Yes, I've had the pan dropped a couple of times - last time fairly recently, as I had the oil pan gasket replaced to fix a minor leak. Bottom of the pan was clean so no need to worry about the guides etc. As Lee said earlier, if its going, you'll know about it. We ran several Ford Explorers during the late 90's and 00's and they suffered from awful chain rattles - sounded like a machine gun rattling on acceleration - you'll know if there is a problem coming.

The breather hoses are easy to check - take the plastic engine cover off the top and you'll see two largish rubber hoses crossing over the back of the engine which lead to the cyclone and PCV valve - the PCV valve is the diaphragm, the cyclone is a bit lower down but you'll see why its called a cyclone. The breather hoses are the two top ones, and then two additional ones - a short stubby one, and a long thin one.

If the two large rubber ones on the top feel 'squishy' rather than firm then they are breaking down and need changed.
Hope that helps. Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

Hi Nick - wish I read this today had the cover off I will have off again soon to do rocker covers and will check. I had what everyone (including a garage) was a failed tappet sounded horrible.. after lots of research on BMW forums I found another explanation - if any spark plugs other than NGK are used they back out after time and you actually hear the spark... sure enough that was exactly what had happened (to my relief). What I took out were britpart plugs (any good??) and repacked with Bosch super 4s. After torquing down she purrs like a kitten again I did notice however I am at 160k and running all 8 original coil packs - are you? Have you changed any? The reason I am shocked is because I’ve had two m52 engines two m62 engines and one s62 in the past they all use the same coil packs and by 130k I’d had most the coils fail so I’m surprised I’m running originals. Difference is the others were all manual of that makes a difference I’m unsure...

Cheers Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

So on New Years Day on my way back to work we turned over 195,000

You've certainly had a journey with it Nick.

I'm sure you'll love the Westie.

Welcome to the Westie club Nick
I found it a real step up in refinement, and the torque is truly amazing.
But a part of me still misses the sound and smoothness of the V8 petrol. 2012 Westminster 4.4 TDV8

Thanks guys

Lee - like you my kids are gutted to be losing the RSE but I've pointed out that in the last nearly 5 years they have only ever watched two things on it that they might want to consider using their iPads instead. Seems to have placated that. Just have to trek up to North Yorkshire on Wednesday to pick it up - cannot wait.

Still agonising over what to do with this one - I know the car backwards and its wanted for nothing over its 195k so having just done very quick man maths on the new one, think I have to do the same over the old one! Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

Nick you're going to love the 4.4TDV8.
And a lot of incremental updates and gadgets from your last one.

 Cheers, Greg
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2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

oh and you'll love the 35mpg on the motorway.

Greg Cheers, Greg
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2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

Nick, as a newbie, only just read your entire post - great story and should make us all want to run ours to the 200k mark

Enjoy the Westie, I swopped and just bought the new 4L autobiography- plenty of toys, but in my view the Westie is a much better drive . Hope u enjoy and it’s as good to you as your last RR

Bill Filters are in fact so good that in certain circumstances, when the ambient air is already polluted, a diesel car will tend to extract more particles from the air than it emits. Emissions Analytics worked with........etc etc

He who dies with the most toys wins...

Thanks Bill - much appreciated

Greg - yep - looking forward to that - the fuel saving on my 550mile weekly round trip helped with the man maths!!! Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

Dan - hey sorry, i completely missed your message in December - great news it was only the plugs! I've only ever fitted NGK so never experienced that - but what a great find.

Also, same here, original coil packs - although can't be sure none were changed prior to 100k but I'm fairly sure not. Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

So I picked up the Westie up this evening from North Yorkshire.......brief teaser photo, some of the dealer photos and more photos at the weekend.

The AB LE will be put up for sale at some point in the near future, although I will be using it next week in London.

So first tasks on the Westie

Towbar
Tracker
Dashcam

But what can I say - I've done 200 miles in it down the M1 and I couldn't be happier!

Congrats!
Looks superb.
. Cheers, Greg
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2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

Enjoyed your AB LE updates.

Look forward to reading your Westie ones.

Have fun. What do I put here then?

Shame you didn't get to 200k Solid effort though

Enjoy the new one

cheers Alex

2018 Skoda Kodiaq vRS
2009 Caterham Supersport Race car
2007 M5 Touring
2005 Range Rover Vogue SE Supercharged
2004 SL55 AMG