Range rover TD6 SE or BMW X5 dilemma

Hi guys my name is Rob and from Durham uk and brand new here, like to say hi to everyone, and hope to get some advice along the way, and share some if i can

My first question is a heavy one and hopefully it will make me decide what car to go for..

Ok its basically ive narrowed my next purchase down to two cars it was three which one was a range rover sport Hse 2.7 TDV6 but since have decided to spend less money to be honest.

So the remaining two are

1, BMW X5 3.0d Sport 2005 year so newer facelift model with 218bhp diesel and 6 speed auto in black with black leather approx £14 to £15k with 55k miles

OR

2, Range Rover TD6 SE 2003 03 model again in black with dark grey leather trim Just 58k miles and full service history as well, price approx £14k

Now a bit about me, i am an ex mechanic, and race cars the X5 or RR is to tow my Caterham race car and daily driver 8k miles a year approx, I used to own an identical X5 3 years ago so i know them well and like the drive and as an added bonus my brother works at a main dealer BMW in the parts so i get parts at cost and cheap diagnostics and good price govey work if needed and access to bmw tech info etc..

But ive owned one of those and still fancy the look of the Range rover and spec, But i have reservations over how reliable they are, to be honest 14 to 15k cash is all my money and have heard range rovers are quite hands on cars ie regular repairs are common, i know you can get good and bad of both cars and their are specailists for both, just a little bit frightend for a better word of owning one in case i cant keep up the repairs, i dont mind doing bits and bobs myself dont get me wrong..

So i hope the advice is not too biased toward the range rover due to this being a land rover forum but ive got to ask the guys and girls who own them for realistic answers..

So is it TD6-SE RANGE ROVER OR BMW X5 3.0D SPORT

Thanks people for reading and answering in advance

Like one of the other members said: In a BMW you drive to your destination, is a Range Rover you're taken there.
Land Rovers do have a lot of problems, but I think it is still worth it to buy one. Friend of mine has a X5. His suspension went and it cost him nearly 10x what the RR parts would have been.

I've had a TD6 2002 HSE for over a year and love it. It is my first RR and certainly the most comfortable and fun car I've ever had. however your RR looks overpriced at £14k. Is it just an SE (in which case it is the base model, definitely too expensive and could be difficult to shift on) or a Vogue SE (in which case it's the top of the range and should have rear entertainment, heated rear seats etc.) Most people look for a vogue to buy.

Having said all that, they are notorious for going expensively wrong. I have been very lucky and apart from the EAS pump being replaced I have not had anything go too wrong.

I would go for the X5 in your case. Peace of mind, good performer, great drive on road and reliable in the main. My neighbor bought a 3L diesel 2005 and it is a fab car (and he has had a lot, porkers, beemer M3s, etc)

dolphinboy, thanks for the reply, Yes indeed the Range rover is just SE spec the reason im looking at it is its BLACK with Charcole leather and only 58k miles with full history, its also got 20" Supercharger wheels just needs the dark glass for the look i like...can get this for £13.5k

Like i say ive owned an X5 before albeit only 18m old at the time 3.0d sport, ive a chance of another again blaclk,black leather and only 54k miles at £14k alsoand thats a 54 plate 2005 car, against the range rover at 2003 03 car, but same miles...

I think its the thought of having my brother in the background with full dealer facilitys and techies willing to help for basically beer money and the bonus of parts at cost price if required....

I do think range rovers look more bang for the buck on the status symbol side of things and prefer the look of them very slightly better, again just frightend i spend all my money and end up not being able to afford to fix it...

Durham, not too far away from me.. Why not save a pretty penny and buy my 1995 RR instead

Hi Neo2
I have been perhaps lucky with my RR I own a 2.5DSE BMW straight six and has now got 220k on the clock, trust me when I say yes they have got problems, but in fairness I had two main problems with mine, one the air suspension (springs now) I do a lot of towing so it's much better, and now a foult on the electric harness not sure where for the gearbox (it's been like this for 2 years and still drive), apart from that well thats it.
I want to get at is that there is a great car to own and you will feel, well important, they have a lot of presence where ever you will go and, for comfort bring any 4x4 and they don't even get close to it, and don't forget the gadgets hehehe
Well thats my opinion anyway.
I have been willing to change it for a new one but I can't find my £14k at the moment but if I did I will certainly buy another one, anything else want do.
M
Good Luck

Hi Neo

I have owned a 2002 TD6 Vogue and have also driven a family X5 Sport many times and well the suspension on the X5 was so hard that there is no way I would ever consider one as for the RR never had any problems with it and the ride was just waftmatic.

so as the TD6 is a BMW unit why not get a good one just be very picky and bide your time as I did.

best of luck

Tony

Cheers guys looking at the one in question tomorrow as it was in workshop today, also been looking at a P38 on a R reg 2,5 Dhse with only 57k miles on at under 5k..

I would definitely go for an X5 in your case. It is well built, capable and reliable. Plus, it's a BMW.

P38 is a bad idea imo, in comparison with an X5 anyway. They're not very reliable at all. If you want something for P38 money, I'd suggest a top spec Land Rover Disco 2.

neo2 said:

Cheers guys looking at the one in question tomorrow as it was in workshop today, also been looking at a P38 on a R reg 2,5 Dhse with only 57k miles on at under 5k..

Click to expand...

Its possibly only got 57K on the clock becuase its spent most its life off the road being repaired lol

Its possibly only got 57K on the clock becuase its spent most its life off the road being repaired lol

Click to expand...

Class

I drove (and still own - but must sell due to company car arriving very soon) a RR P38 Vogue SE top spec in Java Black for the past 6+ years. Loved it to bits and have looked after it very well; as sound as it can be for a 12 year old car - some forum members have seen her in the metal. I changed to an X5 a year ago as the ride quality of the P38, while ok for me, and much improved with the Koni shocks I had added and the new Magnecor leads providing much improved power and fuel economy, was really difficult for my partner, who has a chronic, debilitating illness. The X5 was the 4x4 out of all of them which provided a supremely comfortable ride, fabulous seats, fully adjustable (and seat heating that actually works!)and loads of great technology and extras. Drives like a giant sports car and the build quality and interior finish is soooo much better than a Rangie IMO. I bought the 4.8iS with every option on the list ticked by the first owner and absolutely love it. So I've owned and driven both - loved my Rangie and hope to find her a good home soon (selling around £4.5 ono with lots of extras)and now have the pleasure of the big X5. Which one would I recommend? Dealer support wise, BMW is decent and the car is an approved used car, so under full no-quibble warranty. Range Rovers, particularly older ones don't have such luxuries and both cars are massively expensive to fix if certain parts fail. Also Land Rover dealers are usually a pile of poo in my experience. Try to drive both and decide what lifestyle attracts you more!!!! Good luck on your choice!!