Hi all

Been a member on the D3 and Defender forums but I'm now looking at FFRRs. Had D3's for a few years now, but my last was constantly having problems and then suffered from complete and total engine failure (TDV6).

I have a Defender as a stop gap, but come the autumn will be doing a lot more mileage so will spend the summer looking for RRs when prices might ease a little out of winter.

Basically I've had enough of diesels so looking at the 4.4 V8. Are there any particular well known problems with the V8 lump? Are there problems with LPG on these engines? I won't be fitting LPG, and if it comes with LPG kit fitted I'll probably take it out, just interested to know if it can damage these engines?

Also looking around 05 year as will be used for work, so will need to wear a bit of dirt and be able to take a knock and a scratch without me worrying too much.

Sorry for the long winded first post, but just after opinions on the V8.

Mac

I have a 4.4 2002 with lpg. its essentially a bmw series 7 engine. (m62tu44) it is a superb engine. (same engine as the X5) .....7 series engines go on for 100's thousands miles....its a lightweight all alloy engine. it has vanos (variable valve timing) and four camshafts and 32 valves. the bores are coated with anti friction material. they run on synthetic oil, and will go very high miles. and stay very clean inside if oil regularly changed.
mine is sitting at 151k miles and had lpg fitted at 60k. I cant think why you would want to not run it on lpg. but that's your decision. plenty of lpg facts here too. the things to watch out for are coolant leaks, and (in my experience) the timing chain guides. slight rattling from the vanos gears is also common, this noise is because of the vanos seals hardening. though it sounds worse than it is is to the general running of the engine. ie its not an issue. the engine is quoted as 292 bhp, but its a fact that it was played down on BMW's part to 'evade' tax etc. its reckoned to be over 300bhp. similar the Jaguar similar sized engine. that's around 80hp higher than the earlier model (p38) 4.6 engine. bmw first prodused the m62 non vanos engine in the 7 series and its sought after by tuners as it's a high revving powerful engine. it was modified with different inlet manifold and the vanos, to increase the low revving torque, needed for the range rover. the next evolution of this engine, was the n62 engine, used in the 6 series bmw, (645i) and also a v10 version of that (I believe) used in the m5 etc.
coming from a diesel, you will notice the low down grunt that this engine has. and its silky quiet revving etc.
not sure what else I can tell you that's not findable on forum/web etc. don't believe everything you hear about people's so called theories about engines and their problems, without reading into real facts. -especially if they don't even have one, or even open their bonnet (themselves.)

you need to hear from an owner of the 2006-on jaguar engine cars to get an idea on those engines. not sure what else I can add without waffling on about boring engine facts.

to follow up on lpg question, the answer is not a problemon the early engines, but suspect without flashlube (at the least) on later jaguar engines. the difference is the newer softer valve seats ie seat recession wear.

I looked into the LPG for my AJV8 and I wouldn't recommend it. The BMW engines seem very happy with it. I think an LPG BMW beats a TDV6 in just about every way.

The later Jag cars have lots of advantages, but LPG isn't one of them.

I can thoroughly recommend the 4.4 AJV8
I had a Td6 before - which, despite plenty of negative comments from others - was a great car.
I'd have had another but started looking at TDV8's - but the figures didn't stack up.
I wasn't prepared to fork out five hundred pounds a year on road tax (mine's a 55 reg - ie pre 230306).
For the mileage, condition & spec I'd have spent several thousands more.
As it is, I've got a great car with over three hundred ponies yet returns around 20mpg - another plus is the ZF 6 speed gearbox which you'll be familiar with coming from a D3.
Personally, I reckon the AJV8 4.4 is a bit of a hidden gem . . .
As for lpg, I was advised by JE that the earlier BMW V8's are a better car for the conversion.

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

Why not try an early SC and have all the benefits of a top spec'd car with great performance...

 All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2021 AM new Vantage

Thanks for that, I'd heard it could be pretty detrimental to some engines! I'm not totally averse to the idea of LPG but just wanted to know if it would damage the 4.4. Pardon my ignorance but did the engine change from a BMW to a AJV8 with the facelift?

Ah I'm very sorely tempted by the 4.2 Craig but I might end up having a bit too much fun with the go go pedal!

I would just like to stick my toe in the door here and shout up for the diesel brigade!! I am a petrol head through and through, have owned a lot of nice fast powerful cars in my time and thought I would never own a diesel, but after years of V8 engine Discos and RR's of all sorts, I am currently running a TDV8, I think it is one of the best engines I have had for a long time and that is saying something for a self confessed petrol head!! it is quiet, economical and has more than enough power to satisfy. just to give some idea of things, I have 330bhp and just under 800Nm of torque and as we all know its the torque that makes you go forwards. I get full torque from very low rpm and I can honestly say I love it!! I have owned lots of LPG cars too, and now a days with the price of it and availablility or lack of it depending where you live in the country, diesel makes a lot of sense. I know you will get a petrol FFRR cheaper then a diesel, but there is no comparison between your TDV6 and a TDV8. worth a think. Current: TDV8 (3.6) RRS HSE



Past: TDV8(4.4) Vogue
Discovery 3 Commercial
TDV8(3.6) Vogue
TD6 Vogue
D2 V8 ES
D1 V8 ES
RR Vogue Classic

At least over here, the facelift coincided with the switch from the BMW engine to the Jaguar.

I'll put in a vote for the Jag AJV8 4.4 NA. It's a great engine.

^
Plus . . . No turbos, no EGR, no DPF - food for thought ?

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

TugRR that's precisely the reason I'm going petrol, EGR and turbo gave me grief on the D3. A couple of friends of mine have the TDV8s and they really are lovely engines, but I like the relative simplicity of the petrol.

In a similar position here, although my D3 is still going strong at the moment! I've had it for the better part of 5 years now, and am considering changing back to RR (my last was an early P38 4.6, nearly a decade ago) ...

TdV8s are out (too pricey for my meagre means), so am possibly looking at an early SC. Any pointers of what to look out for in regards to potential issues from the Gurus on here??? Regards,
Mick

'Bertha' - 2014 SDV8 Autobigraphy
'Vincent' - 2010 TdV8 Vogue SE
- 'Molly' - 2005 HSE Auto
'Dixie' - 2000 D2 Td5 ES

We have a 56 Reg Vogue with the Jag AJV8, (only had her a month mind), and she is LPG converted (2 years ago by previous owner) and runs like a dream 2006 (56 Reg) 4.4 V8 Vogue In Bonatti Grey (Gorgeous!!)

Arguably the early SC's are one of the most reliable 322's