As I've mentioned before, me and MY05 2.7TDV6 are moving to Portugal in a few months time and I want to give her a full service, probably around end-October. I really don't want anything to go wrong once we're in Portugal so I want to cover as much as I can.

The service here will probably be carried out by a well reputed 4x4 LR specialist fairly local to me, or a highly recommended independent garage which I have personally used before, but they are not LR / 4x4 specialists. Or, is there a case for this to be done by a LR dealer? My concern (especially with the latter) is that I'm not going to be here to take advantage of any warranty or issues regardless of who does it.

I've had the car since May this year and had no problems whatsoever. Again, as I've mentioned before,I love it. It now has 63000 (genuine) miles on the clock. I bought it over here but it is a Dutch import. (I needed a LHD).

It has all previous MOTs but here are no supporting documents / receipts to confirm what has been done in the past albeit the service book is all signed & stamped up.

I've previously asked for your thoughts & opinions as to what should be covered in the service and based on the replies this is what I've listed so far:

* Constant message being displayed; “Low coolant level”. Suspect water reservoir float stuck at bottom. (“Common fault”.) Repair or replace.

* Fit new battery (Provided by owner).

* Flush cooling system. Replace with the Landrover antifreeze 50-50 consistency (Provided by owner.)

* Drain oil and replace with LR oil provided by owner. Supply & fit new oil filter.

* Replace gearbox transmission oil and filter including all driveline oils.

* Blank off EGR valve

* Replace all turbo hoses & clean out pipes.

* Supply & fit new brakes all round - discs and pads - and replace brake flexi pipes.

* Supply and fit new Timing Belt.

* Supply and fit new alternator belt / cam belt.

* Supply and fit new fuel pump belt.

* Change tensioner pulleys

* Ensure no warning lights / service resets.

So my final questions on this:

1. Any further advice as to who / where to do the service?

2. Any further advice as to what else I should add to the service??

3. Any guesses on approximately how much in total it might cost me???

Thanks in anticipation...and have a good day.

 Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2

On a slight tangent, I assume you intend to import the car. To be legal I think you will find that you can only keep it on UK plates for 6 months.

I think you will require a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). Basically this is a vehicle Homologation document. May be worth a quick phone call to Gaydon. In Spain - 2018 F Pace - Frightened away from the Sports due to crank failures
Gone - A couple of RRS, A couple of Disco's. However thinking of another Sport.

Hi SRE and thanks for your message. I'm all OK with the matriculation. I will have owned it for over a year by the time I register it over there thus avoiding the astronomical importation fees. I was given the COC when I bought it. I'm even considering getting the document formally translated to Portuguese albeit there is no legal requirement to do so. I've heard and read some horror stories around importation so I did my homework. (Also one advantage of me being OCD!)  Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2

BJH1959 wrote:

The service here will probably be carried out by a well reputed 4x4 LR specialist fairly local to me, or a highly recommended independent garage which I have personally used before, but they are not LR / 4x4 specialists. Or, is there a case for this to be done by a LR dealer? My concern (especially with the latter) is that I'm not going to be here to take advantage of any warranty or issues regardless of who does it.

Oil pump, while it's getting belts anyway

Disco_Mikey & Bill Portland. Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2

Might be a good idea to keep in touch with D Mikey and offer him a free holiday in Portugal.  In Spain - 2018 F Pace - Frightened away from the Sports due to crank failures
Gone - A couple of RRS, A couple of Disco's. However thinking of another Sport.

First of all thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions. I had the work done at West 4x4 in Hampshire - west4x4.co.uk

After a scheduled phone call with Mr West we came up with an agreed (lengthy) list which was followed by a detailed estimate.

With the car being 12 years old and having little knowledge of its history I anticipated a call to tell me other things needed doing. Sure enough there were a couple of things, the most expensive being the front wheel bearings. Smaller things, such as a damaged plastic ring which was causing intermittent rear suspension issues was replaced by a hand-made metal part at a cost of £30.

The work was completed over 2.5 days. I was walked and talked through everything when I picked up the car. Parts that were replaced and still had some life in them (e.g. alternator) were given back to me. I had told the garage my position in that I am taking the car to Portugal for good in March 2018 and that I wanted to be confident that it was in tip-top condition as I didn't want any breakdowns on the way or during my early time out there. I've been assured that everything on the car should be fine for the foreseeable future which is what I wanted and is the best I can hope for.

The difference in performance is phenomenal. It must have had a split turbo since I bought it and the blanking of the EGR valve has added to the performance. The total bill came to just over £3800 including VAT. Everything was itemised to the penny and all work and parts fully guaranteed as you'd expect.

I am very happy with the service provided by West4x4 from start to finish and highly recommend them.

Thanks again for the tips and advice & drive safe,... Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2

If its of any help, whilst recently in France (we're looking to relocate) I went into the equivalent of the MOT inspect place. I had switched the headlight over to EURO setting with the little lever at the back of the headlight and it would have passed that part of the test, so no need to buy LHD headlights.

Steve.

Thanks Steve, much appreciated.

As it happens mine is a LHD. I bought it here in the UK but it was imported form The Netherlands . (I need to have it registered in my name here for 12 months to avoid the "importation tax" Portugal charge when registering an imported car there.) The headlamps were deflected to the 'euro' side when I got it so I found the switch to make them UK legal early on. They'll be flicked back the morning I leave for good!

Good luck with your relocation & feel free to PM & keep in touch. Barrie.
2017-Jan 2024: 2005 RRS 2.7TDV6. Best car I ever had - until now!
Current: 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2

Don't switch them back until on foreign roads though.  John

RRS MY12 SDV6 HSE. Sumatra Black/Ebony & Walnut + Dynamic Pack, + Cold Climate Pack + Memory Pack, Digital TV/DVD, Premium Leather, Cornering Lights, Cooler/Fridge Box, & most Options.