Need some expert help on buying a Range Rover.... Looking to spend max £28k on a well specd but classy Range Rover (no white ones or stupid wheels).

I have been looking at a number of the used specialists such as Saxtons.

Questions:

1. Warranty, I assume all warranties are worthless and I need to budget a few grand per annum on repairs??
2. Better with a low mileage 3.6 than a high mileage 4.4 TDV8
3. I'm based in Glasgow, are there any good specialists rear by I could speak to re servicing etc?
4. Main issues to look out for? I have done a bit of hunting on here but not seen a core list of issues.
5. Must have options? I have had a pile of BMWs and Audis and there are always options to have or avoid, assume this is less of the case here as the cars come well specd as std?

Appreciate any support/comments
D

I haven't had any dealing with them personally but I think if you search Saxtons on here you might choose to avoid them.

1. I have a LR approved warranty on my 4.4tdv8 and they just refused some rear suspension knuckle joints (on milage grounds) but I have had a new suspension compressor fitted this year so a good proportion of my money has come back.

2. I had that choice and bought the higher milage 4.4. Haven't regretted it once. Quieter, more economical (largely due to the 8 speed box), incredibly quick for such a big bus.

3. NFI!

4. Better people than me will advise

5. Cooled seats with semi aniline leather are great (SE spec and above generally) 2016 (L405) Autobiography in Black with Ivory - for ULEZ
2014 (L405) VSE in Black with Ivory
2011 (L322) VSE in Black with Ivory
2005 (3.2 V6) Porsche Cayenne in Black with Savanna
1999 (P38) VSE in Burgundy (?) with Sand

Advise would be, buy a 4.4 over a 3.6 if you can afford it... (much better gearbox)

Stay away from Scottish cars if poss (as they rust quickly up there)

VSE or above is a must IMHO but check carefully as the standard spec changed greatly in 2009, 2010 & 2011 cars sir...

Don't let Nicola hear you say that!  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Weegie wrote:

Don't let Nicola hear you say that!

Avoid Saxtons at all costs. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

I bought mine through site sponsor Gary Elliott and its been a completely trouble free purchase so far.

I wanted to spend similar money to you and decided on a higher spec and lower mileage 3.6 - plenty fast enough for me, seems perfectly quiet and the small difference in fuel consumption doesn't really matter to me.

He seems very picky about what he buys - give him a call and talk to him about what you are looking for

I second avoiding saxtons.. Personally, unless it's come from LR approved used, a site sponsor, or a well known specialist RR dealer, I wouldn't go near a dealer at all. A LR warranty is the only one worth anything, small dealers have the 3 month warranty but it ain't worth jack. I prefer private sales, but that's just me.

A Google search will tell you all you need to know about Saxtons.

Reading some buyers topics on here will give and idea what to look out for. There are some extremely well looked after higher miles vehicles out there for sale as well as some unloved low milers so buy on what you see would be my advice.

Plenty of reading will give you an edge when buying, as I don't think there is any hard and fast rules when buying a RR. 2024 P550e Autobiography
2016MY TDV6 Autobiography - Gone
2011MY 5.0 SC Autobiography Black - Gone
2005 TD6 Vogue - Gone

Hrer's my penny worth...

Hopefully you have done some thread searching for Saxtons and made your own mind up. if not let me help... RUN A MILE!!

1. On a previous FF I had a Warranty Wise warranty. I had to claim three times over the three years, can't remember what for now but I do remember it was hassle free and overall I came out about even. That said I'm sure there are as many claims avoided as settled. When I brought my 4.4 TDV8 (75k miles) last year I did quite a bit of shopping around and decided the warranty costs were so stupid that I did not bother.

2. 4.4 any day of the week. Very responsive. very smooth and IMHO the mileage is a secondary as I do so very few miles (7k pa at a push). If you do high miles then resale may be an issue in due course but as the two cars go I don't think there is any reason to choose a 3.6 ver a 4.4. I think the 3.6's have more potential for turbo issues but thats just from what I read on here.

3. there will no doubt be some very good indys in your neck of the woods. If nobody here can come up with any names then perhaps a google search and a suck it and see approach will be required.

4. I'm not very mechanical but there are some things to check.... tailgate glass rubber seals down each side - corrosion at base of seal. rust on top tail gate bottom lip - even for a 3 year old car!, paperwork should be water tight inc servicing and HPi etc. not unusual to find finance still owed on later cars - i did. Check milage against servicing, when I was looking i found a beauty at a larger dealership in Bristol where the miles on the car were less than the miles in the service book. (they ignored my emails on the subject). Check inside shoulders on tyres - tracking can be an issue, easy fix but tyres are not cheap.
Two keys minimum. Check if a tow bar has been removed - can lead to water ingress issues. Wheel nuts ok? not rounded? they can also have a tendency to weld themselves to the hub.

5. Dual view screen is not always a fit on 2010 MY. Venture cam has also gone on later models. VSE is a minimum in my opinion as the climatic seats and overall comfort of the seat design is a big difference to base model. (cooled seats are well.... cool!) Adaptive headlights are also not always fitted but no great loss in my opinion.Also for a 2010MY or thereabouts other differences between a V and a VSE include Adaptive cruise control with forward alert - another MUST. forward alert especially. 20' wheels, brushed finish cill plates - nice touch. semi aniline leather - nice and soft better feel etc. More wood bits. auto dimming and power folding mirrors. Load space nets - often missing but easily acquired (cheaper ones available other than genuine LR parts). Homelink garage door opener - if you are lucky enough to need one.

Good luck and you could do a lot worse than check out Garys stock list he has some very pleasant examples.

 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

there are a couple of great buying guides in our wiki [info] which will help er, guide you.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

There's an indie out in Larkhall who is hot on Land Rovers and Rangies , since selling mine i have misplaced his number , will try and find it tho ,
Best going for VSE models as they have the better spec , some even more so than an AB version ,

Also if you can get one go for the 4.4TDV8 newer engine better re-sale when the time comes for a change ...

Re Saxtons never heard anyone say anything nice about that mob ....

 ====================================

"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

Wow great feedback guys... I'm currently thinking if I can get a low mileage clean 2010 model VSE 3.6 for circa £25k and keep cash aside instead of buying a warranty. That might be my best bet.

However, if I did hold off until the end of the year, do you thing the 4.4s will be down at my budget range? Currently £30-£35k

Lennox wrote:

Weegie, assume one is Glaswegian like myself, but South West France?? My parents are in the Dordogne (between Sarlat and Gourdon) where are you?? Or is this aspirational? Lol

Yes, as the name suggests, a Glaswegian (I can understand why you think wishing to be a Glaswegian is aspirational ). I am in the Perigord Vert just below the Haute Vienne border. So a bit north of your parents.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold