I have a BMW Alpina B3s, which is 305 Bhp and 3.4l. On the computer I average 28 mpg, and this is over the last year. Servicing is £200 ish with the 3rd in the series being £350ish.
If I was to change to a FFRR, what do you recommend. I know I will loose the performance, but I want to keep the running costs about the same. Is this realistic?
I would be looking early 2000s, post major body change.
Will I really find the TD6 slow. Would an LPG 4.4 be a better bet.
Over to you, for pointers and advice.

Having come from a Golf R32 I certainly haven't felt annoyed at the lack of pace the 4.4 v8 provides as it's more than adequate for such a heavy car.

If your into performance cars then you may get bored but I've got a 350z to keep me entertained should I desire.

Driving the FFRR makes me just want to slow down and relax anyway, seems to have a calming effect on my driving.

As for running costs sadly even with the td6 you'll be looking at less than your BMW!

I average 15-18mpg in the 4.4, and my mate seems to average 21mpg in his tdv8. TDV8 HST Sport **Current**

4.4 V8 Autobiography and 22" wheels **Gone**

Id heard rumours of the TD6 being a snail etc, but bought one anyway... it turned out mine has been 'chipped' by DTUK and is surprisingly spritely. I have had it for about a month, and covered 1700 miles already. I live in a very rural area, my nearest motorway is a 40min drive, but over that mileage I have averaged 28.6. And that does include a couple of short runs with a trailer. Drove from North Herefordshire to Newark and back last Wens, averaged 31.4mpg. These figures are only from the 'ships computer' so not verified. Just do it, you will love it!

My 2007 TDV8 returns 21mpg urban/every day and 25mpg on the 2000 mile trip to the Alps & Back.

Thanks guys. Just what I wanted to read.
What about service costs?

At that age you'd be best going to a local independent rather than a main dealer.

Dealers will try and charge the earth but with a bit of haggling you can halve their prices so it can work both ways.

An oil service could be £150 at a local indie and £300 at a dealer, prices go up from there. Parts are relatively cost effective from non dealers and such things as brakes etc are always best done away from dealers.

You'll find the TD6 slow compared to your B3, but a chipped one can be spritely enough for such a large heavy car. Bare in mind you won't want to throw it round corners really fast. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Thanks.
Not too bad then. TBH, I am getting over fast, rigid cars and want to tame my driving. I have a young family now and take more care. The B3s would be better off in someone else's hands.

If that's the case you won't regret it!

I'm loving mine and the comments it gets. TDV8 HST Sport **Current**

4.4 V8 Autobiography and 22" wheels **Gone**

MPG:

3.0 TD6 = 23-27

3.6TDV8 = 21-25

4.2 SC V8 = 10-16

4.4V8 = 14-21

It's of course relative to how you drive, service intervals, car condition etc Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Interesting figures RRUK.

My 4.4V8 returned 13.8 mpg over the first 2 years of my ownership but most of that, 80%, was towing 1700kgs of caravan.

Since changing the caravan to a 2200kg model, 2.5 years, it has dropped to 12.95.

With no caravan and cruising at 5mph above the limit I can get 20.5 mpg.

All very acceptable for the size and weight involved.

Ian

my old TD6 used to do 35 mpg cruising just over the limit, and I never ever got less than 23 even when towing 3500kg of beef in a twin axle stock trailer.

I went from a Maserati 3200GT which was 370bhp to the 4.4 Range Rover and I honestly can say, I haven't missed the power of the Maser yet. Fuel economy wise, mine has now settled between 16-17mpg which is about the same as what I was getting in the Maserati. As said above, the performance of the RR is surprising given it's size and weight, more than adequate. 2006 Mercedes CLS
1991 Retro-style Mini
But really finding it hard to fight the urge for a S/C...

Sorry but no TD6 will do 35mpg, the computer may say this for a while dependent on your driving style at the time but I would bet cash money that if you did hard calculations over a tank of fuel on actual miles vs how many litres to refuel it would not come near 35mpg. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

reset to zero, light throttle, motorway drive, stick to just over the limit, no wide throttle openings, long run and yes 35mpg, motorway miles only.

I used to get 27 total average if I had the patience with very careful driving sticking to speed limits locally.

and that was total litres consumption divided by miles.

Land Rovers Own extra urban figures are 30.1 and thats not sat on a motorway at a constant speed. So sorry Adam, I beg to differ mate.

If those figures came from a proper calculation and not the trip computer then I believe you.


You have to be honest though, not many owners would drive like that most of the time so although achievable its not very 'likely'

I drove to the south of France, constant speed (not too high), motorways only and I reckon I topped out at 28mpg at best and I pride myself on getting the best MPG out of any engine (especially large V8 petrols!) Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB