Hi all,

I posed a question a few days back re petrol engines. I had found a good one and then as its a second car, insurance was horrendous for no apparent reason. They stated however that a Diesel RR would be considerably cheaper.

So i am back to you for a little more guidance.

I see there is a 2.9 TD6 built by BMW and then in 2007 this was replaced by Ford engine TDV8.

I have been doing some reading on the forum and want to check ive got this right.

The TD6 weakest point is the gearbox but the engine block can become pourous?

Struggling to find to much about the TDV8 from 2007. Is this the engine that had issues with turbo and oil?

Again sorry for the questions, just trying to summarise in my head all the reading.

Cheers

It’s the BMW Petrol V8s that had a porous issue. The TD6 engine is arguably the most reliable engine ever fitted to an RR, but as you say, the gearbox is very much a weak point, the valve body being made from softer aluminium......

The 3.6 is a much nicer unit, more power, smoother, better gearbox, but if it lunches a turbo, you will be left with a very expensive paper weight. I paid more money and went from TD6 to 4.4 TDV8.

I appreciate folk have had cars for years without issue, but I didn’t need the worry.

You can always have a TD6 remapped if you want to wake it up a bit.

I’d drive both and decide. By definition, the TD6 cars are older so never had the later more modern dash etc.

 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

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic49491...=3+6+turbo

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic49888...=3+6+turbo 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

I had an X5 with the same TD6 engine for 5 years, couldn't fault the car nor the mechanics, the straight six was a gorgeous old lump, super reliable & I had mine chipped which gave her a little more 'get up & go' but to compare a TD6 to any variant of the TDV8 is 'chalk & cheese'.
The gearbox on mine was fine, I didn't abuse it [although I towed a twin axle caravan] & made sure the oil was changed on a regular basis [which is a must regardless of which 'box you have].
The RR is heavier than the X5 & had I had a TD6, my guess is that I would have been disappointed in performance, the RR really is a heavy old girl.
I was fortunate to be able to go for the 4.4 TDV8 purely because of the 8 speed gearbox, better reliability & slightly newer.
I've known people with the 3.6 TDV8 that have had them for donkeys years without problems, your budget will dictate which one you go for.

When I was looking for my first FFRR I was going for a V8 petrol & I wasn't aware that the insurance cost where any different between petrol & diesel?
The only thing that might shock you is, that my insurance [Direct Line] insisted on a tracker being fitted [Tracker 6 or 7 I think] regardless of whether it was an old '04 petrol or '12 Diesel, that could add another £300 to your costs. Not all insurance companies insist on the Tracker but it's worth double checking. 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

They all have problems (as every car or manufacturers do), all cars can and do lunch a engine or gearbox, it’s a lottery so get what the pocket can afford and best suits your needs.... newer, lower miles should mean less issues in general but again no guarantees.

How handy you are with spanners and the funds to replace main problem items may give you some more options.

You asked about diesel reliability, there is only one answer: TD6. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

What I have found is cars in general get neglected by the vast majority of owners and this gets worse once out of warranty and service plans, this accelerators the feeling of unreliability seen on the web and down the pub.

Most of us that come on forums and actually care about our cars and not just coming here to complain that their engine blow even though they never serviced it or looked after it (never warned it up before hard driving, idle for a sort while after spirited driving or load lugging etc) don’t have the issues the web would have you believe, we can still be unlucky especially if you buy your cars us3d and have no control or knowledge of this pre-history.

Thanks all.

Bit more info, This will be used as a second car for 4x4 response stuff and bit of light offroading.

Had a D3 which ive moved on now. Not adversed to getting to work on the vehicle.

Was toying between another D3 or a RR. D3 being slightly more popular for spinning shells even after oil pump and belt changes.

Thought id explore all options and one of those is a FFRR.

Regarding insurance, i run them on a modified vehicle, low mileage policy were engine size very much is the one that comes into play.

Cheers all.

Looking at your response I would suggest a well looked after TD6 might be the answer.
Find one that’s been well looked after & you shouldn’t go wrong. 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

If you want an unbiased opinion and having owned all of them the L322 TD6 is a fantastic reliable and solid unit - the weak point is the gearbox. All round the TDV8 is the best as it’s packaged with the 8 speed gearbox. If the budget is TD6 - then it’s a bloody good engine, I had mine remapped by JE and it went like stink, and didn’t have any gearbox or any other issues - my comments on gbox are based purely on what other users have reported - mine was absolutely faultless over 4 years of motoring and towing 2021 L405 Vogue SE 4.4 V8 DIESEL ~ #17

It was JE who remapped my TD6.

 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

I've had two Td6's, they are a great engine, and i travelled many miles in them towing a twin axle caravan too with no issues. But the move to the TDV8 was was a huge jump in both power and refinement. I had the TDV8 5 years and covered over 70k miles in it, it had done over 160k when I sold it, the only issues I had was alternator and turbo hoses neither of which left me stranded, it was a great reliable car. I did service it well with regular oil changes on both engine and transmission. Also important to look after the turbos, let them cool down and spool down before switching off. Good luck with your searching

I basically agree with the above post

I've had two TD6 cars one ran into the 400 thousand k region without any major issues... Fantastic engine and i have never had any gm gearbox trouble but they would have been rebuilt prior to me owning them and i am easy on my cars

The TDV8 i now drive has done many ks also and is five times the engine performance wise and much quiter... it revs low and does not have to work hard at all ... zf transmission is awesome!... another bullet proof engine of brilliant design

Both these engines have turbos... the V8 as you know has two and are harder to replace... Should you not buy a TDV8 because your too scared of turbo failure... Absolutely not.. That's just plain stupid imo

Most turbo failures you read on the TDV8's are on sports.. i guess there are more of them out there but no doubt treated more poorly in general often with different mentality owners. Turbos will last hundreds of thousands of kilometers if you change your oil regularly and warm them up before flogging the car and of course let them cool down.... ALL TOO EASY TO DO !





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 run a TD6 and like the fact that it is in the low band road tax bracket, is cheap to insure and easier (compared to a TDV8) to work on. TD6’s are almost at their rock bottom prices now so there is no worry about depreciation.

If you change the gearbox oil on a regular basis then it souls be good for 120,000+ miles.

Jim

Morning all - interesting post this as I was about to ask similar questions . . .

I reckon early standard L322's are growing old very gracefully - there's an immaculate 2002 car near me owned from new by the same owner.

I've owned two L322's, both 2006 MY.
The first, a TD6 bought at 5 years old with 75k. Sold it at 92k 18 mths later. Loved it - only had a few issues, battery etc, but it took us to Italy & back @ 30 mpg.
The second, an AJV8 4.4 bought at 7 years old with 80k. Great car & a hidden gem I reckon (as do others who've owned them) but the TD6 was my favourite.

When I see similar cars now I get an itch to scratch. Obviously we're a few years on now so cars will no doubt have had a gearbox. I know rusty sill ends are an issue as is front crossmember corrosion, but I reckon it was a pretty good period for the L322 . . .  Where do you go after one of these . . . ?