Hi
Am looking to change my wifes current x5 3.0i to one of the above.
Clearly I will get stuffed on depreciation and perhaps more on the RRS but will the TDI V8 suffer less than the supercharged ?
Cayenne was great to drive but ugly, x5 just not sure but love the look of the RRS - have yet to drive.
Can the experts on here tell me that reliability and build quality matches the germans and ditto running costs - is the Diesal v8 the one to go for etc ?
All comments gratefully received.

You will get a biased view on this site. If I was buying from that choice of cars I would only buy the TDV8 RRS - leave the petrol models alone unless you're richer than the Sultan of Brunei. I would expect the Supercharged RRS will be hit big time when more of the TDV8's become available.

If you look through this forum all you tend to see are the problems with the RRS - this does not really give you a balanced view of the RRS as it tends to be the nature of forums to attract owners with problems. I'm sure if you go to a Cayenne forum or a X5 one you will find the same. After nearly 2 years of ownership I would say this is by far the best car I have ever owned and look forward to driving it every day. The little niggles that were appearing when the car was launched have nearly all been sorted out by now and the only thing that still crops up now and again is the quality of the finish of the paintwork, but again this depends on the colour you choose.

I agree the Cayenne is ugly and now a little dated. The X5 is new but still looks like the old one!

One last thing - the RRS is built in the UK! Buy British! 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



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It's horses for courses, alscar.

You have to ask yourself what you want from your 4x4. The X5 and Cayenne will give a much more car-like drive, but a dynamic response equipped RRS handles very well on-road too.

We're obviously a little bit partisan on this forum, but this discussion has taken place a few times and the RRS is really a very compelling package. Excellent offroad, plenty of space, good performance, great cabin space etc. The RRS will suffer nowhere near the depreciation of the X5 and the Cayenne either - the TDV8 seems to be a fantastic engine and will certainly unsettle sales of the Supercharged version. 

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alscar wrote:

Hi
Am looking to change my wifes current x5 3.0i to one of the above.
Clearly I will get stuffed on depreciation and perhaps more on the RRS but will the TDI V8 suffer less than the supercharged ?
Cayenne was great to drive but ugly, x5 just not sure but love the look of the RRS - have yet to drive.
Can the experts on here tell me that reliability and build quality matches the germans and ditto running costs - is the Diesal v8 the one to go for etc ?
All comments gratefully received.

Depreciation - Diesel is not too bad I believe and I don't think any worst than BMW.

Looks - Personal, but I like the RRS the best.

Reliability / Quality - Way behind the Germans I'm afraid. I have had BMW's and Audi's and not had anywhere near the probs. My TDV6 has spent about 28% of its life at the dealership getting warranty work done and it's still not right. Paintwork / finish is barely acceptable (blotches / pimples / dull areas).  RRS TDV6 Bluetooth, VR, Roof

Above are all very balanced and honest views.

IMHO, I would definitely say to go for the RRS TDV8 - A safer financial bet than the S/C but the S/C model is much loved on this forum and sounds amazing. Better than any diesel ever could!

Pig Cayenne is an ugly brute but a great drive (I believe). Could you really be seen in one? Also, I believe it isn't as problem free as we possibly believe.

New X5 will be a very accomplished car but whilst much better looking than Porsche, still not going to win any beauty contests is it?

You are in a very similar position as I was just over 1 year ago.

Our shorlist was X5 3.0d Sport, ML320CDi Sport or RRS TDV6 HSE. Discounted Pig immediately.

In the end, it came down to the fact that we COULDN'T NOT buy the Sport - It was that simple.

As for reliability, in just over 1 year and nearly 18k miles the only thing that has gone wrong was a broken fuel cap which was repaired in 10 mins by local dealer! Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

Supertrotter wrote:

As for reliability, in just over 1 year and nearly 18k miles the only thing that has gone wrong was a broken fuel cap which was repaired in 10 mins by local dealer!

Ohhh I wish!  RRS TDV6 Bluetooth, VR, Roof

Lateral5 wrote:

Supertrotter wrote:

As for reliability, in just over 1 year and nearly 18k miles the only thing that has gone wrong was a broken fuel cap which was repaired in 10 mins by local dealer!

Ohhh I wish!

'Tis the truth! Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
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06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

Supertrotter wrote:

Lateral5 wrote:

Supertrotter wrote:

As for reliability, in just over 1 year and nearly 18k miles the only thing that has gone wrong was a broken fuel cap which was repaired in 10 mins by local dealer!

Ohhh I wish!

'Tis the truth!

I believe you ST.....I was merely wishing it was mine  RRS TDV6 Bluetooth, VR, Roof

Lateral5 wrote:

Supertrotter wrote:

Lateral5 wrote:

Supertrotter wrote:

As for reliability, in just over 1 year and nearly 18k miles the only thing that has gone wrong was a broken fuel cap which was repaired in 10 mins by local dealer!

Ohhh I wish!

'Tis the truth!

I believe you ST.....I was merely wishing it was mine

 Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
Joint runner up - 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER - 2008 ‘Best Thread’ Award – Beautiful Women Of The World
Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
Runner Up - 2008’s Funniest Incident

06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

A by product of this forum is that you tend to only hear about owners problems. I too suffered 100% reliability with mine in a year and 27k miles. LR are hardly famed for their reliability and build quality, but in fairness I expect if you looked at the %age of all RRSs that have had to go back to the dealer for anything but servicing, the figure would be a lot lower than you'd think  

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shmoogle wrote:

A by product of this forum is that you tend to only hear about owners problems. I too suffered 100% reliability with mine in a year and 27k miles. LR are hardly famed for their reliability and build quality, but in fairness I expect if you looked at the %age of all RRSs that have had to go back to the dealer for anything but servicing, the figure would be a lot lower than you'd think

Fair point......you also hear the good things! RRS canes the others in the mud and in looks dept

I think the RRS comes 3rd in reliability/build quality. Just came home from the motor show and after checking the finishes on the Touareg, BMW, Porsche and RRS my rating is confirmed! RRS TDV6 Bluetooth, VR, Roof

I think most people here would agree with that!  

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Oh and you may want to add in the Audi Q7. Checked that out as well....fugly front, bit cramped inside for such a big car, horrible carpet, nice finish and motor...pretend 4wd though. Liked the new TT though, very sexy. Shame they don't get some more horses in the motor though.....184kW just doesn't cut it in sport car territory anymore. RRS TDV6 Bluetooth, VR, Roof

This is a difficult one and everything's pretty much already been said by the fellas. In terms of reliability, the RRS is undoubtedly the worse car I've ever had in my 33 years of driving, back in the garage every other week (literally). However, some owners enjoy trouble-free motoring and you could be lucky like ST. I've had seven Porsches, all were extremely reliable, although never fancied a Cayenne. I've had several BMWs, including an X5, and found them all fabulously built and bomb-proof reliability.

After that, it's really a case of looks, appeal, cost, depreciation, suitability, drive and comfort, enconomy, performance and personal gut-feeling. Overall, if you're prepared to put up with a few niggles, I'd say go for the RRS TDV8. Good Luck!  MY12 SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ebony/Piano/Sidesteps/Privacy/Overfinch Olympus/JLR DRLs

X5- let's not go there
Cayenne- if you have loads of money to spend on fuel and don't mind about depreciation, then I'd consider it. Everyone on the road will think you're a tosser though, but I think that comes with all 4x4s these days thanks to the media
RRS- comes with more toys than the Cayenne, go for the TDV8 and it won't break the bank. 2002 Discovery Adventurer LE
1998 Freelander xedi
Ertl limited edition RRS model number 817