Thread: One Year In (Just Over)

Hi Folks,

I've just realised that its over a year ago I paid for the RR V so thought Id do a little review, 7000klms in.

Here it is:





So, I bought sight unseen on ebay out of the UK. An Indie based in Suffolk, who has prepped 2 previous D2's (one to PNG, one to Uganda, both sold (sob) to pay for this) picked it up and went over it.

I bought cheap, no denying that, at about $12-14,000 less that a GOOD 2007 TDV8 and fingers crossed behind my back I hoped I'd get away with it.

I didn't, the chaps in deepest Suffolk noticed blue smoke and on investigation a Turbo was on its way out. Nothing much else was wrong, so we changed both turbos and a recon steering rack too as there was play in the incumbent.

Given where the RR was coming I wanted to beef up the suspension but the experts said no, the original set up was good enough and that does appear to be the case.


So I had some bling added. Rood rack and ladder, A bar and light guards. this last item important as theft of light units here is huge.




Above: Car in the UK on my visit. Blue sky too!!

The car is not the greatest example paint work wise as I saw when I visited it in September last year. Being black, every scratch shows and obviously this one has lived on motorways as the stone chipping on the front bonnet area and bumpers is bad.


Finally the car was on its way, 4 months after purchase and arrived here last November.


So 7 months and 6900ks in all is good. Changed the tyres 275/45/20 as the motorway "slicks" fitted, suffered badly on the first safari.





I have done two longish trips, 600klms and 1100klms (300klms off road)and what a joy to drive. The family too were comfortable and happy. Reasonable economy on fuel too at 11klms/100ltrs with rack and second spare on.


[URL=http://s133.photobucket.com/user/roadstone/media/IMG_1288%20002.jpg.html][/URL


Now I know the car, I think its been in a small prang somewhere in its life as a couple of panels look slightly out. No rust or corrosion on the body work, the rear tailgate and dust seals all looking new (sealing is excellent, why they could not of done this on the D2 and D3). My wheels are the supercharge 20inch type and they have seen better days but here, that's not an issue.


Interior wise is good apart from the drivers seat which is badly marked. I have fitted heavy duty car seat covers to hide this!





I also, on ebay, bought rear dvd players ready fitted in the headrests, multi regional and can play flash drives or SD Cards too. Brilliant and well worth the $220 cost.
Two differing movies can be watched at the same time. IR Head phones and remotes supplied. Yes I managed to order the wrong colour head rests, BUT they do match nicely with the black leather dash. So lucky I got out of that one!





Servicing MUST be done between 3000 and 5000klms. Heat/Dust/Dirty Fuel and slow moving traffic dictates this. Mileage really does not stand for anything and cars like this should be fitted with timers to show how many hours the engine has been running.


Dust is a major issue, this being a filter after only 4000klms:





I have a Hawkeye from my D2 days and upgraded it to the L322. I could not justify $7-800 for the IID BT and the Hawkeye whilst not quite so detailed does do a lot and is rugged. Thus I keep a close eye on things with weekly checks etc. Anything I'm not sure of the Indie here is well versed on the L322 as he has rebuilt a few.


So, no major mechanical issues at this point which is good as another safari looms.


However, I do believe the Hitachi compressor is tired and I'm pondering a replacement or repair kit soon as I don't want to be stranded somewhere. I'm leaning towards replacement unit. I keep getting the code C1A24 come up which is something to do with heat registration. I've had a look at the pump, looks brand spanking new. The issue is after a couple of workouts, I get a cooling down warning message.


My EPB gave me a heart attack as it does not always release properly. I was crawling along in traffic after just releasing it and a sound as if the gear box was about to blow and vibrations overcame the car. Took me a few minutes to work it out.


One other issue possibly on the horizon: When slowing down the gearbox does give a thud, down changing 2nd to 1st. I believe this is a well known issue with these boxes, and a software update is required to get rid of it. Little chance here.


So over all, well pleased......at the moment. I will be in Brisbane late next month so intend to tackle the paint work by getting clay bars and waxes etc. I have t cut it and the improvement is good but still a long way to go. It seems to have a dull sheen.


The big disapointments are really to do with the OBC. I cant use most of it. The sat nav is useless here or course, TV is an issue and the BT does not work with the latest iPhones etc. In fact I found a BT unit here that I have plugged into the AUX jack. I can now play music from phones etc through the ICE system and talk on the phone too.





I trust I have not tempted fate here.


Cheers, Jerry

Originally Posted by rar110

no black smoke on acceleration (which I don't really understand).

More oxygen in the 100% clean air makes for a better burn so less semi-burnt fuel out the exhaust.