Just posted some gallery pics of my HSE TDV6

Ordered with every option except towing stuff and privacy glass as far as I remember.

Since then I have added:

Stormer wheels
Mudflaps
Aftermarket mid grey tints
Stainless steel visible exhaust back boxes
De-badged rear

Most of the pics were taken at a driving day for Lexus customers and potential customers (I once owned an LS400). The RRS had a lot of attention not least from the Lexus sales staff. I drove the new hybrid RX400h which, while not by any means an off roader, boasted greatly impressive technology and build quality. My RRS has had its problems but all seems well at the moment. Incidentally I have read elsewhere (on a Disco 3 forum) that many of the electrical glitches many of us are getting can be reproduced (on the D3) by not allowing it to go through its system check procedure before starting. Their advice: turn key....wait for the bong...then start.

Let me know what you think of my RRS pics. Range Rover Sport TdV6HSE in Bonatti Grey + 20" Stormer wheels (ex X5 and ML driver)

Toodeep wrote:

Just posted some gallery pics of my HSE TDV6

Since then I have added:

Stainless steel visible exhaust back boxes.

Thanks. I wanted to have tailpipes welded aft of the back box as I figured it would be cheaper and would have the benefit of retaining the factory silencer which, I presume, is tuned to the engines characteristics in some way. To be honest I still don't see why this couldn't be done but the two places I tried both favoured removing the stock back boxes and welding on new ones just about where the rearmost bracket is. They're stainless steel and I paid (London prices) £340 all in. Any decent exhaust specialist should be able to do it though perhaps not the Qwik-fit types who baulk at anything out of the ordinary. R-Tec near Harlow offered a nice pair which were made in such a way that the welds are invisible and had a variety of tailpipe designs. In the end I found somewhere local to me which was the clincher. BTW I've noticed no difference in the sound and, though I never had time to compare, I have no reason to believe the performance or MPG has changed either way. Range Rover Sport TdV6HSE in Bonatti Grey + 20" Stormer wheels (ex X5 and ML driver)

Toodeep,
I had a system made for my X5 3.0D that mimicked the 4.4i X5,
The company name was Powerflow Exhaust (do a google search).
While it looked the dogs, the down side was being a diesel the carbon from the rear tended to stick on the tailgate and rear window, It was ok as long as you washed it regular.
Also they will tailor the pipe to any sound that you want and as the pipe is made of stainless steel they offer a liftetime gurantee with yearly inspection to go along with this. Its out there somewhere. Second V10 Treg on the drive at the moment.

Thanks Biggles,

I had come across Powerflow in a magazine. Their boast is that they will create anything the customer wants from the manifold back and some of their creations are, indeed, quite outlandish (six central tailpipes on a Honda Civic, anyone?). My requirements were fairly basic by comparison. Not sure about the claim that they can recreate any sound. Presumably they can only make one Diesel sound like another.

I did wonder about the soot issue. I haven't noticed the back of the car getting any dirtier but the inner part of the tailpipe lip does reqire a wipe at wash time. Range Rover Sport TdV6HSE in Bonatti Grey + 20" Stormer wheels (ex X5 and ML driver)

Toodeep,
When I had my X5 3.0D done, they asked what sound I would like.
I asked for not to loud but a nice purr like a V8, and that is exactly what I got.
A lovely four tailpipe diesel with the growl of a v8 petrol. It can be done. Its out there somewhere. Second V10 Treg on the drive at the moment.

Hi
Nice car man if I will order one I properly will go for Bonatti Grey Super charged - Stormer Wheels..It looks cool in red sands and on the road

Last edited by sportman on Mon Aug 08 2005 4:13am. Edited 1 time in total

TooDeep. I had a question about the debadging? From the States and not to many people seem to do that, so I was wondering what the point of that was? Is it so noone knows what model the car is? RRS S/C Special Edition, Vesuvius

Only partly Caporajm - but that only works for a while when cars are new to the market. I just think it declutters a quite fussy rear end (especially no I've added the tailpipes). BTW I don't think you do Diesels so you might not understand that most Diesel cars in Europe have either hidden or dowturned exhaust tailpipes.

Anyway, IMO the "SPORT HSE" badging on the RRS is a particularly unsuccessful attempt by LR at plastic trying to look like aluminium - the S/C even has fake rivets.

I actually thought debadging was a trend imported from you guys' custom car scene as I can remember in the 70s cars with all external hardware, even door handles, being removed in the interests of aesthetics. I ordered my X5 debadged from the factory so there must be a market for it. Range Rover Sport TdV6HSE in Bonatti Grey + 20" Stormer wheels (ex X5 and ML driver)

Last edited by Toodeep on Tue Aug 02 2005 10:44am. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks Sportman, glad you like my choice. I'm not sure about the UAE but in the UK the RRS cannot be ordered with Stormer wheels as these were only on what we call the 1st Edition (only available in Orange, Silver and Black) which, for the UK, is sold out. They may be available as a dealer accessory to replace the differently styled 20" wheels you will probably get (these are okay too). Maybe your dealer will do a deal.

There have been reports here that the Stormers are hard to get which, I suspect, may be to retain some of the exclusivity of the 1st Edition's appearance which, apart from the wheels (and the unique Vesuvius Orange), differs little from the normal S/C. My wheels came from a tuning company who were converting a new car and using their own wheel design.

Obviously the car may be marketed totally differently over there so I may be misinforming you. Range Rover Sport TdV6HSE in Bonatti Grey + 20" Stormer wheels (ex X5 and ML driver)

Toodeep, trends change... and a good number of people in the states now put MORE badging on vehicles for flash. Possibly a Japanese compact car market influence. Subtle is not very popular.

Toodeep - love the exhausts.... can you make & post a picture of the exhausts from close up - rear & bottom - they look awesome and am considering doing the same - btw: you are missing the SC grill & vents - i put them on mine and it makes a BIG DIFFERENCE.. the front looks so much more impressive.

well done and thanks for the pics - Robert

2006 Mercedes SL55 AMG - Black Opal
2005 Porsche Carrera 997 - Artic Silver
2006 Range Rover Sport V8 - Buckingham Blue

Hi Gribnau,

I've just seen your modifications and they are impressive (I'd say more so than mine) so I guess I'm a little late to post the pictures you asked for. I will do it soon. I'm jealous you managed to get someone to weld on just some replacement tips. The places I asked looked at me as if I had just landed from mars so I wound up with replacement silencers and suffered the cost.

I originally asked my dealer to get me the S/C grilles but they have been less than helpful and I have in any case decided that my Bonatti Grey makes the grey plastic grilles look acceptable if not better to some. There were some blue, silver, black and deep red cars in the dealer pound when I collected my car and everyone around agreed that, apart from my grey car, they all needed the 'aluminium' grille treatment. At the moment I agree but there are days when........

I've recently managed to get the silver on black badges for the front and back from another nearby LR dealer (something else my supplying dealer is making a big deal about) for less than (GB) £5 and they even gave me a copy of the Navigation and Telephone System handbook that many early UK cars were supplied without when all I asked for was the benefit of the salesman's experience for a bit of clarification. Once again my supplying dealer has not been able to order this handbook despite several requests.

What the Hell...this is a forum so I'll give Guy Salmon of Thames Ditton, Surrey, a name check. They have been courteous and super efficient and are much more likely to see my car come service time than the place I bought it which will remain anonymous for now.

I am considering having the door mirrors painted body colour as I don't like the grey textured finish on so prominent an item. And does anyone else find it annoying that the door pillar finish shows finger marks so easily? Also on the area around the radio. Don't they consider these minor things when they are scaling mountains and leaping dunes?

Anyway congratulations on the changes so far. Let's see if we start a trend. Range Rover Sport TdV6HSE in Bonatti Grey + 20" Stormer wheels (ex X5 and ML driver)

Toodeep,
Like the new photos,
How are the exhaust tips performing, interested mosly in how dirty the carbon makes the rear of the car look. Its out there somewhere. Second V10 Treg on the drive at the moment.

Toodeep,
Very cool pics..of your Bonatti grey RRS you are missing the SC grill & vents I hope you will add them soon