Thread: 05/06 RRS buying advice requested please .

You will want a TDV6 for that use.

It should have had transmission servicing and front suspension lower control arm replacements as a minimum.

I answered a few of your questions in the link below. I bought my 08MY TDV6 about 6 months ago and have put about 30K on it. Drives better now than when I bought it thanks to a trans 'megaflush' and new tires. They're great all round cars. On road, off road, towing, long trips, looks fantastic whether it's towing a camper in the outback or sitting in front of a wine bar.

Obviously look out for a car with full service history. Ideally you want one serviced at 10K intervals although only a fastidious owner would do this as that is more often than LR officially requires. I say this as the servicing really must be looked after on these - they are known to spin main bearings if not serviced on time, every time, with the correct oil. This aside, the TDV6 is a stout engine and very capable.

Rough economy on my car:
-my daily mix - 30% highway, 30% city, 40% Adelaide hills - 9.6L/100km
-Long trip 2 adults light luggage, 110kmh avg - 7.9L/100km
-Long trip towing camper ~800-1000kg, some 4wding/hills - 10.5-11L/100km
That's calculated. The dash tends to be about 7.5% optimistic.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/...ml#post1912179

I would suggest a read of this. It seems that the auto transmissions whether behind a petrol or diesel engine might be the [expensive] Achilles heel of these vehicles.

Australian Land Rover Owners > The Pinnacles > Range Rover > L322 Range Rover Rebuilt gearbox subsequent problems ?

Originally Posted by Grumbles

I would suggest a read of this. It seems that the auto transmissions whether behind a petrol or diesel engine might be the [expensive] Achilles heel of these vehicles.

Australian Land Rover Owners > The Pinnacles > Range Rover > L322 Range Rover Rebuilt gearbox subsequent problems ?

Different vehicle and I believe a different gearbox but your point is just as relevant.

Cobra - with normal use Landrover have set the service interval for the gearbox at 10years or 240,000km so if the vehicle has been serviced correctly the gearbox will not have been touched. The maker of the gearbox ZF recommend a service interval of somewhere around 90,000km.

If you were able to negotiate a mega flush (rather than a simple oil change) as part of the purchase deal than that would be great but given the service interval that is most unlikely. Something I would do when you get you vehicle - can work out expensive.

Garry

Originally Posted by Grumbles

I would suggest a read of this. It seems that the auto transmissions whether behind a petrol or diesel engine might be the [expensive] Achilles heel of these vehicles.

Australian Land Rover Owners > The Pinnacles > Range Rover > L322 Range Rover Rebuilt gearbox subsequent problems ?

I'm wondering if you're referring to the older GM 5L40's they use in the FF's ? The RRS and D3/D4 use ZF 6HP26 trans. It's generally a lot more reliable than the 5L40 but it still has its problems, the most common being:
-ZF/LR had no service schedule for the box in spite of even ZF saying the fluid is only good for 100K, less if towing. The fluid breaks down over time and this modifies its hydraulic, thermal and friction properties. This causes wear to the clutch packs and the TCC linings. When test driving listen hard for a growling coming from the drivetrain under load. It's accompanied by slight vibration through the pedals and steering wheel. Mine has done this since I've had it and I've been able to maybe get a bit more life out of my TC by doing a megaflush. Mind you I am very pedantic, to date in my 6mo ownership, no one else has noticed it! Driver or passenger.
-Coolant ingress from the radiator situated trans cooler. No explanation needed - the gearbox usually needs a rebuild when this occurs.

Originally Posted by Rich84

-ZF/LR had no service schedule for the box in spite of even ZF saying the fluid is only good for 100K, less if towing.

We need to kill this urban myth - is 10years/240,000km in normal conditions (does not include towing, stop start etc but no interval is given for arduous conditions).

However I do agree that at 240,000km/10years they might as well claim it is sealed for life.

Originally Posted by garrycol

We need to kill this urban myth - is 10years/240,000km in normal conditions (does not include towing, stop start etc but no interval is given for arduous conditions).

However I do agree that at 240,000km/10years they might as well claim it is sealed for life.

Stand to be corrected, but I'm pretty sure ZF are now saying oil change every 80,000km regardless. I think Bill at A&B Automatics in Dandenong had a lot to do with their change of heart.

Originally Posted by garrycol

The maker of the gearbox ZF recommend a service interval of somewhere around 90,000km.

Originally Posted by Rohan

Stand to be corrected, but I'm pretty sure ZF are now saying oil change every 80,000km regardless. I think Bill at A&B Automatics in Dandenong had a lot to do with their change of heart.

I thought I sort of said that - ok 10K out. However it is not ZF that determine the service interval in a Landie it is Landrover.

Irrespective of this I think that we all agree with ZF rather than Landrover