Hi lads,

Hopefully picking up a 2006 TDV6 HSE on saturday, just looking for a couple of pointers of what to keep my eyes peeled for on the car before handing over the cash.

The dealer seems reputable and has decribed the car as spotless (which is appears in the pictures sent to me) it has 105k miles, 1 owner from new, full service history, the cambelt has been changed this week along with an oil service done, 4 new tyres on, and 12 months MOT.

The MOT will cover the likes of suspension bushes, leaks and braking saftey checked, but I am wondering what else I should be keeping my eyes and ears peeled for, and specific common problems, anything to be warey of on the test drive etc The dealer has advised everything is 100% ok and working as it should be, but i'd like to give it a good going over myself rather than just take his word.

Any help would be greatly appriciated  Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

Best of luck MrA,

Without wishing to state the obvious I would spend the time and check everything works, all electrical switches & systems, suspension raises and lowers evenly, transmission including high and low ratio, special programs etc

Also check the levels of oil, transmission fluid, brake etc

I would also check items like the heated seats and ensure they warm up quickly as if they don't could be a fault with battery or alternator, both keys operate, locking wheel nut is with vehicle etc.

Hope you get a good one and enjoy a great vehicle without too many problems. --------------------------------------------------------
RRS TDV8 Black/Black (Gone)
RRS TDV8 Stornaway (Gone)
RR Vogue TDV8 (Gone)
RRS 4.4V8 (Gone)
Defender 110 300tdi (Stolen, much missed)
RR Vogue V8 P38 (Gone)
LR 90 TD (Gone)

Welcome

There's this thread which could give you some ideas about what to look for  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

BigCat8810 wrote:

Best of luck MrA,

Without wishing to state the obvious I would spend the time and check everything works, all electrical switches & systems, suspension raises and lowers evenly, transmission including high and low ratio, special programs etc

Also check the levels of oil, transmission fluid, brake etc

I would also check items like the heated seats and ensure they warm up quickly as if they don't could be a fault with battery or alternator, both keys operate, locking wheel nut is with vehicle etc.

Hope you get a good one and enjoy a great vehicle without too many problems.

Should the suspension lower all at the same time, or front then back, or vice versa? What will I notice between the drive programs, or is it more a case of select each one and try driving?

Hope I get a good one too It sounds good so far, and getting a decent deal, probably down to the fact that the trade price on them is so low, so I can imagion he's took it in for peanuts.

Beancounter_74 wrote:

Welcome

There's this thread which could give you some ideas about what to look for

Ahh thanks thats a good link, I'll bookmark that and memorise it friday night  Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

Re the suspension it should raise and lower evenly not pitch about like a boat at sea.

The drive programs are just a case of working through them all to ensure they engage, not sure how you would actually test them all on a road. The high and low ratio element is something that in normal driving you will never use hence, some of them never get tested and I am told can fail due to lack of use so just engage low ratio and drive a short distance, if it works then should be ok.

The power parking brake is also another element I've had issues with, it should release without any strange noise, if it sounds like you have a dog trapped under the car, then the parking brake might be about to fail.

I've experienced most of these issues at some stage on various rangies and sports over the years so I try and check all these elements now when purchasing used LR's.

I love these cars and can't imagine driving anything else, however, they are 'highly strung' in my opinion, so if you can find any faults before you pay your money it might save you a lot later on. --------------------------------------------------------
RRS TDV8 Black/Black (Gone)
RRS TDV8 Stornaway (Gone)
RR Vogue TDV8 (Gone)
RRS 4.4V8 (Gone)
Defender 110 300tdi (Stolen, much missed)
RR Vogue V8 P38 (Gone)
LR 90 TD (Gone)

Check the tow pack - for some reason - ex owners think they can sell on...... even if you know you'll never need it - they don't know that !!!!  16MY Estoril Blue SVR.............
17MY Autobiography Dynamic - Corris Grey - WOW.
14MY Autobiography Dynamic - SDV6 - Fuji White
12MY Autobiography - SDV6 - Santorini Black - Dual View - Rear Entertainment - Sunroof.
12MY Autobiography - SDV6 - Orkney Grey - awesome ;(
2005 Java Black - 4.2 V8 Supercharged First Edition- will never be forgotten ;(

BigCat, great bit of info there thank you

Peachy, I don't think it has the tow pack, but i'll have a look around the rear bumper to see if it looks like the blank has been off before  Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

Check the doors all lock and unlock with the fob; the electric latches tend to lose their mojo; driver's door most likely to have failed.
Check the rear window heater - the engine has to be running for it to work - leave it on for a few minutes and then 'huff' on the screen and the resultant condensation should clear first over the elements. If it is not working it usually seems to be a rusty connector under the spoiler - an easy DIY fix. But the dealer won't know that so ask for a price reduction
Make sure you test drive it over some bumpy road surfaces to check for the ubiquitous 'knocking suspension' usually associated with worn anti-roll bar bushes and/or control arm bushes. The noise sounds similar to exhaust tapping the underbody. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Here's a few more things to look at...

Check the fuel flap opens and latches shut as it should. When we bought ours a week later when we needed to put in some fuel we found it had been held shut with blu-tack! To fix it the parts were less than £10 so I fixed it myself - would have cost more in fuel to drive back to where we got it from!

Also check it has a nav DVD in - if you can see a map on the nav screen then it's fine.

Check also that the load cover will stay closed - another cheap problem to fix but better if you don't have to pay.

Check parking sensors front and rear work OK.

If it's cold (under 5 degrees I think) - which it probably will be at the weekend, the FBH should start up when the engine is started.

Wheel alignment - put the steering wheel to straight ahead and watch it as you try lowering and raising the suspension. If the wheel moves much then the camber is probably out and it'll constantly drift.

Make sure it has the spare wheel and it hasn't been stolen also check the locking wheel nut is there and fits.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Ahh thank you! What is FBH though? Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

FBH is the fuel burning heater. It's a little water heater that sits in the engine bay on the passenger's side and it warms up the engine's water. It means the engine warms up quicker and the climate control can warm the cabin a little bit quicker too.

The FBH has an exhaust pipe that discharges in to the nearside wheel arch area. When it's running you'll see the grey exhaust plume. It also smells a bit too - sort of like kerosene.

All UK diesels should have the FBH. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Brilliant stuff thanks

Today's the day, the dealer rang me yesterday to tell me he was having new rear discs and pads fitted, as the come up as looking a little low on the mot. Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

Hope you got it & everything was to your liking!

So far, its a belter! Really nice drive, won't be home till after the Autosport in the NEC tomorrow, so I'll try and get a picture or two up  Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

Great, enjoy.  --------------------------------------------------------
RRS TDV8 Black/Black (Gone)
RRS TDV8 Stornaway (Gone)
RR Vogue TDV8 (Gone)
RRS 4.4V8 (Gone)
Defender 110 300tdi (Stolen, much missed)
RR Vogue V8 P38 (Gone)
LR 90 TD (Gone)