I wouldn't be too worries either. Check it changes smoothly and then get the oil flushed when you get it

My 4.4 BMW V8 had done 110k miles w2hen I sold it and gear changes were nice and smooth

I have an E39 v8 5 series with the same box...oil had never been changed (all BMW service history and they won't change it) and the car managed 270k with the previous owner before the gearbox died!

I have a 2002 plate V8 for sale on this forum under items for sale . Low miles. Gearbox flushed etc
If you dont have any joy with the e bay item , get in touch !
Oh its also gas converted with a BRC system !

2003 V8, gearbox oil and filter changed at 75,000 miles. Now on 129,000 miles and just done the gearbox oil and filter again last month. Very little debris stuck to the sump magnets so I am quite pleased.
Looking at 70K TD6 models at the moment but like the original poster, am scared witless about the box on these. I know of at least two that gave up and died, one at 60K and the other at 80 K

Don't think you'll like a TD6 after a V8, why not stick with what you have, 129,000 is nothing for them.... Pete
I now have permission from the boss to use Y.O.L.O. Enjoy life
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Is there a big, noticeable difference in performance then? I don't thrash my V8 and rarely creep above 70.....

Drive one and it will be very obvious coming from the V8

I had a V8 and my old man a TD6, both 2002 cars. When I drove his it always felt like something was wrong with it after jumping out of mine. I don't thrash my RR's either.

I think it was always most noticeable in the TD6 when pulling away from a standstill, say up a slip road, you have to rev them quite hard to get moving where as the V8's seem to pull away with much less throttle.

TD6 always seem to be in the wrong gear for me after being in the V8, both 5 speed but I guess the smaller rev band of the diesel against the petrol means it has to be closer to its rev limit before changing gear.

I went from the 5 speed 4.4 petrol to the 6 speed 3.6 TDV8 and can honestly say that performance wise in the real world the TDV8 drives more smoothly and is just as quick.

Thanks for the info !!

I changed my trans fluid at 100K just about to do it again at 180K. One day your life will flash before your eyes......................................make sure yours is worth watching!