Hello all,

So, I do not own a RR, never have done however I have driven one.

My first car was a Focus 1.6, followed by a 2.0 1 series and now I have a 2.0 A Class W177.

Someone reversed into me in a car park when I had the BMW, requiring repairs through insurance. The courtesy car I was given was a RR. I had it for a week in a half, and I loved every minute driving it. It was brand new, only had a few hundred miles. I was gutted when I had to go back and get into my 1 series. Unfortunately a new RR was well out of my price range when I switched to the A Class.

It's now that time where I'm looking at a new car. I'm wanting something bigger, so was looking at SUV's. Q3/5 - don't like. X3/5 - don't like. GLC etc - don't like. Lexus etc - don't like. So naturally when doing some researching I have gravitated back to RR. I've done a lot more researching - a newer one is unfortunately out of budget, which then led me to L405's. I would like a bigger engine, probably a 3L at minimum.

I'll start with insurance. Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be the same problems in terms of theft up here compared to other cities, however upon checking several quotes, the insurance for an L405 is still an astronomical increase on my current premium - around 100% increase for a V6, or 160% for a V8. I could stomach it for a year or so, but after that I'd be hoping for a significant decrease in the premium. I have what I'd call a tiny worry over the theft aspect, to put it another way, if I lived in London/Manchester/Liverpool I'd be going nowhere near this car, but after a bit of time with a RR I'd probably gain confidence in this aspect.

Now for reliability. My personal view, is that all cars will have problems, some more than others. It is what it is. If you own a 100k car, then you can expect pricey repairs at some point. I've had a quick dive into common problems, but my mechanical knowledge is little to none and I have no mechanical skills to fix things. My father has some knowledge of mechanical basics (brakes/tyres etc) so would get help there if needed, and I'm sure he would enjoy doing that work on a RR! Otherwise, I'd be relying on a garage, either specialist or main dealer. The best advice seems to be to keep some money in a pot for potential repairs for an L405, so my question there, would be how much into a safety pot for repairs? At what mileages do problems occur etc? Am I actually going to get daily use out of one? How much should someone budget yearly for repairs (appreciate this will be dependent on the car, but a rough estimate)

In terms of usage. This would be my main and only car. I currently commute to work about 40 mins in there and back, on mostly busy roads with stop/starts. This will be changing soon, as we are relocating to another office - which won't have any parking ( ), so I'll no longer be able to take the car in. I only go into the office two/three days a week anyway so not a huge problem. There would be some short drives - usually to the golf course, but I do a fair amount of long distance driving also - 3/4/5 hours, probably 3 or 4 times a month on motorways or 60mph roads. I also go to a lot of football games, and away games usually require a good drive of an hour at least. So in short, usage wise, I'd think I'd be ok with RR? I think my current car and last car have DPF and I never had any issues with those. I guess also to mention, I do about 10k miles a year at the minute, and with the office move this is likely to decrease a bit and in an ideal world, I'd be looking for a RR that I could get 3 or 4 years usage out of, is that even going to be possible? In reality, after the office move I'd probably be putting around 8/9k in a year.

Next up, advice on buying. In terms of budget - I can get 16/65 reg. My budget would be higher if insurance wasn't a total rip off but it is what it is. Engine wise, is it really worth the extra 140% on insurance to go for the V8? Would the V6 be fine for me? Model wise, it would be an Autobiography if possible, infact I'd even stretch the budget for the right one. Otherwise a Vogue SE with some extras?


Ultimately, am I mad for even considering this as an option?

Yes.

1. Hope is not a strategy. Insurance premiums will not drop significantly.
2. Little to no mechanical knowledge is fine if you have the funds to pay someone else to do the work.
3. While luxury vehicles depreciate like a rock, their maintenance costs remain the same as if they were new.


FYI, to maintain my aftermarket warranty, I must have a shop complete oil changes. Oil, filter, check over was $317 this week. Twice a year. For nothing else.

Maintenance and warranty repairs have cost me $10,000 in three years. Fortunately, $8,000 was warranty. Brakes alone were $1,500 for four rotors, pads, sensors, and my free labour.

Buy something cheaper, keep the dream alive. It will come. Dan. 🇨🇦 2013 L405 5.0 SCV8

Well, there’s the million dollar question 🤣.

I don’t have an L405 so can’t help directly… though I do have an L322 4.4 TDV8 with the 8 speed gearbox. It’s epic. Had it 8 years now. Longest I’ve ever kept a car. I’m not saying the L322 is better than the L405, but my insurance is £355…. I have no issues with DPF and only do about 3k a year. Admittedly the 322 is older and prone to rust on tailgate and rear arches, but they are cheaper to buy. Could scratch the RR itch and then get the 405 after….

Of course you may hate something about the L322 so it can only be an L405. It’s about half a ton lighter so the 3.0 has performance similar to mine…. The 3.0 is the smallest engine. They do have their issues around cranks sometimes, but then the V8 suffers from the oil cooler leaking….

All the best with your search. Loads of info in the Wiki.

If I ever get an L405, my must haves so far are light interior, 1700w reference hifi and opening panoramic roof… and a V8…. And possibly HUD…

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Bora20 wrote:

Yes.

1. Hope is not a strategy. Insurance premiums will not drop significantly.
2. Little to no mechanical knowledge is fine if you have the funds to pay someone else to do the work.
3. While luxury vehicles depreciate like a rock, their maintenance costs remain the same as if they were new.


FYI, to maintain my aftermarket warranty, I must have a shop complete oil changes. Oil, filter, check over was $317 this week. Twice a year. For nothing else.

Maintenance and warranty repairs have cost me $10,000 in three years. Fortunately, $8,000 was warranty. Brakes alone were $1,500 for four rotors, pads, sensors, and my free labour.

Buy something cheaper, keep the dream alive. It will come.

mjdronfield wrote:

Well, there’s the million dollar question 🤣.

I don’t have an L405 so can’t help directly… though I do have an L322 4.4 TDV8 with the 8 speed gearbox. It’s epic. Had it 8 years now. Longest I’ve ever kept a car. I’m not saying the L322 is better than the L405, but my insurance is £355…. I have no issues with DPF and only do about 3k a year. Admittedly the 322 is older and prone to rust on tailgate and rear arches, but they are cheaper to buy. Could scratch the RR itch and then get the 405 after….

Of course you may hate something about the L322 so it can only be an L405. It’s about half a ton lighter so the 3.0 has performance similar to mine…. The 3.0 is the smallest engine. They do have their issues around cranks sometimes, but then the V8 suffers from the oil cooler leaking….

All the best with your search. Loads of info in the Wiki.

If I ever get an L405, my must haves so far are light interior, 1700w reference hifi and opening panoramic roof… and a V8…. And possibly HUD…

go for it. I am on FFRR no 4. Can't think of any car that can match its abilities to do anything, anywhere.

I would seriously look at those for sale on the forum ( I have bought with no regrets off here). They tend to be better looked after and have a visible history. I would go for the 4.4 TDV8 than the 3.0L, whilst 3.0L is a good engine, it has a history of probs with crankshafts going. Also only the 4.4 has a stability control system for better cornering.

Ignore Main dealer servicing history - It's not worth the paper it's written on. far better a good history by LR independent garage. also check for th VIN range for the front suspension units cracking (do a search on here)

costs for insurance are what they are. not going to change much. suck it up.

Lastly, if you buy one down this way, I am happy to drive it up to Edinburgh for you (to see family)

Bear in mind that the Edinburgh ULEZ scheme will penalise diesels pre Euro 6 i.e. generally anything pre 65 reg (so without AdBlue).

Like others who have commented I would avoid the 3.0V6 diesel.

Another thing to consider is how diesels have been used before you get them. If lots of driving round the town the engines and turbos could be quite clogged with tarry deposits and there could be legacy DPF problems, I don't know how easy it is to check for that. A friend's wife had a diesel X5 that needed quite a lot of work due to that sort of use. Don't rule out the 5.0SC. I have been happy with mine.

Insurance is a real problem, including in Edinburgh. While one can hope that the supposedly improved security of the L460s and the MY18>L405s (once the software has been modified) might lead to improved theft statistics for RRs in general they seem to be a really toxic brand to insurers just now and that might not change quickly, especially if the thieves make progress in the 'arms race' with the software developers at LR.

It is hard to say what a reasonable maintenance budget would be, as every car is different. In my 322 days I reckoned on £3,000 a year, with my 405 it has not been as much (it is about 6yo). 405s seem to need more in the way of suspension/anti-roll etc bushes, and the rear brakes wear out more quickly, and they seem to need new discs when the pads are worn out too (maybe depending on use). My general experience has been that from year seven or so more regular costs are incurred, and some can be quite substantial. Have a search on here for issues to be checked.

I have enjoyed all of my RRs and, if working properly, they are great cars with a tremendous blend of abilities. Who knows how long we will be allowed to have them, so no point in putting it off too long. And the tougher suspension is helpful on Edinburgh's dreadful road surfaces, I was told by a BMW dealer that their dealer forum identified them as the worst in Scotland.

Good luck. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Dolphinboy wrote:

go for it. I am on FFRR no 4. Can't think of any car that can match its abilities to do anything, anywhere.

I would seriously look at those for sale on the forum ( I have bought with no regrets off here). They tend to be better looked after and have a visible history. I would go for the 4.4 TDV8 than the 3.0L, whilst 3.0L is a good engine, it has a history of probs with crankshafts going. Also only the 4.4 has a stability control system for better cornering.

Ignore Main dealer servicing history - It's not worth the paper it's written on. far better a good history by LR independent garage. also check for th VIN range for the front suspension units cracking (do a search on here)

costs for insurance are what they are. not going to change much. suck it up.

Lastly, if you buy one down this way, I am happy to drive it up to Edinburgh for you (to see family)

Cheers, i'll keep your offer in mind

CS wrote:

Bear in mind that the Edinburgh ULEZ scheme will penalise diesels pre Euro 6 i.e. generally anything pre 65 reg (so without AdBlue).

Like others who have commented I would avoid the 3.0V6 diesel.

Another thing to consider is how diesels have been used before you get them. If lots of driving round the town the engines and turbos could be quite clogged with tarry deposits and there could be legacy DPF problems, I don't know how easy it is to check for that. A friend's wife had a diesel X5 that needed quite a lot of work due to that sort of use. Don't rule out the 5.0SC. I have been happy with mine.

Insurance is a real problem, including in Edinburgh. While one can hope that the supposedly improved security of the L460s and the MY18>L405s (once the software has been modified) might lead to improved theft statistics for RRs in general they seem to be a really toxic brand to insurers just now and that might not change quickly, especially if the thieves make progress in the 'arms race' with the software developers at LR.

It is hard to say what a reasonable maintenance budget would be, as every car is different. In my 322 days I reckoned on £3,000 a year, with my 405 it has not been as much (it is about 6yo). 405s seem to need more in the way of suspension/anti-roll etc bushes, and the rear brakes wear out more quickly, and they seem to need new discs when the pads are worn out too (maybe depending on use). My general experience has been that from year seven or so more regular costs are incurred, and some can be quite substantial. Have a search on here for issues to be checked.

I have enjoyed all of my RRs and, if working properly, they are great cars with a tremendous blend of abilities. Who knows how long we will be allowed to have them, so no point in putting it off too long. And the tougher suspension is helpful on Edinburgh's dreadful road surfaces, I was told by a BMW dealer that their dealer forum identified them as the worst in Scotland.

Good luck.

Anything obvious with these?

*insert RR joke here*

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2...mp;fromsra

I dropped a brave pill and waded into FFRR ownership with a 2013 AUC L405 3.0SDV6 with (I think) 35k miles on it 6 years or so ago. Never needed anything other than routine servicing and a timing belt at (I think) Year 7. Then Covid hit, the used car market went nuts and after a couple of years and 25k miles I got my money back on it when trading in against another AUC, a 20k mile 2015 4.4TDV8.

This one has similarly needed only routine servicing but additionally a set of tyres and brakes all round (the garage made a bit of an arse of it so I ended up paying for parts only which was a bit of a win).

I still have it and, with 50k miles now on it and it being a pre-facelift model, I've been half heartedly looking at moving into a 2019/20 car but just can't bring myself to drop £25/£30k into something that, actually, won't offer me any sort of a material upgrade on what I've got.

However, the trap I knowingly walked into is I bought both down round London as their prices were tanking due to the LEZ. Now my car isn't allowed in the Glasgow LEZ and that decision doesn't look so clever (and therefore neither does the trade value) but, on balance, I'd still do it the same way.

I'd say go for it. Contrary to the sage advice on here, and only on the basis of personal experience, I'd advocate the AUC car route. I am sure there will be horror stories to come but my view is the dealers know which cars are the lemons and punt them out the back door to the auctions. Those that are known good ones will remain on their forecourt. The warranty (while not tested by me) seems about the most watertight available. Yes, you will pay more but buy the nicest you can afford and I'm sure you will be fine.

If you do decide to go off piste, as with all car buying, if anything looks the remotest bit odd or it doesnt make sense, be prepared to walk past it. I'd also say don't get wedded to any particular colour or spec (unless it is a total taste fail) - I think they're all great. ----------
currently
2015 Vogue SE SDV8
2005 BMW 325Ci Cabriolet
previously
2013 Vogue TDV6

GGTTH wrote:

Anything obvious with these?

*insert RR joke here*

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2...mp;fromsra

Fair point, dunno how I missed that!

@CS
"Bear in mind that the Edinburgh ULEZ scheme will penalise diesels pre Euro 6 i.e. generally anything pre 65 reg (so without AdBlue)."

I have just come back from a weekend in edinboro (yes, I drove back through THAT storm last night - nae hassle) and my 2011 was exempt from the ULEZ.

Dolphinboy wrote:

I would seriously look at those for sale on the forum ( I have bought with no regrets off here). They tend to be better looked after and have a visible history. I would go for the 4.4 TDV8 than the 3.0L, whilst 3.0L is a good engine, it has a history of probs with crankshafts going. Also only the 4.4 has a stability control system for better cornering.

Ignore Main dealer servicing history - It's not worth the paper it's written on. far better a good history by LR independent garage. also check for th VIN range for the front suspension units cracking (do a search on here)

Wise words indeed. I'll be selling my immaculate V8 Autobiography complete with a full specialist independent service history in the next few weeks, as I'm moving abroad with work. I'll get in touch when I do - It could be the ideal FFRR for you I'll even pick you up from the train station

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography