Charlie, I'm struggling to find an identical vehicle. A dad at school has the newer 'head unit' in his L405 and reports no problems in the area. Also the Range Rover Sport that Rybrook supplied, when they had my vehicle for two weeks, performed faultlessly.

I've spoken to a few local ICE specialists, who agree with you, that testing the aerial would be their first action. However they seem reluctant to touch a vehicle that is under warrantee, one will, and say they often work for dealers, but I'm a little hesitant.

It is a great shame that you can't simply talk to a knowledgable technician at the dealership.

Chalky - to me, and I may well be wrong, it does seem reception linked - the radio falters prior to the 'no signal' and muting. It is also area specific, to the extent that I can now easily demonstrate the issue, in areas that I presume have a weaker signal, despite being workable in other vehicles.

Last edited by bestman on 26th Sep 2018 7:07am. Edited 1 time in total

I have driven extensively, nationally, and frequently been frustrated by the radio. Whilst I accept it sometimes works, and that signal strength is variable, the vehicle is not capable of receiving a FM or DAB signal, where others consistently do – I consider this a fault.

I have focused on a particular piece of road, in an attempt to highlight, and provide evidence of, the more widespread problem.

I did not experience any radio issues with the Range Rover Sport Rybrook loaned me, nor my previous Audi and Discovery, nor my current Mini, nor a friend's VW.

A local FFRR owner confirms that they have had no issues on the road in the video between Odiham and Alton in Hampshire; and I gather from this forum, that the radio installation normally performs well.

I provided Rybrook video evidence of what I consider to be the fault in the Range Rover on the road in question.



The Range Rover loses reception at 2.16, 3.23, 3.38, 4.08, 4.36, 4.45, 4.49, 5.05, 5.20, 5.42, 6.14, 6.33, 6.41, 6.48, 6.55, 7.00, 7.06, 7.16 and 7.23 - making it impossible to listen to the DAB radio properly. FM reception is similarly poor, but less binary, so more difficult to demonstrate in a video.

I provided Rybrook evidence of a friend’s VW radio on exactly the same stretch of road. This shows that, in common with all the other cars previously mentioned, it never loses reception.



Rybrook had the car for two weeks and did not resolve the issue. Harwoods acknowledged a fault, fitted a ferrite kit and updated the Dab module as per the service bulletin, but did not resolve the issue. They are going to have another go on Thursday.

Rybrook now ‘suggest it is more a characteristic of they car’ which has implications for rejecting the vehicle. What do you guys reckon?

Clearly not a “characteristic” - embarrassing for them to even suggest so. I’d involve LR at as high a level as you are able - seems ridiculous that such a minor issue cannot be resolved.

Agreed that poor radio reception is not characteristic. My guess is that it is due to poor contacts somewhere - a fiddly hassle to identify and solve, hence the preference to fob you off. A 2016 car has the LR 3 year guarantee and it should be honoured. Whether it is material enough to allow you to reject the car is debatable, but it should be fixable. Escalation with LRCR may help. Only Range Rovers since 1988

The vehicle is new to me; I bought it as an Approved Used Land Rover unseen, something I now regret.

I informed Rybrook of the fault on day three, and agreed to let them resolve it, so long as it did not effect my ‘distance selling rights,’ whereby I could cancel the contract within 14 days.

Having failed to resolve the issue, it appears they are now denying there is an issue.....

I will certainly be escalating things.

The latest from Harwoods is that the circuit board in the spoiler has 'an open circuit' and they believe this to be the cause of the radio issues. A new spoiler had been ordered......

Turns out the 'open circuit' was not the fault, however Harwoods have not given up.

The latest is that the vehicle has a tracker fitted and they believe this to be the cause of the faulty radio. This time I think they are on to something, as the technician reported that when the relevant fuse was pulled, reception was restored - so, once again, I have my fingers crossed.

Rybrook Land Rover, who supplied the vehicle, assured me the vehicle was standard in all respects, so I am unclear what this 'tracker' is. Is it standard to have a tracker? Is it this thats lets my see where the vehicle has been on the Remote App?

Rybrook continue to be awful and deny the fault. Their argument has moved on from it being a 'characteristic of the vehicle' to
this direct quote from the Customer Experience manager:

'Additionally, we don’t believe that the performance of the radio was even discussed during the vehicle sale or that it was ever a condition of the sale that your radio was able or had to provide reception at all times no matter the reception conditions.'

Don't really know how to respond to that, other than escalate things with Land Rover, which I am in the process of.

Oh, and the seat went nuts again when they were test driving it, so that module has to be replaced. And the transmission fluid needs replacing, and the reversing camera has disappeared..... Coupled with the myriad of faults, Rybrook originally supplied the vehicle with, I'm beginning to think Land Rover Approved isn't up to much.

Any update on your problems or are you a now A BMW X5 owner LOL

Hi Charlie,

Great news; the vehicle is back with me and everything, including the radio, now works!

So, it has taken three and a half months, countless emails, and a month without the vehicle, to get into the state in which it should have been when sold as a Land Rover Approved Used.

Rybrook Land Rover supplied the vehicle with - a faulting radio, no second key, a faulty power socket, a faulty tailgate and two damaged deflectors.

Within weeks - the front seat went berserk, the reversing camera died, the vehicle developed a judder, and required a premature service. It was also revealed that the cause of the faulting radio was an open circuit in the spoiler, and that Rybrook had inadvertently supplied the vehicle with an aftermarket tracker, which was interfering with the radio.

I can’t fault Harwoods Land Rover; they acknowledged the radio and subsequent faults, and methodically kept going, until they eventually sorted everything out.

Rybrook on the other hand, refused to acknowledge the faulting radio, and turned an unfortunate series of events, into something unnecessarily frustrating. Their Customer Experience Manager refused to allow me to cancel my contract. I found their approach to be both patronising and disingenuous - not what I would have hoped for from a Land Rover dealer.

I suggested in the circumstance Rybrook might consider a goodwill gesture – they have now paid for the premature service and given me a £300 ‘goodwill’ gesture. Whilst it’s better than nothing, I don’t consider it adequate compensation for all the grief, but it’s time to move on, and at least I won’t have to deal with them again.

I am also rather disappointed with Land Rover Customer Services. I have been speaking to Glen who insists that all my issues are with the dealer and nothing to do with Land Rover. I want to talk to someone responsible for the Land Rover Approved Used program, about whether they think my experience, and Rybrook’s handling of the situation, is acceptable; but he won’t have it, and claims there is no escalation path available to me.

If there was a decent Land Rover / Range Rover alternative I’d be off like a shot; whilst there isn’t, I guess they all continue to get away with it...

Last edited by bestman on 24th Oct 2018 4:33pm. Edited 1 time in total

If there was a decent Land Rover / Range Rover alternative I’d be off like a shot; whilst there isn’t, I guess they all continue to get away with it...

That, unfortunately Bestman, is the crux of the matter for a lot of us....... glad now sorted

Here’s a new possible alternative....

https://www.bmw.co.uk/bmw-cars/x-models/20...lsrc=aw.ds 2016 SDV8 AB

Wow that grill is huuuuge

Definitely been whacked with the ugly stick a few times too  ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

ABAB: No there isn't. Only Range Rovers since 1988

ABAB wrote:

Here’s a new possible alternative....

https://www.bmw.co.uk/bmw-cars/x-models/20...lsrc=aw.ds

Unfortunately reading through the bumf the towing weight is only 2200kg

At least they've improved the backend from that hideous former X7.

Understated class is the FFRR hallmark...just look at the horrible bling interior of the X7.

No thanks, I'll stick to what I've got little warts and all.