So the official unofficial kid sister has spent a small fortune sorting the front end knock on her 2003 TD6. Changed pretty much every thing on the suspension side including being ripped off for 3 sets of lower arms to "fix" it by going to different garages. Given that car isn't worth that much more than she has spent it needs to do a lot more miles to get a return on the investment. Question is how many more miles should she plan to keep it for and what are the big potential end of life issues when she does get close to the end?

Currently its coming up to 100,000 miles. Still smart and clean.

Seems to me the gearbox is the big question mark, currently original, and still seems good. I insisted she had the fluid changed when she bought it a around 50,000 miles and its due for another change soon, probably get it done at Southern Automatic Transmissions at Hailsham when she visits in October. I gather that even if the box is still in good order its unlikely to go much further than 150,000 miles. Southern Automatic Transmissions say they can give a good estimate of life left in the box when they do the fluid change and a rebuilt box is around £2,000.

Choice seems to be either hope the box hangs together and try for 150,000 odd miles before unloading or bite the bullet, plan to sort the box and shoot for 200,000 miles.

What does the team think.

Clive

Considering that the boys from Highways England run their SDV6 Disco 4's to 3 years / 250,000-320,000 miles, I'd never let a few miles stand between me and keeping a decent car! I'd push on to 200,000+ miles if possible

Tempting fate:

Engine fine and dandy
2nd box still going strong (changed for recon/new - can't remember which - at 89,000 miles)

177,000 miles and counting  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

At the end of the day, if the rest of the car is in good order then these can do good mileage no problems. The gearbox will go bang at some point, it's fairly inevitable, but if you get another 20-30k out of it first then great. If it goes tomorrow, then you will have to spend that now, and you will be set to 180-190kI would have thought.

Plough on, what's the alternative, sell now, lose the money spent in sorting the suspension and buy something unknown.... There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Thanks for the advice gentlemen.

Pretty much in line with what I figured. Accept that the gearbox will need to be done and push on towards 200,000.
Far as I know there are only the brake pipes and rear suspension bushes left on the known will have to be done list.

Now if she will just listen to me for once!

Clive

Mines got 142k on it and the gearbox is one of the few things that hasn't given me problems.... QUID FACIUM TIBI
ANTEQUAM ALIIS

2003 TD6 VOGUE Zambezi Silver
tows 2006 Lunar Delta 540/2

My first 2002 HSE TD6 was still going strong with over 135,000 on original gearbox when I sold it to a mate! best FFRR i have ever had. Not a thing went wrong in 3 years.

Sold my TD6 at 168k miles this time last year. It was still running ok but really needed a couple of new injectors. It would fail to start after a long run towing until it has cooled down a bit. No problems at all with transmission. Perhaps I was lucky! Current: 2010 Range Rover L322
Vogue SE, TDV8 3.6, Bournville
-----------------------------------
Now gone: 2002 Range Rover L322
Vogue, TD6, Giverney Green

My gearbox went pop at 136k so the originals can do that, now that's sorted the engine and rest of the car still drives really well even with close to 170k on it.

Gearbox specialist recommended changing the gearbox oil every 60k so that it can be checked and fixed prior to any complete failure. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

I don't want to put a downer on the situation but obviously there is two sides tk every story!

Mine has done 120k ish (not entirely sure) and i've changed loads of things, the subframe problem is the worst so far.

Im happy to fix and keep it going, as Joe90 said the engine itself is pretty strong. Im chasing some turbo issues soon but apart fr that I don't see going past 200k being an issue! 

The main consideration is a lot less complicated that it was 20 years ago. As long as the body doesn't rot out the car can go on pretty much for ever. Mechanical components can be changed relatively easily but the main things (costly items) are the body (welding), the engine (reconditionable) and the gearbox, also reconditionable and a known weak point on the TD6.

Personally I don't have an issue with mileage. Maintenance is the important factor. The TD6 doesn't have any really weak spots and should get to 200K without throwing pistons through the block. And mileage is good, it keeps the car working. Stuff like cars and bikes need to be used, they don't like standing around doing nothing.

In terms of mileage I don't understand having something and not using it. Plenty of biker friends have so many mechanical issues 'cos they don't use the bike enough, they treat it like a toy and deliberately keep mileage down to preserve resale value which is madness to me. Not using something to preserve resale value is like not bonking your GF/Wife to keep her fresh for the next guy. Use it, enjoy it, fix it and bin it when it becomes too costly to maintain. Your sister's TD^ should go on nicely fro a long time with bills that are nowhere near as scary as replacing the car.

@mpcg

@mzpicg:

A great way of looking at it

PS: I bought one of my motorcycles new in 1998 and for various, long and involved reasons (none of which were to do with preserving resale value), it's only ever done 7,500 miles and been dry stored when not in use. Now, after a 3 year lay up, it's been a complete pig to get running again! It's my own stupid fault!

mzplcg wrote:

The main consideration is a lot less complicated that it was 20 years ago. As long as the body doesn't rot out the car can go on pretty much for ever........................

Couldn't agree more