in-cabin noises for some reason) and the steering just has the faintest little twitch at motorway speeds, but the dealers I bought it from seem to be very decent guys indeed (just two of them) so I'm sure they'll help sort that out with no problem. In fact if anyone is looking for petrol Rangies and wants a pointer, PM me, so far I'd heartily recommend them and whilst they sell various marques, they were telling me that they do try to carve a small niche for themselves offering petrol Rangies.
Good choice, same model, age and colour as mine by the looks of it. Wait until you get the chance to a do a full bore off the line launch, preferably with the car just trickling before you hit the accelerator. The four wheel drive really, really gets it moving rapidly!
What mileage / price point did you get it for? Am I right in assuming it's a 2010?
What mileage / price point did you get it for? Am I right in assuming it's a 2010?
Yes, 2010, it's done 90k but in very good condition with a full JLR service history. I got a good deal on it, about a grand under the Cazana value including the colour-coding work and a few other small bits thrown in, which seemed a decent deal based on prices out there currently.
Edited by CAPP0 on Saturday 9th February 15:52
CAPP0 said:
Yes, 2010, it's done 90k but in very good condition with a full JLR service history. I got a good deal on it, about a grand under the Cazana value including the colour-coding work and a few other small bits thrown in, which seemed a decent deal based on prices out there currently.
Mine had about 90k on it when I bought it 3 years (or so) ago. In 3 years and 15k miles I've had three issues other than expected wear and tear (tyres,brakes). First the suspension threw a warning about adaptive / dynamic mode, looked expensive as the dashboard lit up with warnings, but a quick google and 10 minutes with a soldering iron to fix some wires on top of the front strut had that resolved. Second it destroyed the water pump which is a weak point with this engine, so if you find yourself losing any water get the pump checked quick, you don't get much time to get it sorted. And third, my transfer box basically imploded one day and the output shaft from the gearbox had worn splines which was noticed whilst they were fitting another transfer box. Apparently JLR didn't grease the spline output shaft between the gearbox and transfer box so the splines slowly wear away.Edited by CAPP0 on Saturday 9th February 15:52
Other than those, the car has been perfect and is an absolute hoot to drive. It's nice gently wafting around with the occasional stomp on the accelator to remind yourself what it can do!
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