Hunters LR has said the the car needs a new gearbox and new suspension compressor though Katash (aside to any sweeping generalisations about the competence of the inspecting main dealer)?

The gist of replies here is fairly straightforward though SO3isme:
Decide if the car is to be made good or a refund sought, politely and assertively articulate the concerns in writing without further delay if not already done, return the onus of responsibility to resolve - either way - to the seller, request a courtesy car (or tell the seller if they won't supply a courtesy car you will be left with no option but to hire a modest rental car and will bill them); and once that is clarified in writing, return the RR to the seller pending repair/refund and final resolution within a reasonable and documented timescale.

Thanks guys for all your posts.
Against my better judgement I took the car to King Automatics in Wimbledon based on the recommendation of Honest John (Telegraph Motoring). They are gearbox specialists. Ken there read the diagnostic fault code as U0102 'Lost communication with transfer box'. He said that he thought is was an electronic issue and that replacing the box would probably make no difference. On the one hand I'm pleased to hear someone say that it doesn't need a new gearbox but on the other it still leaves me wondering where to go next.
I am considering getting the dealer to take the car away and fix it.
As far as the battery goes, there have been no signs of problems. The battery starts the car on the button even after standing for a few days.

Part of the problem is that everything is inside the gearbox but I should have thought it would be possible to get them talking again. Hopefully someone with better knowledge will come along and help

@SO3isme. From personal experience, do NOT touch 3D Transmissions in Reading!! They completely bolloxed up the gearbox on our car when we purchased it - it had a leak on an oil seal and the dealer (non LR) had them recon the gearbox at his cost before we took the car. 4 months later it needed another recondition by TES Transmissions in Westbury and they said , quote " the gearbox looked as if it had been reconditioned by untrained chimps!!

"I am considering getting the dealer to take the car away and fix it."

DO NOTHING BUT THIS OR FULL REFUND ,nothing else is acceptable.

you have only had the vehicle six weeks you bought from a dealer the SOGA covers you.

Yes dingg1 - thanks for reinforcing your advice. I have e-mailed the dealer asking him to take the car away and repair it.

Shame you don't have an IID Tool .... When my battery was playing up I had gearbox and suspension faults - IID TOOL read lost communication with .... on lots of ecus - classic sign of battery issue apparently

But I'm sure your situation is probably different.

It seems to me that correct diagnosis is 9/10 of the problem.

Good luck with it all anyway SO3isme,

Keep posting if you want to share the 'what next' stages as you'll get plenty of support and sound advice on this forum.

This is a slightly strange one. First I would suggest check battery and alternator. To make sure it's not voltage related.

Next check the gearbox ATF. If that looks okay then start thinking about gearbox issues.

Check my gearbox posts for hints and tips.

Suggest to start with ECU re flash with the latest software, followed by ATF and filter change. Then just the solenoid set and only then a new mechatronic before a full recon. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Thanks for this useful sounding advice. Unfortunately, the situation requires a professional garage of some sort to provide the diagnosis, undertake the work and guarantee the result. As above, it really has to go back to supplying dealer to sort out and return fixed.

Just let the dealer read the forum, they may save themselves money and time! MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

'not a bad idea. You will note that I have yet to criticise.

When the ZF gearbox on our old Audi A8 died, I dug up these guys in Leatherhead, who were highly recommended (somewhere, can't recall where now): http://www.hardyengineering.co.uk

"It needs a new gearbox, Sir" sounds like a very lazy diagnosis to me. Range Rover 4.2 SC
AM V12VS
Porsche 991.1 Turbo S
Mini JCW conv

Thanks Greg, It's good to get a recommendation. The guy I saw this morning has a good reputation as a gearbox specialist. Unfortunately, he felt it was one for a Land Rover specialist! Somebody is wrong somewhere, but as in the above posts in this particular scenario I should not be the one having to do all this running about.
It is hard to fathom the Hunters 'diagnosis'. I am certainly not going to defend them on that point.