Hi,
Well my old P38 has done me well, rebuilt top hat lined engine is still going strong but at 9mpg it's perhaps time the old girl gets a bit of a rest! I have looked around and finally decided that a used L405 4.4 V8 diesel is the way to go, now I know the V6 engine has had its share of problems but what about this V8?

I will be looking at the second-hand market, most likely one out of warranty so need some advice on what to look for, some have relatively low mileage and other quite high, obviously service history is very important and one or two have been serviced at dealerships to begin with then independents.

Just looking for advice on what to look for in buying one, any known issues or pitfalls to avoid and just how they are to live with on a day to day basis?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can offer, searching the Internet has some right horror stories but some are clearly from people who dislike Land Rover / Range Rovers, but with 2 P38's and a Defender 110 I am not a hater and hopefully here I can find honest unbiased options and advice before buying an L405.

From the WIKI, link top right... more info in there as well...

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/post451066.html#451066 Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thank you that link was most helpful 👍

i absolutely love mine.......so much power and torque!!

bulletproof engine too  2010 defender utility
2010 RRS TDV8 (gone)
2007 discovery 3 (gone)
2004 discovery 4 (gone)
1994 discovery 1
1970 v8 hybrid (gone)
1975 bobtail (gone)

Having had both engines, with the 3.0 in the L320 and now the 4.4 in the L405, the 4.4 wins hands down in my opinion and you won't regret your decision on engine choice!

As you mentioned, evidence of service history and on time fluid changes is important as well as listening out for any knocks from the suspension components when manoeuvring or driving over rough roads. Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

I am on my second 4.4 V8 Diesel - it’s an absolutely fantastic engine, the power delivery is stunning and doesn’t stop pulling right up to when the limiter cuts in. It still puts a massive smile on my face - even when you stomp your right foot at 90, and quite literally takes lesser mortals by surprise  2021 L405 Vogue SE 4.4 V8 DIESEL ~ #17

Check the oil level sensor works. On mine it did not and fortunately I got it replaced under warranty. It's a known fault on the 4.4 SDV8.
Having said that I love my L405 V8

Ivan 2013 Vogue SE SDV8
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Luxury

Last edited by IGP on 17th Feb 2021 10:41am. Edited 1 time in total

I’ve just purchased the 4.4 SDV8 myself. 85k miles and full Land Rover service history. Model variant is the vogue but it has lots of toys for me to play with as I‘ve upgraded from a merc

If you are near Dundee at some point, if we are ever allowed back oot, give me a shout, happy to show you around mine. They really are fantastic. Hopefully be up in Grantown with the pikey chariot soon

Thats a very kind offer, perhaps once all this Covid has settled I will take you up on that!

Thanks for all your input and advice its nice to get positive advice from people that actually have them!

I am hoping that if my current Nanocom diagnostic tool can be upgraded so it can be used on the L405 to allow me to do some of the DIY maintenance I've become used too.

Anyone else do their own maintenance on the L405 and if so what diagnostic tools do you recommend ?

standard answer here is the GAP IID tool, certainly not the cheapest but does everything. I do have another for the Porsche , an i carsoft which has been excellent to be fair, reads codes, re sets service stuff, scans all modules etc, was just over £100 too.
https://www.icarsoft.com/

Just went to look at the difference between them and although your correct about quite a price difference the GAP11D allows better access and allows adjustment and calibrations to be carried out..this may be the better option as I have a habit of holding onto vehicles I like for a long time!!