RR Sport known issues
Discussion
Morning all. I am thinking of buying a RR Sport for Mrs Wipe to use as the family wagon.
I must confess I don't know a great deal about the cars. I am aware of the engine variances & specs but do not know if they are mechanically reliable.
The plan is to get a 2.7 diesel HSE with all the toys with around 70,000 miles. I know the engine isn't the most powerful in the world but don't want the wallet emptying experience of a petrol.
Is there anything I should be concerned about when looking at cars? Are they generally reliable. Any belts or essential maintenance that is critical?
Sorry for all the questions. I did do a search but got 10 pages about the new RR Sport!
I must confess I don't know a great deal about the cars. I am aware of the engine variances & specs but do not know if they are mechanically reliable.
The plan is to get a 2.7 diesel HSE with all the toys with around 70,000 miles. I know the engine isn't the most powerful in the world but don't want the wallet emptying experience of a petrol.
Is there anything I should be concerned about when looking at cars? Are they generally reliable. Any belts or essential maintenance that is critical?
Sorry for all the questions. I did do a search but got 10 pages about the new RR Sport!
Crossflow Kid said:
They're like an anti-Tardis.
Massive on the outside, tiny on the inside.
I noticed that! Dont think the black interior helps. We run a 1st gen X3 at the moment and need something bigger as I have two teenage lads and an 8 month old in a baby seat. Apart from a Q7 I don't think I will get a huge amount more space. Massive on the outside, tiny on the inside.
I currently work at a Land Rover dealership as a technician.
To keep things simple, here's a short list of common faults I've personally experienced and witnessed that might be worth looking into regarding any previous repairs or not.
- Front Arc-Bar bushes (and to a lesser extent, the rears) are prone to what I consider premature wear. If you have a ramp, check for side to side play of the arc-bar itself.
- Fuel gauges reading incorrectly, intermittent failure of fuel level potentiometers. Requires fuel tank dropping down and replacement of both senders.
- Front wheel bearings - I've replaced over 10 on the O/S/F myself.
- Transfer box leakages, usually from the casing itself at the join.
- Front lower arms knock when applying the brakes sharply from low speed. Very easy to check for.
- Rear hub bushes, upper and lower are prone to wear. Need to be checked with support under the lower arms.
- Parking brake module is prone to failing. It often makes a quirky noise or 'tune' when it fails too, which is entertaining at first but very annoying afterwards! Check for grabbing when you release the handbrake...if you feel either side drop at then the likelihood of the parking brake being incorrectly adjusted is high and this is the suggested cause of failing pbm's.
- EGR valves are prone to clogging/seizing. Not as easy to replace as some other engines
Also, check that the compressor has not been damaged. It's very common for people to jack the cars up on the compressor and it often breaks the mountings and/or the compressor too.
Overall they're very good cars, but I would say that 50% of my day to day work is warranty with Land Rover. They must have the best marketing team in the world working for them as people keep coming back to buy them
To keep things simple, here's a short list of common faults I've personally experienced and witnessed that might be worth looking into regarding any previous repairs or not.
- Front Arc-Bar bushes (and to a lesser extent, the rears) are prone to what I consider premature wear. If you have a ramp, check for side to side play of the arc-bar itself.
- Fuel gauges reading incorrectly, intermittent failure of fuel level potentiometers. Requires fuel tank dropping down and replacement of both senders.
- Front wheel bearings - I've replaced over 10 on the O/S/F myself.
- Transfer box leakages, usually from the casing itself at the join.
- Front lower arms knock when applying the brakes sharply from low speed. Very easy to check for.
- Rear hub bushes, upper and lower are prone to wear. Need to be checked with support under the lower arms.
- Parking brake module is prone to failing. It often makes a quirky noise or 'tune' when it fails too, which is entertaining at first but very annoying afterwards! Check for grabbing when you release the handbrake...if you feel either side drop at then the likelihood of the parking brake being incorrectly adjusted is high and this is the suggested cause of failing pbm's.
- EGR valves are prone to clogging/seizing. Not as easy to replace as some other engines
Also, check that the compressor has not been damaged. It's very common for people to jack the cars up on the compressor and it often breaks the mountings and/or the compressor too.
Overall they're very good cars, but I would say that 50% of my day to day work is warranty with Land Rover. They must have the best marketing team in the world working for them as people keep coming back to buy them
Many thanks for the comments. The car I've looked at had 78k but full LRSH.
I have checked out the air suspension and it works fine. The car was started from cold & it was sitting fine.
SMN - thanks for the info regarding the EGR valves
does the 2.7 diesel have any scheduled maintenance such as timing belts etc?
I have checked out the air suspension and it works fine. The car was started from cold & it was sitting fine.
SMN - thanks for the info regarding the EGR valves
does the 2.7 diesel have any scheduled maintenance such as timing belts etc? unrepentant said:
Make sure it has FLRSH. Ask to see the advisory sheet from the last service to see if they declined any work. Check the air suspension, if possible view the car first thing in the morning before it has been started so you can check to see if it's sitting upright.
to be honest that does not mean a lot - and I say that as a Range Rover owner who uses main dealer servicing - but its taken several changes of main dealer to finally find one who actually cares about the quality of work and really knows/understands the cars!today the people who work on the cars are 'technicians' - in the past they were mechanics
the technicians in my experience are of the Playstation/Xbox generation - they plug the car into diagnostics and wait for the 'answer' - then replace whatever part is 'identified'
but so, so often that's not the answer and the problems remain
I spent over £1K with Stratstone Nottingham trying to diagnose a 'noise' from the rear end - they replaced god knows what and the fault remained
after a bit of reading on forums I suggested that it may be 'dry' bushes? - done for £27 and problem solved - at least I've got new suspension components!
dipping door mirror? - reported as a fault - Stratstone were about to replace at £400+ until one guy said - 'have you checked the selector switch?' - once checked car OK - saved me a small fortune!
and NEVER EVER ask a main dealer to retrofit/upgrade any option on the cars - they say it cannot be done - just buy a later car!!!
my car is late 2005 with touchscreen system - want rear view camera fitted (was factory option) - been quoted from £500 - £4500
and then want Brembo brake upgrade as fitted to 4.2 SC - told impossible???
no its bloody not - your just too fricking lazy to read microcat - and btw Brembo's are front only despite dealers telling me they are front and rear!!
btw OP - just my view but I get the cringe factor when people like you refer to your 'other half' as the female version of your user name!
sorry but I find it so crass I have to comment!!
wtf can you just not say my wife/partner?
Edited by grand cherokee on Sunday 28th April 12:22
I think you're still better off buying a car with full main dealer history, or at least specialist independent, if only for the potential re-sale value. It's funny, if I tried to sell a car and told people I had serviced it myself, they would typically frown. But if the service book has a stamp in it and I carried out an identical service for a company, that would somehow make a world of difference? 
...but that's just the way it is, sadly.
Regarding modern 'technicians' I feel you're being quite unfair. I've witnessed the workmanship of over 50 technicians/mechanics of all age ranges and very varied career paths. The majority of them are pretty terrible, but the average wage for a technician is below the national average so what do you expect? It's taken me over 10 years in the trade to earn above the national average wage!
Speaking about bad techs, it doesn't matter on their age, or whether they used to be 'mechanics' or if they own x-box's or not. In fact, the majority of the older generation of technicians are the worst candidates at diagnosing these complex modern vehicles and have terrible attitudes towards the technology - many putting their foot down and refusing to even work with a laptop to aid their diagnostic (they don't get very far). Some of the more youthful technicians, who do own x-box's and play-stations, are actually very capable at their work and can follow the guided diagnostic routes no problem.
The problem is plenty of customers don't want to pay an arm and a leg for diagnostic work. They expect the technicians/dealership to be able to find the fault immediately. And that is understandable because of the high labour rates (ours is £140+vat). So often, the most cost effective solution is to do as you say and 'replace' the 'identified' component but this where a good service advisor should be able to offer the customer a range of options and clearly explain it may not rectify the issue.
Nothing is worse than an internet doctor though. The most irritating thing customers can say is "I've read on the internet that..." Hey, let's be honest, if it's been said on the internet it must be true?
...but that's just the way it is, sadly. Regarding modern 'technicians' I feel you're being quite unfair. I've witnessed the workmanship of over 50 technicians/mechanics of all age ranges and very varied career paths. The majority of them are pretty terrible, but the average wage for a technician is below the national average so what do you expect? It's taken me over 10 years in the trade to earn above the national average wage!
Speaking about bad techs, it doesn't matter on their age, or whether they used to be 'mechanics' or if they own x-box's or not. In fact, the majority of the older generation of technicians are the worst candidates at diagnosing these complex modern vehicles and have terrible attitudes towards the technology - many putting their foot down and refusing to even work with a laptop to aid their diagnostic (they don't get very far). Some of the more youthful technicians, who do own x-box's and play-stations, are actually very capable at their work and can follow the guided diagnostic routes no problem.
The problem is plenty of customers don't want to pay an arm and a leg for diagnostic work. They expect the technicians/dealership to be able to find the fault immediately. And that is understandable because of the high labour rates (ours is £140+vat). So often, the most cost effective solution is to do as you say and 'replace' the 'identified' component but this where a good service advisor should be able to offer the customer a range of options and clearly explain it may not rectify the issue.
Nothing is worse than an internet doctor though. The most irritating thing customers can say is "I've read on the internet that..." Hey, let's be honest, if it's been said on the internet it must be true?
grand cherokee said:
to be honest that does not mean a lot - and I say that as a Range Rover owner who uses main dealer servicing - but its taken several changes of main dealer to finally find one who actually cares about the quality of work and really knows/understands the cars!
Our techs are all factory trained, most gold certified, and work on nothing else. We do a full inspection every time a car is in, even if it's booked in for a simple oil change. When a LR is traded we always look at the SH and look at what was declined.[quote]
btw OP - just my view but I get the cringe factor when people like you refer to your 'other half' as the female version of your user name!
sorry but I find it so crass I have to comment!!
wtf can you just not say my wife/partner?
[/quote]
"People like you"?!. What's that supposed to mean? Cringe or not, my wife is Mrs Graham. But hey we use forum ID's on here so what's the problem with Mrs [username]?
Dear oh dear. If something as irrelevant as that forces you to spoil an otherwise helpful & informative post then I'm glad we've never met.
btw OP - just my view but I get the cringe factor when people like you refer to your 'other half' as the female version of your user name!
sorry but I find it so crass I have to comment!!
wtf can you just not say my wife/partner?
Edited by grand cherokee on Sunday 28th April 12:22
[/quote]
"People like you"?!. What's that supposed to mean? Cringe or not, my wife is Mrs Graham. But hey we use forum ID's on here so what's the problem with Mrs [username]?
Dear oh dear. If something as irrelevant as that forces you to spoil an otherwise helpful & informative post then I'm glad we've never met.
camel_landy said:
Belts on those engines need changing at approx 110,000 miles.
If you can, try & pick yourself up a TDV8. It's a much better suited engine to that car... Also, it uses a cam chain, so no belts to fanny around with!
M
I'd love a V8 but my wife is very specific regarding the spec & finding a V8 in budget with her spec requirements means a 2.7 in reality. If you can, try & pick yourself up a TDV8. It's a much better suited engine to that car... Also, it uses a cam chain, so no belts to fanny around with!
M
Wetwipe said:
camel_landy said:
Belts on those engines need changing at approx 110,000 miles.
If you can, try & pick yourself up a TDV8. It's a much better suited engine to that car... Also, it uses a cam chain, so no belts to fanny around with!
M
I'd love a V8 but my wife is very specific regarding the spec & finding a V8 in budget with her spec requirements means a 2.7 in reality. If you can, try & pick yourself up a TDV8. It's a much better suited engine to that car... Also, it uses a cam chain, so no belts to fanny around with!
M
M
I have a D3, which is the more practical version of your's, they both have the T5 chassis so share the same engines (bar tdv8and 4.2 sc.. grr! )
The wheel bearings can go, previous owner changed both front's on mine.
Front ball joints will need changed at about 70-100k, listen to clunk over bumps. If you hit the brakes hard and get a knock, it's the lower arm bushes that need done. It's cheaper to get a new lower arm complete with new joints and bushes than to get the bushes etc replaced.
EGR blanking is fine on 05-56 reg car's. After that it's a Euro4 engine and is harder to blank them, i believe there is a kit now available that gets round the issue though.
Gearboxes will need an oil change about 100k, 70k if towing regularly. Get the diff oils changed at the same time.
The tdv6 is a strong engine, it's belt driven and needs done at 7 years OR 105k, what ever is up first.
We got a mobile indy to change the belts on my mates 56 plate D3 on my drive yesterday, he made it look easy but there's a few specialist tools needed to do it.
Make sure the suspension works as it should and the parking sensors all work, if they don't it's likely water in a sensor or wire damage.
Spec's go, base, SE, HSE for your likely budget. HSE has the best kit so go for that one.
Nice car's but don't put on a bodykit and 22s as you will look like every other RRS owner..
The wheel bearings can go, previous owner changed both front's on mine.
Front ball joints will need changed at about 70-100k, listen to clunk over bumps. If you hit the brakes hard and get a knock, it's the lower arm bushes that need done. It's cheaper to get a new lower arm complete with new joints and bushes than to get the bushes etc replaced.
EGR blanking is fine on 05-56 reg car's. After that it's a Euro4 engine and is harder to blank them, i believe there is a kit now available that gets round the issue though.
Gearboxes will need an oil change about 100k, 70k if towing regularly. Get the diff oils changed at the same time.
The tdv6 is a strong engine, it's belt driven and needs done at 7 years OR 105k, what ever is up first.
We got a mobile indy to change the belts on my mates 56 plate D3 on my drive yesterday, he made it look easy but there's a few specialist tools needed to do it.
Make sure the suspension works as it should and the parking sensors all work, if they don't it's likely water in a sensor or wire damage.
Spec's go, base, SE, HSE for your likely budget. HSE has the best kit so go for that one.
Nice car's but don't put on a bodykit and 22s as you will look like every other RRS owner..
Wetwipe said:
... We run a 1st gen X3 at the moment and need something bigger as I have two teenage lads and an 8 month old in a baby seat. Apart from a Q7 I don't think I will get a huge amount more space.
Don't get a RRS (or a Q7) if you want more space then.When you test drive an RRS get someone to drive round with you in the back seat and next to your teenagers...
My suggestion would be as already mentioned - a Discovery, D4 if you can and obviously D3 if that's over budget, the extra size and flexibility when the 2 rear seats are factored in make it an enormously better family car.
yes, but the point I'm making is that the RRS is not that big across the back seat and two teenagers with a baby seat will compromise comfort. I'm a powerfully built Company Director(aren't we all ) and found the rear actually very cramped when 3 up, the boot etc., is fine for a family Ranger 6 said:
yes, but the point I'm making is that the RRS is not that big across the back seat and two teenagers with a baby seat will compromise comfort. I'm a powerfully built Company Director(aren't we all ) and found the rear actually very cramped when 3 up, the boot etc., is fine for a family 
The teenage boys (13 & 16) are only with me during school holidays so rear space not a mega issue day to day. For such a large car outside they are surprisingly snug inside but I think we'll all fit, just. Number 1 son will be chuffed at the thought of heated rear seats in any event
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