Hi,

Im in the market for a used RRS and my budget will currently permit to purchase around the 05 spec. I have several questions about the vehicle Im looking at.

Vehicle: RRS TDV6 '05 - BIXENON, FAC SATNAV, HARMON KARDON, 20", SUNROOF, TAN INTERIOR, FULL SERVICE HISTORY 96,000kms

1) Any known issues with this model? What should I be looking for?
2) Is this model a reliable car? (Im upgrading from a Ford Telstar '89 2.0 - Served me for 10yrs)
3) What are the main differences between this model and the 06, 07, 08? Are there any aesthetic changes?
4) Aftermarket mods to aline with newer spec models?
5) Is the SatNav map upgradeable? (I live in Victoria, Australia)

My biggest concern is buying a car that may well cost me a fortune in repairs. I work in the IT business and I know that anything hot off the press may well come with inherent problems ironed out in newer releases.

Your help would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in adavance!

Stef

Stefan

You have asked a few questions that it takes a whole website to answer.

It looks like a simple spec car without too much fruit to go wrong. To answer your questions:

1) If the vehicle has been LR serviced, most of the "issues" should have been sorted out and shouldn't be a problem to you.

2) Its in a different league to a Telstar (most people on this site won't know what one is as its Oz only) The basic RRS should be reliable but servicing isn't cheap. If its an 05, there are some places around Melbourne (non dealer) who will do a good job.

3) Very few aesthetic changes on TDV6 between O5 and 09 except body coloured strip under the tailgate and clear lights instead of orange indicators.

4) Don't have a clue as I don't like mods

5) Probably a new DVD but ask an RR dealer.

There are a few of us on here from Australia, 2nd Rower lives in Bayside Melbourne, Zilch lives in Sydney and Tastech is a Sydneysider as well.

Is the car for sale at a dealer or private? If its private, it maybe worth getting it looked at by an RR specialist before purchase.

2nd....anything I have forgotten?? Gone - 2008 Stornoway Grey RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2009 Buckingham Blue RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2010 Alaska White RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Gone - 2017 Chawton White RRS 5.0 V8 Supercharged
Current - 2010 Java Black RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Current- 2024 RRS P400 SE Dynamic

No BKHK, you've covered the majority of it.. As you say any problems or niggles should have been sorted if it has been dealer maintained, and this site will document almost all of them. From my perspective I wouldn't buy it if it doesn't have full service history.

I have been given a a couple of independents names, but as I have a warranty and the coporate servicing pack, I am still using the dealer, and will be 'til late 2010. If I still have this model in 2010, then at that stage I will move to an independant. You may want to try and get some sort of warranty on it Stefan, just in case a part does fail (as may do on any brand car) as this could then be expensive depending on what it is.

I know they update the Sat Nav disks in Europe so assume that they have done the same in Australia, but I seem to recall the Euro/UK ones being quite expensive from the dealer, again search this site or give a dealer a call and ask for a quote.

Outside I don't think there are changes between MY05 and MY08 apart from different style mags/alloys. On MY09, as BKHK says, the grey trim on the boot became colour coded, and the side indicators became clear instead of orange. These are easy mods to replicate and again search the site.

Inside there have been progressive trim upgrades such that the MY08 came with the Logic 7 stereo standard which was an option in MY05 IIRC.

Lastly, ignore what BKHK would say and get some all terrain tyres on it and get out into the bush where it belongs!

Hey Gents,

thanks so much for the quick responses!

I've just started the search once more - I've been interstate. I've found a pearler of a rrs, that includes full serv. history and all the wiz bang features Im after. The car is priced in @ 66k ONO with over 90Kms, I was just ready to make the plunge when I cam across some online forums slamming this model.

Im converned that Ill be moving from one lemon to another. It seems so many people are having major problems?!?!? Some that I cam across included, 3 x engine replacements, transmission failures, major suspension issues etc.

Can anyone provide some reassurance??

Thanks

Stefan

You can do a search on any car and get horror stories, RR, RRS, D3, X3, X5, ML....even the LC100/200....you won't find any without someone complaining and telling you how bad they are. The RRS really isn't any worse than most and if you can get an aftermarket warranty, then do it.

However, where I would be cautious is in what you buy and for how much. A quick search on carsales.com.au reveals several in your price range (some dealer, some private) with km from the 40s to the 60s. OK, so you may not get the perfect colour combination but they are all great looking cars. I think that $66k for an 05 TDV6 with 90km is about 10% too much.

Buy with your head, not your heart. Sacrifice one of your "whizz bang" as you put it features if necessary. Look for the best spec with the lowest km for the price you have in mind then negotiate a little. You may even be able to save the price of an aftermarket warranty to make you sleep easier.

Remember, even buying interstate is worth a Virgin Blue or Jetstar air fare. As long as the car has enough features to make you comfortable and to not be a resale dog (none are, here in Oz, as they are a desired SUV) and an LR service history then be flexible. Prices seem to fluctuate quite a bit for a similar car so do your research. Gone - 2008 Stornoway Grey RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2009 Buckingham Blue RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2010 Alaska White RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Gone - 2017 Chawton White RRS 5.0 V8 Supercharged
Current - 2010 Java Black RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Current- 2024 RRS P400 SE Dynamic

Thank so much BKHK. I've negotiated down to 58k which I'm happy to part with. I'm waiting on some final details from the sellers financier before I drop a deposit. What I'm really interested in is the aftermarket warranty you mentioned. Who do you recommend? How much do they usually cost and do you have any advice.

thanks again

To be honest Stefan, I don't know about aftermarket warranties in Oz because my car is new. I see the UK guys on the forum talking about them and they manage to get them.

Why not drop a PM to 2nd Rower or Zilch, they may know more. Probably a good idea to do a search on the forum as well.

I am glad you managed to negotiate. Is it a private sale or a dealer used? Gone - 2008 Stornoway Grey RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2009 Buckingham Blue RRS 2.7 TDV6
Gone - 2010 Alaska White RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Gone - 2017 Chawton White RRS 5.0 V8 Supercharged
Current - 2010 Java Black RRS 5.0 V8 Aspirated
Current- 2024 RRS P400 SE Dynamic

Zilch has just bought an aftermarket warranty.. Do a search and you should find the details!

buy from a main dealer, pay more but in the long run a safer bet.

Me I always get them to print the full vechicle history service, defects mended and warranty issues.

A bad one will alweays be a bad one and a good one a good un, from my experience and over 11 years of landrover ownership have not had a bad one yet.

Good hunting

Thanks agin guys. I've PM Zilch. Im seeing the car tomorrow and Ill take some pics. Cheers,