I may have an issue with the Td6 I have on long-term test drive (eval for purchase):

1. After 36 hours in the garage, the front of the car was bottomed out. It did not go up quickly; took several minutes to come off the bumpstops, then nearly 10 minutes to rise fully. The rear was also quite low but came up faster. This worries me.

2. After only 11 hours in the garage, the front was down almost to the bump stops again. It did come up rather quickly on startup. But I had left the car parked in off-road position. Should it lose pressure this fast? Is it time to break out the soapy water spray bottle?

3. The right rear (RR) suspension makes squeaking noises over bumps large and small. The suspension also leaks audibly at times, but it is not clear if that noise comes from one corner or more. With the suspension on high, I hear a few good blasts of air escape from time to time. This worries me too.

4: Raised fully, the RR seems to stay a tad lower than the other three corners. Sometimes, but not always! At normal ride height, all corners are the same (except in the morning).

Off-hand, I'd say that the car may have one or more rather big leaks. Additionally, the compressor may be tired from working to overcome the leak(s). What do you think? Does this car present too many suspension problems to consider for purchase? If not, what should I ask the seller to investigate and fix? Reno, on assignment in France.

Curious about this "Long Term" test drive?

How long are they letting you use the car and who are they?????

Some owner in the UK thats missing a FF ..

Driving it in offroad height - you are doing this offroad right, and not onroad? I only ask because the vehicle dynamics change a lot! With regard to the leaks, sounds like something somewhere isn't happy, so soapy water is a good idea. Land Rover Addict
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2009 5.0V8SC Autobiography
2006 4.2V8SC Autobiography
2004 4.4V8 Vogue

Sounds like it need a lot of money spending to bring it back to a reasonable standard

Either make sure you get all problems fixed, or a massive discount or walk away

Gazellio @ Prestige Cars wrote:

Curious about this "Long Term" test drive?
How long are they letting you use the car and who are they?????

How about looking for a left hooker over here? This one sounds like a stinker. 2003 Vogue TD6/1992 Classic 300TDi/2x 1991 Golf GTI/1966 Volkswagen Kombi/2x 1968 Volkswagen Kombi/Probably something I've forgotten...

It's time to look elsewhere mate, even at 12.5KE, it is not worth the trouble...

Buy the most expensive you can afford in the best condition you can, I'd pass this one in an heartbeat...

There are many of them around, choose wisely. l=Oo\________/oO=l l:OolΞΞΞΞΞΞΞloO:l

Current
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L SDV8 - 2013 - Indus Silver, on Almond.
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L V8 - 2002 - ex-2003 G4 Challenge Event Vehicle, Stage 3: Australia
RANGE ROVER HSE 4.4L V8 - 2004 - one-of-one Overfinch
RANGE ROVER P38a 4.0L V8 - 1999 - ex-2000 TReK Event Vehicle: South Africa

Previous:
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L TDV8 - 2012 - RANGE ROVER 3.6L TDV8 x3 - RANGE ROVER Td6 x1 - RANGE ROVER Classic 3.5L V8 x1

Id stay away or budget for some serious money to be spent on the suspension. 2004 td6 Adriatic Blue

Thanks to all for your advice in this thread and the others I started. I discussed the observed problems with my buddy and he quickly located a crack in the RF airbag. A new pair are on the way, and they come with the shock absorbers. It's currently his daily driver and he likes to keep it in good shape. I think he was a tad embarassed that I encountered suspension avaries.

I'm off to CA for a little vacation but plan to look at FFRRs again on my return in August.

Thanks again for your collective experience. Reno, on assignment in France.

I'll disagree with the others, if the owner is a LR specialist, and a friend, buy it. Of course get him to put the suspension right first, but I'd say if you have the opportunity to buy a car from a friend, who will also be your mechanic, then jump at it. He'll always look after you, and won't rip you off.

Whereas if you pass on his car, buy a car which turns out to have problems, and have to take it to him...  Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!

bozmandb9 wrote:

...Whereas if you pass on his car, buy a car which turns out to have problems, and have to take it to him...

My thinking exactly!  Reno, on assignment in France.

bozmandb9 wrote:

I'll disagree with the others, if the owner is a LR specialist, and a friend, buy it. Of course get him to put the suspension right first, but I'd say if you have the opportunity to buy a car from a friend, who will also be your mechanic, then jump at it. He'll always look after you, and won't rip you off.

Whereas if you pass on his car, buy a car which turns out to have problems, and have to take it to him...

+1  07MY SC VSE (on its way)

The list of previous cars is long & some are boring there has been two RRC's and a very pimped hilux