Vogue SE

[HJe28]

I've always said I'd like a Range Rover and i am 27 years old and now have the opportunity to purchase a L322 to tow with to run alongside my business vehicle. I will be using it to tow a horse trailer
I test drove an 06 Vogue SE 3.0L TD6 with low miles not long ago and it looked amazing. No marks, electrics worked, air suspension worked etc etc

The one I drove with little over 60.000 miles on the clock appeared to have a problem -which I wasn't told about on the phone - with the gearbox between 3rd and 4th. It was revving to 3000 rpm or more to select 4th. On returning back to base all you could smell was burning clutch. Is this a common fault?

Would it be worth considering a 4.4 diesel or would it be far too thirsty towing a heavy trailer? I've seen a few very nice 4.4 litres but not sure if I should look at them or not or just stick to searching for a low mileage 3.0 litre TD6

[Bellini]

Td6 GM gearboxes are a known weak point. It's not a case of 'if', but 'when'.

I'd look for a decent 3.6 or the later 4.4 TDV8 if it's definitely a diesel model you wish for.

As you appear to be budgeting for a Td6, limit your search to the 3.6 TDV8.

[Luke_A]

As Bellini says, the TD6 gearbox is a known weak point...

It was the same conclusion I drew, which led to my purchase of a 3.6 TDV8 as this seemed to better regarded but not at the cost of the newer 4.4. After searching for a long time to find a well kept example (Vogue SE in Buck Blue, Father - Son owned, FLRSH, etc.) unfortunately it's due to go up for sale shortly as it's being replaced by a Company car and I can't really warrant have 4 cars on the drive between the wife and I! ...drop me a message if you want more details.

[300bhp/ton]

HJe28 said:

I've always said I'd like a Range Rover and i am 27 years old and now have the opportunity to purchase a L322 to tow with to run alongside my business vehicle. I will be using it to tow a horse trailer
I test drove an 06 Vogue SE 3.0L TD6 with low miles not long ago and it looked amazing. No marks, electrics worked, air suspension worked etc etc

The one I drove with little over 60.000 miles on the clock appeared to have a problem -which I wasn't told about on the phone - with the gearbox between 3rd and 4th. It was revving to 3000 rpm or more to select 4th. On returning back to base all you could smell was burning clutch. Is this a common fault?

Would it be worth considering a 4.4 diesel or would it be far too thirsty towing a heavy trailer? I've seen a few very nice 4.4 litres but not sure if I should look at them or not or just stick to searching for a low mileage 3.0 litre TD6

Only you can say if a 4.4 TDV8 is going to be too thirsty or not. However they cost a lot more to buy. There is also the 3.6 TDV8 that might be worth looking at.

The TD6 is probably the most frugal Range Rover in terms of fuel. But this is mostly that it is massively slower and less powerful.

They were also the cheapest to buy, so often low spec and not always treated as well. There are nice ones out there for sure. But you'll need to look through a number I suspect.

The gearbox is the biggest weakest point on them. Under specced from Range Rover for the job at hand really. They all seem to need rebuilding, then just waiting until the need rebuilding again. Towing will increase this frequency.


I'd say maybe look for a petrol V8 and consider LPG. The BMW 4.4's work well with LPG (and use a different gearbox to the TD6) and it's possible with the Jag V8 engines. Pence per mile on LPG is likely to be very similar to the diesels, but with higher performance.


Depending on your budget, it might be worth considering D3's and RRS' with the 2.7 TDV6 if you still want diesel.

[HJe28]

Thank you all for your advice. It's much appreciated.

Right well, I've been to see another Vogue, 2005 with mid 50's mileage. I'd explained/asked everything I needed to the dealership before going to see it.
Drove 40 miles with high hopes for this one as it appeared in the pictures to be amazing and had everything from FLRSH etc etc.. What a waste of time.. I arrived and was shocked at the condition of it. The dealer had said via email he was happy for me to organise an RAC Inspection if I like it
The top tailgate had rusted all the way through under the ROVER and the hinges on the lower were almost shot and the button for the lower just about worked
The rear wheel arches were crusty,
It had scrapes and marks in the paint
The Hill descent was broken
The list goes on..


I questioned about the tailgate. I said it was in need of a replacement.. Apparently the body shop will repair the existing one
All the bumps, scrapes, bubbles will be dealt with AFTER. I've bought the car.. I imagine there would be enough filler in it to last a few months

[HJe28]

Thank you all for your advice. It's much appreciated.

Right well, I've been to see another Vogue, 2005 with mid 50's mileage. I'd explained/asked everything I needed to the dealership before going to see it.
Drove 40 miles with high hopes for this one as it appeared in the pictures to be amazing and had everything from FLRSH etc etc.. What a waste of time.. I arrived and was shocked at the condition of it. The dealer had said via email he was happy for me to organise an RAC Inspection if I like it
The top tailgate had rusted all the way through under the ROVER and the hinges on the lower were almost shot and the button for the lower just about worked
The rear wheel arches were crusty,
It had scrapes and marks in the paint
The Hill descent was broken
The list goes on..


I questioned about the tailgate. I said it was in need of a replacement.. Apparently the body shop will repair the existing one
All the bumps, scrapes, bubbles will be dealt with AFTER. I've bought the car.. I imagine there would be enough filler in it to last a few months

[surveyor]

Before you buy a td6 go and drive a tdv8. It's like night and day.

Oh - the td6 is underpowered - meaning the tdv8 uses no more juice to get the job done.

It's not just the power difference, it's the noise, the refinement etc.