New Owner - Reliabilty question

[Silver_surfer]

Hi current RRS owners,

This is a request for open sharing of your experience as owners. I am about to sign off on the purchase of a 2018 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE just over 15k on the odometer. The price is fairly realistic given the resale on these at the moment and the mileage. There is just something special about the Range that sets it apart from the rest. Compared to new BMW X5 and the like it has a touch more class and feels more refined and luxurious. Plus I know it can tow what I need it to do and put a smile on the dial when I drive.

My only slight worry is that at this price I do not want to be dealing with reliability issues (it could happen with any car) but wanted to come to the right place to get honest feedback from a group of owners.

Any guidance and or sharing of your experiences would be appreciated? The dealership has confirmed that I can and maybe should also add the extended warranty for further assurance, your thoughts?

Decision will be made this next week.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Barryp]

I have had 3 LR products with no issues, all bought new:
Discovery 3 2006 to 2011,
L320 RR Sport 2011 to 2018,
L494 RR Sport 2018 to ? (2017 model bought in early 2018)
They had a relatively easy life mostly around the city but with a bit of beach driving.
Other than normal service the D3 had the windscreen washer bottle replaced under warranty, L494 had the bonnet switch replaced under warranty, no other items failed or required replacement.
Maybe I have been lucky with only a couple of minor items over 13 years!
Regards
Barry

[Bails]

A great drive I miss mine which has been off the road with turbo issue 5 weeks now.

[Silver_surfer]

I have had 3 LR products with no issues, all bought new:
Discovery 3 2006 to 2011,
L320 RR Sport 2011 to 2018,
L494 RR Sport 2018 to ? (2017 model bought in early 2018)
They had a relatively easy life mostly around the city but with a bit of beach driving.
Other than normal service the D3 had the windscreen washer bottle replaced under warranty, L494 had the bonnet switch replaced under warranty, no other items failed or required replacement.
Maybe I have been lucky with only a couple of minor items over 13 years!
Regards
Barry

These are all minor issues and can be expected on any vehicle. Good to hear as usually you only hear from people when there is something negative to report.

Thanks for your feedback

[discojools]

I had a 2014 SDV6 RRS which was very reliable apart from a couple of minor niggles. Now have new SDV8 RRS which is so good. Also still have 2.7 D4 with 180000k, only let me down at 90000k when intercooler pipe split. Have just renewed same pipe at 170000k. Had all bushes etc replaced on rear suspension at 165000k, wasn't cheap! Had transmission oil changed twice. Have done Simspon Desert and a couple of other big trips in this car.
Yes you may have the occasional problem but I know of other European makes that also suffer. But having driven BMWs and just recently a VW Tourag (which had suspension failure after only a year!), the Rangie is a much better drive and there is that special feeling that you don't get with others. Also recently drove a Lexus (based on 200 series LC). OMG what an awful drive, not much power from V8 diesel and a terrible chassis. Also butt ugly.
Re: the extended warranty I had it on my D4 and just about came out even with replaced rear diff that was slightly noisy. Also had it on first RRS but never used it. Have it on my new one but only because it was part of the deal.
I have just bought a Defender Hicap ute... that could be another story!

[Silver_surfer]

I had a 2014 SDV6 RRS which was very reliable apart from a couple of minor niggles. Now have new SDV8 RRS which is so good. Also still have 2.7 D4 with 180000k, only let me down at 90000k when intercooler pipe split. Have just renewed same pipe at 170000k. Had all bushes etc replaced on rear suspension at 165000k, wasn't cheap! Had transmission oil changed twice. Have done Simspon Desert and a couple of other big trips in this car.
Yes you may have the occasional problem but I know of other European makes that also suffer. But having driven BMWs and just recently a VW Tourag (which had suspension failure after only a year!), the Rangie is a much better drive and there is that special feeling that you don't get with others. Also recently drove a Lexus (based on 200 series LC). OMG what an awful drive, not much power from V8 diesel and a terrible chassis. Also butt ugly.
Re: the extended warranty I had it on my D4 and just about came out even with replaced rear diff that was slightly noisy. Also had it on first RRS but never used it. Have it on my new one but only because it was part of the deal.
I have just bought a Defender Hicap ute... that could be another story!

Thats good honest feedback thanks. Also yes the feeling driving the Rangy is special. Will probably also stop a few randoms I see driving one to ask and check their experience.

[jtmesa]

Have a 2013 RRS SDV6 and so far been very reliable, getting close to 270,000km. A couple of normal expected items to be replaced(ball joints etc).

[DiscoMick]

Does it have a full dealer service history?
Buy the extended warranty for peace of mind.
Enjoy!
Ignore the Toyota propaganda.

[Silver_surfer]

Does it have a full dealer service history?
Buy the extended warranty for peace of mind.
Enjoy!
Ignore the Toyota propaganda.

It does have full dealer service history. Is being sold by the same dealer. Thanks for the guidance and that is certainly one of the propoganda angles ;)

[Disco4SE]

Had a Disco 3 for 6 months prior to the D4 being launched. No problems with the Disco 3 in the short time I had it.
Bought the Disco 4 new in 2010......had to replace the battery at 80K. Developed a surging problem at 80K and stayed up until I sold it at 120K. Couple of other niggles, but nothing major.

Bought a second hand SDV8 HSE 4 weeks ago with 62K on it. Very happy........however I have just discovered that it has a leaking rear diff pinion seal. Have it booked in Tuesday.

Have had just about every brand of car known and they all have their niggles apart from the BMW's. My wife has had them for 22 years (5 different models) and they have always been reliable. Great car, but don't suit me for my daily driver.

Cheers, Craig

[Gregz]

Mine is now 33k km old, first 16k km were by landrover, they used it as a demo car on their terapods etc. I have owned it for about 18 months. coolant was low (light on dash) soon after I bought it, I expect that they had not filled it up fully when they serviced it before I bought it - after filling then it has not lost a drop. Absolutely no issues since. A great drive. For the price I paid, I would struggle to replace it now for the same price. (btw, I always disable the stop-start every time I drive , just in case )

[Silver_surfer]

For the price I paid, I would struggle to replace it now for the same price. (btw, I always disable the stop-start every time I drive , just in case )

Thanks Gregz. In reference to the stop-start. Am I missing something why do you disable it, because there has been an issue or just joking about it starting again?

[Gregz]

Hi Silver-surfer,
its just that I have a sneaking feeling that any normal DPF regen process will have a better chance of starting and completing if the engine is actually running , hence reducing the need for a fuel-induced DPF regen which may have flow-on effects with fuel getting into engine oil. So far, and I have only had one service, my car's engine oil is fine (according to Service manager, for whatever that is worth)
...Greg

[DiscoMick]

Thanks Gregz. In reference to the stop-start. Am I missing something why do you disable it, because there has been an issue or just joking about it starting again?
Rather than disabling the stop-start on our Mazda, I just press the brake pedal more lightly and the engine keeps running. Same result, but no fiddling with the vehicle.

[SBD4]

110k Km over 3 years no problems.

My MY2010 D4 did have an electrical issue that was nigh on impossible to find. Though it was a frustration I could not fault my dealer on their efforts to resolve it. Still loved the car though.

I added an extra 2 years warranty to ensure peace of mind.

[Gregz]

Rather than disabling the stop-start on our Mazda, I just press the brake pedal more lightly and the engine keeps running. Same result, but no fiddling with the vehicle.

Hi DiscoMick,
I haven't used it a real lot, but it does not seem to have brake pedal sensitivity. From the manual:

To activate an automatic engine stop, stop thevehicle from a speed greater than 4 km/h (2.5mph) and apply sufficient brake pressure tomake sure the vehicle is stationary.
.....
The following conditions prevent an automatic engine stop: • A shift paddle has been used to select a gear. • The external temperature is less than approximately 0°C (32°F). • The external temperature is more than approximately 40°C (104°F). • The engine has not reached operating temperature. • The driver’s seat belt is not fastened. • The Climate control system demand requires the engine to be running (for example, in Defrost mode). • The battery charge is low. • The bonnet is opened. • Intelligent stop/start is deactivated.

I am now in the habit of , after pressing the start button, immediately pressing the stop/start button.

[DiscoMick]

Interesting. Must be different to our Mazda.

[SBD4]

They are responsive to a slight release of brake pressure or any slight movement of the steering wheel.

[Oli]

I've had my 2015 RRS SDV8 Dynamic since June 15. Never had a problem with it yet.
I do plenty of off roading and beach driving.
I've had the front diffuser fall off but that's just because I was being too aggressive in the sand dunes.
Mechanically not a single issue yet (hope i don't jinx myself)
I tow a 2.5 tonne camper trailer and I have to say the RRS is a far superior platform for towing than a Toyota LC.
Yes , when I purchased I was worried about the Land Rover reputation. I think they may have greatly improved in the last 10 years...time will tell.

[simmo1]

No Problems for me.
2014 RRS TDV6. Sort of the poverty pack model. 70,000kms. A bit of towing, bugger all off road work. Zero issues so far other than for what I inflict, that is some bumps and scrapes. Last service at 70 thou I had the transmission flush done as a precaution (old fluid was still clean) and the rear discs and pads needed a change. And the multitude of air filters needed changing (had been working in a very dust area). So that service was a bit spendy but all the others (annually) were ok. I have it serviced annually as I am not getting to the 20 thou mark in a year.
A very enjoyable drive. Enjoying spending what I have worked for over time.
Cheers Simmo

[Bails]

I n ow have mine back, was missing the drive. I have had no mechanical issues other than the front brake material which was solved by changing pad brand. The car has had two turbos fitted and after picking up the vehicle from Fossy's at Tamworth I am now a little wiser to what has caused the turbo actuator's to fail. It seems that oil has been able to seep from the oil level sender electrical harness and travel up the harness until the harness joins the harness going to the turbo. Oil then tracks down to the actuator and causes a short. Land Rover has been trying to solve this for many years, some vehicles suffer some do not , it seems usage related as the oil is a seep inside the harness so a very slow movement . The tech at Fossy's said the fix applied to my car was the third iteration . Car has performed well since picking up , fuel readout was 7.3/100 which will be wrong but the car is just so good to drive I hope it stays problem free.
I have purchased Red Book extended warranty hope I never have to use it.