In a word - cost!

It wasn't just the purchase cost, it was the depreciation. I worked out it would be twice as expensive, and given I only do about 8,000 km per year that was a lot per km.

I haven't driven the TDV8, but I thought I would find the TD6 very slow.

I don't.

Given the nature of the car, I 'waft' around, and I don't find it tediously slow anyway, it's reasonable. Only when towing a heavy load up hill on a fast road do I think some more umph would be nice.

So why do I still think the TDV8 would be much nicer?

The essence of it is that although I don't necessarily want to go any faster, I wish the engine wasn't trying so hard to go the speed I am going. I want the engine to 'waft' with the rest of the car, and instead it's working too hard for that. Specifically, on the motorway limit it's at approx 2700 rpm, which seems too petrol like. 2000 rpm would be nicer.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy with my choice, and would make the same again, but that to me is why the TDV8 is more desireable, and suits the car better.

Anyone else who's driven both have an opinion?

By the way, the big concern I had with the TD6 is the gearbox, but mine has been refurbished.

Drove the TDV8 and it wasn't the difference I expected, I mean it's rather 10-20% and not 50%. It is quieter though...

The TDV8 is a far batter engine that is perfect for the car.
The TD6 is (in my opinion) what was available from the parts bin at the time.

But I agree with poster one. If you just plod about and are stretching the budget the TD6 fine, just a bit noisy. It is far cheaper with lower depreciation. My TD6 has been a real bargain in the (nearly) two years I've had it and I think it's great. But I am under no illusion that a TDV8 isn't better.

On the motorway the petrol cruises BELOW 2000rpm at motorway speeds. Land Rover Addict
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2009 5.0V8SC Autobiography
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2004 4.4V8 Vogue

No comparison IMHO the TDV8 technology is years ahead and the latest bigger version will be perfection.

TD6 is OK if you are not in a hurry, have earplugs and you're used to driving tractors though

Quote:

TD6 is OK if you are not in a hurry, have earplugs and you're used to driving tractors though

Some of us also have old Defenders, so...

Gazellio wrote:

TD6 is OK if you are not in a hurry, have earplugs and you're used to driving tractors though

I owned TD6 for nearly 3 years, a 2.7TDv6 for 2.5years and 3.6TDv8 in an RRS for 3 years and now I'm on my 2nd and even better version in the L322, but in a different tune, each was good in it's time. The starkest change was from TD6 to 2.7TDv6 - looking back BMW really short-changed the L322 with the version they put in the car and they saved the revised version for the X5 in an attempt to out -do the RR. What was most noticable between the TD6 and TDv6 was how much quieter and how easy is was to keep the TDv6 ready to leap away, it always seemed to be so eager just to get up and go compared to the straight 6 and it was soooooo much quieter and without the whistle whenever you eased off the gas pedal. While there is nothing wrong with the TD6, it is nowhere near as smooth and quiet as the TDv6 and the 3.6TDv8 is a step further in the power and NVH stakes and the last version of the 3.6 in the L322 is even better than the version that I had in my 2007 RRS. I cannot wait to have a test drive in the 4.4 which according to both Autocar and Top Gear magazine is unbelievably smooth, powerful and quiet and the new 8 speed auto is imperceptible in its gear changes without looking at the rev counter. 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

I have a fix for the somewhat vocal nature of the TD6,
It comes with a very good Hi-Fi
Turn it up, don't you just love the fact that it has nothing so vulgar as numbers on the volume . 2008 MY Supercharged
Rimini Red / Jet
four zone climate
remote park heater
and no ugly kid windows.
magnus satis quod turpis satis

Tim in Scotland wrote:

- looking back BMW really short-changed the L322 with the version they put in the car and they saved the revised version for the X5 in an attempt to out -do the RR.

scarey wrote:

or, you cant afford a tdv8...

axle wrote:

I have a fix for the somewhat vocal nature of the TD6,
It comes with a very good Hi-Fi
Turn it up, don't you just love the fact that it has nothing so vulgar as numbers on the volume .

standard TD6 roughly 12 seconds 0-60 (06 MY)
chipped TD6 9.8 seconds ish 0-60
TDV8 standard 8.5 ish seconds 0-60
chipped TDV8 7 seconds 0-60

If you aern't happy with the TD6 remap it. The engine can take the upgrade - BM upgraded the power output in the X5.

the biggest difference is 50 to 70 in a chipped TD6 which is fast - not that far behind a TDV8. I have the figures somewhere - done on a private road

A TDV8 will murder anything at 80 upwards though! including peasants in tin can euro boxes

Vogue wrote:

The engine can take the upgrade

might be also something to do with driving style, maintenance, heavy towing and fair wear and tear - yours has done 130,000 kms, and after almost 9 years of production there are not that many gearbox failures reported on forums. Yes failures are reported, but I would have expected to see significantly more. There are countless people out there with mapped vehicles who haven't had any issues at all.

I feel compelled to add a little.

We got the TD6 (2003) 3 years ago. It was a rare treat for us and will have to last us a long long time as we don't "s t money" or have a company to ofset tax against. We use ours as a tow vehicle as previously discussed for our twin axle caravan. We tow across Europe during the summer to seek out the Sun, and around the UK throughout the rest of the year.

I have owned a range of Landrover products, SII (With 4.2 Jag lump and auto) , RRC Fleetline, RRC TD, Disco ES and 101 Ambulance. I currently also own a 2.5 TD 110 CSW. I've also experience of numerous other brands and have the luxury of having to drive many marques very hard for a job.

There is no doubt that the TD6 is head and shoulders above all of these vehicles.

The engine performs fantastically for towing and we don't spare on the kg's when it comes to packing.

The TDV8 may be better on paper and indeed in driving experience, I wouldn't know as I have yet to drive one... BUT I just wanted to make clear to anyone reading the forum that the TD6 is no slug, does the job and during this years european holiday hands down out performed a Nissan Pathfinder towing a similar outfit to the point we eased off to cut the Pathfinder some slack.

So if you find your self wondering whether to go for a TD6 FFRR against anything else in that price range for me its a no brainer.

In addition when I first got the FFRR I was overwhelmed by the electroncis and engine. I have since got my head around alot of this subsequently having the Injectors out and top off the engine to replace the Turbo myself (£280 reconditioned & 8 hours removal and refitting). I'm also playing with CARx for a carputer (in addition to the OE kit). I bought a suspension reset tool for £125.00 and its paid for its self already as my compressor is in need of replacement. I'm very hands on with my Landrovers.

It still by far the best car I've ever had and I'm not to proud to say it'll be a long time before we can afford a newer replacement so if that sounds like you - go for it. Incidentally its lost around £10-12,000 off the forecourt price since purchase three years ago. I can live with that as new it would no doubt made a big dent in £60,000

I may face lift it once the platform reaches its final ability to be facelifted just to freshen it up, but until the platform changes such that it can't be facelifted any further its just a waste of money, as its purely cosmetic. 2010 Disco XS TDV6, 2009 Freelander 2 GS

Previous Landrover products -1990 110 TDI CSW, 2003 TD6 Vogue - RRC TD Vogue, RRC v8 Fleetline, Disco ES V8 LPG, 101 Ambulance "Morph", 1964 SIIa Auto Powered by Jag 4.2 Lump - "Percy".

Mmmph. Must add my 5cents.

First off, the M57 was - and is - in no way light years off the TDV8 in technology. As a matter of fact, it's based on much of the same technology and was built through last year in pretty much the same form by BMW. And despite all resentment, misgivings, or whatever, BMW is not a company known for producing cars that are ship to drive. The reason for the use of the TD6 motor in the RR at the time was not to bring the X5 out ahead or any other sillyness - BMW wanted nothing but the best for LR during the LM's development - but to offer a more economical alternative to the petrol V8. To win over a larger market share. To sell more RR's. No sense in having 2 equally thirsty vehicles in the lineup that only differentiate themselves through their brand of liquor.

A TD6 in stock form is no rocket, but it's not a dog either. Add a chip and it becomes quite a happy vehicle. I can cruise at 180kmh's on the 'bahn all day and the only time I miss any oomph is when I get into an overtaking battle with a bigger BMW/Benz/Porsche or the like. But if I want to fly with those I'll take my Porsche.

The transmission has its problems - but contrary to popular belief they are - in very large part - not due to a lack of strength but rather to the softness of the aluminum alloy in the valve body. I believe I posted the info I researched on the 5L40e here - I'll go back and check in the next day or 2 and post if i haven't already. According to what I was told by numerous large transmission rebuilders, the 5L40e is very capable of handling a chipped TD6. It's use in heavy traffic situations or by heavy footed drivers (much shifting) is what kills it. (And many do die a horrible death at 80 to 100k km's.)

I've driven a TDV8 as well (had one for a several days). Is it more refined? Yes. Faster? Yes. Anything else? I dunno... And as Adara said: I was expecting a huge difference. There wasn't. The difference was there and could be felt - but it in no way overwhelmed me.

The 'can't afford it' bit is rather silly. Our family income is by no means meager, yet the justification is simply not there for me. And I got a very good deal on our TD6; I could sell it now for nearly the same as the purchase price after 3 years. How many TDV8 owners can say that?  
RRC 2Dr, RRC 4Dr,
P38, and 2 L322s
(wife thinks I'm nuts - prob right, too)