Range Rover Sport -- My garage is now FULL

[MazurQuogs]

Have you considered switching to 20" wheels for better city driving comfort, and how has the dealer appointment for repairs and check-up gone so far?

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by MazurQuogs

Have you considered switching to 20" wheels for better city driving comfort, and how has the dealer appointment for repairs and check-up gone so far?

Hey there - long time no reply, my apologies.

I have considered 20" wheels...the only thing stopping me is lack of storage for the 21" wheels which are part of the Dynamic package. I do like the look - the color makes a nice difference to my eyes vs. the bright silver option.

Dealer was rough in the beginning from a scheduling stand-point. It's the only one on this side of the state so it gets swamped at times. With that said, as supply chains have gone back to "normal" it's been getting better. Customer service is wonderful, the dealership is spotless, etc.

Labor rates are $219 an hour - which is horrible.

More in the next post but wanted to reply to you in particular.

[DaveSTi]

Long time no updates -

Rover has 65k miles on it now, and has been a wonderful family vehicle. We take it everywhere, the mountains of NC, the hellscape of DC Metro, down to the beaches in GA. It's a bank vault on wheels with how quiet and comfortable it is, without you losing connection to the driving experience. Steering is heavier, suspension works, brakes bite...you are only as isolated as you want to be. Stereo is still the best one for SQ I've ever had in a car.

Dealership experiences have been good, but they are too expensive for routine maintenance at $219 an hour. So I was using an Indy to do the simple oil changes but they then stopped letting me bring my own oil and filter (which is the OEM stuff)...so I then started doing the oil changes myself with a Vac pump.

Now, the work is oil and filter change every 5k (it goes fast) with the vac pump. Takes me about an hour. Saves me a couple hundred bucks each time. I buy the oil as a kit from Atlantic British, then recycle the old oil at any auto parts store for free.

We did have one major problem with the Rover about 7k miles ago - the factory plastic coolant pipes developed a crack and leak. This is a common problem with L494 and L405 models in this age range and when they crack, sometimes you lose the motor. Now that eyebrows are raised - I smelled syrup in the garage after my wife got home from a daycare run and after verifying the Rover was low on coolant, we had it flat bedded to the dealer. After 3 business days with haggling with the CarMax warranty people, we had the new revised coolant pipes from LR installed, new water pump and cooling system refresh, and a torn LCA bushing replaced 80% covered. Due to their labor rate, I walked out owing $28xx for the ordeal.

Aside from that issue, these model years have proven themselves to be pretty durable. With the revised pipes, the issue is reduced significantly and I don't expect this to happen again.

Next on my list for the Rover will be to use the Vac pump and refresh the transfer case fluid, then both differentials oil. I do plan on also changing the transmission fluid and filter from ZF as best practice. Land Rover claims its lifetime, but it's actually not...best to replace around 70k-90k miles.

Since the Rover is now 8 years old, I'm expecting to refresh some more bushings and that's about it aside from oil changes. I replaced the cabin air filter and flushed the brake fluid.

If you can pick one of these 2017 era Rover models up and have the wallet for the coolant pipe swap, then you're pretty much set on having an amazing SUV experience. I cannot begin to praise this vehicle enough - despite the comments sections - it's been almost boring with how little it requires to run.

[Big_Jim]

Ive been in the market for a used SUV since my Navigator got totaled, but haven't shopped RR. All of the horror stories have turned me off. Anything in particular to look out for?

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

Ive been in the market for a used SUV since my Navigator got totaled, but haven't shopped RR. All of the horror stories have turned me off. Anything in particular to look out for?

For peace of mind, get a warranty on it. Otherwise….

L494 and L405 era (2014-2023?) are pretty good. The coolant pipe issue is one to verify it’s had it done or else DIY or have an Indy do it for a couple grand.

Infotainment in this era is buggy. Ours works with CarPlay 98% of the time, but that 2% requires a reboot.

You will want to change oil every 5k, not whatever JLR says.

Personally, I’d stick with the non-hybrids and go with the supercharged Jaguar engines. The V8 is amazing and what I would buy if we were replacing this one.

The dynamic package offers the SVR brakes and suspension with an extra 40hp on the V6….its quick enough.

Get the Meridian sound system. Incredible.

Rest is maintenance and dealing with vehicle age - avoid rust, etc.

I recently drove a new X5M and while it was a better performance SUV, it lacked the feel of heft and insulation that the RR has.

[Big_Jim]

Originally Posted by DaveSTi

For peace of mind, get a warranty on it. Otherwise….

L494 and L405 era (2014-2023?) are pretty good. The coolant pipe issue is one to verify it’s had it done or else DIY or have an Indy do it for a couple grand.

Infotainment in this era is buggy. Ours works with CarPlay 98% of the time, but that 2% requires a reboot.

You will want to change oil every 5k, not whatever JLR says.

Personally, I’d stick with the non-hybrids and go with the supercharged Jaguar engines. The V8 is amazing and what I would buy if we were replacing this one.

The dynamic package offers the SVR brakes and suspension with an extra 40hp on the V6….its quick enough.

Get the Meridian sound system. Incredible.

Rest is maintenance and dealing with vehicle age - avoid rust, etc.

I recently drove a new X5M and while it was a better performance SUV, it lacked the feel of heft and insulation that the RR has.

Thank you so much for the input. Time to start doing some research. The little browsing I have done you can find some in the high teens, and then what looks like the same one for 30k.

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

Thank you so much for the input. Time to start doing some research. The little browsing I have done you can find some in the high teens, and then what looks like the same one for 30k.

Anytime - they’re not a Toyota and some people that buy them probably shouldn’t. That said, nothing else I’ve driven (MB, Audi, BMW) compares to it.

[Big_Jim]

Originally Posted by DaveSTi

Anytime - they’re not a Toyota and some people that buy them probably shouldn’t. That said, nothing else I’ve driven (MB, Audi, BMW) compares to it.

Well, I didnt get the chance to research.......Pulled the trigger on an Escalade Premium Luxury on Monday.

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

Well, I didnt get the chance to research.......Pulled the trigger on an Escalade Premium Luxury on Monday.

Congratulations! Those are really nice. What sold you on it?

[Big_Jim]

Originally Posted by DaveSTi

Congratulations! Those are really nice. What sold you on it?

Thank you! I've wanted one since I first sat in one back in 05. I was shopping Yukon Denalis, Escalades (searching for a unicorn pearl with kona interior, platinum edition) and Toyota highlander limited platinum edition. Replacing the navigator with another navigator wasnt an option, since they only offered the twin turbo v6. If i'm going with a full size luxury suv, i want a v8.

I found my 17 black on black premium luxury in lansdale pa, sold by a mom and pop dealer, it was the owners car. great service history, all of the featured of the platinum (minus fridge in center console and massaging seats) at a really good price. drove it, fell in love, put a deposit down, and picked it up on monday.

I was mainly looking for a set of features wrapped in an SUV. heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, leather, sunroof, 360 cameras, lane assist, and that fancy cruise control thing. This Escalade checked all of the boxes, looks amazing, and its what ive wanted for a long time.

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

Thank you! I've wanted one since I first sat in one back in 05. I was shopping Yukon Denalis, Escalades (searching for a unicorn pearl with kona interior, platinum edition) and Toyota highlander limited platinum edition. Replacing the navigator with another navigator wasnt an option, since they only offered the twin turbo v6. If i'm going with a full size luxury suv, i want a v8.

I found my 17 black on black premium luxury in lansdale pa, sold by a mom and pop dealer, it was the owners car. great service history, all of the featured of the platinum (minus fridge in center console and massaging seats) at a really good price. drove it, fell in love, put a deposit down, and picked it up on monday.

I was mainly looking for a set of features wrapped in an SUV. heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, leather, sunroof, 360 cameras, lane assist, and that fancy cruise control thing. This Escalade checked all of the boxes, looks amazing, and its what ive wanted for a long time.

That’s awesome, man—huge congrats! Sounds like you found a total gem. Black on black, V8, all the right features… what a score. Gotta love when a car checks every single box and has a solid history behind it. You’ve been wanting one forever, and now it’s finally yours. Enjoy every drive—bet that thing feels amazing on the road!

[DaveSTi]

Write-up on the Rover after 5 years and 50k of ownership.

Repairs and maintenance needed:

- Oil changes every 5k miles ($190 for 6 quarts of 0w20 and a filter)
- One new set of Yokohama tires ($1100 or so - 21 inch wheels)
- Complete brake system at 78k (F/R Rotors, Pads, Fluid - $1790 or so)
- Differential, Transfer Case, Transmission fluid+filter at 74k miles ($900 or so)
- New windshield wipers (3 total - $200 or so)
- Cabin air filters (1 a year at $15)
- Coolant pipes, water pump, coolant flush at 69k miles ($6500 covered under CarMax warranty)
- New lower control arms at 76k miles due to bushings worn out ($1300 covered under CarMax warranty)
- New PCV valve at 78k miles ($37 part, dealership labor $500 - covered under CarMax warranty)
- Exterior sun damage of C pillar panels ($210 for the pair)

and possibly one weak post-cat O2 sensor ($75)

Minus every oil change, the warranty work and potential o2 sensor, total spent in upkeep over 5+ years has been $4200, or less than $1k per year. This is on par with my BMW experience.

With that said, the CarMax warranty cost $5k and covered over $8300 in repairs on known platform issues. I went into this purchase knowing to buy that warranty.

Depreciation is the Achilles' heel however, as the vehicle was purchased during the post-COVID used car market boom due to our son joining the party. We were OTTD for roughly $70k and 5 years later, this would pull roughly $15k on the market due to wear/tear/age/miles.

Would we have been able to drive something else for much less? Well, duh, yeah.

Would I do it over again? Yeah, probably. It's unlike anything else I've driven in the luxury SUV market. It drives like a big, dumb Dodge Challenger in the turns, with the steering feel of the older BMWs with hydraulic steering, while being like a bank vault in terms of how solid it feels and quiet it is inside. The stereo is also the best I've ever had in any vehicle. We'll be keeping this for another year or until something else compels me (Scout Traveler maybe?).

For more tips on how to love a rapidly depreciating asset with teething issues, please join your local Rover group.

[DocWalt]

That sounds like a really fun car, tbh, haha. Warranty definitely needed haha

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

That sounds like a really fun car, tbh, haha. Warranty definitely needed haha

Hah yeah it’s been great. Glad we got it.