Hi All,

I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I really would like FFRR and my budget would buy a 03/04 and I'm considering either a TD6 or 4.4lpg, yeh I know me and the rest of the world!! Anyway after some research I've got myself all bent out of shape over the cost of some (seemingly most) of the common problems, especially the gearbox. As my budget means most options are 100k+ I need to tread very carefully.

So the question(at last they cry) is do most suffer serious issues at 100k+ or is it that looking at forums is bad for your confidence

Any balanced opinion gratefully received

David

Hello David...Welcome on board

I can't comment on your specific question other than its fair to say that you will obviously see a high concentration of problems reported and discussed on the forum than anywhere else as its 100% full on FF on here, but that doesn't mean that they're more or less reliable than any other mark.

However some engine / gearbox issues appear more prevalent on some year / models than others, and a specific search (using the search facility above) for your year TD6 or 4.4 might point you in the right direction.

Others may also have more specific knowledge as I am a newbie myself.

Good luck . Paul GONE 2010 Facelifted 3.6 TDV8 - Stornoway Grey + 22" Overfinch Olympus
HAVE 1999 Discovery 2 GS 4.0 V8 - Silver - Off Road Toy
GONE 2013 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue. Black with Silver roofline and 22" s
HAVE 2015 Jaguar XF.

Newer cars you're paying depreciation, older cars it's maintenance.

They're expensive cars to run. Walk away if you're not prepared for that.

Hi David, I am on 168,000 miles on my 2004 4.4 LPG and no issues with gearbox. The TD6 has the weaker box but with TLC and regular gearbox oil and filter changes, you should be ok. mine has had 3-4 changes btw.

Where are you in the SW?

David, just go for it, you are too long dead, yeh they cost a bit sometimes but so do all cars/vans/wives/children/exvives/dogs/cats/horses. however they will give you no back chat

^^^ only a truer word there Kurt, an 03/04 FF back in its day was 60k car, still is a 60k car to look after with bill to follow, there are good ones out there and also some lemons, just read the wiki that will help a lot. ( ps I bought my FF over the phone with the dealer doing a walk round, no test drive either !)
Make sure you have full service and a good warranty is a must. Hope your good with spanners as that will save pennys when repairs need doing.

By the way, welcome aboard fella  If it dont work.......burn it!

If the IId tool cant fix it.......burn the FF.

If the FF cant be fixed......buy a Land Cruiser!

If the LC cant be fixed..............................................BUY a horse !!

Dolphinboy wrote:

Hi David, I am on 168,000 miles on my 2004 4.4 LPG and no issues with gearbox. The TD6 has the weaker box but with TLC and regular gearbox oil and filter changes, you should be ok. mine has had 3-4 changes btw.

Where are you in the SW?

SW France

I have to say that the 4.4lpg would be my first choice if lpg was available closer to home, the nearest station is 36kms away

Any other issues to be aware of with the 4.4?

Rosco wrote:

David, just go for it, you are too long dead, yeh they cost a bit sometimes but so do all cars/vans/wives/children/exvives/dogs/cats/horses. however they will give you no back chat

Had and got some of those really tempted

Anyone with good techie knowledge with time to read this ebay ad please eBay item number:400742791168 it is very close to me !

Should maybe just forget this one!

IMO walk away and find a runner, at least then you can test drive it, unless you take a fully charged battery to it and see if all is well with it, but buying off bay of e private you'll have no come back if down the road it breaks down ! If it dont work.......burn it!

If the IId tool cant fix it.......burn the FF.

If the FF cant be fixed......buy a Land Cruiser!

If the LC cant be fixed..............................................BUY a horse !!

Hi David
I'd say walk away to be honest - you're going to end up spending more on getting that one up to spec than a good one is.

I bought my 04 4.4 with 100k on the clock last May for £7,000 - I've done 35,000 miles in the last 14 months in it and it will do it again this coming months.

Over those 14 months I've had to put a new alternator, new suspension pump, new radiator and gearbox oil cooler (preventative), gearbox flush, and various suspension bushes. Also just had to do both front air suspension struts in the last month (one failed, one preventative)

I will never drive anything else, in fact my wife wants this one when I get my next one.

As long as you aren't going to be extending yourself financially to buy it, then it will be fine - buy the best one you can - no point saving a few quid on a tatty one - it will bite you in the pocket.

As one of the others has said, you are a long time dead. Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

That one is a very big risk. Could be a bargain or it could be a money pit.

Celebrity onwner though - never heard of him.

Me neither

Hi David
My 2 cents for what it's worth.
I like you had similar budget and realistic to what I'd get. I'd been thinking and wanting one for a very long time and was a member of another forum. I'd say 95% of members on the other forum told me nothing but horror stories. Hence I didn't buy for 2 year.
I eventually found this forum and although given advice of what to look for on higher mileage, nobody has told me to never get one. I have found the members on here to be nothing but awesome for advice and encouragement.
From my standing, yes things go wrong, but they do an all cars. Read lots and ask lots.
This site is 100% the only reason I brought a TD6 with 150k miles on (after eliminating all I'd been advised) and love every minute of it.
The cars awesome and so are the members I've come across on this site.

Good luck hunting, and listen to the guys that wanna help, not the guys that don't

Tel Accept, some days your the pigeon, some days your the statue!

The problem is David you asked the question which means you will buy one We all pay for different things mine was in the dealership the other week they gave me a brand new diesel xf with 1800 miles on the clock - nice everyone said - it was but my wife hated she would rather not buy shoes than get rid of the ff itI saved 300 quid on fuel for the week clocking up 16oo miles but boy was I glad to get my FF back so go for it buy one and remember you do have to pay for the privelidge but its not horrendous, Ie you can but wine for 2 quid a bottle and for tenner a bottle which do you want to drink?
Hope you do