Hi everyone,
I was looking at an L405 but looking at the L494 now too I’d rather buy a car based on condition and colour as I like both models!.

In terms of engine reliability how common are crank issues on the SDV6?, and what kind of cost are we talking to get fixed if it does let go?, performance and economy wise I’d be happy enough with the V6 but I’m thinking about going for the V8 as it doesn’t suffer the same potential problems or have the expensive belt changes although not sure if turbo issues are still a thing on them?,like they definitely were on my 3.6!.

All being equal would be interested to hear what other owners went for, the marginal difference in performance and fuel economy don’t bother me but the V8s seem a lot thinner on the ground!.

I have been running my 4.4 V8 for over 5 years and not been disappointed. Fuel consumption wise anything from 22mpg on short runs to 32mpg on long runs and I am not the most economical driver. MY17 RRS 4.4d V8 Autobiography - Aintree Green (also referred to on Topix as British Racing Green)

Swings and roundabouts I guess, both have issues, some more common than others. I’ve got an SDV8 and so far I’ve replaced the oil cooler gaskets and associated o rings for turbo oil feed and coolant hose. The V8 isn’t ideal if you do a lot of short journeys. Means more incomplete DPF regens and as a result more oil dilution. If you do a lot of short journeys more regular oil changes are wise to keep the turbos and bearings in good order. Turbo failure isn’t common as such but not unheard of. Same goes for spun bearings. I have a fault code for EGR temperature sensor, again not unheard of in the SDV8. It’s not actually on the EGR but the left hand exhaust manifold. Doesn’t appear to effect the running of the car or how fast the DPF fills up. Pig or a job so I’ve not tackled it…yet.

The SDV8 are usually better spec as well.

I’ve had issues with handbrake actuators and now my rear differential is not happy. Not engine related but issues that both can suffer from.

I was adamant I was getting an SDV8 as my missus uncle had an SDV6 and had nothing but issues with it.

I have an 2015 SDV6 and so far no engine issues. I’ve had this car for around 8 years but only do around 3K miles a year and get it serviced yearly as per LR spec. Only problems so far was a leaky drive shaft seal, turbo seal oil leak, soft close door issues but I’m sure these were shot battery related as new battery fitted after 7 years and no problem since. All covered by my warranty. After coming on here and reading about the crank shaft issues it terrified me and made me get an aftermarket warranty with Warranty direct which costs about £1K a year. I’ve had this for about 4 years now and so far have had my monies worth with warranty claims. A recon engine exchange service from EBay range from £3K to £6K but it does seem like the Wild West out there so if my warranty didn’t fix a snapped crank shaft for any reason I’d be doing some serious research. Expect to pay £15K for new engine at dealers according to posts on this site. Any car engine can fail (my ford transit connect did and cost £3K for 2nd hand engine replacement) so I wouldn’t let the low percentage crank shaft snaps put you off the SDV6.

RRT wrote:

I have been running my 4.4 V8 for over 5 years and not been disappointed. Fuel consumption wise anything from 22mpg on short runs to 32mpg on long runs and I am not the most economical driver.

I don’t hammer mine everywhere, but don’t drive it like a granny either and generally use it for longer journeys but checked the other week and over 6k miles average is 35.7 mpg. That’s on the later 306bhp SDV6 engine with adblue etc. Always had it serviced at LR and kept it with their warranty and it’s given me no bother at all over the four years I’ve owned it. It’s a cracking car and I really like the engine.

4.4 sdv8 everyday… just swapped from a l322 4.4 6 years, 800000 miles only issue was know point of failure, 4 oil pipes by the manifolds. I was looking at l405, but it’s just too big! For me the sdv6 crank is just a lottery…… replacement starting at £7k for fix and flog…….

800,000? Stroll on.

80,000