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The reviews I read are all over the map on used Range Rovers. It seems like people either love them or hate them. I found a really nice 2005 with about 70K miles and was wondering if anyone who has actually owned one has advice. I believe that year has the BMW 7 series engine. I have a vintage Jag so I'm no stranger to English electrics. Everyone said not to buy that one but it has been the most reliable car ever. That said, I don't expect it to have the reliability of a Jeep or an Explorer.
Last edited by whoisjongalt; 01-21-2016 at 11:13 PM..
Reason: incorrect year
The problem with Range Rovers is akin to the older Volvos, i.e., good, reliable examples are not usually for sale. I think you would be on par with Jeep or Explorer reliability, actually, but lagging behind a Lexus. I would buy a one owner and from a British car enthusiast, and with 70k, you may have a one owner. I might extend that to a lease and then a subsequent owner, but I would not want a multiple owner vehicle, even with lower mileage as that is a red flag with a used Rover.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
My son bought a Land Rover. I researched their reliability and it's down at the bottom line of any review. I am not even sure how it is considered "behind Lexus" with Lexus being at the top of any list.
But anyhow. It's a maintenance and repair nightmare. I spoke.
My son bought a Land Rover. I researched their reliability and it's down at the bottom line of any review. I am not even sure how it is considered "behind Lexus" with Lexus being at the top of any list.
But anyhow. It's a maintenance and repair nightmare. I spoke.
With respect to my comment about Lexus, it's because there are few SUVs in the higher end luxury category. Of course, the LX470/570 is going to top the list because it's a Land Cruiser. The Range Rover, now I'm confused, since the title is a 95 and the 05 in the OP. My comments were to the 05, as it should have about the same level of reliability as a Jeep, but since the OP is familiar with British cars, knows that there can be a crazy quirk at any time. Modern Rovers are much improved, especially after the company got an injection of tech and money from BMW, so while not class leading in terms of reliability when compared to Lexus, they're not too far off from a Mercedes or BMW from the same era. The Discovery is a different entity entirely, and since the OP is looking for a Range Rover, should avoid many of the problems that plagued that series.
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Sorry, I screwed up the year...I thought it was a 2005 but it is a 2004 Range Rover Westminster. It is a one-owner trade in at the Porsche dealer. Now for the crazy part. I found out it had the engine replaced at 27,000 miles in 2008. The odometer is now 71,000. So technically the engine has about 44,000 and the drivetrain has 71,000.
I spoke with the dealer who sold/serviced it and they confirmed the carfax info but didn't have any details about why the engine was replaced except that it was under warranty. Since it was a new factory engine (BMW) I like to think that it's not necessarily a negative but it does worry me a little.
There were some engine issues with certain Land Rovers, but it's difficult to know if this vehicle had the same problem because a 2004 had a modified BMW M62 engine, similar to that in the X5, with some modifications for the Range Rover. The engine is generally reliable, but I would bet the reason the engine was replaced under warranty, was due to an early VANOS failure or a timing chain guide failure, both of which are not terribly uncommon with the M62 engine. I would have a qualified Land Rover specialist do a PPI to be sure that there are not any common issues present, since the replaced engine should not have any bearing at this point as it was done nearly eight years and 44k ago, so any issues related to that would have manifested in the interim.
The Westminster is a special edition that has the upgraded luxury and tech features, such as the contour seats, more leather surfaces, etc. and are all in a specific color scheme -- 2004 was black on black, IIRC.
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Thanks for the repiies! I had it inspected by the Land Rover dealer and they had the complete service history since it was new. They couldn't find any problems other than minor stuff (couple of bushings could use replacement, etc.). The only thing that gave me pause was a replacement last year of the motorized steering column ($5500!!) but that was the only other major repair in 12 years so I ended up buying it.
I lucked out finding the Westminster model. It is super nice. I think it was an $8000 upgrade and it looks like new. You're correct, it's all black with different seats and wheels and even the wood is all black.
Very nice. If the steering column was replaced, you're good to go with it for quite a while. I have known of one to go out, but have never had the issue, myself, so I don't think it's terribly common. The one that had it replaced was constantly in motion, since it was driven by two drivers of different heights, and one has a habit of moving everything up and back when she gets out of any car, so that was from over use, IMO.
The Westminster is not as common and the interior does get special upgrades, so enjoy it!
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
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