The 550 would be much more fun to drive, but if your main goal is comfort and highway cruising, I think the range rover sport is the way to go. I was at the shop today and there were numerous RRs with Overfinch modifications including 22" wheels and bodykits which were quite appealing. There also was a m5 there and the interiors of the RRs seemed much more welcoming.

 

my 550i is a bomb. i wish i had your commute. i also have a landcruiser for snow (i know that's not a RRS) but the 550 is untouchable for me (and I had a 545 before that).

 

I really wanted a RRS but I know I would be bored of a truck quite quickly and the depreciation figures on the petrol ones are horrific.
Friend has one that is now 5 months old, he paid ?64,000 for it and when he tried to sell it just after xmas the best offer he got was ?39,000. That is a ?25k loss in 3 months, which makes his ?90 visit to the petrol station every other morning seem irrelivent!!
He is managing 8.6mpg out of his at the moment (he has a 645i cab too and gets 21mpg from that and that is something to blast about in at the weekends), he said it doesn't even feel that fast and the cabin is making noises already.

I have to say that the interior on his in a silver sort of leather looks quite nice, but the one we sat in at the Geneva show in all black looked so cheap and nasty it was laughable, my wife and I git in the back as she wanted a proper look at one, we both looked at each other and laughed and jumped straight out again, not a nice place to be imho.

Alot of people are saying it is the "new money" vehichle, all it does is shout "I have money, look at me!" if that is what you want great, but I would rather buy a 5 touring, just as big in the booty, more spacious in the back and handling and performance, plus your fuel bill will be at least half.

 

Both are BMW engines?? I have no idea. Thanks.

 

I don't think the RR's use BMW engines anymore - I think they now use RR versions of the Jaguar powerplants.

 

suv :thumbsdown: 550

 

I find nothing wrong with SUVs but I don't think there are any new SUVs sold in the US anymore. The RR is nice but it's no SUV. I would consider the G500, Defender, and Discovery to be the last of the US sold SUVs. The 5er is the way to go unless you want to be a poser.

 

It sure is a strange comparison. Unless your commute involves dirt roads, potholes and snowdrifts or you have a large dog, or you frequently go camping on the weekends, why would you want a RRS. I have driven them, its an acceptable drive for a tank but its no sports tourer. I remain skeptical of the quality on the RRS too. The fittings are just a little on the cheap n' nasty side and the demo unit I drove which had 1500km on the clock already had a split in the rear seat stitching.

My wife drove it too, thought it was a tricked up truck and it made her feel carsick as a passenger, but then she drives a Cooper S !

If you want something of "the best of both worlds" being the space and convenience of an RRS and the drive of a 5 get a 5 series touring. Love mine.