Considering buying a third generation RR which engine is the most reliable?
 

Any help would be appreciated!

I've always loved these cars and after getting out of my LR Disco a few years ago prices have come down quite a bit. What kind of problems am I looking at in maintaining a 2006-2009 RR? From what I've researched the sport models seem a bit more reliable.

This vehicle will be driven mainly on the weekends with the occasional boat tow. Towing isn't a big requisite since I have a 4 runner also I can use.

What major tuneups around 100k do I need to look for?

Are service records a must?

Jag motor is the one you want

The Jag's look like they were introduced in '06. Did they do the sport models as well or just the 4.4?

I'm curious as well.

The Jag. I've had a couple of mechanics I know tell me the BMW engines blow head-gaskets. In fact, some guy's trying to dump one on Craigslist now with that problem.

m62tu
 

I have had the BMW motors for many years, 500k miles.

The M62TU, as opposed to the M62, which is 2001+ V8, i believe the year is correct, has a variable timing mechanism.

At about 150k miles the timing chain guides can go. There is a telling rattle when they start to go, generally you have enough notice to park it or get it fixed before it is a real problem. They are plastic and the heat and age simply causes them to fail. It is not a huge problem, a few hundred in parts if you do it yourself. Or, about $3k to do everything done at a shop.
There are guys that can do it in half a day, then you have a pretty awesome engine for another 150k.

It is really just maintenance, like head gaskets on a Discovery. If that scares you buy the jag engine. Otherwise, the BMW engine is much better.

check out bmw e38 forums, bimmerforum.com/e38 is probably the best.

I don't think I've known the M62 engines to blow head gaskets, but they ARE a cooling system nightmare in my opinion (perhaps a heater hose failure caused overheating, which resulted in a blown head gasket?). It's a far more complicated cooling system and a far more complicated PCV system than it needs to be. That being said, the engine and transmission work great together. Always seems to be plenty of power and always in a good power band. Also very smooth.

Yes, the timing chain guides will eventually need to be replaced, but it's a lot more than a few hundred dollars because if you dig that far into the engine, there are million other things you're going to want to replace along the way. Probably more like $800 or so in parts and the labor is quite an undertaking. I'm not looking forward to doing it at all, but know that I will probably have to since we're over 120k on the clock now. :(

Full size Rover (L322) got the Jag motor in 2006. If you don't mind an LR3 or Sport model, they started life in '05 w/ the Jag motor.

I do not like the M62 motor for almost the same reasons I don't like the 2010+ 5.0 V8. We are in the process right now of replacing chains on a 2011 RRS where the chains slapped so long, the bolts for the chain rail broke off and went out through the timing cover, beat up the block too.
I've been a big fan of the Jag motor for some time now. In my opinion, definitely the way to go.