Thread: What to look for in a 3.6 RRS?

Hi Mike,
I had a 3.6 and I have now moved into a 4.4. The 3.6 engine is economical and as smooth as silk, pulls like a train . Mine had relatively low Klms when I bought it, vehicle had been regularly serviced and had done trips all over the place to remote places with no issues. At 180 klms the alternator crapped out and the local mechanic said he wasn’t touching anything he couldn’t see when he opened the bonnet. Had to get the Rangie trucked back to Perth and then proceeded to fix it myself. Not a pleasant task. Last year we went away and I believe I had a problem with the turbo system somewhere, My wife and I were able to get home on this occasion, I was quoted possibly up to 15k to fix because the body had to come off. That was it for me I bought a N/A 4.4 one year older for a third less in cost, yes it uses 2 litres of fuel / 100 klms however it hasn’t missed a beat, still goes well, easier and cheaper to fix and a lot less complex. It is only the engine that is different the rest is basically the same. Putting my wife through the coach ride home with the Rangie on the back of a truck is something I will NEVER do again. Just some thoughts.

Cheers Marty

I have a 08 L322 3.6 with nearly 275,000km. I bought with 230,000km expecting a possible trans failure some time in the next couple of years. It’s been a great vehicle. We just came back from a 4,000km trip to Victoria.

The number one thing to look for is a service history. The earlier 3.6s had services at 11,000km intervals. The later 3.6s went to 24,000km intervals. Mines been serviced every 10,000km.

The front air struts have a life of about 10 yrs. some more, some less. Alternators often die at around 100,000km.

The trans output shaft can be given insufficient lub during assembly and wear to the point of failure requiring trans and Transfer box rebuild or replacement (I found good used combo).

I’ve replaced all the above. It will be very obvious if any of these has failed on a prospective purchase.

The Jag 4.4 is another great motor in the D3, RRS & L322. It has a very good reputation for reliability. Just not the enormous torque or great fuel economy of the 3.6 tdv8.

Love my 08 TDV8. Just replaced the alternator at 158000kms. RHS EGR blocked. No other issues. DSCN3418.jpg

nice Brickus,,

Originally Posted by rar110

The Jag 4.4 is another great motor in the D3, RRS & L322. It has a very good reputation for reliability. Just not the enormous torque or great fuel economy of the 3.6 tdv8.

Hi There,
Agree 100% with your comments, I have the BMW 4.4 on my FFRR and the Jag motor in my RRS the only thing that for me one has over the other is the BMW seems to have a couple of what appears to be unfixable oil leaks, the Jag motor is as dry as a bone.
Personally I won’t be going back to the 3.6 or the 2.7, personal choice due to my own personal experiences. The 3.6 is an awesome piece of engineering just not for me.

Cheers Marty

The 4.2SC sounds like the pick for the under $40k price bracket (if patient). Although a RRS MY10 3.6 would be tempting.