To buy or not to buy..

[bsw]

a Range Rover,

Bit of background: had LR's (including a couple of 1948 80" ones), Discos & RRs from 1970 to 2002. Last one was a nearly new TD5 which was highly unreliable, previous one a petrol RR that flattened its battery every few days if it wasn't used every day. Dealer service was abysmal so I changed to MB ML's, excellent vehicles and dealer service generally good - exception being MB Direct at Balsall Common who made Arthur Daley look like saint - also had a Porsche Cayenne 3.6 diesel but now I'm thinking about having a change.

The latest LR product I've driven is an 07 Disco diesel which I had on loan whilst my Cayenne was being fixed and I hated it so much I sent it back after the first day.

Now my questions :

Does a current - say 08/09 - FFRR or RRS V8 Diesel feel / drive like the hated Disco ?

Whatever I get will stand unused for days at a time - will that mean trouble if I choose a RR ?

Look forward to your comments.

bsw

[camel_landy]

Leaving for days at a time shouldn't be a problem.

The RRS, although based on the Disco chassis (The T5 Platform), does handle differently. You should also find that the ride and handling of the D4 is much better than that of the D3. As for the D3 you had as a loaner... The handling shouldn't be abysmal, I'd personally suspect poor maintenance and skimping on things such as changing the bushes.

The FFRR is a car you'd 'Waft' around in... If you're after something with more of a 'sporty' feel, I'd suggest the RRS.

The only real way of telling is to get out there and give them a test drive.

M

[bsw]

Hi,

Thanks for reply. The Disco I drove in late 07 was virtually new. The problem I had with it was that it didn't seem to have any self-centering feel about the steering, I felt I had to continually keep adjusting the steering just to keep it pointing in the right direction - very odd, perhaps it was a bad one or had been mis-used by a previous hirer.

I like the idea of wafting about, I used to do the in my RRs in the late 80s, not bothered about being sporty - have a Boxster for that - but don't want to be a snail either.

As you say I need to test drive them both but finding somewhere that will let you have one for a couple of hours could be a problem.

Another question is what is the dealer service like now ?

My experience with Marshalls Peterborough in 2000 was the final nail in the coffin for me. Briefly: Clutch very reluctant to dis-engage on virtually new Disco. Rang Warranty dept., after much talk of man coming to fix it in my garage they decided to recover it to Marshalls, Peterborough. Truck arrives from Leicester to take car to Peterborough, now after 5.0 pm and dark, driver very p***ed off, loads car but fails to strap it down properly, depart speedily.

Next day Marshalls ring: car ready for me to collect, haven't found the fault so haven't done anything - not obliged to deliver. Wife drives me to Peterborough, collect keys, walk round front of vehicle and find big "dimple" in front bumper that wasn't their before. Go back and ask for Service Manager, not available but assistant comes out with me. I showed him the damage and with my wife standing beside me his reply was "F**k me, you've got good eyesight". We got in the car and left. Even though I had a signed document from the recovery driver stating that the car was unmarked when he collected it Marshalls would neither pay for the bumper to be repaired nor help me claim off the recovery company. Eventually after much nagging Land Rover sent an "engineer" from Solihull to Rutland to look at the damage and he approved a repair. Cost of repair £20, cost of visit £200.

That was 12 years ago, are things any better today ?

bsw

[bozmandb9]

I'd say buy, but couldn't guarantee you won't have any problems. The age you're talking about, the car should have had any issues ironed out, but of course you will have routine maintenance.

In terms of the way the FFRR drives, I find it sublime, and I guess most owners would agree. Not sure about the steering self centring, I'd not say it's a strength of the FFRR, however on the other hand I've not been conscious of having to adjust it too much whilst driving.

By all accounts the Disco 4 is a great car, however you'd only have one over the FFRR because you want something more utilitarian, or you need 7 seats, I think all would agree that the FFRR is nicer to waft about in.

I'm sure if you go and talk nicely to your local dealer they'll take you on an extended test drive, or you could get them to give you a voucher for the Land Rover Experience, only problem is then you'll be driving the 4.4 TDV8 and the car you'll end up buying won't be quite as good!

[camel_landy]

bsw said:

Another question is what is the dealer service like now ?

...

That was 12 years ago, are things any better today ?

Hmmm... As the dealers are franchises, the levels of service vary. Some are utterly brilliant but there are others that are just shifting 'boxes'. I'm fortunate coz I've got a great one close to me.

I don't know about your area but if you find a good one in your area, stick with them. Just remember that to get that extra level of service, you might have to pay that little bit more.

M

[bsw]

OK thanks for the replies, I'm about half way between Coventry & Northampton. The Coventry dealer is Guy Salmon I think which is part of the Sytner empire and I'm not a great fan of Sytners. I don't know who or where the dealer in Northampton is as I don't tend to go there. Coventry is easier to get to so I might have to try them unless there are any non-franchise specalist in the area.

bsw

[Spy]

I have just bought a used RRS with the TDV8 engine.

Having driven a few, I found the RRS more to my liking as I found the drive a little more sporty (read car like) but with the comfort associated with Range Rovers.

If you don't need the space, I think the RRS is a good compromise between a car and the FFRR.
Saying that, for a do-it-all and spacious utility vehicle, the Disco 3/4 is excellent.

[bsw]

Spy said:

Having driven a few, I found the RRS more to my liking as I found the drive a little more sporty (read car like) but with the comfort associated with Range Rovers.

If you don't need the space, I think the RRS is a good compromise between a car and the FFRR.

Thanks that's interesting, both the ML & Cayenne are really quite car like to drive whereas the Disco felt like truck. I'd been veering away from the Sport because I heard it was based on the Disco chassis but your comments are making me think again. I'll just have to try them both. Don't need lots of space or 7 seats so Disco definitely not on the list.

bsw

[paintman]

You could consider hiring so you can live with them for a few days?

[camel_landy]

bsw said:

Spy said:

Having driven a few, I found the RRS more to my liking as I found the drive a little more sporty (read car like) but with the comfort associated with Range Rovers.

If you don't need the space, I think the RRS is a good compromise between a car and the FFRR.

Thanks that's interesting, both the ML & Cayenne are really quite car like to drive whereas the Disco felt like truck. I'd been veering away from the Sport because I heard it was based on the Disco chassis but your comments are making me think again. I'll just have to try them both. Don't need lots of space or 7 seats so Disco definitely not on the list.

bsw

FWIW - I'd rate the D4 as being more 'car-like' than the FFRR.

The RRS is an excellent drive on the road and feels completely different to the Disco (although based on shorter version of the same chassis). It's probably also worth noting that from 2010 onwards, the RRS & FFRR had the option of a 'Dynamic' mode on the Terrain Response dial. This setting changes the damping setup on the car (among other things) to make it handle better for a more 'spirited' drive.

M

[bsw]

paintman said:

You could consider hiring so you can live with them for a few days?

Yes I thought of that but it looks like about £1000 for 3 days so not really viable.

[Spy]

bsw said:

Thanks that's interesting, both the ML & Cayenne are really quite car like to drive whereas the Disco felt like truck. I'd been veering away from the Sport because I heard it was based on the Disco chassis but your comments are making me think again. I'll just have to try them both. Don't need lots of space or 7 seats so Disco definitely not on the list.

bsw

I would go to your local dealer who has both an RRS and FFRR in stock and tell them you are in the market for one of these and want to test drive both before buying. Take them out back-to-back for about 20-30mins each on different roads and see which you prefer.

That is exactly what I did and chose the RRS.

Make sure they are the engines you are after as I found the TDV6 a little underpowered on A and M roads compared to teh TDV8 which was a different beast all together

I should also say that I also test drove the ML and found that even more car like than the RRS but didn't feel as special inside or as commanding a view.

Edited by Spy on Tuesday 3rd January 20:21

[bsw]

Spy said:

I should also say that I also test drove the ML and found that even more car like than the RRS but didn't feel as special inside or as commanding a view.

Yes I think you're right about that, that is why I'm looking at a RR. We've had 4 MLs so maybe time for change. Last ML was a 420 Cdi, 4.0L V8, 7 speed auto, fantastic power and all the toys but didn't feel that special. I decided I didn't need a 4 x 4 anymore so bought a BMW 335 D SE Touring, great car, amazing acceleration but I can't see over the car in front or over hedges so I'm not happy. Hence this thread. The responses have been very helpful and I'll now have to go and talk to a dealer.

Cheers,

bsw