Range Rover Message Boards? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dieseldude · #1 02-07-2004, 05:01 PM

Hi all,

I was wondering if any of you Range Rover enthusiasts could point me to a similiar community like Mecerdesshop (knowing it probably won't be as expansive or full or such fine company

).

Also some general questions for current owners: I'm looking at a '93 County LWB as a tough ski/family vehicle. I know RR's can be maintenance intensive - is this year/model any more or less so than others? ( I am aware of the pneumatic suspension - how expensive can that get?).

Also, I enjoy wrenching on the Benz's, so I'm not intimidated by most maintenance and your occasional bigger job. Are there good, less-expesive parts sources out there for OE or OEM parts (again, like Mercedesshop)?

I always had the impression (with no rela experience) that RR's are solid, and for the most part well-built, and not too pricey to maintain if you don't need to go to the dealer for everything including oil changes, etc. How far off the mark am I here?

Thanks much,
- Ryan

CJ · #2 02-07-2004, 09:06 PM

After reading the repair section I was LMAO!!

http://www.rangerovers.net/#repair

Read it and you will understand.

dieseldude · #3 02-08-2004, 01:25 PM

Thanks for the links and info guys - LOTS of good stuff! *Gulp* now, do I take the plunge or not?

So attractive, and rugged - and such character....buuut, the potential for wallet-busting repair costs are intimidating. Still, seems like lots of DIY soltultions have been developed for the Classic at least.

I'm checking into aftermarket warranties. Sounds like the cost/availabilty of these will be a huge factor in whether I'll do it or not.

Regards,
- Ryan

#4 02-08-2004, 06:41 PM

I have a 94 classic and yes, they are expensive to maintain. If you are a DIY type, you can do almost everything yourself. The real expense for me has been sorting out the front end after 99000 miles of use. I had the swivel housings practically rebuilt, tie rods, ball joints, drag links, bushings, etc. replaced all in an effort to remove a bump steer condition I was having. Parts are about as expensive, maybe a little more so, than on a V8 benz or bimmer. Many of the air syspension models have been converted to coil springs (theres a kit you can buy) like the earlier models (the air suspession will fail and eventually needs to be converted on every one of these cars). If you can find one thats been well maintained, doesn't leak all that much, and has already been converted to coil springs, I would go for it. An old rover, though sometime problematic, has loads of character and is a much more stylish, sturdy vehicle than you can buy for twice the cash.Even with their quirks, rovers are extremely durable and can go on for miles and miles.

dieseldude · #5 02-08-2004, 10:32 PM

Thanks for the additional advice JTU - that's the kind of ownership experience I'm looking for. I think I'm actually going for this one *gulp again*

101k on the clock, very clean inside and out (no rust in the rear tailgate, or any other leaks that I could see). Had it's 90k service done at the dealer last year, and no issues with the suspension currently. Was a Land Rover certified used car before that time and master vehicle report shows many, regular repairs (and some big $$$ items included). Just about all records since new. Just had water pump and all radiator hoses replaced.

Started right up and ran/drove very smoothly - impressively refined for an SUV. AC and climate control were responsive, and no idiot lights on. Sounds like if this thing will cost money, it'll be down the road as lots of things have been recently taken care of.

....And into the darkness of British car ownership I go...

Curiously JTU (and any others with experience): does the pneumatic suspension result in costly failures from regular, punishing off-road use, or are they just touchy to being with?

Thanks again all - anyone in the market for a very nice 240D W115 manual?

- Ryan

Hatterasguy · #6 02-09-2004, 12:57 PM

."...And into the darkness of British car ownership I go..."
The Dark Lord Lucas smiles

limeyb · #7 02-09-2004, 03:33 PM

I recently sold my Overfinch Range Rover to buy my MB300CE.
IF the power seat switch goes, the Mercedes 300td switch fits. Mine used to fail on a regular basis but I just to pulled it out, clean it, bang it a few times put it back in and it worked again.
LOTS of help and tips on rangerovers.net.

#8 02-09-2004, 08:35 PM

Offroading coud speed up the death of the air system but they are just known for problems and inevitable failure in general. Your air suspension may be fine for a long while but here's the issue: replacing a leaking air spring will cost almost as much as converting the vehicle over to coils. Even if you replace an air bag, a more expensive component (like the valve body or compressor, or another air bag at that) could, and is likely to, fail. It is universally understood among classic owners that the air suspension isn't worth putting money into and coil springs are superior in every way. The likelihood of failure is very good and with the coil spring setup, you don't lose any handling or off road capability. Granted, the air suspension could extend beyond its normal paramaters to get a high centered vehicle un-stuck but with the right spring setup, you can find a very nice balance between ride, handling, and offroad capability. Atlantic British Ltd. is a great parts supplier for rovers and has coil spring conversion kits available for classics. I bought my conversion kit from them selecting Old Man Emu springs over the stock springs. I believe the kit was $399 (including more expensive springs). The dealer converted my truck for about $900 and i've never looked back. Good luck with your purchase.