I have always wanted a RR. At 57 I had some health issues and thought what am i waiting for?

So, two weeks into RR ownership, a 2013 SDV8 VSE with 87k miles, the car has issues. First a coolant leak somewhere on top of the engine. And whilst investigating that I got a message on the dash "exhaust filter nearly full".

The car is almost certainly going back to the dealer for the repairs. Thats 30 miles so I'll have to pay to transport it. But would you keep the car at this point or is it a sign?

My local garage is going to give it a good inspection on Thursday, just to see if theres anything else. They told me not to buy one in the first place.

Last edited by Richie N on 11th Feb 2024 10:05am. Edited 1 time in total

With respect many "local garages" do not really know how to look after RR's (except the really early ones). Maybe your regular garage are not too keen because they don't understand them.

These cars are complex beasts & you need to find yourself a good independant specialist. There are quite a few in Kent but the good ones are always busy and often need to be booked in advance.

I get that, it’s going there as it’s 100 meters away and I don’t want to drive the car. I have a specialist not too far Dartford Transmissions but don’t want to risk driving it there.

Filter nearly full just means it needs a decent run - a quick motorway blast should sort it out. It's usually caused by frequent short trips.

Coolant leak may be more of an issue, but let the supplying dealer investigate. I guess your local garage may be able to identify a head gasket failure or another obvious sign of leakage. Why does it need transporting ? can't you top up the coolant & drive it there ?

As long as you get the issues fixed, I don't see why you wouldn't keep it if you like the car and it's what you want.

You could buy any car and have teething problems. Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Minor stuff, You can’t expect any complex 10y.o. vehicle to 100% be trouble-free, let alone one made by JLR  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

My previous car some 7 years ago was an E class Estate, within a couple of weeks of ownership it left me stranded on the motorway with a temperature gauge in the red and coolant and steam billowing from under the bonnet!
It turned out to be the impellers shreaded on the water pump.
I bought that car with 95k miles on it and traded it 5 months ago with over 270k miles on it, it has become one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned, was regular serviced by an independent (who now look after my RR).
You'll get teething problems, but depends whether you deal with them straight away or have this as an ongoing project that you get up to scratch over the coming years.
I have a few things on mine that need addressing, but it is 10 years old and British built.
I've only had it a few months but every time I get in it I feel that I am getting into something special.
I have a couple of minor electrical gremlins but they'll get sorted eventually.
My other car is an even older Aston and I probably prefer the comfort and buzz of getting in this!
I bought the RR from a dealer (not main) and although it was a one owner full service history, until I got the car I couldn't trace what work had been done, but the kind MD Guy Salmon in Essex, gave me photocopies of all the bills from new.
Fingers crossed it will give me more pleasure than pain, but I always wanted one and here I am, it's not your average car, but properly maintained hoping it will take me near to retirement.
Only on the planet once (unless someone finds away to come back in the next).
All the best.
G.

Hopefully the coolant leak is no more than a hose or plastic housing that can be easily replaced. As others have said, any 10 year old vehicle can have issues but these are complex machines with wiring looms and ecu modules like a 747. Expect to spend a bit on maintenance and enjoy ownership. They are unlike anything else.

Thanks gents, that’s reassuring and in line with my own thoughts. The only issue with driving it to the dealer is it’s a 30 mile drive round the m25 and I don’t want to get caught in traffic. And if it’s the cooler on top of the engine it could get water in the oil?

Is it worth the risk for the sake of £150 delivery charge?

Agree with what's said above... All simple fixes I hope sir

Thanks. I don’t want to risk running the car for long. So I think I’ll get my local garage to strip the intake and see where the coolant is coming from..

Just be aware that if you get any work done without the supplying dealer authorising it (in a provable written way, preferably) you forfeit any right you have to expect them to resolve a related issue under warranty/statutory protection. 2012 (L322) 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE, RSE, Fuji White over Arabica.
Previous V8s: BMW 645Ci, P38 4.6, P38 4.0, Merc CL500
Previous others: Honda x1, Volvo x7, Rover x6, BMW x6, Ford x1, Mercedes x2, Skoda x3, VW x2, Renault x2, Citroen x1, Mazda x3, Nissan x1, Audi x3, Kia x1, Fiat x4, Subaru x3, Austin x2, Triumph x2, Jeep x2, Hyundai x2, Lexus x1, Mitsubishi x1, Saab x2... and some others I've forgotten!

Richie, have you spoken to the seller yet? Asked what they suggest? It’s their responsibility to fix it so, I’d expect them to collect it! If not, it’ll be their decision whether to drive it to them or not… Save any corespondent you have, even emails sir… 👍

I have a 2012 and the list of issues when I bought it privately were quite long. None were catastrophic but all need attention at different levels of urgency. Its to be expected and I knew this when I bought mine as I had the same issue with the Discovery.

If you are nervous then for the sake of it pay the 150 to transport or have the dealer pick it up, surely they have a recovery truck? I know over here in Ireland the warranties on cars of this age are limited (usually 3 months) so maybe call the dealer with the issues and agree that they will fix all of them.

I would have loved the L405 shape on mine but the price difference between a 2012 L322 and a 6 month newer L405 is about €30,000. A body shape and massage seats arent worth that! I hope you get sorted soon and that you have many miles of leisurely driving in it. Current yokes
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster
2006 Disco 3
Scoobie GT wagon
Mx5 G Ltd
TT S Line
Pajero JDM Exceed

Danb_220_2019 wrote:

Just be aware that if you get any work done without the supplying dealer authorising it (in a provable written way, preferably) you forfeit any right you have to expect them to resolve a related issue under warranty/statutory protection.

Yep all agreed via WhatsApp. He's happy for me to get it looked at for a quote.