Thread: New'ish L322 TDV8

I know I have asked this before but the time is near to make a decision.

Next week I pick up a 2012 RR . My last thought was to run 3 cars, 2003 RR Vogue 4.4 petrol for the wife around town , My 2009 SVX Defender to do the off road trips and camping with the kids and the 2012 RR for a daily commuter for me .

Here's the problem , after taking the 03 RR off road again the other day I'm pretty happy with its capability as a standard unit I am assuming the 2012 is as capable if not more than the 03 RR ,
I don't really get into hard core 4x4 , I'm more like an explorer/ adventurer . So I'm now considering using the 2012 RR as my off road , camping and commuting truck as I really can't see me using the Defender more than 5 times a year for its intended purpose , So I would sell the Defender .

Though the Defender is such a great truck, it has that special thing about it....It's hard to explain, you just need to drive one for a week to experience it , it impresses me every time I drive it on and off road . I must say the smile on my face when driving the Defender far exceeds the smile when I'm driving the RR .

I know the 2012 is a pricy truck for an off road unit yet so was the SVX, the rear load space is much less then that in the Defender , I'm also mindful that any damage on the RR could be costly and the first dent or scratch is going to be a heartbreaker, is anyone using their late RR as per my intended purpose ? and how does the RR paint work hold up to tree branches and scuffs ? Judging from experience on the Defender it's pretty tough paint and buffs out well . Is load capacity sufficient for a 3 day camping trip for 4 ?

Yes, we are. Loadspace is fine for the ARB 45 litre fridge and odds and ends - ARB air compressor, recovery gear, webber Bq) etc with all soft stuff on the roof in a large Rhino Bag in same / roof basket; will upgrade to pioneer platform rack soon so I can get spare wheel and heaps of gear (including 40l fuel if necessary) up top for longer expeditions.

We will (and have started to) use it for its intended purpose - but won't be taking it anywhere its likely to get significant panel damage. Its just not worth it despite the fact I'm sure the car is capable (we even got one with the rear e-diff). We will use it for more of the Island (Moreton, Straddie, Fraser) short holidays and the "Outback Tracks" (Oodndatta, Plenty Highway, Birdsville, Red Centre) style trips (towing an off road caravan with kids) and associated 4wd'ing (e.g. I'd do Big Red outside Birdsville etc) but would I do the whole Simpson Desert crossing?? maybe not……… - although with GOE taking a group of D3/4's and RRS this year gee its tempting!!!!).

Having done the VHC in a brand new D4 in 2010 with no damage I'd tackle that without too much worry too.

So, would I take the RRV everywhere I'd take a Defender? No. Panel damage (absence of rock sliders) puts me off. Will each trip be a thousand time more comfortable for all in the Vogue, esp the long travel days- yep.

Having said all that - I LOVE the Defender SVX for what it was designed to do and that model is probably as good as they get for comfort…but its not even remotely in the league of the RRV 2012.… as you are about to discover!

In the end, everyone is different, (thank goodness!) and if I could afford an SVX (too) for just off road trips….hmmmmmmmmmm. maybe!!… Good luck!!!!!

So I've picked up my 2012 Range Rover , what a sensational motor car the TDV8 is astonishing .

Picked her up at 9:30 am from Port Melbourne , headed out of town driving to Wodonga taking the Murray Valley Hwy then the Alpine way through Khancoban to Perisher, what a great road, I cant wait to get back through there on my bike for the Australian Super bikes at the end of the month.
After arriving in Perisher Valley at 4pm for a BBQ a few beers and night sleep....a total of aprox 680Km travelled, I was fresh as a daisy. The next morning I was up early and home in Sydney by 12pm .

I must say the ride from my 03 is much more plush but the 12 has much better handling in the twisty stuff .

It averaged bang on 8L/100 for the trip now that great , the 03 with its 4.4 petrol engine on the same trip is up around 13l/100 .which is still really good for such a big lump of metal .

Il be keeping the keys to this one tight to my chest , I think the wife has some car park envy . Yet the 03 is still a sensational car and ill still be taking her out when possible .

On another note one thing I did notice from the exhaust is lots of smoke black(normal) but some white indicating a lack of fuel from my experience has anyone had this ? mind you my foot was well buried deep in the carpet :-)

Another thing I noticed, the seat adjustment has less features than my 03 and the information in less .


Here she is .

Very nice. Sorry I couldn't meet you work got in the way...

Some issue with exhaust on mine - when the right boot hits the floor only though