I just can't decide - Range Rover or X5!
Discussion
OK, I'm really stuck and I'm after some impartial advice, please.
I've narrowed my car choice down to two cars - a late model, high spec Range Rover P38a, likely a 4.6 HSE on LPG, or an early BMW X5, ideally a 3.0D but perhaps a 4.4i V8 on LPG, and I'm really torn between the two. Budget is anywhere from £5k to around £10k for this vehicle - I could spend a bit more, but I don't want to and don't see the need to!
The 3.0D X5 Sport makes the most sense to me - a newer design and newer car means it is probably the better road car, I guess better built and should hold its value better. However, I am buying at the bottom end of the spectrum, so could end up with a lower spec and less well looked after car, particularly as they attract shall we say 'more chavvy' buyers. Innit.
The Range Rover on the other hand wins the class war (for me, at least), and there's just something about a well equipped P38a - almost regal. Swathes of wood and leather, I imagine it will actually be the comfier road car, if not handle as well as the X5. However, buying a 'last of the line' means I could end up paying a premium and then lose more in depreciation, and I am concerned about reliability issues. But for some reason, they really appeal in top of the line 4.6 HSE or Autobiography spec!!
To add to the mix, at the upper end of my budget I could get an early L322 Range Rover instead, but I know nothing about them so please advise if this is a feasible option.
So, which would you choose? My daily commute is a 20 mile round trip through towns and country lanes, but they are generally poor surfaced roads so ride quality is important. IF it snows again this year I guess the Range Rover will perform massively better. I also would like to tow the motorbike to trackdays, but both will do this admirably. Oh, and I currently don't venture offroad ever, but I guess if I had a suitable vehicle I would be tempted to give it a try - even in an X5!!
So, thoughts and advice please!
I've narrowed my car choice down to two cars - a late model, high spec Range Rover P38a, likely a 4.6 HSE on LPG, or an early BMW X5, ideally a 3.0D but perhaps a 4.4i V8 on LPG, and I'm really torn between the two. Budget is anywhere from £5k to around £10k for this vehicle - I could spend a bit more, but I don't want to and don't see the need to!
The 3.0D X5 Sport makes the most sense to me - a newer design and newer car means it is probably the better road car, I guess better built and should hold its value better. However, I am buying at the bottom end of the spectrum, so could end up with a lower spec and less well looked after car, particularly as they attract shall we say 'more chavvy' buyers. Innit.
The Range Rover on the other hand wins the class war (for me, at least), and there's just something about a well equipped P38a - almost regal. Swathes of wood and leather, I imagine it will actually be the comfier road car, if not handle as well as the X5. However, buying a 'last of the line' means I could end up paying a premium and then lose more in depreciation, and I am concerned about reliability issues. But for some reason, they really appeal in top of the line 4.6 HSE or Autobiography spec!!
To add to the mix, at the upper end of my budget I could get an early L322 Range Rover instead, but I know nothing about them so please advise if this is a feasible option.
So, which would you choose? My daily commute is a 20 mile round trip through towns and country lanes, but they are generally poor surfaced roads so ride quality is important. IF it snows again this year I guess the Range Rover will perform massively better. I also would like to tow the motorbike to trackdays, but both will do this admirably. Oh, and I currently don't venture offroad ever, but I guess if I had a suitable vehicle I would be tempted to give it a try - even in an X5!!
So, thoughts and advice please!
Edited by Mike_C on Tuesday 5th October 23:05
Hmm, the Range Rover isn't getting many votes! I know the dash is a bit old fashioned but that doesn't bother me too much - are they really that unreliable?
X5 3.0D sport is the most sensible choice - best drive on the road, most economical, easiest to re-sell - but some people are asking some seriosuly stupid prices for them, like £12k for 100k mile examples!
X5 3.0D sport is the most sensible choice - best drive on the road, most economical, easiest to re-sell - but some people are asking some seriosuly stupid prices for them, like £12k for 100k mile examples!
Hmm....
I guess the thing is people with problems will always be more vocal than those without!
That's not a criticism of anyone on here by the way, it's just if you have had problems then obviously you will want to warn others, but anyone who hasn't had problems probably won't say anything!
The 3.0D makes the most sense in many respects but it sounds like there is more to go wrong (turbo's, etc) on that than on the V8's.
Decisions, decisions...
I guess the thing is people with problems will always be more vocal than those without!
That's not a criticism of anyone on here by the way, it's just if you have had problems then obviously you will want to warn others, but anyone who hasn't had problems probably won't say anything!
The 3.0D makes the most sense in many respects but it sounds like there is more to go wrong (turbo's, etc) on that than on the V8's.
Decisions, decisions...
Sorry, I don't like Landcruisers (or any of the Japanese 4x4's for that matter, the new Mitsubishi Outlander aside) so that's a no-go. Plus its too big for my carport - the X5 and P38 just fit in!!
Going back to the P38's, I could afford a nice late model in a very high spec - was the build quality better on later models? And given they were nigh-on 80k new, and they're not as old, hopefully they've been maintained well! E.g: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Ideally, what bits on a P38 should I look to have been replaced already?
Still not crossed the X5 off the list, of course...
Going back to the P38's, I could afford a nice late model in a very high spec - was the build quality better on later models? And given they were nigh-on 80k new, and they're not as old, hopefully they've been maintained well! E.g: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Ideally, what bits on a P38 should I look to have been replaced already?
Still not crossed the X5 off the list, of course...
Edited by Mike_C on Thursday 7th October 19:52
EU - that's a 3.0D I take it?
Phil - thanks for the suggestion! I really hate the looks of the Lexus if I'm honest, but will take a look at one. EDIT - JUST LOOKED AT ONE AND THEY ARE HIDEOUS, INSIDE AND OUT, SO NO THANKS!!
Jem - sounds like you're the ideal person to talk to then! Given you have owned both, which would you recommend to me and why??
Phil - thanks for the suggestion! I really hate the looks of the Lexus if I'm honest, but will take a look at one. EDIT - JUST LOOKED AT ONE AND THEY ARE HIDEOUS, INSIDE AND OUT, SO NO THANKS!!
Jem - sounds like you're the ideal person to talk to then! Given you have owned both, which would you recommend to me and why??
Edited by Mike_C on Thursday 7th October 20:41
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