Thanks for this, CountryRover. My 2002 RR TD6 has done 90k km and runs like a dream with no problems, but it's good that other owners are jumping up and down when something does go wrong. It's only through this type of pressure that car makers and regulators take problems seriously.

PS. Just got back from a three week trip through outback NSW - RR performed brilliantly.

 

I had 2 total failures of lights and engine on mountain roads at night in rain (Very frightening and LRA lawyers describe these as 'minor').

Yikes! That is most certainly not minor. What you wrote worries me a great deal, in fact, it has me questioning how to prepare for off-the-beaten-path excursions where RR specific parts and unique tools are rare or hard.

Makes me think twice whether this is the right off-road vehicle for long haul excursions, even though their latest commercials show otherwise (sure, wouldn't it be great to be followed by a camera helicopter and pit crew?)

Keep us posted and good luck.

 

dG, remember what I said about a commercial parity for youtube...It's getting closer.

I was just going through some old files and found the payment notice from my first RR, that had a problem with gas tanks that were self destructing...It could happen hear...with the diffs...I paid for two tanks over three years...LRNA did reimburse me for the cost/labor of the tanks, but not the hotel stays, tows, and lost time. “Hint Hint.”

I’m thinking a photo montage of out in the wilderness with copy reading like: Out in the wilderness Stuck with a broken diff enjoying the wildlife, (photo with bear eating last remains)…Or how about: A Range Rover with family out in the bush taking in the sites, (Zoom out) showing RR being towed by a rival brand. You add the copy of what the RR owner is thinking.

LRNA/Tata, please pay attention…It’s coming soon.

Mark. :wink:

 

I was just going through some old files and found the payment notice from my first RR, that had a problem with gas tanks that were self destructing...It could happen hear...with the diffs...I paid for two tanks over three years...LRNA did reimburse me for the cost/labor of the tanks, but not the hotel stays, tows, and lost time. “Hint Hint.”

I’m thinking a photo montage of out in the wilderness with copy reading like: Out in the wilderness Stuck with a broken diff enjoying the wildlife, (photo with bear eating last remains)…Or how about: A Range Rover with family out in the bush taking in the sites, (Zoom out) showing RR being towed by a rival brand. You add the copy of what the RR owner is thinking.

Your scenario raises some scary thoughts! I remember getting back to town from being stuck off-road (which was due to a flat and not the RR) and they asked me if I saw any bears while changing my tire!!!!

Do you really think a video would/could help? I think they sell these RRs to rich people who don't go past the mall--meaning, there's a customer every second.

People who consider this an off-road vehicle, well, we're drinking too much of the Koolaid--it's marketing... like their latest commerical says, "Ever see the curvature of the Earth..." implying that RR will take you there -- perhaps they can say, "we never said it'd be trouble free!"

Taking this puppy off-road seems to be more rare than I think (and you know what I think). Perhaps I should consider a different vehicle (we spoke of that the other night--not sure I'm ready for the van type vehicle).

 

What you wrote worries me a great deal, in fact, it has me questioning how to prepare for off-the-beaten-path excursions where RR specific parts and unique tools are rare or hard.

That's why most sane people in Australia buy a Toyota Landcruiser for outback travel - for example, there is a Toyota service centre in every town with over a couple of thousand residents (about three dozen workshops in western New South Wales ) but only one LR service centre in western New South Wales. My nearest dealer is 600 km away.

 

That's why most sane people in Australia buy a Toyota Landcruiser for outback travel - for example, there is a Toyota service centre in every town with over a couple of thousand residents (about three dozen workshops in western New South Wales ) but only one LR service centre in western New South Wales. My nearest dealer is 600 km away.

Perhaps I should seriously consider a LandCruiser for durability, serviceability and reliability? But would people here still talk to me, because ultimately that’s what is truly important.

How much is a LandCruiser and do they have a Westminster version?

 

dG, come up to the NYC autoshow, and we'll go downstairs an look at the Ford (Disel powered) 4X4 vans, and the Sprinter (I'll look up their site) convertion 4X4, that really looks like it would fit your needs to a Tee. Me I have been looking at older D110s with a Chevy eng convertion..But they are also "over the top expensive"...Maybe we could just manufactur our own, lux, off road, expedition typ of rig.

Also the area that your going it full of Ford, GMCs. Maybe a less expensive route would be a 2500 Diesel crew cab pick-up with a camper? With the Lux int package they are not that bad, (not a RR) but still very nice for a travel rig.

Mark.

 

sORRY BUT those diesel pickups have horrible suspesnsions, they HURT. I do have one (03 Dodge cummins dually) for back up.

I have owned a Landcruiser and LX 470. They are boring and the ride is not as good as a Rover. Also don't buy the fancy hydro suspension if you seriously intend to offroad as it too can fail and leave you stranded.

 

I'll be in NYC March 18th thru 31st dG. As for the ride of the pick-ups the Chevy/GMC 2500s may not be as nice as a Range Rover, but hey; can 2 million cowboys be wrong. I had a Dodge 3500 (V10) for a short time and it was not bad for the most part. I just tested a GMC 2500 crew cab, short bed with the Duramax power, and found it, esp with the LT package to be very nice, again I will admit it's not Range Rover like, but I'm giving dG a recomendation for his needs. I would have no trouble traveling cross country in one.

Mark.

 

I will tell ya, once you have driven some distance, expansion joints, pot holes and most importantly some "rough" roads even with best of these trucks you will be hurting and frustrated, there is no way going back after a Rover. That is why I have been driving Rovers for 15 years and will add the mk3 to my 2 classics soon, I will deal with the little fixes these cars need as they actually hold up better then pickups under rough conditions. The trucks are nice and big and ok if the road surface is perfect. They can't be beat if you have 23000#s hitched up (like 5 rovers on a trailer ).

 

oh, the cowboys are made ouda steel and wouldn't not be caught out in a wimpy Rover :lol:

 

I will tell ya, once you have driven some distance, expansion joints, pot holes and most importantly some "rough" roads even with best of these trucks you will be hurting and frustrated, there is no way going back after a Rover. That is why I have been driving Rovers for 15 years and will add the mk3 to my 2 classics soon, I will deal with the little fixes these cars need as they actually hold up better then pickups under rough conditions. The trucks are nice and big and ok if the road surface is perfect. They can't be beat if you have 23000#s hitched up (like 5 rovers on a trailer ).

My RR replaced a 100 series Toyota Landcruiser GXL turbodiesel. The handling and suspension dynamics and level of comfort on broken roads in the RR is an order of magnitude better.

 

Range Rover is not new to me and I still have one of my two original classic 2 door versions which has done over 400,000kms including 4 crossings of central Australia. Only been used on the farm the last few years but converting it to diesel now so that I can use it instead of the MK3
Had a series 2, which after some initial problems I did around 135,000kms and then switched to the MK3diesel.
Huge improvement in comfort and performance on road but some major limitations off road especially tyres but spent over $12,000 on extras fitting it out for outback touring and then the disasters struck. It has done well over 5000kms on the back of trucks and Land Rover decided to close most of its dealers since I bought it so 600kms for a ‘reset’ or service. I’ve had multiple explanations as to what went wrong, the steering column has been “fixed’ multiple times and numerous other electrical and mechanical problems (some still outstanding) and I just don’t trust they have fixed it. Now they refuse to even acknowledge my claims as they eagerly await the expiration of warranty.
Like everyone else – RR has great ideas great innovation and absolutely hopeless quality and customer service driven by arrogance in their management.

Have looked at the New Toyota LandCruiser. No comparison really but great service available and you don’t hear of many problems. When there are they get fixed! Not a whole range of excuses and blaming the owners.

 

Forgot to mention the rig looks really great. Must work through this how to put up a picture. Anyone interested in a video clip of the place where it failed and use it as a video game to try your night driving skills, just contact me. (30secs)

 

Well finally got a picture on but i don't think it needs to be that big!
The Tyres are the same as used on the G4 rally imported from UK on their own rims. never had a chance to use them yet