I had a problem with my 2005 TD6 (90K miles)on Monday, it had lost drive it would just roughly rev away not going anywhere. I would switch it off and after a few minutes it would move again but his only lasted a few hundred yards and it was rough. I had it recovered to a Land Rover specialist about 50 miles away who said it was probably the gearbox. I told him the fullfat forum had many threads that had similar issues and they pointed to a faulty injector. The owner put it on the Autologic diag machine which showed it had an injector fault on cylinder 3 ( I had said that the forum had pointed towards this in many threads) it showed no gearbox faults. So one was oredered and fitted today.
But just my luck I got a call today the injector has been fitted but the gearbox is f d Happy New Year to me.
Cost £3000 Plus and that is a recon unit.
In the last six months I will have spent almost £5000 on it.
How can a vehicle of this type (luxury 4x4) have such weak gearboxes and for Land Rover to get away with selling them.
I have had quite a few cars that have done well over 100k miles with no gearbox issues. My mate has an old Renault Megan with over 200K miles on it and his gearbox is as good as ever.
The enjoyment has sadly gone.  Traded in my Audi TT 225 for my Range Rover TD6 Autobiography in Java Black. Range Rover now sold.

£4000 and three gearbox repairs in three years here, I feel your pain.
I've been 6 months without fault, it's only a matter of time until it fails again...

Feel your pain my friend

Try http://www.a1premiertransmissions.co.uk/services.html for a price although I doubt it would be much cheeper than £3000 but according to Gaz (site sponsor) these guys know what there doing. Maybe PM Gaz for confirmation of using A1 as I think if that kind of money is going to be invested in keeping your motor on the road then having a proper job done first time is of paramount importance.

Or it may get stolen and end up in the docks insurance time

Richcl wrote:

£4000 and three gearbox repairs in three years here, I feel your pain.
I've been 6 months without fault, it's only a matter of time until it fails again...

Hi Rich that doesn't sound good what a nightmare.
The recon unit comes with a 12 month warranty so that is covered. I now can't afford to get rid as I have only had it a year and a half and the purchase price of £15,500 and the £5000 I will have spent on it means I am stuck with it for many years to come.
One of my mates puts a Molyslip gearbox fluid in his so going to find out if it is any good for these autoboxes.
The old Frontera I had years ago cost less to own and it was a pile of sh t.
All I can say is thank god for whisky
George Traded in my Audi TT 225 for my Range Rover TD6 Autobiography in Java Black. Range Rover now sold.

It ain't good! My car had a new gearbox fitted before I got it, so that makes 4 in total in 4 years!

I'm not even heavy footed (I like max mpg!) I've lost faith in the garage that did the repairs, and if it survives longer than the warranty period I'll be going elsewhere!

Hi Mustard,
I am getting it done at North East 4by4 in Stonehaven they were recommended by one of my local garages who have had work done by them.
He is getting the box from down south, he did mention some companies but memory like a sieve.
The £3k is fitted and includes the injector.
I just can't understand why the Autologic didn't pick up something as catastrophic as a gearbox failure.
I thought these were better than what the dealers used.
George Traded in my Audi TT 225 for my Range Rover TD6 Autobiography in Java Black. Range Rover now sold.

Did you ever have the gearbox serviced in the 18 months you owned it George ?

How many miles have you done in it since you purchased it and do/did you tow anything around with it ?

I just followed the service book or should I say my local garage followed the service book. Probably because these are supposed to be sealed for life then it wasn't done. It is only since this happened I have been reading the posts and quietly that I have realised that this can and should be done. I have never towed with it but there is a tow bar on it and the one previous owner owned a Rose Growing business so it probably was used to tow trailers full of sh t .

I think every new owner of a second hand RR should be slapped and told DO A GEARBOX OIL AND FILTER CHANGE NOW
 Traded in my Audi TT 225 for my Range Rover TD6 Autobiography in Java Black. Range Rover now sold.

RRPhil has done some really good write ups about the box that are worth reading, even though it will take hours to read

The sealed for life only refers to the life of the warranty, after that your on your own, sad part is the cost of putting it right....hence it having to be done correctly as there are horror stories on here about bad gearbox repairs, check them out !

make sure your people know what they are doing and are getting the box from a reputable refurbisher, you want @ least another few thousand miles out of it before selling it on

If you can get to Germany....

Meerbusch wrote:

You can drive to Germany to the town BIELEFELD, there is a specialist, who repairs in one day incl. cleaning the pipes and changing the oilcooler (the importantst!), you will pay cash incl. new oil and service-work and NEW torque converter around 2.500,-Euro (2000 GBP), and you drive back to GB in the evening very happy....

Forget the oilchangings in the edge of 10 years old gearbox, if you would have changed each two years from begin on, then it would have no problems..., best rgs, Uli

Hi KurtV
Thanks for rubbing it in that everything is more expensive in the UK LOL I would love to visit Germany and enjoy the many beverages that it can provide. I met a couple of German lads in Gran Canaria and introduced them to Jager Bombs (jagermiester and Red Bull) they loved it. The only problem is the RR doesn't drive more than 200m and stops. Five minutes later it moves again only after I have switched it off. I live in the North of Scotland, it would take me about a year to get there.
OOps I forgot it is a BMW thats why it is cheaper to get it fixed in Germany cos that is where the experts are.
I just wonder how land Rover get away with it.
I need to keep laughing cos it isn't really funny, a £65k+ plus car new that can't last more than 90K miles I think it is terrible. I have had old Ford cars do more it is beyond ridiculous. The last car I had was an Audi TT Quattro and the quality was second to none.
Geo Traded in my Audi TT 225 for my Range Rover TD6 Autobiography in Java Black. Range Rover now sold.

The company thats supplying the recon box is Midland Transmissions and the garage have used them for about 3 years and have got really good service from them.
Anybody know them? Feed back would be good.
I spoke to the garage today and there were no errors showing in the Autologic diagnostics regarding gearbox errors (is this normal) and the engine is now running well with the replacement injector. But still no drive. Traded in my Audi TT 225 for my Range Rover TD6 Autobiography in Java Black. Range Rover now sold.

You've prob read already, have a search for sonnax on here, as some gearbox suppliers have the upgraded parts in the valve block. Think prices were posted too.

I believe the gist of it is, irrespective of what gearbox you put in, you need to have a new cooler and all lines to be sure metal debris from the old box does not go back into the new gearbox.

Or I think firms recondition the failed parts, but not the actual cause, so 3 or 4 gearboxes needed in a short space of time.

All the best on your search. 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Last edited by mjdronfield on 11th Jan 2014 1:29pm. Edited 1 time in total

As you say, mj, it needs to be done properly. Have you thought of using Mackies in Glasgow - a bit closer for you and they know exactly what to do.