'11 RRS-SC v. '11 X5M...

[iconoclast]

I imagine majority of the views will be towards the X5M since you wound up purchasing it but for those who cross-shopped the two... Why did you decide to go with the X5M over the RRS-SC?

[Sylvan Lake V35]

I personally hate the look of the RR but when I bought mine my M my close friend bought a RR Autobiography the interior blows away the M but the M has more of an edge to it. It feels more sports car like as well and the performance isn't even close even though the autobiography has a pretty good bump in power of the regular SC. I am late 30s and the M makes me feel my age the RR made me feel about 55 when I drove it. I also like the fact the M has a lot more aftermarket support.

[X5SND]

The looks of the new bimmers just don't cut it IMO, both inside and out. As previously stated, the RR interior is miles ahead of BMW's designs (apparently they turned to luxury yachts when redesigning the interior). The RRSS was more of the all around compromise in my case, where as the X5M would have been the strictly performance oriented option. One thing I have noticed is the lack of any real performance/coding abilities for RR's....no where near what we have around here for Bimmers!

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

I personally hate the look of the RR but when I bought mine my M my close friend bought a RR Autobiography the interior blows away the M but the M has more of an edge to it. It feels more sports car like as well and the performance isn't even close even though the autobiography has a pretty good bump in power of the regular SC. I am late 30s and the M makes me feel my age the RR made me feel about 55 when I drove it. I also like the fact the M has a lot more aftermarket support.

The RRSS and AB (2010-2013) have the same 510hp power plants; It's more or less just an eye-candy package....the AB trim line loads the truck up with just about every available option as standard. IIRC the only option on an RRSAB is a rear locking diff.

[iconoclast]

unfortunately there isn't much for performance upgrades or anything of that nature for RRS or RRS-SC but i don't think there is much demand either. we're a small group of enthusiasts who look to improve something that is already pretty damn good or personalize it in our own way. most LR/RR buyers are not looking for any of that and if they are they typically have a second car that is for that.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

My friend said the same thing he wanted to mod his but not much is availible he wants a smaller pulley and a tune, then a a modual to lower his rig. He said everything is super expensive (worse than ///M tax) because you are limited for options so they can charge what ever they want. He did get a decent set of wheels but aside from that its pretty limited. As for the performance stock we have a buddy with a 50i and they were pretty close in the two races they did the 50i still edged the RR out but just by a bit. I am a mod addict even the lack of options for the BMW frustraights me so the RR would be maddening although a nice set of wheels sets you apart from the crowd RR seem to be either stock or a "rappers delight" with huge chrome wheels and a strut package on them.

[J.Belknap]

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

they were pretty close in the two races they did the 50i still edged the RR out but just by a bit.

The weight just kills it.

(Relatively speaking)

[BRABUSBENZ21]

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

My friend said the same thing he wanted to mod his but not much is availible he wants a smaller pulley and a tune, then a a modual to lower his rig. He said everything is super expensive (worse than ///M tax) because you are limited for options so they can charge what ever they want. He did get a decent set of wheels but aside from that its pretty limited. As for the performance stock we have a buddy with a 50i and they were pretty close in the two races they did the 50i still edged the RR out but just by a bit. I am a mod addict even the lack of options for the BMW frustraights me so the RR would be maddening although a nice set of wheels sets you apart from the crowd RR seem to be either stock or a "rappers delight" with huge chrome wheels and a strut package on them.

Here is my old 2006 RR with the strut package and huge wheels lol. I sold this RR last year and picked up a x5M. In my opinion the x5m is a far more reliable Truck.

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

My friend said the same thing he wanted to mod his but not much is availible he wants a smaller pulley and a tune, then a a modual to lower his rig. He said everything is super expensive (worse than ///M tax) because you are limited for options so they can charge what ever they want. He did get a decent set of wheels but aside from that its pretty limited. As for the performance stock we have a buddy with a 50i and they were pretty close in the two races they did the 50i still edged the RR out but just by a bit. I am a mod addict even the lack of options for the BMW frustraights me so the RR would be maddening although a nice set of wheels sets you apart from the crowd RR seem to be either stock or a "rappers delight" with huge chrome wheels and a strut package on them.

Sounds like your buddy needs to get his facts straight. There are options available to boost power. For example, Hamann offeres a tune which, when combine with exhaust gives a quick bump to 550hp/~505tq. Granted, mods for these trucks are expensive, but then again it's to be expected when playing the tuning game in the upper echelon of the luxury SUV market..."budget mods" don't exist at this stage; you gotta pay to play. Since finding software for coding at this time is incredibly difficult, befriending a local LR tech goes a HUGE way to getting those 'personalization' options checked off that a dealer won't generally do. The same goes for ride height; there's no need to purchase a module...ride heights can be easily set through software the techs have access to. Sure, the RRS has some power, and is grouped in with the XM trucks (amongst others), but at nearly 3 tons, racing seems like a moot point. A RRSS is quick, but isn't going to give you warp speed in a straight line or shred corners like an XM...then again, I don't think it was designed to either.

Originally Posted by BRABUSBENZ21

Here is my old 2006 RR with the strut package and huge wheels lol. I sold this RR last year and picked up a x5M. In my opinion the x5m is a far more reliable Truck.

Apples and oranges....those trucks are two completely different generations. The old RRS was the same generation as (and also shared many parts with) the E53 generation X5....along with things like air suspension, it also shared the same 4.4L V8 --- a motor with well documented issues. As of MY 2010-2013 the Rover went through some significant changes. The power plants are now Jaguar sourced and the old air suspension set up (Macpherson struts up front w/ bags in the rear) was changed to a double wishbone setup up front and active bilstein dampers on all 4 corners. As far as reliability goes, the RRS generation in question has only been around since late 09 (MY 2010), so while you're going to see issues over the elapsed time period, it's only from about now that we should start to see what kind of vehicle LR really built.

[iconoclast]

thanks for the feedback... i agree on the sportier feel. the RRS just feels big and bloated not as agile as the X5M but the interior quality, fit and finish are much nicer and everything feels well constructed. on the previous x5 i owned it had the m-sport function among many other options and lots of trim pieces started to peel and wear very quickly. which seems to be par for the course with bmw and the other ones i owned.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

The autobiography has a great interior that's for sure it has a drink cooler as well that would be handy but in the end I wanted the sportier feel the M gives. I would drive them both back to back and see which you enjoy more I don't think there is a wrong choice with those two vehicles.