hi guys im new to the forum and i find myself looking at range rovers alot, i previously had an x5 3.0d sport which i loved but always fancied a full fat range rover.

i do not want nor need the diesel version as i only do short trips so its either the 4.2 supercharged or the 5.0 super charged.i currently run a 2.5 350bhp impreza so fuel consumption isnt an issue.

which years are affected with the timing guide issues and how much would i be looking at to get the improved ones fitted?

any other issues with these engines or are they pretty much bomb proof?

i have a company called reid-speed on my door-step in hinckley, has anybody used them? i might pop down and have a chat with them.

my budget will be around £17k

thanks in advance

The 4.2 S/C seems to have a fairly bulletproof reputation and is plenty fast enough, but the newest examples will be ~10 years old now. The cabin, whilst still very luxurious, also looks a bit more dated in comparison, suspension not as good, and doesn't have various toys the 2009+ L322's got.

I believe the potential (plastic) timing guide issue you heard about is applicable to all L322's fitted with the 5.0 S/C engine, I don't think the revised metal parts were standard until the L405 came out. The parts aren't that expensive (£500-800 depending on where you go), but entire front of the car has to be dismantled to get at it to replace. Even at Indy prices with a decent LR specialist, I'd still assume £2.5k min in total to complete the work. The JLR bulletin describes it as taking ~15 hours I think from memory, but that may be a touch optimistic.

But it isn't necessarily a widespread issue - plenty of examples in RR's and Jags that have done reasonable miles without any problems, and some examples of vehicles that needed them doing at any mileage. From what I've read, it's not like they reliably need replacing at say 70k miles - some vehicles seem fine, and others need them doing at anywhere from ~20k miles upwards. I've had my 5.0S/C for about a year now, and it's on ~71k miles, and no issues yet.

I decided to go for the 5.0 S/C as I plan to keep it a while, and preferred the cabin, suspension and more modern dash/toys. £17k just puts you in to 5.0S/C territory, but do look around carefully, as there's a massive difference between a well maintained and cared for example and a bad one!

For me there are pluses and minuses for both (?) variants. There are more variants of course - the model 10-12 5.0 is a step on from the first 5.0s; the 2007 on 4.2 is nicer to be in that pre 2007 4.2, etc. But if budget is a major concern, then I'd suggest finding the best late 4.2 you can and keep the rest of your money ready to fix anything that crops up (mine was bullet proof up to when I sold it at 120k+). You'll get a 5.0 for £17k but you wont get one of the best 5.0s for £17k. Both models have their advantages - but it depends what you value personally. eg:

The 4.2 came with RSE (option on the 5.0). Nice expensive option to have but I never used mine other than for demo purposes in 5 years.
The 5.0 has Adaptive Cruise which some love but I find positively dangerous and a retrograde step from the 4.2 standard.

Overall, while I can see many advantages of the 5.0, I think the 4.2 was the better car package for me... Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

hi and thanks for the replies

i could push the budget to just over £20k depending on what i get for my impreza. i think if i went for the 4.2 i would constantly be kicking myself for not getting the 5.0.

£2.5k seems alot but for peace of mind i would happily pay it (gotta be cheaper than a full rebuild)

its a shame the l405 isnt alot cheaper as i love the shape of it, the cheapest 5.0 ive seen is £37k with 67k on the clock so without getting into a lot of debt there is no way i could afford one of those yet.

MPx wrote:

- the model 10-12 5.0 is a step on from the first 5.0s; ...

From experience, the 5.0 S/C is a big leap forward from the 4.2 S/C. Despite a few problems they are a lot more reliable and the performance increase is noticeable. PM me if you would like more details

Cheers,

Andy SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

Lester Burnham wrote:

MPx wrote:

- the model 10-12 5.0 is a step on from the first 5.0s; ...

Can you elaborate on that please as I fancy a 5.0 and they all seem to be 2009s.....

There's others who will have a more authoritative knowledge of the spec changes of the 10-12 cars but the most obvious are the dash and controls - TFT screens rather than analogue dials which gives a much more modern feel to the car. Not sure which were std and which extras, but there's also cooled as well as heated rear seats, reclining rear seats, adaptive cruise, nicer leather, bigger wing mirrors, better headlining, different wheels, different grill, and some like mine had a different body kit below the bumper level. But no Rear Seat Entertainment. The engine was the same 503BHP - it didn't go to 510 and above until the L405 so its mostly cosmetic, but in my view does make a difference.

On one of Andy's points...my judgement from the various threads on here is that there is a greater consensus about the 4.2 being the most reliable ....but that's not saying that the 5 is bad.

There is no doubt that the 5.0 is a much faster car so if that's the critical factor there's only one choice. But if you take into consideration that its still not a sports car, not really trackable, and a bit of a handful if you try to use the performance in any corners then other priorities may surface. The 5.0 is harder to drive quickly smoothly - still possible obviously just takes more skill. The 4.2, while slower, is still quick for a barge...

Having said that...I'm likely to be looking for an SVR next time - as I still believe you can never have too much power!  Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

Even the earliest 5.0 cars have the TFT dash (since they appeared at the same time as the facelifted 3.6 models that got this), so there should be no difference between an earlier and later car as far as the inside is concerned. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

does anybody know if the approved used warranty would cover the failing of a timing chain tensioner?

i have seen a few 2010 5.0 sc on offer from range rover under their approved used scheme so perhaps that would be my best option.

i do know that some warranties are not worth the paper they are printed on

MPx, I noticed you saying...Having said that...I'm likely to be looking for an SVR next time - as I still believe you can never have too much power!

I think you might be disappointed getting an SVR after driving a full fat. The seats are not very forgiving and the ride is quite harsh. If you still want power go for an SVA, all the power you need and all the comfort.
Don’t get me wrong, my SVR was quite an incredible car but after a while the exhaust drone even without the exhaust valves open was quite tiring on a long drive and the seats were definitely challenging.
Obviously the first few months were hilarious and the car seemed to demand to be driven like a hooligan but now I have my SVA with the 565bhp on tap, I really had to take a good look at myself and ask what the hell was I doing. These big Range Rovers are absolutely superb and I honestly think if you go down the SVR route you will be taking a backward step. Or if you have an itch to scratch, then have a drive of one for a couple of weeks ( if possible) and find out for yourself

Yes, I agree...and it may be what stops me Lyonhead...but there's a £50k+ premium on SVA vs SVR and piggy bank realities may force the choice to be SVR or another SC - will have to wait to see just how ruinous the depreciation turns out to be. From my perspective I'm hoping it will be spectacular, with the effects of fuel pricing and the EV brigade seeing s/h prices tumble and I'll pick up an SVA 3 or 4 years old for a song.  Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)