Thinking about an L322 TD6 to replace TD5 Def

[fraser130]

Hello all, I'm still in the early stages, but I want a replacement for my 04 TD5 defender, I wanted a Diesel P38, but they just don't exist in oz, so now I'm considering a L322 TD6, and I just want some words of wisdom from those with experience.
Is 200k getting long in the tooth for these engines?
Is the fuel econ really as good as 10l/100km?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

I showed the wife a MY03, with 220k on the clock and she seemed open to the idea!!! - so that's half the battle won!

Ta,
Fraser

[RangieBit]

Hi Fraser,

Well my personal experience has been a mixture of diesel and petrol engined vehicles of all sorts over the many years. Just like a fair part of the population.

Your question, of course, has the classic "It depends" response.

There are numerous factors involved in this equation. The most obvious ones being use (read abuse) and maintenance.

If the engine has been used in a typical fashion i.e. a good mixture of mild commute and decent highway running. If it's been driven with a weather eye and maintained to the schedule or better by a reliable mechanical service. Then, perhaps, 200K is barely breaking a sweat for a diesel engine of the calibre of the M57 BMW engine.

If, however, it's only ever lived it's life in stop/start commuting with the occasional run on the highway, and then used to tow a three horse float when it is on the highway. Without due regard to the increase in maintenance that this would need. In particular filters (fuel, oil and air) and fluids. Then perhaps you might start asking questions about what might fail soonish.

Even given the above I'd be looking closely at what had been maintained elsewhere in the drive train. Has the transmission been attended to, for example. 200K without a change of fluids/filter is not good for it, despite what may be considered to be "filled for life" by the manufacturer. Life for them is not much more than warranty period. Have things like the suspension airbags and allied plumbing been checked and reviewed/replaced. At 200K something may be going to fail soon, even with careful maintenance along the way.

Do a few further searches of the forum here for things that are likely to need maintenance (nothing lasts forever) and gather experiences from a variety of sources. My experience has been reasonably good (180K with very occasion grief). Others have had significant problems. Your mileage may vary.

200K is a little outside of the norm for a 03/04MY but it's not far beyond the norm for vehicles of this vintage.

Buying a vehicle is always a lottery. Do as much research on your desired ride as you can. A good and thorough service history is golden.

As to the 10l/100km. Yep, it's real and achievable in standard form with prudent use of the welly. Don't expect to get this if you drive like a maniac or do lots of low range work. I've managed to get mine down below 9l/100km on a highway run from Sydney to Melbourne (8.7l/100km). I should add though that it had prior been "enhanced" by amended engine mapping.

Good luck and happy hunting. Once you've owned an L322 you'll wonder why you didn't move sooner .

Cheers,
Iain

[harlie]

If looked after 200k is young for the TD6, the transmission will be of more concern.

10/100 is possible depending on how it’s driven and whether you want to believe the trip computer. I recorded 7.6 last week from home to Labrador and return, 95% freeway, about 15 degrees ambient, no AC and empty + just me. I know my trip computer is very optimistic… When calculated - Around town I get around 12 without pushing it – Highway is in the high 9s but drops quickly when pushed hard or towing. Personally I think an average of 10 is not possible for a city based vehicle, especially once the true consumption is calculated.

[fraser130]

Thanks for your responses guys, this looks like a goer, just need to wait for the right one to come along. After a fair amount of reading, they seem to be less problematic than the P38's, and I'm begining to get a clearer idea of what I might be getting into. I was surprised to hear about the front diff problems, fancy not having a flexible coupling there on a $100k+ car!

Have seen the pixel fix being done at a place near me who I am quite frienly with, so that will no doubt be one repair I will need to do.

I'm quite excited about the whole thing - feel like I'm 18 again!

Cheers all,
Fraser

[Camo]

Good luck with your search. I got mine 3 months ago and still love it. On the highway you will get 9l/100k easy. Max so far was 11l/100k but that is mixed driving + towing camper trailer.

Thinking about doing my own services on it. You can buy a full filter kit from Paddocks for only 45 pounds. Filter Kit - Range Rover L322 TD6 - Premium Brands

Dealership charged me $200 to fit just a pollen filter then $550 for oil and oil filter change. Stuff that!

Camo

[bluegreygreen Rangie]

I would not be at all concerned about k,s more so how the car has been looked after. To me k,s mean nothing, You could buy a car with 50000 ks that has been started and thrashed whilst still stone cold down the road every day of its life and it would have 4 times the wear of an engine with 300000ks that has been well maintained.. particully diesel engines

Go off things like service history and condition of the car and its seats ect which will tell you if it had been cared for by a fastidious owner

My td6 has 250000 ks on it and it absolutly pures like a kitten, i get 8 litres per 100k on the freeway if i tak eit easy and i rarely see a combined fuel figure over 9.5. As every one else said.. you will never look back

If you cant get at least 600 thousand ks out of this engine you dont know how to look after it far as im conserned


The only time i would be worried what k,s a car has if it is still within its warranty period and its relevant to that warranty



Dave

[Grover-98]

Well after a couple years of dreaming... i am finally within 6months of buying one of these things when the right one comes along... i wont have anything other then black with beige interior.

As for the important checks after doing some reading am i correct in believing these to be the keys to happy motoring;

1. Ensure the front diff has been fixed under warranty

2. Ensure the fluids in the Gear Box have been replaced (or at the least replace immediately after purchase)

3. Check if the Alternator has had any history of problems or been replaced

4. Pixel fix (Is this the main center screen issue?)

5. Check for history of Suspension issues and any work which has been carried out

6. Water where the Sub sits

Along with these specific checks i will be looking at the obvious; number of owners, driving style, service history, general use (towing, camping, work commute, etc) as well as a general look at the overall condition of the vehicle.

Are there any Key L322 issues which i should also be looking for or others should be looking for when buying one of these vehicles?! I am a little nervous as this will be my first moderately expensive vehicle and it has plenty of potential electrical bugs...

Kind Regards, James.

[RangieBit]

Hi James,

Looks like a fairly comprehensive list of things you have there and from the sound of it a good background to work with as well.

Just a couple of things I'd add. You may already be aware and haven't listed them. If so, please take with the requisite grains of salt.

If you are looking at one of the early ones 2002-2004 be sure to check the operation of the tilt and reach motors on the steering column. The early ones have a nasty habit of jamming (particularly the tilt). Some were replaced under warranty (by a modified design unit) but IIRC only if they showed problems early. Ask the owner about it and test the travel up/down and in/out for yourself. These are not an expensive (comparatively) item to replace but are a pain to remove/install.

If you are looking at a diesel have a listen for any obvious whine (above and beyond the typical turbo whoosh noises). Some of the earlier build models had issues with the turbo. Some failed, others just kept working but got noisy. This is again an early build thing. The TDV8 and TDV6's don't have it, just the Td6.

You mention the dead pixels. Both the Instrument Cluster and the MID are prone to these problems. Seem to happen more often in our lovely hot climate than other parts of the world. The glue around the connecting ribbons melts. Getting a good electronics tech to repair them is much cheaper than replacing the entire cluster or MID. About a quarter of the cost typically.

I can relate to holding out for "The One". Looked for almost a year. I found it at a QLD dealer but the bastard gazumped me and sold to a buyer from Perth. This was only after I asked him to send some photos of it to me. With no photos the vehicle had sat for three months in his lot unsold! Instead of sending the pics to me as asked he posted them on his website and strangely enough had lots of interest that very day. Used car dealers wonder why they have such a wretched reputation. I know why!!

Not at all happy about that little episode. Righteously ****ed off actually. It was Rimini Red with Sand interior. Only seen five red ones and only two of those with the Sand interior in all the years the L322 has been available. Yep, I need to get out more . Hurt enough over that experience I compromised and found one with all I wanted/needed but not my first body colour choice.

BTW If the buyer is out there on this forum and reading this post, please be aware that I bear you no ill will. I am seriously disgruntled at the behaviour of the dealer though.

Happy hunting.

Iain

[101RRS]

James, James, James - what are you thinking .

You would stand a lot better chance picking up the ladies in a much more sporty model like a RRS rather than driving around in a lounge chair - has a little more zoom zoom too .

I hope you find what you are looking for .

Garry

[RangieBit]

Garry, Garry, Garry,

I could say exactly the same thing. What were you thinking?

Just because you wouldn't go out and get a real Range Rover instead of some glorified Discovery is no reason to be jealous of those of us who do take the time and effort to get the real thing

OK, I'm only kidding (mostly). Everyone is entitled to their opinion and preferences. It's just that yours are silly .

Alrighty then, I couldn't let it pass without retort. Seriously though, as long as you are happy and enjoy your choices then I wish you all the very best, no matter what those choices may be.

Live long and prosper.
Iain