Congratulations. I'm bound to say it's a great choice since I bought a late '57 plate TDV8 in Java Black with 33k miles 6 months ago. I live just a few miles from Romans of St Albans - never bought a car from them but visited once or twice and found them exceptionally arrogant even for used car salesmen. Whilst you have the protection of the warranty check out the following which I've had problems with or taken action on:
Front differential is prone to early failure and sometimes the rear goes. Check for leaks from the halfshafts and change the oil as soon as possible - if it is very black with a silver sheen it is too late. Symptoms I had were a 'wup wup' noise a bit like a flat tyre when decelerating from 60 plus.
ARC bars - inspect the seals at the ends of the actuator; wet is normal, leaks are a failure. Note that you can't see the front ARC actuator until you remove the engine undertray.
Engine oil - consider changing it for a top quality synthetic recommended by LR. It is unlikely Romans will have used top quality oil and many inexpert garages don't remove both drain plugs when draining. This VERY important for the health of your turbos.
Locks - check that when you press the key fob all the doors actually lock as latches commonly fail.
Heated rear screen - check it works. If it doesn't the problem is most likely to be a corroded connection accessible by removing the rear spoiler.
Suspension - park up in on-road height overnight or preferably 24 hours and check that it hasn't drooped on one corner or end. This indicates an air leak which can be expensive to fix. Don't let the dealer tell you it's normal!

It might sound boring but I'd check the service history thoroughly and make sure the brake fluid has been changed on schedule and any other 'B' service items have been done and if not get them done asap before bolting on any expensive bits of bling. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Good advice. Romans have agreed to let Guava in Guildford fix it as their price was very reasonable at £555 inc. VAT (£200 alternators + 2.6hrs labour). By the time Romans had collected it & done the work, wasn't worth it so they'll pay Guava direct. I also get a free 30 point check which will be interesting...

57TDV8 wrote:

I also get a free 30 point check which will be interesting...

Even better  TDV8 now with extra grin factor thanks to Alive Tunning: Gone but not forgotten

Paddi wrote:

Suspension - park up in on-road height overnight or preferably 24 hours and check that it hasn't drooped on one corner or end. This indicates an air leak which can be expensive to fix. Don't let the dealer tell you it's normal!

57TDV8 wrote:

Paddi wrote:

Suspension - park up in on-road height overnight or preferably 24 hours and check that it hasn't drooped on one corner or end. This indicates an air leak which can be expensive to fix. Don't let the dealer tell you it's normal!

Mentioned this to head of service at Guava today and he said only way to do this is with the battery out as even when off the RRS 'wakes' every 45mins and will adjust suspension accordingly...?

It is true that the vehicle wakes up at fixed intervals and 'self levels' but if it is parked on a level surface then there isn't any levelling to do so no air should be used from the reservoir. If however there is an air leak in the suspension such that one corner or end drops then the car will attempt to self level until the air pressure in the reservoir is exhausted and the car ends up right down on the bump stops. This is what was happening to my RRS which meant when I started it up first the rear pumped itself up and then the front - so a bit of a free fairground ride effect . I collected it from my LR Indie yesterday and they have fixed the leaks from the air compressor and the rear transfer valve by replacing both components. Pleased to see that this morning it is still sitting level at on-road height so they appear to have done a good job. Bit expensive at about £900 but at least I now have the new and apparently superior AMK compressor and software package. The high cost is mostly down to labour since it is time consuming to track down all the leaks. The compressor costs about £360 and the valve about £80. I trust my Indie to do a good job. They even told me they always insist on ordering a fresh compressor and not one from their supplier's stock since apparently they have a shelf life (something to do with the silica gel drying crystals in the drier perhaps?)

If you leave the car parked up but lock it in 'access height' first then apparently it does not attempt to self level so you should do this if intending to leave it parked for extended periods or when travelling by ferry. I'm a bit unsure of this next bit but have read that if you leave the car parked on an uneven surface - like with one wheel in a big hole then the car attempts to self level but can't and so will exhaust the reservoir and end up drooping - which is what your guy at Guava may have been talking about. Sorry about the long epistle but perhaps this might help you. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Fair enough, good explanation of what could happen.

Anyway, Guava have verified the alternator has gone and are on with fixing it (11.2V versus 14.4V), good news is the new battery recently fitted hasn't been damaged as it's done 20miles max with the light on & the alternator was only just on it's way out.

Also, had the std. LR checks done and the only thing that came up was the hydro-bushes on the front that need replacing. Apparently a £27 part, but 3.1hrs labour (inc. re-alignment as camber bolts have to be undone), so will take that up with Romans once the alternator is done & I have it back. Otherwise, he said it's very tidy indeed, so I can rest easy...for now

57TDV8 wrote:

Fair enough, good explanation of what could happen.

Anyway, Guava have verified the alternator has gone and are on with fixing it (11.2V versus 14.4V), good news is the new battery recently fitted hasn't been damaged as it's done 20miles max with the light on & the alternator was only just on it's way out.

Also, had the std. LR checks done and the only thing that came up was the hydro-bushes on the front that need replacing. Apparently a £27 part, but 3.1hrs labour (inc. re-alignment as camber bolts have to be undone), so will take that up with Romans once the alternator is done & I have it back. Otherwise, he said it's very tidy indeed, so I can rest easy...for now

Good news on the LR inspection, sounds as if you have a good one. See this recent thread about front bushes etc. http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic29559.html. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Cheers Paddi, picked it up this afternoon

Will chat to Romans about the hydro-bushes, but worries me that full alignment is needed afterwards!

Guava quoted £478 for the bushes & alignment inc. VAT... we'll see who ends up doing it & paying for it!

57TDV8... any update...
Did you get it all sorted ? RRS MY12 SE Siberian Silver, Ocean, Ivory and Walnut.
3.0 SDV6 256hp, 8 speed autobox with flappy paddles, Factory fitted options: Privacy glass, tow pack, heated seats, heated steering wheel, RSE, centre cool box, premium carpets, mood lighting,vision pack and memory pack.

Shiny Silver wrote:

57TDV8... any update...
Did you get it all sorted ?

Booked in at Guava, will be at my cost, but will discuss with Romans, but guaranteed a decent job/re-alignment of the wheels etc. as it's got new rubber. Can't fault Guava, their head of service will pick it up from my house as it's sort of on his way & deliver it back

Looks great! Hope you sorted the battery issue.

 MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Fuji/Ivory/Grand Black/Privacy

Just got back from a trip out, a few stop start short hops & had the suspension error, i.e. fixed at normal height. Eventually went away but just sat on the drive going up & down (engine running) and got just a text warning (no red light) saying Suspension raising slowly and it was the front that was slow to raise, back OK!

Am I right in assuming that the compressor is also on it's way out? Might just scrub the Guava booking & take it back to Romans to get them to sort that out as well!

Oh and the driver door doesn't always lock or unlock properly...

might be a failing compressor

Not a great start to RRS ownership

Hope they iron out these gremlins soon so you can enjoy your new car RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

awd man wrote:

might be a failing compressor

Not a great start to RRS ownership

Hope they iron out these gremlins soon so you can enjoy your new car

Don't despair these are all common failures. Driver's door probably requires a new latch which is an easy job. The suspension issue could be a blockage in the drier which can be fixed without fitting a new compressor. Think I would want to know who was going to do this work since the air side of suspension requires a bit of experience and the right diagnostics kit. Would be interesting if Romans could be persuaded to tell you. Good luck and please keep this thread updated. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE