Thread: Acquiring an RRS TDV8 - a not-so short story!

Hello everyone!

My first post; I hope I do not transgress any rules of posting ettiquette!

In mid-March this year - after months of research - I finally purchased a low km MY09 RRS TDV8.

Having never owned a British car before now, and remembering (from some years ago) that many British cars were often characterised by constant oil leaks and very significant reliability issues, I approached the RRS acquisition with a lot more of care than I otherwise might have had had I been, for example, buying a BMW.

It would have been extremely useful to have been aware of the existence of the aulro community before I committed to the RRS purchase, but I wasn't, so I simply phoned around the Adelaide region, and got lucky. I was very fortunate to make contact with Phil & Ian at Triumph Rover Spares, Lonsdale, 30km south of Adelaide CBD. The first time I telephoned them, I was put through to Phil who was extremely generous with his time (about 1hr on the phone) and advice. My impression is that Phil & Ian really do know their stuff, and it certainly gave me some important knowledge and confidence to ask some of the 'right' questions. It definitely helped me assess the RRS that I eventaully bought from Mercedes Benz Melbourne. My guess is that many members would be aware of TRS?

A brief description of the car: It's an absolutely immaculate RRS TDV8, with 43,000km, in “as new” condition inside and out. Colour is Stornoway Grey; fitted with Ivory premium leather, HK Logic 7 sound system, factory navigation, phone integration, sunroof, front and rear park sensors, tow pack (I assume this is standard?), 20' alloys with near new Cooper 275/45R20 M+S Discoverer tyres.

I bought the RRS because a BMW X5 40D which I owned for a while wasn't legally heavy enough to pull the caravan my wife later bought. While the X5 is a fabulous handling vehicle, has extraordinary performance (6.6 sec 0-100, if you want it), a truly wonderful engine & transmission, amazing technology that just always works brilliantly, it's ride on run-flat 315/35R20s (rear) and 275/45R20s (front) coupled with a very firm sports suspension settings, makes for a harsh ride on many of Adelaide's 'goat track' suburban streets. But out on the open road, the X5 - the twin turbo 225kw/600Nm version in particular - was an amazingly satisfying drive. It is what you would expect from a hard-edged sport car, which I think is an apt description. But it had to go because it wasn't going to pull the van, and the indifferent ride quality annoyed me no end. I guess I was fortunate to sell it for exactly what I paid for it 4 months earlier!

In reality, after the X5 I probably should have bought a Toyota Landcruiser which no doubt be a fine match for towing my needs. It would have been a pragmatic choice, a very practical solution; but having spent my whole life experiencing technically interesting European cars I just could not see myself in a Toyota, which would also have to be my daily drive. So, I started looking at Range Rover Sports. I am pleased I did.

The first few (2005 to 2007 TDV6s) I drove didn't really leave a hugely positive impression. Each had done around 80000+km, suffered from various suspension knocks and rattles (which didn't seem to affect ride quality much) and not surprisingly, after the X5, lacked power; as a consequence they seemed very ponderous around town. Sometime later I got to drive a 2007 TDV8 which I found to be much more interesting and responsive. I wasn't so keen on that particular car but it caused me to start searching only for a TDV8. I was quite keen on the engine - as much as you can be after one short test drive on suburban and Hills roads.

But late model low km TDV8s seemed to attract a premium so also I looked briefly at a new 3 litre TDV6 dealer car but decided after a short drive that a good TDV8 would be a better proposition for me, and I didn't fancy shelling out $100+k. I might have considered a D4 (due to the 3 litre motor) which I didn't much like the look of then, (but they are growing on me now).

The first decent drive I experienced in a TDV8 was when I flew to Melbourne on a one-way ticket to purchase the car. If the vehicle wasn't up to scratch I was resolved to head back to the airport and buy another one-way ticket back to Adelaide. But the car was accurately represented by M-B Melbourne, and exceeded my expectations. I bought it and drove it 750km directly back home. On the highway you soon get to appreciate the RRS as a competent and comfortable touring car. A sports car it isn't, but it is a sporty drive; relaxed and very satisfying.

On the highway in particular one realises that the TDV8 is a smooth and impressive engine, and it sounds more like a petrol engine than a diesel. The power/torque combination of the TDV8 ensure overtaking manourvres are performed with absolute grace and ease. Handling quality also suprised me; while I think the steering lacks some feel, it remains accurate at all times, and combined with superb brakes and negligible body roll, it engenders confidence.

In town I have found it to be a real surprise too. Despite being a very heavy vehicle, I find that it is also a quite relaxed drive around town. However, it is still ponderous but after a while you just accept its ponderousity (.. a real word? ... ) and think of it as an RRS attribute. However, like the my X5 the ride around town tends to be choppy on rougher town roads (partly a short wheelbase issue) and also roughish because of the 20'' wheels. But it is more compliant than the X5 which does make it easier to live with.

The interior finish is classy with most driver controls well positioned. Those that are ergonomically not as well thought out (in my opinion) are the cruise, sound and phone controls on the steering wheel. I find that I have to feel around to find the correct button, or flick my eye onto the wheel to be sure. Still that is a pretty minor annoyance which I will get over the more I drive it.

It's an easy and comfortable drive, but most of all it puts a smile on my dial every time I drive it. That's the main test for me.

Anyway, if any of you are still awake, I want to say that I am very much looking forward to the experience and benefits of belonging to community. I have been very impressed with the quality of forum discussions in few weeks I've been trawling various threads. I hope I can make some positive contributions in the future as well.

I have several matters concerning towing and rear view camera Nav screen integration which I wish to learn about, but I'll save these questions for later specific (and much shorter) posts that this one.

Thanks all for your patience!

Cheers, John

Lucky buggar,,
Probably LR's best tow car.

Will be interested to hear how it goes with a van behind it