I've been told the 07-09s are better than the '06s which I tend to believe. But I would say the 06 Jaguar 4.4/4.2 with the zf 6 and new differentials, elocking transfer case, is better than the BMW 4.4 /zf 5 combo. No offense to anyone or their rigs. I can't comment on the diesels as we don't have them in the USA. OffRoadRover.com An American Western Range Rover Off Road Blog

Does the 4.2 s/c have the valley coolant pipe issue like the S-Type jags?

I'm still looking, decided to increase my budget a bit after advice here. After viewing and test driving about 5 vehicles i have come up these 2 - driven both

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...gcode=visc 2006 4.2 SC. A few scuffs but nice condition, particularly inside. Don't think the i can knock much from the asking price but a bit. It does have the after market DAB radio / bluetooth thing.

or this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...gcode=visc 2007 3.6 TDV8. Has the newer dash and terrain response. Has been used to tow a big 2.5 T caravan for the last year. Higher miles, and some missing service history. Generally good condition but not as good. It does have a few squeaks from suspension. Its an HSE, but does have sunroof, misses sat-nav and rear heated seats. Has a few scuffs and a very small dent. I am confident i can get this for a bit less than asking price making it well over £1000 cheaper than the SC and its newer.

Would be doing max 7k miles a year, mainly weekend driving.

Fuel costs - SC will be about £600 more per year, oddly it costs less to insure. Tax is same at £515.

If anyone has 5 mins i would appreciate peoples thoughts. Existing advice has been really helpful.

Andy

I am not in anyway an expert on such matters, however, the first one seems OK and about the money. The second one is an HSE with only part service history. Not a particularly sought after combination come selling time. All IMHO of course.

As to mileage, try not to get too hung up on that aspect, more about history with these things. Good luck.

Just for info I have a 2007 sc I have put 60k miles on in 2and a half years always have it serviced had to replace a few bushes and brake disc and pads a couple of times it is still running like dream and only fault at present is a front parking sensor so wouldn't worry too much about miles but would like to know all servicing schedules have been kept to

I am going tomorow morning for the third and last look and hopefully to purchase an L322 TD6.
It has 220,000 kms on, the engine was replaced by LR 40,000kms ago.
Its got the GM gearbox.
Its buttery smooth and i must say the engine sounds sweet.
It sounds quite nopisy when pulling off and then cant really hear it when on the highway.
One quick question, is there anyway to tell if the airbags could be on their way out??

I don't know about airbag testing, but think that the owner's manual gives the LR service interval as 10 years: you might like to check the manual for the car you have been looking at and, if it is over 10 years old, ask if it has been done. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Thanks CS, i guess i was asking, as this is is the first time i have ever bought a car with air suspension. I used to own a citroen with the hydro pneumatics and i understood that system, is if its possible to guage when an air bag will pop and what are the circumstances that can make one go pop.
I did test it up and down.
i suppose if it pops you cant drive it.

Sorry Frikkadel, I thought you meant the airbags inside the car...

On the air suspension, I suspect the only thing you can do is a visual inspection for cracking or perishing. Note that if the car is put on a workshop type lift and the wheels hang off the suspension that can put additional strain on the air suspension air bags and tear them - that happened to one strut on my 2004 car. Apart from that failure my 2004 car's air struts gave no problems until I sold the car after 9 1/2 years. The replacement of the damaged strut was not that expensive, it is quite a quick job and the part itself did not cost that much. Only Range Rovers since 1988

CS, thanks. i will be having the wheel balancing done, within 2kms of getting the car this week.
When they jack up the car, must i put the suspension on the highest settings then before they remove all wheels/
i did ask on a new thread, then saw this and thought i might as well ask you.
havent read the manual yet, hence the need to ask.

What I do when the wheels are to be changed over is to put the suspension up to the highest setting and the car in 'park' with the upper tailgate open. I think that is meant to stop the suspension from extending further, though I have a recollection that someone on here said one had to leave a door open for that. I don't open a door as it would get in the fitters' way and maybe catch a trolley jack and be damaged. I've never had a problem with my approach and that is what the tyre fitters, who deal with lots of RRs, ask for too.

With my car (2012) there is an 'extended mode' which cannot be selected but which helps the car out if it grounds off road by lifting it a bit further. I don't know if yours has that, I don't recall it on my 2004 car. Sometimes when the wheels are back on the car is in extended mode and one has to press the height selector twice to get it back to normal drive height. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Just to wrap this thread up, I have finally purchased a 2007 TDV8 after a couple of months of looking, I will post details on the welcome thread later.

I took the advice on board and upped my budget. What I found was that an early, fairly well sorted petrol was about £7k. Watching, waiting and viewing lots of vehicles (plus some tough bargaining ) meant that I was able to get a very well maintained TDV8, with similar miles for £10k ish. Which felt like better value for money. I was very tempted by a 4.2 SC but ultimately the fuel consumption put me off - time will tell.

I wanted to say many thanks to everyone who has taken time to give help and advice, it is very much appreciated. Also many thanks to the mods who run a great resource.

Andy