No one has commented on my post above, and I was hoping someone could explain one thing.
Why is the Range Rover so unstable at high speeds, but the BMW X5, that the police do use as a pursuit car, is not and regularly taken up to high speeds? What different handling characteristics does the BMW X5 have over the Range Rover, or other differing specifications that makes them so different? What could they do to the Range Rover to bring it up to X5 standards please?
Having driven both the X5 (a mongrel cross between a later 90s 5 series, and a BMW era Range Rover, and one of the key reasons BMW bought Rover) 4.8 flat out and a 4.2SC L322 RR flat out, handling is not hugely different.
The RR has a bit more body roll at lower speed, the X5 has the usual rock hard BMW setup, compounded with RFTs.
Both are pretty rapid to 100mph, and both start to run out of steam at about 120-130mph.
Both take some stopping, due to weight, but will stop from 100mph reasonably quickly, clearly not as quickly as a lighter, luxury saloon.
Both exhibit understeer under heavy acceleration, and the RR does under heavy braking, where the X5 oversteers.
Both are horrific on fuel when pushed, and simply bad when cruising.
Owning either makes no difference to what people think of you - you're a knob jockey in either. I'd prefer the RR due to a better ride, easier maintenance, and better reliability from the drivetrain.