Okay, couple weeks ago I wanted a 05 SC, but while I was hesitating it was sold, so now I want a 3.6 but only if my reasoning below makes any sense. Please advice.

Yes, I know that 4.4 diesel rule them all.

I'm looking for a LHD vehicle, prices for them are higher then RHD, decently looking (ad) MY09 4.4 costs at least 22k EUR and I need to cross literally whole Europe to get one (in other conditions this road trip is an advantage, but not right now). Decently looking (ad) MY09 4.4 which costs at least 22k EUR will still require servicing & preventative maintenance.

Next is MY09 3.6 with the digital dashboard DPF & stuff. Decently looking one good spec'ed with sliding sidesteps costs around 15k EUR, will still require a roadtrip, servicing and even more preventative stuff then 4.4.

Finally, MY07 3.6. The one I want, because can get one locally, starting from 8k EUR (twice cheaper then MY09 3.6 and almost 3 times cheaper then 4.4).

Yes I understand all the skepticism, yes I know I'm buying a cat in sack. But what if I'll
- replace both turbo cartridges
- put in silicone hoses
- change all the filters
- replace the alternator
- fluids (diffs, trans box and gearbox)
- engine oil
- front arms and ball joints, links, bushes
- remove (blank) EGR
- remap the engine
....

For the initial price + couple thousands on above, I'll get a car with no sure history but serviced, with no DPF & blanked EGR... I'm not planning to keep it for the next 10 years, and I do not drive a lot, I almost never leave a city (that's why I'm constantly referring to DPF) and my trips are 10-15 miles daily trafficlight startstops.

Will a no service history random tire dressed car handle 30k-50k miles more (with a regular scheduled servicing of course)?

I really need your advices, thanks!


P.S.: I'm not looking for a "cheap Range Rover", which "will not break", I'm a realist. I was generally happy with my td6 until I moved, right I live in a mountain'ish area and have to go up 250 meters above sea level each time I go home and each time I do, engine struggle multiplied with the (imagined) load on GM gearbox adds more and more stress. So I want more torque & pulling powers.

Last edited by Walter Skinner on 15th Oct 2020 9:09pm. Edited 2 times in total

I’d say get the cheaper 3.6 that you are thinking of. Then go to a 4.4 TDV8 if you want one in a few years.

 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

Yep, that's basically the plan, start with 3.6 and in a couple years move to a really good, looked after, with history 4.4 (or maybe L405? Who knows )

I agree with mjd. I have a 2008 3.6. I have thought of a 4.4 but the longer I have the 3.6 the less I want to change it. I have a good example which I know well.

With the 3.6 you will have a reserve of cash to do anything that needs to be done and, as he says, you can move to a 4.4 later.

My opinion.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

I loved by 07 3.6 - I kept it long enough to jump straight to the 4.4 in an L405

2007 seemed to be the year of the fragile alternator - so if that's not already been replaced, expect it to go at some point.

Turbos seem to be a roll of the dice, but sounds like you've done your research and taking the steps you can.

I was in the same position a couple of years back and went for a 3.6 late 2009 and saved enough over a similar 4.4 to buy and SLK280 with the change and I still think I did the right thing 2010 3.6TDV8 Stornoway Grey/ Black interior - gone
2005 4.4V8 (M62) Bonatti Grey/ Parchment interior - gone
1998 4.6HSE Blue/ Cream interior (can't remember exact colours) - gone
1977 White - gone (should have kept)

100% for the earlier 3.6 TDV8 , fantastic car , with a remap they fly and with your plans for preventative maintenance should be a reliable enough machine. 2015 4.4 AB
GSXR 1000 K5
R1 1998

Had both.

3.6 good
4.4 better

Much to choose.... not really. Either car will need bits so in addition to your list above allow some money to do:

Front arms and ball joints
Alternator
Drivetrain fluids - diffs, trans box and gearbox.
The fuel burning heater probably won’t work
Keep some money in reserve for rust.

But other than that go for the older one, if it’s that much cheaper then you should have some spare to keep it tip top. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Woah, thanks gentlemen for your support & tips, excited to find out it's not "nono, don't do it, drive your td6 and get 4.4 then".

List builds up, that's cool.

Arms & ball joints - no prob, first thing I did after got my td6 is replaced all the bushes (including subframe), links and front arms - without even looking at the old ones, squeaky noises were speaking for themselves. I suppose this parts are the same with MY02, if so they're not that expensive...

Alternator (LR026344 I guess) - around 200 GBP, not that huge deal to sleep well.

Same for fluids in td6, not that expensive.

FBH is a sad knowledge, though mine doesn't work too.

Rust? O-k-a-y, but mine got no rust...

What about the DIY factor in 3.6? td6 is pretty homeserviceable, but I got no idea about 3.6... Do I need to disassemble the whole car & remove the engine to get to the turbos?

No, but there is a lot more engine so much less space around it than in the td6. If you have managed to do some serious spannering on a TD6 then it shouldn’t be any more difficult. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Initial search revealed unexpectedly high amount of HSE's, but since it's an aged second-fifths-x's hands cars, would probably like to get a Vogue. There is one Vogue SE with 190k miles (303k km) on the clock, but that's probably too much to get away with a couple of turbo cartridges, silicone hoses and an alternator?

Realistically I wouldn't buy a pre-2010 facelift model. I think the ones before that, and especially the earlier ones, are dating very rapidly. I also wouldn't buy one that needs a significant amount of work, as in my experience it will then most likely need even more work done to it.

If one can't afford what one really wants, then just wait and save up for it. Don't lower your standards.

Come on! Where's your spirit of adventurism

One wants L405 4.4 but that's not gonna happen fast.

I understand what you mean, but pricewise one can get two pre-2010 for the cost of one f/l, and that's not even leaving the country, while for a good f/l one will have to cross the whole Europe.

And still, 2010 f/l will require the same amount of initial maintenance...

I’m surprised that the cost is so high.

In the UK we are looking at quite a lot under £10000 for an 09, and with that kind of mileage considerably less....

That’s a lot of money to pay out for an 11 year old car which has been to the moon...

A quick look on EBay and yes, even in the UK the LhD cars seem to command a premium for some reason. There are a few from UK based sellers at the £10-14k mark ranging between 07 and 10 plates. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

I wouldn't replace the alternator and turbos unless there was anything wthat on with them.