Have a 13 month little rascal right now, so the 3 series Bimmer is just not cutting it anymore... One stroller, the trunk is pretty much history. So I decided to buy an used Range Rover, figured it was big, lots of space, safe and some snobb appeal for LaLa land.

Found a 96 (same year as my 993) with 43k miles on it for $10k, first day home the stupid EAS (Eletronic Air Suspension) acted up, dropped the car all the way down. Drove like a low rider all the way home (Bouncing up and down). Spent the next few hours taking apart the EAS unit (Pump, control unit, distribution valve) and went on the net searching for answers and found as much information that's avaliable for the Range Rover as the Porsche sites.... Looks like there is a HUGE following out there, would almost say MORE then the Porsche crowd. (Scary!!!!)

After all the reading, this darn Range Rover is a pretty cool "truck!" Looks like there is going to be one more DIY/tech site coming soon, with the little time that I have.... what the hell did I get myself into.

 

For 10K (and a willingness to work on them yourself) that is not a bad deal IMHO. Hope the baby boy is doing well.

 

So what's next Robin, RSR's for Range Rovers?.......LOL

ZP44

 

10k and mechanical aptitude go well together. I myself am a recovering british car guy so I can see the draw but have been pretty successful at staying away.

Pix of the kid!

 

Robyn,

If you can get the DIY's as detailed as you've done for the p-car I might be willing to buy my sister's 02 hse from her. I like the look of these trucks better than the current model, it's just the damn reliability of them.

 

I like those tanks! Good buy, me thinks

 

LOL! thanks guys. I think the Brits over did it with this car, sort of remind me of the James Bond gadgets, way too much engineering that doesn't hold up for everyday use. I noticed that even the front windshield have defrost wires built in.... what are these people thinking?

The more I study the EAS system the more impressed I am at how much detail and the parameters they put into this unit to make it work, no wonder it BROKE! I guess there is always plan B, put in steel springs in place of the air bars.

FWIW, the car drives like a dog. Very very slow... and very very unresponsive steering. I guess that's the nature of the beast. After driving this thing for an hour I immediately became a much better Porsche driver!

 

Obviously you don't subscribe to Consumer Reports.

 

Nice, congrats. I had a 96 Discovery, that I put over 130k miles on before selling it. It had a lot of little niggling issues but was overall reliable in getting me from point A to B. Only left me stranded (at home) once in all that time. I believe the engines are aluminum old 60s Chrysler blocks.

I always liked the styling of that generation Range Rover and would like to pick up one someday myself. From what I understand, the air bag suspension on those is kinda faulty, and the hardcore folks change out the suspension for a more normal offroad setup.

Be sure to let us know when the site is up, would love to see more in depth quality info on them from this side of the pond.

enjoy
-terry

 

Robin - now I know why I havent seen you on the board - youve been researching new car purchases and wrenching on them as well. Your demonstating that truly good mechanics can have more than one "mistress".

I like it - have fun and I bet it will be a blast. Say hi to the family.

 

Robin,

Nice car... So that's what you been up to... No wonder you have no time.
I too have always been fond of Range Rovers(Styling & plush interior) but its their reliability issues(They all leak oil -big time) that scared me away.
But for 10K? That's not too bad...If you gonna build the R-car site than I might just buy one as well!

 

The one time on this board that you actually want the SUV ride height!

 

Robin, run far, far away from that beautiful truck! I share (or shared) your pain for 4 years on a 98 RR before my wife could not handle any additional shop time. If you must get it out of your system here are a few useful links to the RR community:

http://www.rangerovers.net/
http://rangerovers.net/forum/

 

LOL! Good to see you ridin' in style....even if it causes you to put together another DIY website! Maybe we should all go buy RR's now, since you'll teach all of us how to fix them ourselves!

Congrats on the baby boy! Let's see the pics!

We just had our third and last one, the only baby girl. The princess of the house for sure! She turns one on 3/3.

Good to see you around.

Robert

 

Well Robin, Welcome to the world of Rover ownership! When their good they are very good but when they are bad, they are VERY BAD. Car's are famous for not leaving you stranded. However the little things will drive you nuts. Since your a tinkerer, you'll never be bored.