1997 Land Rover Range Rover from UK and Ireland - Comments

Exhaust failed at 32,000 miles.

Door locks failed at 25,000 miles.

Boot lock mechanism failed at 25,000 miles.

Alarm unreliable since purchase.

Oil leak at 30,000 miles.

Driver's door window motor failed at 28,000 miles.

Why is it still not possible for Land Rover to make a well built and reliable car? I am a confirmed fan of the Range Rover, no other car looks as good or carries the same prestige in this sector of the market, but Land Rover are trying my patience.

This is the fourth Range Rover I have owned (from a 3.5 1987 V8 to the latest, newer models). I was assured that the 1990 model would be an improvement on my 1987 one. In the end I deserted Land Rover in frustration in the early 1990's as this Vogue was as poorly built as the old one.

Returning to the fold in 1995 (assuming that BMW would improve things) I bought an ex-dealer demonstrator 4.0SE (new shape). I ran it until June last year to 80,000 miles. The catalogue of faults would be far too long to list here. I was assured by my dealer that the 1997 model was vastly improved and once again I took the plunge and purchased a low mileage 4.0 V8. The car I bought is absolutely basic spec. I see no point in paying for air conditioning, cruise control etc. etc. if it is going to fail (as it frequently did in my 1995 SE).

One year later my wife has driven the car for 8,000 miles. Again, despite caring ownership and constant maintanence the car is going downhill. The last straw was the exhaust failing last week with only 32,688 miles on the clock. This is a £700 (+VAT) job at the main dealer. Other problems like another seized lock, another major oil leak etc. and the bill is likely to be around £2000.00.

I can live with the high purchase price, I can live with high fuel and insurance costs, but I cannot live with a car that is so badly built. I am going back to Mercedes as I did in the early 1990's.

Please, please Ford, build a decent Range Rover and you have one customer in the wings already!

Hello, I agree Range Rovers have their share of problems. I have a 96 and my list of problems is longer than yours, willing to place a wager? But what tops it all off is the dealers can be crooks. I bought a "demo" and it turned out to be a dealer buy back. Check into your vehicles history more if you still have it. For some reason the Land Rover dealers have lots of "demos".

I also love Range Rovers - the way they look and drive. But, MY GOD, the maintenance costs are just ludicrous. My last 1992 Trocadero Red with 65,000 miles was in the shop at least five/six times a year with niggling (and some major) problems, including: fluid leaks, failed electrical accessories, air conditioning malfunctions, shot fuses, constant ball-joint/alignment issues, ABS problems, door/tailgate latch and locking jams, body trim and cladding falling off, etc., etc., etc., etc. I just gave up and sold it in 1996.

I will NEVER buy another one. Solihull just cannot build a reliable vehicle (I don't care how elegant they look and which multinational claims to be in charge). Sorry, Ford/Land Rover, but my business and love have long gone elsewhere...

I have very much the same experience with my Range Rover 2.5 DSE m98 in Sweden, after only 6 months ownership. Very a bad experience concerning reliability, maintenance costs and now also servicing. Have just changed from BMW (excellent) to Volvo (very poor) service due to FORD take over and fear the worst. Volvo (Bilia) charges almost twice the price of a BMW service. Did talk to 50 owners of Range Rovers before purchase and was alerted what to look out for. Many owners have had similar problems that in my mind Land Rover should pay for Here some examples: (several also from my own car)

- ACC display and functional problems

- Fuel feeder pump in tank doesn't work

- ABS pump that doesn't work (£1,500)

- Exhaust that breaks after low mileage

- Engine break down

- Automatic transmission break down

- Central locking that doesn´t work

- Stereo/CD doesn´t work when cold

- Wheel angles not OK

- Brakes that do not last

- Oil leaks from engine & transmission

- Air suspension either too low or high

- Earth connections that corrodes = electrical malfunctions

- Central computer BECAM that goes wrong

- Fueses and relay central behind battery destroyed every 2'nd year due to battery acid vapour

- Steering column shake/play

- Water leaks upper side front screen

- Corrosion various places

- Alarm problems.

This makes me think - when all these things can go wrong, how can I then trust that my airbag or ABS works when I really need them. I don´t trust anything on this car.

I have had similar experience with my former Discovery 300 TDI m98 and can just say that Land Rover Solihull cannot build (off road) cars - however they know how to charge customers and how to make them upset, changing to other better cars.

I bought my car second hand for a very low price and will still earn money when I sell it, but the depreciation and the problems that the first owner has experienced are not fair to any customer.

In late October 2001 I ordered a new XS Discovery on the basis of the published spec. I also specified some options including the heated front screen. After much badgering, my dealer phoned on 26th Feb 2002 to say it had landed, however a) Land Rover had forgotten the heated screen which is only a factory-fit because of alternative wiring harness and they could do nothing b) Land-Rover in their wisdom had deleted the sun-roofs without telling anyone thereby effectively increasing the price by IEP900.00 & not even giving me an opportunity to specify these as a cost-option (Thanks a lot, Land-Rover) In addition the very useful, mechanical diff-lock which existed in SII Discoveries, even though the gear-lever didn't operate it, has been deleted for '02. LR will contend that its not needed 'cos of the trac. control but what happens when that packs up (which it will). Ford, you have a mammoth task ahead yet - or do you even care? Are we guaranteed that the old British Leyland attitude of the seventies will live for ever? I hope the car is reliable, I haven't even seen it yet & I'm beginning to regret not buying Japanese already. I think I want my totally reliable '99 VW Passat back - it was delivered exactly the week specified with exactly the spec. seen at time of purchase. Its a crying shame, LR could be wonderful cars, out-selling every other manufacturer in every market...why...oh why? Its so stupid and so unnecessary...and there may not be many more either, now there's no chassis manufacturer... Frustrated of Wicklow.

I live and work in Angola, West Africa, and recently imported a 1998 RR 4.6HSE from Germany with 60,000kms on the clock. The car had a full service history and was immaculate inside and out. You could eat your dinner off the engine it was so clean. Its last service was less than a 1,000 kms before I bought it. The vehicle had obviously enjoyed an easy life in the care of a pampering owner.

I was immediately impressed with its ride and handling and was genuinely delighted with the car. Last Thursday, I decided to take it for a 300 km run into the interior to visit a friend's coffee plantation. A good 150kms of the road is in excellent condition, the last portion gradually deteriorates, but, I hasten to add, others traverse the same route in saloon cars.

On the return journey, now around 400kms into the trip, the rear portion of the exhaust fractured into two pieces and I had to remove it and put it in the back. A few kilometres further on, on a smooth section of the road, there was a very load hiss and I assumed that I had suffered a puncture. All the tyres seemed fine so I carried on. A kilometre further on, there was another less violent hiss and the rear of the car sank to its bump stops. I tried lowering the suspension (the front now joined the rear on the bump stops) and then tried unsuccessfully to raise the car again. I still had 260kms to go. The war has only just finished in Angola and the country through which I was travelling still can be dangerous. At night, it is murderous if you are on your own. It took me 14 hours to recover the car back to Luanda at 20kms per hour and I don't mind telling you I was a trifle nervous at times. A friendly trucker tried to get the vehicle onto his flatbed, but because the car was so low, it grounded out on the ramps so I was forced to continue on my own at a snail's pace. The ride, as you can imagine, was excruciating. After 100 kms, the warning system alerted my by now pounded senses that there had been an EAS failure.

I have always liked Range Rovers and bought this one as a present for my wife. OK, I can live with the exhaust although it was obvious that it was a stress fracture. That the airsuspension cannot handle what I would call medium terrain is a shock. I was not traveling fast. Although I was returning by myself, on the way there I was following an ancient bandeirante which on the smoothest blacktop could only manage 90kms per hour. On the rougher stuff we crawled along.

Now I have to try and figure out what the problem is and get it repaired, no doubt at enormous cost. Sadly, I would have to say that if your vehicle is mission critical, if your life depends on it, do not buy a Range Rover with airsuspension. If you want the style, sacrifice some of the handling and off road ability and convert to springs!

Tom Gowans

Luanda.

Please can anyone tell me how much my '96 n reg discovery would have cost brand new at the time? thanks,...from female owner.

Maybe you must import your Range Rovers from South Africa - I have several friends owning from 1995 models up to 2001 model, all of them flawless. We all regard them as the Best 4x4x far!! (and superb for on the road as well!)

After the release of the "New Shape" Range Rover this year (2004) I thought I might be able to afford a good used diesel 98'ish Range Rover as it has always been my most sought after off road vehicle!

But after reading these reviews I am scared as hell of even looking at one!

They are a lovely car! are they worth the hassle???

My range rover is now 19 years old, main bean broke, low range transfer box broke, roof fallen in, rear wiper motor broke, power steering leaks, springs soggy, speedo link broke, fuel gauge broke, front drivers side door won't open, passenger window won't open, scary on bends, flawless isuzu 2.8td - oh hang on that's japanese - just bought a 93 LSE I'm a glutton for punishment, but if it doesn't fall apart it aint got character.

1995 Range Rover 4.0 SEC Purchased Pre-Owned with 85.000 K. Repairs since purchase-12-01-2001.

Windscreen rear-view mirror cover missing

2 Burnt-out odometer lights

Rear Exhaust Muffler rusted-out

Windscreen Washers clog +Headlamp washers leak

3 occasions Air-Conditioning malfuctioned

Replaced Battery

Replaced EAS Compressor

Erratic locking and unlocking of interior locks

Replaced Oil Cooler Lines

Now, although I have incurred various inconveniences and financial

costs, I will never own any automobile other than a Range Rover

because I feel the Rover to be the epitome of British, timeless

design, clout and longevity, and yes there are those unnecessary

engineering flaws. The performance aspect is somewhat lacking, but

on open highway the Rover cruises flawlessly at 100 mph and handles phenomenally well. We also own a 1999 Discovery which has been

repair free, a great value.

I was ready to invest/waste $26,000 in a 2000 range rover, but I have never seen so many bad reviews on a car. I can't beleive that range rover still has the nerve to charge so much for this unreliable SUV. I certainly like the styling of the car, absolutely beautiful inside and out.

But with these reviews I will not waste my money on it.

Thanks everyone, I will stick with my 93 acura legend.

I have been searching for information related to porous block on a 98 range rover 4.0 ltr although this problem is known by engineers within the motor trade there seems to be poor coverage to prevent other owners from taking steps to prevent an engine failure.

Ihave owned the above car from new maintained it by the book so when I took it in for dianosis of poor running,stall when cold and light knocking I was stunned to be told after a full service £900,quote you need a new engine.

It is now in the hands of a well reputed engineering company who will asses the damage, remove the engine replace it upgraded 4.6 and give me opportunity to build a case for a letter to land rover complaining how an investment of £50000 only lasted 5 years and 60000 miles.

Any similar case history or serious problem news would be welcome.

This is the worst news I have ever received during car ownership. the range rover ownership carries an expensive tag other than a series of small fault all seen before as present owners list, these one puts up with. if you have not been lucky enough to take one into deep water mud and slime ask lr to take you it is fantastic. I never did it with my own vehicle so that is why I am so mad.

Some years ago I bought a 1989 3.5 ltr Range Rover. I have always wanted one, the style and looks are just great. I had the car inspected and so came with an engineers report which was fine. Within the first week the battery died on me and the back door lock refused to work. The back door wouldn't shut properly and the seals didn't work either, the boot was always wet.

During the first six months the car cost me well over £2000 to put right. With a baby on the way I soon found out the true cost of running one of these truely lovely looking cars.

Unfortunately it had to go, but guess what? I'm now looking for another. The problem is I just don't know which one to buy? Could someone please give me some advice on which is possibly the one to buy given I can only afford to pay around £8000. thank you.

I just thought I would add one more log to the fire...

I bought a used '97 4.0 SE Range Rover because I live in Colorado and love going to the mountains to ski, bike, hike, and get off the beaten path. I thought the Range Rover seemed like the perfect car for me, with a very nice interior, all the options I could possibly want, and it looks good too. Wow, was I wrong... My previous car was a 1990 Acura Legend, and I would feel safer taking that into the mountains than my Range Rover! When I first got it early last year I took it off-roading on some really rough terrain, and it performed great... then on the ride home there was a fault with the suspension and I got to ride all the way home at 30 miles per hour virtually sitting on the ground... When I took it in to have it repaired I got a nice set back of $2,200 and was told it needed another $2,000 worth of work to be in perfect working order... I hadn't even owned it a month! Since, I have put a total of just over $5,000 of repairs into it and at this moment, it still needs the sunroof repaired ($1,200), a brake hose replaced ($400), the left rear door doesn't open from the inside (~$300 - $900 depending on labor), the air conditioning needs fixed ($?) and some of the display bulbs have burned out ($?)... And the worst part is I can't even sell it for what I still owe on it, not ethically anyway!

I personally will never own another Land Rover product,..

Please, please, learn from my mistake!

$400 for a brake hose?

A similar part for a military jet would be cheaper.

Don't believe anything the dealers tell you. They are all liars and will even sabotage your vehicle.

In Asia & Africa, the Range Rover/Land Rover have largely been supplanted by Toyota Land Cruiser.

Now we know why.