Auf Wiedersehen 2008 X5 4.8i
 

So, I finally dumped my 2008 4.8i. I was so tired of battery drainage messages, random warning lights appearing & disappearing, radio pre-sets erasing, time/date erasing, jerky/rough/terrible transmission, erratic heating and cooling, non-UV glass (HOT in the sun), etc, etc. After a horrible experience in a 2007 X5 (BMW had to buy it back, and they were great about it)...I gave it another shot with a 2008 model, hoping/wishing bugs had been fixed. BMW makes amazing engines & brakes, but damn they cannot get electrics right.

I have always missed my 2004 X5 4.4i & 4.8is, but did not want to buy a used/CPO model (I just like new). So, the next best thing was a new 2008 Full Size Range Rover. 2007-2009 Range Rover has actually had good reliability, and maintenance is free for 4 years/50k miles. The car is basically like a super Lux X5. From seat controls, climate controls, instruments, safety/srs systems, and so many other parts that BMW supplied when it owned & developed the current Range Rover (2003+)...I feel like I got my old X5 back. It's been a month with ownership now, and NOT one warning lamp or glitch! With my 2007 & 2008 X5...problems happened within 24 hours of delivery! Yes, the car is heavy & big and not as fast as the X5...but it feels ultra safe, posh, comfortable and the interior is literally a work of automotive art. The outside is attractive (the X5 IMO looks better), but wow...the interior quality blows BMW & MBZ outta the water!!!
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...erInterior.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ngeRoverII.jpg

BMW sold Rover in 2000. The current Range Rover was introduced in 2002. (Land Rover - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) while being owned by Ford. Ford sold to Tata in 2008. So I am not so sure about BMW having been involved in the current model's design.

My take is that reliability and quality/finish issues with any car that has been on the market for 6+ years have been ironed out. Some people apparently buy late lifecycle cars for that reason alone.

Anyhow I am glad you enjoy it and I am 100% on board with you that driving a car with no glitches equals bliss. And I like the leather dash, looks great!

P.S. What's up with the photos? Left hand drive interior on top photo and right hand drive on bottom photo. UK plates while in CA. Are these stock photos? If so, please post photos of your own ride.

While I guess congrats are in order here.

But if you got a land rover in hopes that it will be more reliable than a bmw, when then good luck to you. :dunno:

I know, we've been through a '89 RR SWB, '95 RR SWB, '95 P38 RR, '99 P38 4.0S, '03 RR and '04 RR. And they all have been a headache, but we knew this going into ownership. Just something to be realistic about. And btw, the '04 RR w/ 50k miles is now worth $14.5 at the dealership.:D

BMW developed and worked on the 2003+ Range Rover (although it debuted in late 2002 in many parts of the world). It takes many, many years to engineer, develop and release a model. The Range Rover is roughly 25% BMW parts. Even when Ford owned Land Rover, Land Rover did, and still does have part/supplies contracts with BMW. Literally, almost every control, feature and item in my Range Rover is from the E53 X5 (and some from the old 7 Series too!) I didn't have time to take pics of my car, but I spent a few mins finding pics of my exact car. Same exterior colour, interior colour, options, leather, etc, etc.

Yeah, I had a 2006 Supercharged...and it was a Nightmare!! 2007+ for the Full Size has been really good. Bugs, quirks & glitches have had 5 years to be worked on and addressed. Multiple dealers have told me that any Land Rover product older than late 2006 will most likley be a total mess!! The E70 is only on year 2...so much more to be worked out. I would never, ever say a Range Rover is more reliable than a BMW...but since the RR is older, more time has passed to address & fix issues.

This article indeed proves your point (Range Rover Vogue v Lexus LX470 v BMW X5 4.4i v Mercedes ML500 - Vehicle Tests - Overlander 4WD Magazine - Australia's leading four wheel drive magazine)

Enjoy your ride, man. Too bad the beamer couldn't please you. I know how you feel as I had a very buggy 2006 ML 500 and there is no feeling worse than paying top dollar for a car that has worse reliability than a $15k Civic...

BTW: I am curious what will come out of the Tata test tube when the 4th generation is due.

Great article post Herr Bauhaus. Danke Schön!! I like this snipet from the article:

"With the new Range Rover developed under the watchful eye of BMW, you could be excused for thinking that's it's merely a X5 with another body. Well, rest easy Range Rover fans, the new Range Rover has no doubt benefited from BMW's association, but it's still very much a Range Rover, and an outstanding one at that"

Sent you a pm

I have an 07 X5 4.8i. Kind of getting sick of the on and off warning lights and the transmission and the tougher ride... I might give an 09 Range a try? lol


Congrats that you are happy. I wish you all the best.