Hi,

Can you please advise?

I have been looking at a 56 plt FFRR 4.2 S/C with 70k mls on the clock in a Private sale.

Current owner had it 3 years and had it serviced/ maintained at a reportedly competent local independent but not RR specialist. Has had car serviced 3 times during ownership.

Only queries are:

1. The car has receipts/ stamps going back to 'only 2007'?

2. From 2009 from approx 45k mls, the car has a gap/ no verified service history for next 12k mls until current owner bought it?

3. Owner says it has been a very reliable car and only issue he has ever had with car is that the coolant warning light intermittently comes on but coolant has always been checked by his garage and found to be no issues/ fine. His garage advised him to leave it as nothing wrong with coolant and its a waste of money to fix what is a one off intermittent electric gremlin?

4. Is 17/18 mpg on a motorway run what you would expect (he says that is average).

5. What would I be in for with a 56 plt 70k mls RR S/C by way of impending expensive maintenance?

The owner is defnitely genuine, appears someone who could afford the maintenance and sounds like he's had the car well/ sensibly maintained during ownership (car is reasonably priced).

I have a copy of the forum buying checklist done by someone called Matt that many refer to but wondered if you can consider my 5 questions please.

Any thoughts/ warnings/ advice would be much appreciated please/ thanks.

I stand to be corrected, but I believe the coolant light can come on if the coolant isn't mixed by the correct amount. i.e. too much water and not enough anti freeze, even if the level is correct.

[quote="Johnte"]I stand to be corrected, but I believe the coolant light can come on if the coolant isn't mixed by the correct amount. i.e. too much water and not enough anti freeze, even if the level is correct.[/quote]

Thanks for the reply.. Can that cause any long term damage if they have 'misdiagnosed'... what's the remedy then please?

M/Way MPG depends on how you drive it really, mrs sticks to 70 and gets 21.5/22, I was doing 85 ish other day and was getting 18

Round town 13.5

One thing to be aware of on that year was the aux coolant pump that supplies cooling to the S/C was wired back to front and subsequently ran backwards - no damage just would cause a 'Low Performance - Limp Home Mode' fault if pushed really hard as the SC got too warm.

Edit:- actually if its MY07 I think IIRC it was corrected by then.

I have a 2007MY S/C and I do a mixture of motorway and local driving. I get around 18/19mpg combined and can get 22/23 on a run if I'm very careful (which I never am as that V8 sounds too good to drive like Miss Daisy).

The coolant mix thing is not uncommon - can be fixed by just getting the mixture right sometimes - sometimes it's a new coolant pump. Mine came up with that error message - I took it to my friendly local indy who plugged it in and cleared the error - I double checked the coolant mixture and it's been fine for a few thousand miles.

These cars are arguably a bit too clever for their own good sometimes - I've had a few random warning lights come on - almost all have been 'ghosts in the machine' and once cleared by my dealer never return.

Check the air suspension carefully - that can be very expensive to repair - the air springs have a limited life and when they go they go and you should replace in pairs. That's not cheap. Ask me how I know!

To be honest, if it were me (and this is just my opinion) I'd rather wait for a car without the gap in the history. There are enough around. My car has never missed a service and is full and complete LR main dealer history. I'd insist on the same if I were you. (Although a good indy stamp is just as good, some might argue better, than a LR dealer one too).

Final question - as a 56 plate - is this the facelift model. I.e. does it have the electronic handbrake and new twisty Terrain Response system? Again....if buying a car at that age, I'd hang on for a facelift - there were a few little tweaks that make them worth having.

Just my tuppence worth...good luck whichever way you go!  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

I have the pre-terrain response / electric handbrake SC.

Big issues were :

- AC replaced but that is likely to be caused by its history (and recent events indicate that the replacement may not have been necessary).
- Both front struts (RH airbag was in bad shape), also did two wheel bearings at the front.
- Rear brake calipers are a weak point (mine have been replaced)
- I strongly suggest to replace the transmission cooler. Currently mine is recovering from a failed cooler and that is a costly issue, while replacing the cooler isn't that costly by comparison. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

When you buy it get the spark plugs and supercharger belt changed. Just had mine done and it's probably the best value for money work on a car I've ever had. I went for colder plugs, but that's because mines been tuned a bit.

I get 22mpg if I can hobble along at 70mph, but quite often I don't so I get around 16-18 at best, although that is completely belting it everywhere so it's not too bad compared to other petrols I've had and ragged.

Usual buying guide rules apply and regardless of how good it is when you buy it, you'll always get some shocks of bills now and again (brakes, suspension bushes etc). 
07 Supercharged - Still breaking her in!

Boot soundproofing part 1 - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15612.html
Custom exhaust - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15296.html
18" wheels for Brembo equipped cars - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15052.html

pld118 wrote:

Hi,

Can you please advise?

I have been looking at a 56 plt FFRR 4.2 S/C with 70k mls on the clock in a Private sale.

Current owner had it 3 years and had it serviced/ maintained at a reportedly competent local independent but not RR specialist. Has had car serviced 3 times during ownership.

Only queries are:

1. The car has receipts/ stamps going back to 'only 2007'?

2. From 2009 from approx 45k mls, the car has a gap/ no verified service history for next 12k mls until current owner bought it?

3. Owner says it has been a very reliable car and only issue he has ever had with car is that the coolant warning light intermittently comes on but coolant has always been checked by his garage and found to be no issues/ fine. His garage advised him to leave it as nothing wrong with coolant and its a waste of money to fix what is a one off intermittent electric gremlin?

4. Is 17/18 mpg on a motorway run what you would expect (he says that is average).

5. What would I be in for with a 56 plt 70k mls RR S/C by way of impending expensive maintenance?

The owner is defnitely genuine, appears someone who could afford the maintenance and sounds like he's had the car well/ sensibly maintained during ownership (car is reasonably priced).

I have a copy of the forum buying checklist done by someone called Matt that many refer to but wondered if you can consider my 5 questions please.

Any thoughts/ warnings/ advice would be much appreciated please/ thanks.

I see you are in Falkirk - is it a local car ? I'm in Falkirk as well......oh, and I also have a Supercharged I'd say go for it.......but buy an IID Tool to clear any random fault codes ! Stolen / Gone: 2006MY Supercharged LPG Autobiography - Zambezi Silver with Sand/Jet/Jet Oxford Leather.....

bozmandb9 wrote:

....And a gap of 12k miles, is this a gap, how often does it need a service?

[quote="Katash"][quote="bozmandb9"]....And a gap of 12k miles, is this a gap, how often does it need a service?[/quote]

Direct from TOPIX:-

UK 15000 mile / 12 months

My SC was serviced 18 months ago and service light not come on yet but its only done 6K miles so doing an oil and filter change myself for <£50[/quote]

Last service report 3 mts ago said to investigate coolant loss and top up anti freeze.. owner says it was coolant warning light that prompted that.. invoice shows customer was supplied with a bottle of rad leak and 'warning wire' and 'fitting kit'... any thoughts please???

Rad weld/rad leak = walk away! No garage who knows what they are doing should do that. They should repair the fault not mask it! My 2p worth. Wait there will be many more that come up. [img]http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rob2529/range-rover[img/]
04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

Sounds like too many concerns for you. Walk away and find another. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

You're probably right.. Complete waste of a day!!!

yep get a full service history one - like i did - i drive only in town and get a 9mpg only issue i had as a leaking radiator. All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2020 Range Rover Velar