I've been watching youtube videos by Automotive Breakdown regarding Range Rover ownership. I appreciate his enthusiasm for the brand, but at the same time he does put a bit of fear in me about "surprises" and costs. Do you RR owners out there find his comments to be accurate?
Youtube vids by Automotive Breakdown - accurate?
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Have idea who you are talking about. Most Youtube stuff on Range Rovers are based on continuing the fear mongering usually false tales that float around the internet.
There are far more owners that never have an issue than folks in forums.
There are far more owners that never have an issue than folks in forums.
Yeah, Range Rover fear-mongering is very popular on YouTube because it generates clicks and views (aka money for the people making those trash videos). Doug Demuro kinda started that with his silly Carmax warranty videos about his Range Rover.
If you have any common sense, do your due diligence when buying a Range Rover, and have some general mechanical knowledge, you can avoid being ripped off by greedy Land Rover shops/dealerships. Also, if you know how to work on cars, then owning a Range Rover is no more difficult than owning any other old BMW/Mercedes/Audi.
For example, I just replaced a leaking water pump with a brand new one, and did all of the necessary gaskets, along with resealing the intake manifold to fix a rough cold startup idle. Total retail parts cost with tax and all? $204. Got it all done in one day and it hasn't leaked a drop since.
If you have any common sense, do your due diligence when buying a Range Rover, and have some general mechanical knowledge, you can avoid being ripped off by greedy Land Rover shops/dealerships. Also, if you know how to work on cars, then owning a Range Rover is no more difficult than owning any other old BMW/Mercedes/Audi.
For example, I just replaced a leaking water pump with a brand new one, and did all of the necessary gaskets, along with resealing the intake manifold to fix a rough cold startup idle. Total retail parts cost with tax and all? $204. Got it all done in one day and it hasn't leaked a drop since.
I've seen almost all of his videos, he has a 2011 RR I believe. Can't really say there is much in there that is way out of line or downright fear mongering, but he does use the dealer for all his maintenance issues, so yes the maintenance costs he quotes are kind of high. Like he says he spent 18K on maintenance last year. I don't think he lists out everything but I know he had 2K in a brake job, had the fluids all replaced as well. No doubt he had the cam guides done in order to make it all the way to the 18K total. If you can't do your own maintenance you should definately have a pile of money set aside for even just the regular everyday things like oil changes and brake pads. If you can do your own work and get your own parts you will easily cut the maintenance down to about 25% of what the dealers will charge you.
Thank You Everyone for your input. While I do appreciate the guy's passion for Range Rovers, I was surprised at the "$18k repairs" performed in one year. The video guy is a genuine enthusiast and I think he has nothing but good intentions, so I respect that. I've worked on all kinds of cars over the last 4 decades, musclecars to foreign, and even exotics. I've done some engine-out jobs on a few Ferraris, and numerous timing belts and chains on domestic and foreign cars...so while cautious...I'm not too frightened about possibly getting into a Range Rover (2010 to 2012). I research things to death before I take the plunge....drive's sales guys nuts!
I've never seen his vids but range rovers being a nightmare isn't some mythical thing haha. If you have a garage, RR specific diagnostics and know how to work on cars they're no big deal. If you're relying on the dealer for everything it can be a nightmare. Over the winter I went around the car and changed out every bushing, rotor, pad, rebuilt the front calipers... At the dealer this is a 15k service bill without breaking a sweat. It cost me roughly $800 and about 10 hours over the course of a couple of days.
I just watched another one of this guy's videos where they talk about his friend getting a 2011 BMW 7-Series at one of the used car dealerships around Atlanta, and getting totally hosed on the deal. The buyer says he reviewed the carfax and had a PPI done, but then after buying the car - took it to an independent foreign car specialist - who said the car had been totally repainted, etc. Then he re-ran the carfax and discovered what he was shown previously at the dealer was not for the car he was looking at. Advice for people considering getting a high end foreign car - get someone who knows cars to look at it with you. There are certain things to look for no matter what car your considering, things like paint over spray, evidence of tap lines, missing decals, wavy body panels, excessive orange peel paint, etc. I never trust any big city used car dealerships, there are legit places out there that really do car - but it's rare.
Whenever buying an exotic car used, take it to an authorized service center for a complete inspection. My local RR dealership charges $150 for a complete and thorough inspection. Well worth the cost!
I had a friend who took a used Honda Pilot to a local Honda dealership, before she purchased it, and they saw rust and corrosion beginning to build up underneath the vehicle that was sprayed over with black paint. Needless to say, saved her a lot of headaches and money.
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I had a friend who took a used Honda Pilot to a local Honda dealership, before she purchased it, and they saw rust and corrosion beginning to build up underneath the vehicle that was sprayed over with black paint. Needless to say, saved her a lot of headaches and money.
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you are aware on a 2010 to 2012 you are likely to have to do a timing chain which i approx 7k from a dealer.
Hello TTFORCED...yes I am aware of the timing chain & guide issues, and it is a serious concern. From what I understand, there is no visual way of determining of an engine has had the chain & guide upgrade - so if the seller cannot provide proof - I have to assume it has not been done. On another topic...regarding the sound system, is there a way to tell if a vehicle has the upgraded system?
If you don't have a really well equipped garage/DYI skill, or a friend who can help... Have 15-20k to drop on the car at any given time at the dealer... or a bit less at a trusted independent, otherwise do not buy a range rover. That's just the fact of the matter. As for gauging whether the sound system has been upgraded you just have to look at it. Usually people don't mess with the sound system given it's already good and the head unit has many vehicle related functions. Really just look at it or have someone who knows what they're looking at look at it for you.
Hello BRAD S1...thank you for the sound advice, I totally concur with you. As I mentioned earlier, I am a DYI'er, and I've always loved European vehicles. I have owned and worked on many cars over the years, everything from 4 cylinders up to 12 cylinders, and even a few exotics like Ferrari and Maserati. With Range Rovers being a mix of technologies from different manufacturers, it is a bit daunting - but I think I'll be okay.
As for the Harmon Kardon sound system upgrade, I heard that there was a factory option that had 17 speakers and something like 1100 watts of power - that is serious! I would just like to know if there is a quick visual way to tell as I'm constantly searching the internet and it's hard to tell from the vehicle descriptions. If an L322 Range Rover has the rear seat entertainment - is that an indicator that it also has the optional sound system?
As for the Harmon Kardon sound system upgrade, I heard that there was a factory option that had 17 speakers and something like 1100 watts of power - that is serious! I would just like to know if there is a quick visual way to tell as I'm constantly searching the internet and it's hard to tell from the vehicle descriptions. If an L322 Range Rover has the rear seat entertainment - is that an indicator that it also has the optional sound system?
I believe that Doug Demuro had a 2006 that was featured in the CarMax videos. I recall this because I had the exact same model and year.
My experience was entirely different from his. I had what I consider to be a fairly low cost of ownership for a performance vehicle. No huge surprises or big issues. I did end up fixing a few small things myself, for example, I installed a more modern back up camera, which was a nice improvement.
My experience was entirely different from his. I had what I consider to be a fairly low cost of ownership for a performance vehicle. No huge surprises or big issues. I did end up fixing a few small things myself, for example, I installed a more modern back up camera, which was a nice improvement.
1.) missed the part you're a DYI person, apologies. That being the case owning one is no big deal! As you and others have mentioned mentioned 2010-12 have those timing chain issues with is a concern. I won't buy one for that reason (unless I found one with service records showing it done)
2.) I thought you meant aftermarket sound systems, also my mistake. I have no idea about the option you're talking about. Hopefully someone can chime in with more info for you
I cannot stand to listen to that guy talk haha.
flat12, there s a badge on the speaker grill - Logic 7,
Logic7 is characterized by a 5.1 surround sound setup with a total output of 1200 watts, built with 15-channel sound and 19 speakers plus a 20mm subwoofer in the front door and a subwoofer in the rear quarter deck.
Logic7 is characterized by a 5.1 surround sound setup with a total output of 1200 watts, built with 15-channel sound and 19 speakers plus a 20mm subwoofer in the front door and a subwoofer in the rear quarter deck.
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