Hi All.
Quite new to Forum and RR’s (12 months)
My experience so far is mixed but on balance not good 🙁
11 months of carefree motoring with my L322 3.6 TDV8, then…..well you know.
Break down 150 miles from home, recovery back, no-one any idea what’s wrong.
6 weeks later MIKEY on this site has talked me thru the diagnosis (thanks Mikey) but I fear the cost of repair will
be inhibitive🙁

The car I need has to be able to tow around 1.5t, and be comfortable.
I do few round town daily miles, more longer (<500 mile) weekend trips.

My brief experience with the 3.6 V8 tells me they’re prone to reliability issues and extremely complex for a reluctant home mechanic.
Whereas although the BMW straight 6 may have less power, the would appear less sophisticated and therefore less prone to malfunction and easier/cheaper to fix when they do.
Would that be fair ?

From your EGR thread… for completeness….

The TD6 is a very reliable well tested engine, but the gearbox is made of chocolate. It’s a much less modern engine than the TDV8, noisy and way less power. You need to drive one. TD6 wasn’t bad in it’s day…. I had one, but it’s old now.

Also has the older style dash.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Thanks for your input.

Older style dash is not a concern, to be fair unless you’re going to spend £50k+ we’re all gonna have old style dash’s.
So long as there’s sufficient power for my towing needs I’m happy, again to be fair the V8 is beautifully smooth but has way MORE power than necessary.

Now the gearbox, this is what I need to know. How long (miles) might it be expected to last, and are there any tell tale signs to look for when viewing ?

I never had an issue with the gearbox in mine so can’t help much with symptoms etc.

I know the aluminium used is softer than normal in the valve body… think that’s the right name… so it wears prematurely.

Others will know more….

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

I had a TD6 which was a year old when bought, used it for 95% towing, 2 horses and box (c. 2.7T), was a great car for 100K miles and 11 years then gearbox went, got rid of it and bought a 4.4 petrol, again great towing vehicle but gearbox went on that, had that repaired and was all good again, now have a 4.4 diesel and perfect for towing, however would have the TD6 back anytime as it did all we needed it too, just budget for a gearbox refurb/replace, about £1500 all in and well worth it IMHO

Extremely helpful Rosco, 👍

Somewhat reflecting my gut feeling.

But would still love to hear from others.

TD6 is fine, almost 80k trouble free miles in one, including a fair bit of towing at 3.5 tons with a twin axle Ivor williams DP120 loaded with cattle - absolutely no issue, yes the V8 diesel has a fair bit more poke and a better gearbox, but I would be happy with a TD6 again - I wish I had kept it as a second car, but then I have 5 other vehicles as well so it wouldn’t have got used. 2021 L405 Vogue SE 4.4 V8 DIESEL ~ #17

Nice to hear.

Anyone else with GOOD or BAD experiences ?

If your looking at a car to maintain at home then of course the TD6 is easier. Find one with a fresh'ish gearbox then all the better BUT, buy a 3.6 that has had the turbo's changed and has a good history, you will be owning a jolly nice 322 sir...

A point to note regarding the 3.6 and its turbos: there is a 2nd sump drain plug that is often neglected to be removed during an oil change. The 2nd drain plug drains a small reservoir that is used by the turbo oil drains and if the oil isn't drained from that reservoir often enough then sludge could accumulate which could then block or severely restrict the turbo oil drains.
The 4.4 has the same reservoir used by its primary turbo and whilst the 4.4's sump isn't fitted with a main drain plug because oil is expected to be sucked out, the plug under the reservoir should be removed at least every few oil changes.

I had an X5, which has the same engine/gearbox as the TD6, for over 5 years, towed a twin axle caravan all over the UK & Europe, never had a problem..........but............mine was a one owner from new 85k fsh etc etc. I had the gearbox serviced twice in my ownership & treated her with respect when towing & she never missed a beat.
The TD6, I guess, is slightly heavier than the FFRR but the straight six will still pull ok. I had mine remapped which made her more responsive, so that could be something to think about as well?
If you can buy the nicest TD6 you can find, keep £2k under the mattress for a possible gearbox then happy days.
I'm guessing the TD6 is now classed as 'ancient' in comparison to the 3.6 & 4.4 so any TD6 still about could be a good 'un? 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
BMW R1200GS
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

Thanks. Appreciate the input.

I had a TD6 for a year between a Disco3 and a TDV8. Used it to move bikes around the UK - which it did with ease. Had a few minor electrical issues but I managed to fix them all myself - not difficult to work on. Preferred it over the Disco 3 and I still maintain it has the comfiest seats of any Range Rover that I have driven to date. Spares are easy to come by and not expensive. Wish I had kept it. 2017 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography
2016 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - GONE
2013 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - GONE
2010 3.6 TDV8 - GONE
2008 3.6 TDV8 - GONE
2002 3.0 TD6 - GONE
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 S - GONE
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 - GONE
2003 Discovery 2 TD5 - GONE
1999 Discovery 300 TDI - GONE
1998 Range Rover DSE - GONE
1997 Discovery 300 TDI - GONE

Probably the last post for a little while.

I had a td6 then moved to the tdv8. For me there isn’t much difference in terms of refinement at motorway speeds once the td6 has locked in top gear it’s really quite nice. The annoyance I had with mine was the gearbox wanting to change down at every press of the throttle and revving the engine far too hard. I’ve had the m57 td6 in in bmw saloons and it was a cracker in those but didn’t feel quite at home in the Range Rover. However I think if they made a Range Rover with the td6 and the zf 6 speed auto I’d have that over the tdv8.

The main reason for that is that the td6 is far more DIYable than the tdv8. I’ve also towed with both and the tdv8 is very easy to tow with. So much so you could easily forget you’re towing anything. However with the td6 it did need low range to get going a few times due to the very fragile gearbox. It would do it in high range.

I have also heard the early cars are more susceptible to air suspension faults and many early td6’s have started to suffer bad corrosion.