Range Rover Vogue SE
ENGINE 3947cc/V8/OHV POWER 185bhp@4750rpm TORQUE 235lb ft@2600rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 107mph 0-60MPH 10.8sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 14-19mpg TRANSMISSION AWD, four-speed auto MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 61,937 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The 3.9-litre V8 has recently been fitted with a new ECU and runs well, pulling the heavy Range Rover along on a smooth wave of torque with excellent throttle response. The automatic gearbox ensures that pulling away from rest is lurch-free and changes are polished and unobtrusive with the system left in Drive. The steering and suspension likewise do their jobs with no drama. The same cannot be said of the brakes, however; the pedal feels rather soft and there’s a tendency to pull to the left whenever anything over moderate pressure is exerted on the pedal. The vendor says that this will be attended to before sale however.
BODYWORK CHECK
The abiding impression is of a car that has been exceptionally well cared-for – the Aspen Silver metallic paint is in excellent condition, save for a small rust bubble on the rain gutter above the windscreen. The exterior trim is also in great order, although there is some surface rust on one of the rear light protectors and the brightwork on the side rubbing strips is a little
EXTERIOR Very good paint and bodywork INTERIOR Excellent condition Loose door mirror switch MECHANICALS Drives well, but brakes need to be sorted
tarnished. The distinctive 16-inch alloy wheels are in very good condition and the 235/70 Pirelli Scorpion Verde tyres have plenty of life left in them. A towbar with single electrics is also fitted.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The interior is in superb condition, with only a few lines on the driver’s seat leather to show for the best part of almost three decades of use. A new headlining - a troublesome area on Range Rovers - has been fitted, while overmats and a boot protector have reportedly been fitted from new; the condition of the floor coverings beneath certainly bears this out. The fact that the switch for the electric mirrors feels loose and the nearside mirror can’t be adjusted
lets things down, but the seller again advises that this will be rectified before sale. All other electrical items, including the front seat adjusters, work fine.
UNDER THE BONNET
The V8 engine nestles within a clean, well-presented bay. It’s in good condition, although there’s some surface rust on a small section of the underside of the bonnet and the slam panel. The car has had two previous owners and the recorded mileage is backed up by substantial documentation, including the original bill of sale, extensive service history (until 2007, after which it peters out), various receipts and every MoT certificate from 1994. The vendor advises that it will be supplied with a new advisory-free MoT and that the private registration mark is included.
THE CCW VIEW
There’s much to like about this low mileage, low-owner car. It’s in excellent condition inside and out, drives well and has an impressive history file. There are cheaper ones out there, but few will be as good as this one.
PROS Condition, history, low mileage
CONS Price, brakes and trim issues need sorting
BUY IT FROM Peter Vardy Heritage, Seafield Road East, Edinburgh EH15 1ED. 0131 322 6712, petervardy.com/heritage