I’m buying a 2011 4.4 tdv8 FFRR having won a no-reserve auction on eBay for a FFRR with 130k miles, FSH (13 services) and 2 owners.

It has a known issue (“boost control valve solenoid B”) which causes it to go into limp mode under hard acceleration. I’ve read a lot on this within the forum and I understand it could be a range of issues from cheap (replace hoses) to expensive (replace the inlet manifolds or secondary turbo actuator). Until I get hands on with the car I won’t be able to tell.

Does anyone have any easy ways to determine if there is a leak from any of the pipes (doughnut, intercooler etc)?

I’ve read up on the things to look for on these cars from the various threads in the forum, so feel well armed to check the typical RR issues.

I’ve not phased by the issue as it is priced accordingly, it also feels like I will be entering FFRR ownership as it is likely to continue, fixing things.

I’m pretty competent when it comes to DIY car fixes / maintenance, but have never worked on a LR. I feel reasonably competent to determine if it’s a reasonable car, but I realise there’s a lot of potentially (very) expensive things that can fail on a FFRR, which is why I’m looking for a little more car specific knowledge.

There is a part of me that’s very nervous (given the potential magnitude of repairs costs), but I can walk away from it if I don’t want it (despite winning the auction).

I’ve been pointed towards the Gap IID Tool, is this the one I need?
https://www.gap-diagnostic.com/shop/iidtool-bt/

I’m looking for a specialist that’s near Reading who I could pay to visit the car with me and do a pre-purchase inspection (to the extent possible outside of a ramp and garage). Any suggestions?

Thanks for providing the warm welcome.

Good luck with the purchase.

That is the iiD tool but you are looking at it on the Gap site which is in Canada. If you purchase it there you will incurr VAT and customs charges.

Better to buy it in UK. Number of sellers eg, https://bellautoservices.co.uk/store/iid-bt-tool-gap-diagnostics/ . You can search for other suppliers.

It isn't cheap but it is very comprehensive and the support from Gap is first class. With what you have going forward it will pay for itself very quickly John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Try Rovertune in Reading Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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I can also ask Ross from www.glenrands.co.uk if he'd be willing to do it. PM me Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the suggestions DrRob. I’ll give the Reading place tomorrow.

Weegie wrote:

Good luck with the purchase.

That is the iiD tool but you are looking at it on the Gap site which is in Canada. If you purchase it there you will incurr VAT and customs charges.

Better to buy it in UK. Number of sellers eg, https://bellautoservices.co.uk/store/iid-bt-tool-gap-diagnostics/ . You can search for other suppliers.

It isn't cheap but it is very comprehensive and the support from Gap is first class. With what you have going forward it will pay for itself very quickly

I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure the GAP tool will “lock” to the VIN of the first RR you connect it to. You can read the codes from all cars I think, but it’s only locked to one to change config. You don’t want it locking to one you don’t buy.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Very good point re locking. Sounds like I can read any potential errors with the Foxwell and then get the Gap when I have the car purchased.

at a long shot, id guess you won an auction, for 'cars with no reserve reading' seller. ive been watching cars from them over the last few months, and often they put up quite poor pictures, and under describe the specs... so in your favour, you can often get a Vogue Se when its listed as Vogue etc... you're right in that you have a test drive, and choice to continue, or withdraw from sale etc. I can't say any more about them, but there are threads on Pistonheads about them, and there is a great YouTube story of a guy, 'Sams machine' and he titled a series, 'I bought the cheapest 4.4 tdv8' and his experience at the place, and the story of the tidy up of the car etc...
I was intending to travel up, from London, when the right one came up for me, (colour/spec) and give a look over, and considering bidding etc... but I managed to buy one from a private seller in the end, and don't have anything to tell you about that trouble code either, but im sure as hell, the GAP tool will show you, as ive just bought one, (secondhand, and not switched it across to my vin, yet) and its fantastic...cleared loads of trouble codes.... like about 30! you could even borrow one maybe, to get a diagnosis, without having to buy a licence, as long as you don't need to code any setups like adjusting suspension heights etc....
here.

I had a cheeky bid on this as well interested to hear how it works out for you the MOT history was super clean on it for a RR  Sold - Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

Last edited by TJH1985 on 29th Dec 2021 11:25pm. Edited 1 time in total

The service & MOT history are what swing it for me, but time will tell what I wake up next to in the morning!

Will keep this updated with news on the car.

It is indeed the no reserve auction from Reading, there seem to be very mixed reviews on various sites, but I tend to take these things with a pitch of salt and just be extra aware of potential pitfalls.

Time to roll the dice and see what happens….

Nice car! I bought a high mile 2012, and full stamped history to that 197k miles… car is superb. It’s so quiet, and full of oooomph! I paid about same as yours, and it was a bargain, when I look at ones on dealers forcourts, at double what I/we paid etc… check the rear arches, with the doors open, right down to the sill protectors… my old one was totally rotten there, and this new one just starting to surface rust… so that’s a spring job to do..observe the centre of the display after a start, for any messages etc, you can temp clear most for the intended journey, so make sure you get to do this, not the seller. Make sure the locking wheel nut tool is somewhere too. (boot area?)

the best of luck, these are epic drives! Life is short, enjoy it!

@Davidmutley - Get a HIGH pressure smoke test done to find any leaks. must be high pressure!

Davidmudley wrote:

Thanks for the suggestions DrRob. I’ll give the Reading place tomorrow.

Tell Ross I sent you if you go down the Glenrands route  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

Regarding cars with no reserve, I bought a td5 from them a few years ago. It was one of the best cars I have ever owned. The only thing I had to repair was a leaky fuel filter housing. I guess it’s just a lottery with them though.