50k mile FFRR, good idea?

[loveice]

I've been looking for a FFRR with a budget at around 15k pounds. The lowest mileage at this price seems to at least have around 50k mile on the clock. How's the reliability of those more than 5 years old 50k mile RRs? Any common problems on those pre-facelift models? 4.4 V8 or 3.0 TD6? Or shall I avoid them all, just to get a Disco instead? Thanks.

Found three ads here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1091961.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1052562.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1057526.htm

[BLUETHUNDER]

If you want one,then its best to up your budget and get a newer one that still has a good bit of warrenty left.

I have never found any of them to be 100% reliable. And when they do go wrong. Which they will. Expect huge repair bills.

[loveice]

BLUETHUNDER said:

If you want one,then its best to up your budget and get a newer one that still has a good bit of warrenty left.

I have never found any of them to be 100% reliable. And when they do go wrong. Which they will. Expect huge repair bills.

Thanks for the reply. Shall I go for petrol or diesel? I mean same mileage petrol ones seems to be bit cheaper. What kind of things can go wrong usually? Thanks.

[BLUETHUNDER]

loveice said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

If you want one,then its best to up your budget and get a newer one that still has a good bit of warrenty left.

I have never found any of them to be 100% reliable. And when they do go wrong. Which they will. Expect huge repair bills.

Thanks for the reply. Shall I go for petrol or diesel? I mean same mileage petrol ones seems to be bit cheaper. What kind of things can go wrong usually? Thanks.

It makes no difference really. The only problems i have really seen engine wise,has been on the diesel. Injectors on the 3.0 BMW unit have a tendancy to go U.S at times. About £150 a pop.

L322 are very nice cars to drive. But their biggest downfall is that its hampered by over complicated electronics.At the age you are looking at is when most of the faults become apparent.

P38,s were bad. These are worse. Ive seen to many people walk away broken when they have been faced with the cost of repairs.

Just remember. If you wont to own one then there is little else out there that can provide that kind of level of comfort and all round ability. But when it does go wrong it will cost you. There are no cheap fixes with these.

[GKP]

Unless of course you buy the correct tools for diagnosing and fixing the electronic troubles.
I use my laptop with the appropriate hard/software to interrogate the car's various ecus and it hasn't needed to see the inside of a dealership ever since.

If you know which way up to hold a spanner (and a laptop!) and are proactive with your preventative maintenance, they'll last a lifetime.

[BLUETHUNDER]

GKP said:

Unless of course you buy the correct tools for diagnosing and fixing the electronic troubles.
I use my laptop with the appropriate hard/software to interrogate the car's various ecus and it hasn't needed to see the inside of a dealership ever since.

If you know which way up to hold a spanner (and a laptop!) and are proactive with your preventative maintenance, they'll last a lifetime.

All that is not going to help you with the cost of parts. Which in some cases is ridiculous. Look up the price of an alternator for a start. Or an airspring.

[GKP]

Never had to replace either of those. Shouldn't need to. Alternators do expire, but so they're 50 quid dearer than one for other marques. Whoo.
Airsprings will last for 100k miles if maintained (cleaned).

[BLUETHUNDER]

GKP said:

Never had to replace either of those. Shouldn't need to. Alternators do expire, but so they're 50 quid dearer than one for other marques. Whoo.
Airsprings will last for 100k miles if maintained (cleaned).

£50 dearer??? £580 for an alternator doesnt seem like £50 dearer than most,as for airsprings. I have seen them fail on vehicles with a lot less mileage than that. God must have cast his hand on your one and given you luck.

[GKP]

You can purchase a refurbed (or have yours refurbed) alternator for under £250.
If you want me to source you one for nearly £600 that's not a problem. How many do you want? Sign here, here and here....


Airspring premature failure? Lack of maintenance. The folds need to be kept clean for longevity.

Edited by GKP on Thursday 2nd July 07:57

[BLUETHUNDER]

GKP said:

You can purchase a refurbed (or have yours refurbed) alternator for under £250.
If you want me to source you one for nearly £600 that's not a problem. How many do you want? Sign here, here and here....


Airspring premature failure? Lack of maintenance. The folds need to be kept clean for longevity.

Edited by GKP on Thursday 2nd July 07:57

No i have seen the refurbed ones. The work was absolute crap.And as for the folds being kept clean. Does that work when the rubber actually starts to perish??. I think we will leave it there!. I hate to use the term. But been there!done it!. And worn the T-shirt. Never again!!. I bid you good day.

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Thursday 2nd July 20:33

[Triple7]

IMHO buy a newer Disco3. Owned both, still have a 2008MY Disco and it is far better live of kit than the somewhat dated older LR322's. Avoid 2005 early 2006 cars and get one in HSE spec. The TDV6 is so smooth with plenty of grunt.

If you do go RR buy the petrol models. FYI you can get a full LR warranty on a RR up to 60k miles, after that it is somewhat reduced.

[JW911]

If you buy a 50k miler, get the gearbox oil changed. Should last a lot longer if you do. LR says they're sealed for life. They are if you consider "life" to be 100k miles.

[loveice]

Thanks for the replies. Is there any reason why I should avoid 2005 and early 2006 models? Beside the gear, what else shall I look for?

[kVA]

You can get a petrol Disco 3 for another £2000

[JW911]

The front differential often fails on the "BMW" cars. Land Rover do a free recall to change the diff for a redesigned version so nothing to worry about other than being a PITA.

[Triple7]

loveice said:

Thanks for the replies. Is there any reason why I should avoid 2005 and early 2006 models? Beside the gear, what else shall I look for?

I was refering to Disco's. Anything after a '55 plate are best.

[Triple7]

loveice said:

Thanks for the replies. Is there any reason why I should avoid 2005 and early 2006 models? Beside the gear, what else shall I look for?

I was refering to Disco's. Anything after a '55 plate are best.