Hello everyone,

I recently joined the club of Range Rover owners: it's a 2008 RR 3.6 TDV8.

I'm currently in Japan and coming to the UK in mid-June, so, yes, I bought it sight unseen and am trusting the seller. I'm sure it's not misplaced.

As an owner of a 90 and a 110, I am relatively handy and will be doing most of the work on it myself. However, I'm planning on flying in to Gatwick, taking the train to Wokingham, picking it up, and immediately driving to... Prague. And back.

I won't have time, tools, or location to service the gearbox myself before I leave, so I need a shop near Wokingham who will not only change the fluid/pan/filter/mechatronic sleeve, but will also drop the valve body to replace the four valve sleeves and the bridge gasket. I don't want to pay for the service without paying for the extra ten minutes to replace those other seals.

these peeps have a good reputation,

https://www.rovertune.co.uk/ ... - .- -.




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Thanks Stan; that’s what I had heard, and they’re certainly very friendly… but they’re one of the places I contacted: won’t drop the valve body. I’ve now contacted a bmw specialist that works on these gearboxes, and says they change the “figure 8” seal… am thinking they mean the bridge seal, so we’ll see.

Dartford Transmissions and Autocare is who you need but they are in.......Dartford. Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order.
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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PraguePrado wrote:

Thanks Stan; that’s what I had heard, and they’re certainly very friendly… but they’re one of the places I contacted: won’t drop the valve body. I’ve now contacted a bmw specialist that works on these gearboxes, and says they change the “figure 8” seal… am thinking they mean the bridge seal, so we’ll see.

Ah…. What’s the problem with Grosvenor? That’s the place I’ve contacted.

On another note, anyone know of a DIY garage in the reason area (place where you rent a bay by the hour)? If I can’t find a garage willing to do the work, I’ll do it myself if I can find a place to do it.

Nothing wrong with them I just thought they were pricey, maybe I just need to re-align my expectations...Would be good hear how you get on with them

Well, Grosvenor is out; their response: “Sadly, although they are similar there are a few differences. I would recommend a local Landrover specialist called 4x4 Matt.”

So I’ll drop them a message.

Regarding the place in Dartford, iIf it comes down to it, I'll certainly consider driving over there to get it done. Striking out at the moment, but I'll wait to hear back from this 4x4matt place. Thanks.

Others in that area:

Moore Automotive
Bagshot LDR Ltd
Nick Kerner 4WD Ltd

 Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order.
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Thanks DrRob; I got my first positive response from the place you recommended in Dartford… just waiting now for his price. Given that I have to head that way anyway (to go to Prague), it may be the right place!

Just putting it out there. I have done the gearbox service including changing the mechantronic sleeve and valve seal (which are additional bits of work) on the driveway.

It's a length and messy job but not difficult. And the instruction manual from ZF is excellent - just follow the steps and tick them off as you do them.

The oil, sump & filter, mechatronic sleeve and valve seal all cost me less than £100. The cheapest quote I got just to do the oil change and sump change was over £300. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Yes, I’m actually being quoted 550 at the places that’ll do the oil, sump, and mechatronic sleeve.

Dartford got back to me and it’s only slightly more than that for them to do a megaflush and replace all the seals that I want to replace. Looks like I’ll be going with them, although it means delaying my drive the Prague by a couple days because they’re not open on the weekend (I land on the Friday afternoon). Oh well; I’ll perhaps find a parking lot to at least do my own oil change and a few other odds and ends that apparently need doing.

You're much braver than I am! I certainly wouldn't trust driving a car bought unseen long distance until i had built some trust in it.

I'd just be a bit concerned as to why you're being advised to get a gearbox service before driving anywhere?! Unfortunately, my experience of most garages is that they don't tend to have a clue but still want to charge you a small fortune to do even a simple job. I could not fathom out why they wanted over £200 more just for a gearbox oil and sump change - something that would take 2 hours max on a ramp. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Yes, with regards to immediately going on a cross-EU drive with a car I’ve bought site unseen (and a Land Rover at that), I can’t really justify it to myself so I won’t try explaining to anyone else… it’s admittedly semi-insane.

And completely agree on having shops do the work. If I wasn’t in a hurry, and was at my own place in Wales, I’d try it myself and not care that I forgot a tool or part and needed to wait a few days. I’m prepared to pay the extra in this case to get it done. When I’m back (if I’m back?) from this trip, it’ll be all DIY. Can’t own one of these things and have someone else do the work.

Oh, and no one is advising me to do this… it’s just that there’s no indication that the gearbox has had a service it’s entire life and it’s now on 120k miles. I’m feeling the need to get it done before I set out.