advice on buying a 2006 RR sport

[99Disco1]

Hey guys,

My wife and I set out to find her a low mileage and clean 2004 Disco. However, we got discracted by a beautiful RR sport.

The price is fair and the deal on my trade in is acceptable.

BUT!!

Is this a good year? It seems like there is always a certain year to avoid with anything. Any known problems with a 2006?

It has 55k miles on it. My main concern is the air bag suspension. I have not see a airbag delete kit for anything past a P38.

Please give me your opinion and anything special to look for.
Thanks guys,
Jason

 

[whatroad]

Take this at face value. I asked someone I know that is a dealer tech the same question about a month ago. This is what he told me, 2003-2005 is the ticket. I've researched those years, and they have had issues, but I believe they all do. The 2006 was the first year for the Jag motor.

I think the low buy in on these trucks is tempting to some, however they are unaware of the upkeep. These are not like a Disco, they are costly to drive. However, I still want one.

 

[Tugela]

Atlantic British carries air suspension to coil spring conversion kits for the L322 Range Rover that span $1,000 to $1,700 but it doesn't look like they have any for the Sport.

RR Sport replacement air spring ($450 each):
http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/LR016411G.cfm

I think the Sport looks sharp and a friend of mine loves his Supercharged, but after getting inside I was not so impressed. For its size it doesn't have much interior room. They handle great on the road but that's what they're tuned for out of the dealership. The 20" wheels and street tires won't be ideal for trails if you're inclined to leave the pavement. My friend is paranoid of damaging his wheels on rocks and refuses to take it off road despite my pressuring him.

My friend's Sport is a 2008 and he hasn't had a single issue with it. But once the warranty runs out and he has to start paying the dealership to fix it I think he'll be in for a surprise.

If you haven't already, you might want to spend some time reading the forums at http://rangerovers.net/forum
This will give you an idea of what problems other owners have already encountered and what they have done to fix them.

If the Sport gets you fired up, then go for it.

 

[99Disco1]

Thanks for the advise guys. Offroading is really not an issue. Back in Feburary, I sold my jeep, street bike, boat and my disco all to buy a D-90.

My wife and I have a combined income of less then 70k per year so maintance always is a factor. All the wires scare the poop out of me. We have had 2 discos and they were pretty good trucks. Just wondering if this RR would be as good to us.

 

[AU_88]

I've spent quite a bit of time behind an 06 RRS and can say that it has been a great rover. Several small things like a rattle with the door chime and the keys quit charging when inserted into the ignition, but thats about it. Be prepared for expensive oil changes and maintenance though.

 

[carlosz]

they basically ride on the same frame as the lr3.. they have continued aligment issues, it uses continental sport contact tires at 500 bucks a pop and goes thru them at a very alarming rate.
quite often you will have a double or even triple whammy with brakes tires and align all at once.
almost impossible to communicate with the system due to lack of software release, so you end up going back to dealer for something as mundane as reseting the srvice/oil change remainder, this in turn trips system sofware update. out of warraty the dealer wants anywhere from 1 to 3 hrs per download if you decline your car and its issues are rolled out.
sofware upgrade issues tend to develop other communications issues with in the different networks.
key fob replacements are roughly 400 each, special order must be programmed by dealer and yes they tend to loose communications with the inmobilizer so you end up with factory land rover desk paper weight.
the air ride susp goes thru compressors at every 40 thousand miles and it is roughly 400 bucks plus diagnosis and installation so you may end up with a huge bill depending on shop and technician's knowledge of product
defitively would not reccomend it if you are on a budget.
best of luck.

 

[KyleT]

. Find a luxury package. It has wood on the door panels.

 

[rcshauger]

It is a very nice LR3. 2006 motor is better than the 2005. Do not stress too much about the air suspension. It is costly to replace and will last a bit longer than the previous posts state. I would agree with the LUX package and add a HD package for a locking diff in the rear, but the terrain response was more than adequate on my LR3. My hesitation is more that I was looking at the RRS and decided on the MKIII HSE. If you are going to get the sport, look for a LUX SC, they are WAY more fun to drive than the regular HSE.

You can see what I ultimately decided on, and my next one will be a sport SC.

Look at the full sized ones and look for an 04. IMHO these are the best of the group: BMW engine, no fiber optics for navigation and computers, so they are easy to upgrade, and replace. RAVE covers it, and it is still impressive on the trail, up to the ski hill (wolf creek in 2 feet of snow), and around town.

The air suspension is really great and reliable in my experience. You can also buy shortened sensor rods for an instant 2" lift on the LR3/RRS if you want to get bigger tires.

Check out rangerovers.net for some buying tips and year descriptions.

 

[99Disco1]

Thanks for all the info guys. How would I know if it is a LUX SC?

I pulled a carfax and it just states Sport HSE.

If it is not a LUX SC, what am I missing?

The ones with the rear locker.......how would I know if it has it? A special button somewhere like on a toyota?

If I purchased a 2007, it would have the rear locker...correct? Dont they all?

 

[rcshauger]

LUX has interior upgrades like wood on the doors and nicer leather than the standard HSE.

SC is supercharged and should be noted as such. An HSE is not a SC

the rear locker is a button on the dash on the earlier models and I believe it is computer controlled on the newer ones.

 

[Gordo]

You couldnt pay me to own a sport. A real RR yes, a sport no. Might as well get an LR3. Yeah I know the 90 is no different than the RRC or D1 but hey it has collector value so you can convince me that is worth the price, the RRS no way. its ugly. Gordo.

 

[99Disco1]

Ok, this must have the lux package. The interior is very nice with alot of wood and the leather does seem to be nicer then the others we have driven.

Gordo..... I do agree with you.....to an extent. This is just going to be something for my wife to drive around in so she looks like we have money. She is in real estate (office manager) in a super snotty neighborhood. She is just trying to look cool. This will also be a family vacation rig. I own a small tree company and drive around in my dirty old diesel truck and love it.

I do have a lifted and locked D-90 that we go wheeling with so that makes me kinda cool right ?

 

[AU_88]

It is a very nice LR3. 2006 motor is better than the 2005. Do not stress too much about the air suspension. It is costly to replace and will last a bit longer than the previous posts state. I would agree with the LUX package and add a HD package for a locking diff in the rear, but the terrain response was more than adequate on my LR3. My hesitation is more that I was looking at the RRS and decided on the MKIII HSE. If you are going to get the sport, look for a LUX SC, they are WAY more fun to drive than the regular HSE.

You can see what I ultimately decided on, and my next one will be a sport SC.

Look at the full sized ones and look for an 04. IMHO these are the best of the group: BMW engine, no fiber optics for navigation and computers, so they are easy to upgrade, and replace. RAVE covers it, and it is still impressive on the trail, up to the ski hill (wolf creek in 2 feet of snow), and around town.

The air suspension is really great and reliable in my experience. You can also buy shortened sensor rods for an instant 2" lift on the LR3/RRS if you want to get bigger tires.

Check out rangerovers.net for some buying tips and year descriptions.

Why will your next one be a sport? I'm looking to buy another RR at the end of the year and after driving both I much prefer the size of the big one... Any particulars?

 

[rcshauger]

Because I intend on having both... My wife loves the lines of the sport and by the time I get this one paid off the SC sport will be a bit more affordable. There is no comparison for size in the cabin. the full size wins and the sport is more of an around-town purchase for us.

The feel of driving the sport is nothing compared to the full sized one, the sport is a bit more responsive, but not as nice.

In short, I am greedy.

 

[AU_88]

Because I intend on having both... My wife loves the lines of the sport and by the time I get this one paid off the SC sport will be a bit more affordable. There is no comparison for size in the cabin. the full size wins and the sport is more of an around-town purchase for us.

The feel of driving the sport is nothing compared to the full sized one, the sport is a bit more responsive, but not as nice.

In short, I am greedy.

Understood... I was planning on doing the same thing in a few years. Just want to start with the full size.

 

[Gordo]

anyone who owns a 90 is cool in my book, especially someone who wheels it! I say drive both and let her decide. I know what you mean about looking cool. Women are funny like that. I bought my wife a 2000 RR several years ago as her 94 Disco was a bit rusty and long in the tooth in the looks department. Speaking of old Diesels I just sold my trusty 94 F250 7.3 Diesel. Had to get a car for work but I hated selling the old truck! Good luck.

 

[99Disco1]

Gordo, my daily driver is a 97 F-350 with the 7.3. It's scratched old dirty and smells bad. Smoke alot and it's loud and shakes on the road. In other words...its perfect! Your going to miss yours!

Thanks for all the rover advise and keep the info coming.