Hi, after my other failed attempt I'm now looking at an 05 with 100000 on the clock

Private seller with lots of paper work...mostly dealer servicing although independent for last few.

Everything looks in order but the only thing I'm worried about is that it had a new gearbox fitted in July by a gearbox specialist in Wimbledon. It's got a 1 year guarantee.

Now I know the gearboxes are prone to going but if its had a new one fitted should I be looking at trouble free motoring or is there still issues to be had??

Cheers 2011 Range Rover TDV8 4.4 Vogue SE
2007 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue (Sold)
2004 Range Rover Vogue TD6 (Sold)

TBh it can be seen 1 of 3 ways.

1. they just repaired what was broke.
2. they replaced the valve block, fluid and filters and fixed it with a new TC thrown in as well.
3. they went the whole hog and used the proper valve block and checked the box over for any other issues and did the TC properly to. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

thanks king pleb,

I'm not an expert on this at all so apologies for the basic questions..

whats a TC??

Also, the owner said they installed a brand new gearbox..not a reconditioned one! So on that basis would it suggest they have gone "the whole hog" and done a proper job??

The seller said he's driven 5000 mile since it was done and its fine. 2011 Range Rover TDV8 4.4 Vogue SE
2007 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue (Sold)
2004 Range Rover Vogue TD6 (Sold)

The TC is the torque converter.

The GM gearboxes in the TD6 had a valve block made from softer aluminium than normal, which tended to be worn away by the valves. This resulted in a drop in hydraulic pressure, and eventual premature gearbox failure. This tended to happen between 100k and 120k miles, according to the reading.

So, there is a fix whereby a Sonnax valve block is fitted, where hardened liners are fitted to the original valve block to stop it happening again. This will be the proper job, kingpleb is refering to.

If you had a brand new gearbox, it'll probably still have the softer valve block in it.

The best price I got to supply a gearbox with the sonnax valve block upgrade was about £1500 if I remember right.

Its a minefield.

And despite what they say, the ZF box in the petrol model is far from the most reliable.

I have a warranty with mine. Worth its weight in gold (I hope !!) 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

Thanks mate,

So if its not the improved Sonnax type does that mean it could fail again? If so is it another 80-100K miles before failure?

I'm seeing the car tomorrow and the owner has all the paperwork so I'll ask if its the Sonnax type or not.

Thanks again for the advice 2011 Range Rover TDV8 4.4 Vogue SE
2007 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue (Sold)
2004 Range Rover Vogue TD6 (Sold)

If you look on the forum there is an uprated ecu as well for the TD6's boxes which will help a new box last much longer i would imagine due to less wear and strain on components and makes it feel like a much livelier car as well so for £150 if you get a TD6 like this one with a new box id certainly put that money into the budget and get that done after a week or two of driving so you can compare and appreciate the difference it gives  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

I second what kingpleb says..........

All in all, I'd say its better to get one thats had a new box than one without.

If it was a brand new box, then I'd say you ought to get a few years of use from it, but I'm by no means an expert.

If the clutches failed due to low hydraulic pressure caused by wear in the valve block, and just the clutches were renewed, I'd say it'll prob bust again within 20k, but who knows.

If its had a new box, do as kingpleb suggests and upgrade the ecu after a few weeks and you will be better off than most people on this forum as far as gearboxes are concerned..... 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

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I'll update on the outcome of my meeting with the owner tomorrow.

Hopefully it'll be all ok and I'll be the new owner!  2011 Range Rover TDV8 4.4 Vogue SE
2007 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue (Sold)
2004 Range Rover Vogue TD6 (Sold)

ok, just been to see the car.

It drives smoothly and seems fine going through the gears.

I've seen the invoice also and its not a NEW gearbox as previously stated. I phoned the gearbox specialist who did the work and they confirmed the following:-

Transmission REBUILD - £1525
Labour - £475
Torque Convertor - £325
Oil - £75

The car was a non mover when it was taken to the garage and the specialist said it was a thorough job to rebuild using all ZF parts.

So on this basis do you guys think its worth pursuing?? 2011 Range Rover TDV8 4.4 Vogue SE
2007 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue (Sold)
2004 Range Rover Vogue TD6 (Sold)

you have a years warranty, so i would... ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Don't mean to be Mr Anorak here, but I hope you mean GM parts if it's a TD6. ZF gearboxes were fitted to the 4.4 Petrol.

Sounds good though.

You'd hope that having one thats just been rebuilt is better than having one that hasn't........ 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

Christ ! He did say ZF !! I hope this was a slip of the tongue!!

Thanks for the advice though.

Now all I need to do is decide if its worth buying.

Although it drove fine and there were no unusual knocks or grumbles and the suspension all worked fine, the interior was filthy! It was his wife's car and it looks like she didn't mind the kids dragging in half the garden!!

He did say he would have it fulyl valeted to "showroom" condition by the local Polish guys but it was a bit off putting as I tend to keep my cars in prisitine condition. Funny really as the owner had what could only be described as a £10 mill pad over looking a PGA golf course... so not short of a bob or two!!

He only wants £11K for it and has a another buyer lined up.

Decisions, decisions!! 2011 Range Rover TDV8 4.4 Vogue SE
2007 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue (Sold)
2004 Range Rover Vogue TD6 (Sold)

Is it a facelift one like mine or the pre-facelift?

For 11k its strong money but im guessing it does take into account the gearbox work.

Do you think he will budge on price if you offered to take it as it is? Like me you want to keep things as they should be so i'd be more inclined to buy it as it is and then clean it out myself one weekend. It takes a little off the new car feeling but makes you feel better knowing the whole thing has had time spent on it instead of a rush job!
Then get a detailer to go over the outside and use the money you may have saved when knocking them down.
Someone like that will likely be more susceptible if you turn up with the cash in hand ready to be handed over. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

It's a facelift model.

He says he's been offered £10500 px against a new mini cooper for the wife.

I checked on webuyanycar etc and its valued between £10400 and £11050 so thought it might be worth buying.

The only things I can fault it on are the interior cleanliness ( granted this can be fixed with a good clean)
Cup holders broken ( common fault and he is prepared to knock off £150 to replace them)
TV not upgraded to digital.
and there is a tiny ding on the n/s pass door ( really tiny!)

Apart from that its got full Dealer servicing to 85K. 1 Indie service afterwards.
Brand new tyres ( fitted last week) including new spare.
1 Year MOT
Fuel burning heater with remote
Rubber mats
Pad and discs changed 9 months ago

I hate making decision!! 2011 Range Rover TDV8 4.4 Vogue SE
2007 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue (Sold)
2004 Range Rover Vogue TD6 (Sold)

If he will take £10.5 then take it as that way at least he has the cash and the dealer may make his mini cheaper by not having a p/x  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.