Am after a Sport for the missus (I posted a while ago on here for a buying guide and you guys posted some pointers to look for kindly), but am now undecided on what engine to go for, out of 3.6 TDV8, 4.2 supercharged and the 4.4 petrol? Any advice or recommendations please?

She does approx 6k miles a year, so not huge miles and i done some basic maths with the following mpg:

TDV8 - 25mpg
4.2 sc - 18mpg
4.4 - 20mpg

and wasnt too much in it per year, £300/£400 difference approx between the 3. How realistic are these figures with a gentle right foot?

And of the 3, what engine is best and most reliable? We'd be looking to spend up to £15,000 on an early RRS

Do you have a year in mind?

Most 4.2 SC owners report 13 MPG

I would discount the 4.4. They are rare and you may as well have a SC

I'm up to nearly 20 in my 4.4

Thanks guys

Andy K - I as thinking 2005 or 2006 to possibly get cheaper tax, although not essential. Are equipment levels the same no matter what engine you get?

It will do a 5 day week or 6 miles each way to work, combination of sitting in traffic and fast country roads. I know 6 miles isnt enough to get warmed up fully so would that sway the choice?

I'm getting 25.7mpg in my TDV8 and that includes regular short runs of a couple of miles, some longer runs of say 50 miles at a time about once a week and one run to Aberdeen and back (1880) miles. Road tax is however £505!
It seems that one of the things you would need to consider with a diesel on those short runs is any DPF fitted. See the AA view here http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-b...fuel.html.
I'm not sure if my 2008 has DPF or not - others here may well be able to advise. Robin
2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8
Gone:
Jaguar S-Type V8 4.2 Sport
MGZTT 190 2.5

The SC do tend to have better perforated leather and better radio when comparing HSE models.
And adaptive cruise control rather than normal cruise control.

TDV8 doesn't have DPF in the UK.

For low mileage use, get the 4.2SC. The TDV8 likes to be properly warmed up and used for a decent time, then allowed to idle to allow the turbos to spool down. Occasional, short journeys are not what it wants to do. Petrol is better for short trips as it warms up quicker. The 4.2 is much quicker than the 4.4 and fuel use isn't that much worse unless you drive everywhere as if you're on a qualifying lap at Monaco. The 4.4 is also pretty rare.

Because people are worried by the 4.2's fuel use, it costs less to buy than the TDV8. So you get a similar age/miles car for less money. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Supercharger all the way  RRS SUPERCHARGED, 22 INCH ALLOYS, JAVA BLACK, FULLY COLOUR CODED
EVERY POSSIBLE SOFTWARE UPDATE INCLUDING - BLUTOOTH UPDATE, SATNAV ON THE MOVE, CLOCK ON DASH, 3 CLICK FLASH, GEARBOX RESET, COMPRESSOR UPDATE AND SUSPENSION LOWERED,
BLACK CODE RE-MAPPED, AUTOBIOGRAPHY'D, NEW EXIDE BATTERY, NEW DENSO ALTERNATOR

Thanks all, after a chat with the boss (mrsblonde) its been agreed to get a 4.2 sc

Is there anything in particular to this model I should look for when viewing? I've got a couple of general 'buyers guides' but not sure if theres anything specific to the supercharged I should look out for?

Thanks again

15-17.6mpg around town 25mpg cruising on motorways tax £300 for the year pre june 2006 reg HTH

Last edited by jenko2005 on Fri Oct 14 2016 1:00pm. Edited 1 time in total

Jenko, for a 4.2 sc? Impressive, cant wait to start shopping for one (early one for the tax saving)

I would opt for the 4.2 SC infact i did and thats why i own one. The TDV8 would be more suited if you were doing more miles but as they can be less reliable with more expensive engine parts (turbos, fuel pumps etc) a common issue then probably works out cheaper to have an SC.

A 2005 SC as mine is is also cheaper tax and as mentioned you can pick them up quite a bit cheaper than a TDV8.

I dont rate the active cruise control on it though.

Sorry should also say.

15mpg average with a mix of driving. 20mpg on a long run and probably around 12/13 around town.

I can see around 300miles to a full tank but can be as low as 240 to a tank.

Hi, have you ruled the 2.7 out and if so why ??, i have the 2.7 and it's not bad at all, it will never be a 3.6 0r 4.2sc on performance but it ain't bad on fuel at all if your after MPG  2007, HSE, Cairnes Blue, Factory tints, Love it !!!

Best advice most here will give is buy the one with the most service history and lowest miles that you can afford. Before putting any money down check everything works properly and check the LED readout S haven't lost any pixels. You are getting AA car at the age when things like airbag / SRS detonators start to need to be replaced, cats start to loose their efficiency and accessories stop working. Also check that the car sits level on the suspension (they all have air springs) and that it goes up and down through its full range smoothly and quietly (it isn't silent and if you have the parking brake on or the foot brake pressed there will be some groans from underneath) Check that the transfer gearbox works no even if you don't intend to go anywhere near off-roading (even the S/C is hugely capable off-road) the shift from Hi to Lo wrangles should work - with engine running put the shifter to P or N and press the Hi/Lo button on the console and there should be a slight whirring noise and a light comes on on the dash - then press it back to Hi again. Should all happen smoothly and quietly. Check that non of the dash warning lights has been removed/ painted over/ obscured, especially the engine management light.............. Check the usual things at the rear for a petrol engined car - colour of smoke/ any steam etc. IIRC the S/C came in HSE spec with Perforated leather Sorts seats/ adaptive cruise/ adaptive BiXenon headlights as standard. If it is a silver one or a black one then it may have a surround sound HK audio system and if it has a badge it could then also be a super rare 1st Edition. If it is Vesuvius Ornage then it is a 1st Ed. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW