Hello there chaps.

I am thinking of going to have a look at this one...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...?logcode=p

Any thoughts on it?

Questions I have thought of:

What tyres are those?
Are the rear lights misty?
Any evidence of rust/oxidation around wheel arches?
Any suspension knocks?
When was the trannsmission fluid last flushed?
Has the gearbox ever been replaced? (I was under the impression this is just an issue on TD6).
Has the recall on front differential been carried out.

Can you kind gentlemen think of anything I have missed?
Do you think it looks ok from photos?

It won't do many miles. Hoping to look after it and run it into the gorund over many years.

P.S. £10 donation /first post tax paid for asking annoying questions on first post!

I won't be the only one to say this, but if you're looking at spending that amount on a V8 it has to be the AJV8 - that being an 06MY onwards (available from '05 registration to '07) - more commonly called a "facelift" car with smaller headlights.

AJV8's are available at this price. They are general considered to be more reliable, quieter, better on fuel, and oh yes, there are three hundred ponies under the bonnet

In addition to your list, I'd be asking when, not if, were major suspension bushes changed and do all the electrics work including correct operation of suspension.

There have been several posts on FFRR recently indicating potential problems with the BMW V8 engine.

There are lots of cars out there for sale - make sure you buy the right car for you.

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Many thanks!

I haven't managed to find any AJV8s without mega miles.

My other idea is to up the budget and get a TDV8. I have seen this one...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...?logcode=p

I know it seems I'm all over the place with budget, but my thoughts are as follows...

Get reasonably old as newer ones look the same and will depreciate heavily due to L405.
Avoid TD6 due to lack of refinement and potential for transmission issues.

So either, pay extra for TDV8 or get a cheaper petrol (I dont do many miles).

Talk to Gary Elliot, our site sponsor, he may be able to find you a better AJV8. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

I'm in the same position. Having regretting sold my facelifted Td6 Vogue a year ago, I'm after another. Mine was a mint well maintained car, but I've read alot more now and considering the mileage I now do a petrol makes alot more sense. Whilst I haven't read of many AJV8 problems, the Td6 can be (more ?) prone to transmission failure as well turbo, fuel pump and injector issues.

If you do decide to go for the 06' MY car, make sure it was first registered before 23rd March 2006 ie an '05, '55 or possibly an early '06 car as the VEL is alot less.

Somebody will be along very shortly I'm sure, to tell you to buy a Supercharged !

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

My only advice would be to get a Touch Screen car. (54 plate onwards both non facelift and facelift)

These were the start of the updates and feel newer especially when converted

I like the AJV8 but would not rule out a good BMW V8 altogether.

Gary

What about something like this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...?logcode=p
I think I would question the 2010 reg year at that price but maybe worth considering.  

I think there's a current school of thought that the mileage point as to wether petrol or diesel is 7/8,000 miles a year.

Keep in mind that all TDV8's will be in the higher road tax bracket, so that along with the higher price of diesel might also be a factor, but will have the "newer" interior with Terrain Response.

The one you highlighted is OK, but a couple of things - Tonga (green) can be a "challenging" colour to sell on.
The other thing is that (and this is just a personal thing), when I see a dealer saying a Vogue has "huge spec", tends to make me think they don't know the product, as they all have "huge spec" with very few options. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Budgie wrote:

What about something like this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...?logcode=p
I think I would question the 2010 reg year at that price but maybe worth considering.

Nope, that ain't no 2010!  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Dammit, Tonga Green/Ivory is my favourite colour combo! - I'd pay extra like for like!

Many thanks for all the pointers. Lots to think about.

Colour is very personal choice. If you like it, that's a reason to consider it.  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

The Tonga/Ivory combination is simply superb! But that one seems a bit expensive, doesn't it? MML

MML wrote:

The Tonga/Ivory combination is simply superb! But that one seems a bit expensive, doesn't it?

You could always give them a try, by suggesting that Tonga isn't a very popular colour and seeing if you could negotiate a discount?

Just hide your true colours!  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey