1998 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography review - Long-term owner

Multimedia and safety technology: 7/10

The car came with a combination Clarion, Harman Kardon stereo. which has been upgraded to Bluetooth and works with Siri through a custom adaptor.

Safety features include anti-lock brakes on four wheel discs, traction control, air suspension, self-dipping rear view mirrors, driver and passenger irbags, seatbelts and burst-proof locks.
By modern standards perhaps less tech, but an overriding feature compared to many of them is a brilliant driving position, with the ability to actually see.

Practicality: 10/10

Lovely, comfortable seats in all positions, a proper five-seater with all controls intuitive and easily reached. Dual climate control, good lighting including puddle lights, a large glovebox, and a great-sized practical boot/wagon area with up/down opening tailgates and split-folding rear seats. Parcel shelf to rear load area includes a bits and pieces tray for umbrellas and first aid kits, bulbs etc. A fun feature, too, where the spare wheel cover can become a picnic table. My rear seat picnic tables have just been restored along with much of the wood in the car. Looking forward to refitting that as well.

Driving: 10/10

For a large SUV with genuine off road-ability, the car is a lovely to drive.

The powerful V8 has it do most things with ease. The air suspension makes the experience very comfortable while making the car very practical over a number of different terrains or uses. And it indeed handles far better than a large heavy car would without it, adapting the suspension to suit load and conditions including cornering. Fantastic interstate touring vehicle over imperfect roads, mixed weather conditions and can overtake with ease when required too. Also a brilliant tow vehicle for heaver loads such as a laden car trailer.

It is not a sports car but certainly is a lot of fun with a lovely V8 soundtrack.

Running costs: 9/10

Running dual fuel, mostly LPG, the car is inexpensive averaging 15.4c/km.

The last set of tyres covered 70,000 kms and a new set was $1100.

An oil change every 7000km at a cost of less than $100, a transmission service every 100,000km, and some brake pads plus a couple rotors are the main things.

Other items I have spent a bit on include a couple new airbags and sensors, a new radiator and thermostat, a serpent belt, a heater motor, and a battery. All up, in 10 years and 100,000km, I have spent less than $10,000 on maintenance.

I love this car and by looking after it it has also looked after me.

Reliability: 9/10

Only twice did this car let me down in 10 years and they were both the exact same thing. The thermostat lives in a plastic ball and when it is old, it can warp and become intermittent.

I would highy recommend anyone getting on of these or similar to flush the radiator and replace the thermostat ball.

EAS was a little temperamental but a thorough service soon sorted it.

An independent specialist is useful as is a Nanocom to "talk" with the computer and look after the car.