2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE 2.7 turbo diesel 190 hp

Summary:

Expensive to run, engine too weak and totally unreliable being prone to dangerous faults

Faults:

I bought this car from a friend who for sure has serviced it properly after he bought it new from a local dealer in 2006. He said that his engine blew off at 50,000 km and had been replaced under warranty, no other major faults afterwards. I should have taken into account this warning sign. After having the car for about 4 months, the summary so far is as follows:

- It left me stranded on the highway, fuel pump replaced after being towed to my hometown, 2 weeks in the garage, EUR 900.

- A hole in the pipe connecting the turbocharger with the engine; repair shop said the hole has been there for many months if not years; they were amazed the whole car did not burn out earlier because of being set on fire by high pressure fumes coming from the hole, 2 weeks in the garage, EUR 1,500.

- In the beginning of the third month, the engine died and all systems (including steering and brake hydraulics) completely stopped at 150 kmph while overtaking on the highway, hardly managed to stop without being hit by cars behind, 2 kids and wife with me.

The car has been in repair shop since then (now it is the end of the fourth month). They dismantled the engine and it turned out the crankshaft has broken apart, destroying the entire engine. So now it needs a new engine + some additional systems repaired, estimated cost between EUR 7-8,000+ and 3-5 more weeks in the garage.

So now my only option is to put the car up for sale immediately for a fraction of its acquisition cost.

General Comments:

This car has been a pleasure to drive (driving position is great, great interior and the air suspension is fantastic), although this engine is too small and you don't feel very comfortable when overtaking. However it was in the repair shop most of the time and proved prone to expensive and dangerous faults. Some would say it is normal for a 10-year old car, but I do not think so, considering the type of faults. Never again. I just made a down payment for a 2013 VW Passat Alltrack. Looks like a great car and I hope I will not have such issues with her.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th September, 2016

20th Sep 2016, 00:28

A used Passat?

In reply to 20th Sep 2016, 00:28

22nd Sep 2016, 11:05

Why buy a used VW? I would have bought a new domestic crossover or larger My son owned a Range Rover and had many issues. Engine and air ride failure stick out the most. I would have bought a new Explorer or Edge SEL AWD. Other than A/C repair and routine maintenance, that's all I had from new up to 165k miles to date. The Range Rover was a great image car however and never was used off road. Popular with realtors.

15th Feb 2017, 01:50

Sorry for your bad luck (although buying a used Range Rover calls for taking risks already). You say "He said that his engine blew off at 50,000 km and had been replaced under warranty, no other major faults afterwards. I should have taken into account this warning sign." I think the warning sign here wasn't the blown engine, it was the "no other major faults afterwards" sentence. Surely not really a 'friend' or at least not a good one? No major faults during 180000 km on a Range Rover? Well, if one thinks only either blown engine or transmission are 'major' issues, then yeah... spending countless of thousands on suspension, steering, A/C, electrical parts, computers and so on is surely a 'minor' annoyance.

21st Oct 2020, 05:16

Driving a 23 year old Mercedes C230 means occasional trips to the U-Pull It yard for spares. I continue to be amazed at the number of newish appearing Land Rovers that are being parted out, some appearing to be no more than four or five years old, and intact. Thank you for the enlightening information.