Just sold my D3 TDV6 HSE, so now I'm looking for a RRS TDV6 or TDV8 HSE with a budget of up to £17k. (I'm not interested in models lower than HSE; I'm into my car gadgets)

I've got my eye on a few at dealers, but I prefer to buy private so I can learn the history of the cars.

Ideally the mileage would be around 100k or less with full service history, but I'm not scared of taking on a high mileage Sport if the price is right.

Thanks for taking the time to read my message, hopefully I'll be an active member of the forum soon.

I fear you might struggle to find a TDV8 worth having for less than £17k but you might be lucky. Good luck with the hunt  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Thanks.

There's a 57 plate TDV8 HSE on AT for £17,995 and I'd aim to pay sub £17k for that, so I'd expect a private sale (with no warranty etc) to be around my budget.

You really should factor in the cost of a warranty of some sort irrespective of where you buy. When these things go wrong, the costs can get in to four figures quite quickly even if you use an indie garage. If you can fix them yourself then that will save money but take up whole weekends if you're unlucky.

TDV8s are known for killing alternators for example. That's a few hundred quid straight away. If one of the dynamic anti roll bars leaks and needs replacing then that's about £800 just for the part plus several hours to fit. Mine has also had 2 starter motors in less than 12 months. They're about £300 plus fitting (2-3 hours). Luckily I have a LR warranty but it's still a pain.

If you're lucky, you'll find a "no issues" RRS and wonder what all of the worry is. But if you're not that lucky then you'll be pulling your hair out. An older/higher mileage example will almost certainly need suspension bushes replacing - these probably won't be covered by a warranty however, and the costs can be a couple of hundred up to several hundred pounds depending on which ones need doing. A 2.7 will need the cambelts done at 105k miles so make sure any higher mileage vehicle you look at has had this done or factor in the cost - again several hundred although you can get it done for less than £500 if you shop around. These are not cheap cars to own, sadly. The TDV8 is chain drive so no cambelt to do although the accessory drive belt will need doing at some point.

If you buy a 2.7 make sure it has the updated steering rack (a damper system was added) if you plan to add wheels larger than 19in diameter. You might suffer from steering wheel shake otherwise. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Good to see you on here SPX.

£18k for a tdv8 does sound cheap? How many miles has it done? These things are complex beasts so make sure you inspect it fully before buying and a warranty is a must IMO. (Preferably a LR warranty) 2014 L405 SDV8 RR Autobiography

2012 RRS SDV6 HSE -Orkney Grey with A/B bodykit - Now Gone
2007 RRS TDV6 HSE - Zermatt Silver - Gone

Apologies for the confusion, what I mean is if a trader is selling a TDV8 for less than £18k then that will one with a warranty, so as I'd prefer a private seller then I'd expect to pay less than buying from a trader and then take the chance.

I've never had a warranty and I've never had a big bill with any of my Mercedes or my Discovery 3.

Thanks for all that information on common faults though, it'll definitely come in handy when I go and view.

SPX wrote:

Apologies for the confusion, what I mean is if a trader is selling a TDV8 for less than £18k then that will one with a warranty, so as I'd prefer a private seller then I'd expect to pay less than buying from a trader and then take the chance.

I've never had a warranty and I've never had a big bill with any of my Mercedes or my Discovery 3.

Thanks for all that information on common faults though, it'll definitely come in handy when I go and view.

You are a brave man Lee. I have to admit the warranty on my RRS is my first and so far I haven't had to use it. Although my 3 year old Sprinter van which I bought 2 weeks ago has spent more time in the garage than on the road.

Anyway it's your choice, good luck with the search. 2014 L405 SDV8 RR Autobiography

2012 RRS SDV6 HSE -Orkney Grey with A/B bodykit - Now Gone
2007 RRS TDV6 HSE - Zermatt Silver - Gone

I just find warranties a rip-off, so I'd only get worked up if I had one and had a claim refused due to 'wear and tear'.

A rip-off? Perhaps when it comes to Currys/PCWorld type purchases perhaps. But RRS are strangely fragile and expensive to fix. So far, in the 18 months I've owned my TDV8 it's had:

New battery (not warranty)
New alternator (c.£300+ fitting - warranty)
New starter motor (c.£300 + fitting - warranty)
New starter motor (warranty) (yes, it's had two!)
New front anti roll bar bushes (warranty)
New rear dynamic anti roll bar (c.£800 + fitting (body off to replace) - warranty)
New drive shaft seal (warranty)
New wheel bearing (c.£70 + fitting - MOT part of the warranty)
New CV boot (MOT part of the warranty)
New thermostat housing (warranty)
(Prices by way of a quick web search. No doubt they are variable. I can dig out the paperwork covering the various issues if you want actual figures)

It apparently needs new lower wishbone bushes at the front too which are not covered by the warranty ("wear and tear" - a bit annoying but I'll get them checked/done at an indie in the new year).

My vehicle came with LR Approved warranty which I renewed again this year. The warranty cost me about £800 this year and has so far covered more than its cost in work (new starter motor, new thermostat housing, drive shaft seal). If you're very good with the spanners or you have a very cheap, tame, garage to go to then fine, but if you're going to have to rely on taking it to whichever garage you have nearby then you could end up very out of pocket.

Your choice of course and good luck if you decide against a warranty. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

With regards your warranty, what's the mileage on your RRS and how many miles have you done since you purchased it, if you don't mind me asking?

Also, as JasM will tell you, I very rarely keep a car past six months before getting bored of it and selling anyway!

Bought it at c.43k miles, now on c.62k. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

That's food for thought, thank you.

The D3 I've just got rid of was impeccable in its reliability, didn't quite have the solidity feel of my previous Mercedes, but strong nonetheless.

LR products seem to be hugely variable: in here there are some with zero problems and some with a whole list of issues. It's very much luck of the draw, sadly. A recent little poll hereabouts showed 40% didn't manage 12 months of trouble-free motoring!!

Hopefully you'll find one of the good ones  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

And if your lucky enough to find a good one then it won't be 17k its very rare people get rid of a good sport at this money, its usually because they are fed up of all the problems it had/got. Good luck with your search though and keep us posted.

If you find a cheap one...

...there's probably a reason why.

M