I'm looking to buy a late model Vogue SE/Westminster/Autobiography in late July or early August and was wondering which is the best engine to go for.

I know the 4.4 has a DPF but the journeys I tend to do are long enough that it wouldn't be a problem.

Any pointers as to what to look out for generally would be gratefully received too.

This is an opportunity for me to realise a long-held dream so I want to make sure that I buy as wisely as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Dunc.

Hi and welcome. There is a buying guide in the wiki which you may find useful. I have a 3.6 although I was originally looking for a 4.4. You'll find differing opinions on here...

On the 3.6 the main (serious) concern is the potential for turbos to fail and that can get very expensive. There's a theory that EGR failure contributes so many people blank the EGRs are a preventative measure.

4.4 seem to be generally very reliable. There is a potential issue with belts running off the their pulley - needs to be checked / monitored. Some need a secondary oil drain to fix an issue with smoking after idling. And there is a fairly common oil leak at the rear of the engine. And some have encountered DPF issues as you mentioned. All are well covered here if you do a search.

And the all tend to rust around the rear arches, under the sill covers and on the bottom of the upper tailgate. 2016 Skoda Octavia VRS Estate
<gone>2009 FF Vogue TDV8 Buckingham Blue</gone>
<gone>2015 BMW 520D SE (not my favourite car)</gone>
<gone>2009 D3 HSE Galway Green</gone>

I think these are both very good engines,
The 3.6 in particular is very well proven to be bulletproof... I seem to read more niggling issues with the 4.4 like rear main crank seals going which i dont understand which i have never heard of going on a 3.6 released 5 years earlier ,
I have 260,000ks on my 3.6 and it's good as new never missed a beat and not long ago ran into a guy with 370,000 on hes who said he had done heavy towing majority of the cars life and he likewise had never had any issues. If the 3.6 is non dpf in your country that would be a huge reason not to get a 4.4 imo, Absolutly nothing about a dpf system is good for your engine from increased exhaust tempuatures to diluted engine oil let alone the stupid thing blocking up your exhaust and or having regen issues

When i bought mine about 3 years ago i wanted a 4.4 however at the time they were 30k + more expensive and i could not justify it, I absolutly love my 3.6



Dave 2010 3.6TDV8 Autobiography
Bas remap, Egr deleted (blanked & via remap) , Cold air intake, Turbo back exhaust, Provent 200 catch can, Banks idash gauge, 275/55/R20

GAP Diagnostics

Past - 02 & 03 TD6 And an 1984 Classic

I just got my first Range Rover, after looking around I went for a 2011 4.4 TDV8,

No real reason why, just liked the idea of the engine size and hoping the 8 speed gearbox will aid with towing the horse trailer. 2011 Vogue 4.4 TDV8
2014 Defender 110.

RRDunc: I was in the similar situation myself 12 months ago wondering what one to go for. I ended up with the 4.4 for several reasons:
Better fuel economy
8 speed gearbox versus 6 speed
Pop up gear change thing rather than the large stick thingy
My brain was telling me the 4.4 is a newer design & should be better

I haven't driven the 3.6 but the 4.4 is sooooo quiet, the 8 speed gearbox is amazing. Yep, I've had issues already, the dreaded oil leak that drips from the oil cooler down the back of the engine and onto the exhaust pipes. My problem was the oil cooler and decided to have a new LR oil cooler fitted rather than risk just changing the O rings, whole job was a tad over £700 which to be fair wasn't bad. I've seen others on here get away by changing the O rings but I thought "do it once do it right".
Be prepared to spend a few shillings on her no matter what. I came from an 05 X5 which cost me naff all in the 5 years I had her, couldn't fault her at all. But, the FFRR will cost you, I knew that before I bought one but it still hurts when the wallet comes out.
Don't let the above put you off, they're amazing cars and just have to have one before you depart this mortal earth😜 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
BMW R1200GS
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

4.4 and have a contingency fund  2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Get a 3.6 because

Harry Metcalfe prefers them

&t=243s

They have a proper gear lever

In all seriousness, just get a good one of either (i.e. complete decent quality Service History) and a wad of cash for maintenance (and fixes if it goes wrong) and you'll get the FF experience.

Huge bargain right now.

Cheers

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, chaps.

I'll obviously have to see what's around when I have the funds (first week of August, hopefully) but I'm leaning towards the 4.4, mainly for the 8 speed gearbox.

Dunc.

My log here includes the usual suspects on a 4.4
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic44115...p;start=75 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

RRDunc, ive had both and IMHO the 4.4 is far better if only for the gearbox & better fuel economy...

4.4 every day - even if it costs a bit more spend the extra - it will always be worth more if you look after it 2021 L405 Vogue SE 4.4 V8 DIESEL ~ #17

^^ second that

Thanks 👍. Makes a good read, that.

Seat filters! Well, that's a new one.

Looks like I'm going to on here a fair bit once I've bought one, looking for mods to do and how to do them along with maintenance queries!

I've got a reasonable toolkit courtesy of having D2s for several years but I have a feeling I'll be adding to it soon.

Dunc.

Vogue wrote:

4.4 every day - even if it costs a bit more spend the extra - it will always be worth more if you look after it

Another +1 for the 4.4
Had mine a year now and enjoyed every second of it  Current
Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8
Previous highlights
Many Mini's!
Audi S8
Audi A6 Avant (the petrol guzzling Bi-turbo)
Subaru H6 3.0 Estate
Peugeot 406 Coupe V6
Audi 80 Quattro Sport

I went for a late 3.6 last year, having looked at and driven a number of both examples, still have concerns about the potential for turbo failure but live in hope!

So far so good, its very smooth and I'm regularly in a 4.4 of a friend and can detect little difference in terms of noise or smoothness and personally don't like that rotary dial gear selector. Not sure there is much differentiation from a reliability perspective as having had a number of rangies over the years starting with a P38, any of them can spring a hefty maintenance bill at any time.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. RR Vogue TDV8 Grey/Black
D3 TDV6 HSE Silver/Black (Gone)
D3 TDV6 HSE Black/Tan (Gone)
RRS TDV8 Black/Black (Gone)
RRS TDV8 Stornaway (Gone)
RR Vogue TDV8 (Gone)
RRS 4.4V8 (Gone)
Defender 110 300tdi (Stolen, much missed)
RR Vogue V8 P38 (Gone)
LR 90 TD (Gone)