Good day from the UK! :)

[Pedrochellie]

Hi All,

Thanks for reading this! I've just bought a 2003 Range Rover Vogue V8 and absolutely love it! I've always wanted one and now have taken the plunge at long last. She's in great condition finished in epsom green with aspen ivory interior, never towed, low miles for age (68K) and full Land Rover service history. I'd really appreciate any words of wisdom, advice etc on these awesome motors as a new and uneducated Range Rover owner - many thanks!

I'm looking to fit a tow bar to get my bike to track days and would appreciate any advice on this too as there are loads of different ones around.

Cheers

Pete

[03rangiemark]

Welcome to The Forum!
I don't have an answer to your question, but if you use the search function, it may help you find existing posts that ask & answer the same question.

Enjoy your new acquisition.

[PaulTyrer]

Hi Pete,

I also have a 2003 4.4 Rangey (actually looks the same colour!), what I would recommend you do (even though it has a full LR service history) is if it was not bought from a Land Rover dealership, then get it serviced by one as soon as you can.

we bought ours in 2010 from a non-LR dealer (what a mistake!!), the dealer did have it checked over by a LR dealer and they found an oil leak on the gearbox, which to be fair the dealer did have it repaired - well the gearbox had to be reconditioned, and as we found out 3 months down the road, not very well done!

Anyhow, its first service with us arrived in March last year, and we were presented with a bill for a shade under £2000 !! Basically the suspension ride height sensors were shot, all discs and brake shoes were worn, parking brake fell apart and loads of other stuff, it turned out that the car had not been serviced for over 2 years when we bought it!!

Since then we have had to have the gearbox reconditioned (again) this time by an outfit that knew what they were doing (TES Transmissions in Westbury), then on a run back from Cornwall the car decided to go into 'limp home mode' due to a gearbox over-temperature situation arising. This was eventually fixed by replacing the Radiator and Trans Oil Cooler. The radiators in a particular band of VIN Numbers (get yours checked) had a problem where the bottom 6 rows collapsed internally, thus restricting the flow to the Trans Oil Cooler, and causing a gearbox over temperature signal, which causes the car to restrict gearbox changes to 1st, 2nd and 3rd, which is very disconcerting when you don't know whats happening!!

Things havent been too bad this year, we've only had to spend £1600 so far on a new starter motor and 4 new tyres...........

Having said that, this is our 5th Range Rover and we just love 'em!!


The next one is definately coming from a Genuine Land Rover dealer though!!

ps Ours was also a low mileage car - we know why now - it must have spent most of its life in a service bay!!

[ZUNDFOLGE!]

Hi Pete,

Welcome to the forum. You'll find this is a mostly US populated board, but certainly a few across the pond abound so hopefully someone over 'yonder will have what you're looking for. Also, there is a UK-based forum, www.fullfatrr.com which may also be of help in what you are seeking. Anyhow, congrats on your RR! Epsom over Aspen Ivory is a stunner! My first L322, an '03, was also that combo.

[Pedrochellie]

Hi All,

Thank you for your welcoming responses - much appreciated

Thanks Paul for your info, I took my car to Hunters in Guildford for a winter health check and asked them to give her a thorough going over and happy to report all clear. Only thing was to replace the wiper blades and they had to clip back the transfer box breather that had come loose and slightly melted on the exhaust!

I've given her a full valet now (had to borrow some steps - didn't think about that lol!) which took hours but she's looking brand new. I think I'll follow your advice and get a service done for peace of mind, but other than that I'm looking forward to every drive. I'm going up to Thornbury Castle this weekend so that will be my first relatively long distance jaunt......

Thanks 03Rangiemark - I agree the colour combo is stunning! and to Zundfolge! thanks for your link to fullfatrr - I've just registered!

Cheers all

all the best

Pete