Hi Phil,
I own a similar model year TD6 to the one youre looking at and agree with Steves comment above; that one key issue is whether the vehicle has had the front differential recall completed - If the LR service history is a little lacking (hence the filter issues?), then perhaps it has not been to a main dealer since the recall (which commenced for the TD6 model in late 2007 by my recollection) Easy to see the difference if you know what you are looking for, the front drive shaft has a flexible joint to avoid excessive spline wear (which had some nasty, vehicle stranding consequences which I and other owners experienced first-hand). Your engineer should be able to help determine this one fairly easily and LR still has the recall in operation (I would hope) if it needs doing.
Also, gearbox Any excessive drag when held on the foot brake in Drive? Clunking between shifts from P, to R, N, D etc,? Not sure of the mileage the vehicle you are looking at has covered, but I have just replaced the gearbox on mine (with LR replacement exchange) at 99,000 miles and feel it did well in comparison with some other owners reported experiences at much lower mileages. However, the replacement gearbox is exactly the same design I believe, so has the same inherent issue with internal degradation to look forward to (if your warranty covers it, then perhaps you can rest assured). Brake discs also needed replacing all round at the same time as the gearbox went on mine.
Cant believe any dealer would try to sell the vehicle with fault codes showing Does the suspension move between ride height options on demand from the rotary dash control and/or drivers door mounted "exit" height switch, plus automatically dropping to motorway height on the move after a period at 65mph? Mine gives a fault code of Suspension In-active and locks in normal height (which is not so bad) when it has issues. I replaced the compressor a couple of years ago which has helped cure the problem, but it still hates humid, wet weather sometimes and can take a day to dry out and clear the above fault code and operate normally again it seems. I have never seen the fault code you've had reported.
Mine also had a battery issue, with a duff cell last year which left us stranded once, hence the need for an expensive battery replacement. I also had a windscreen replaced sometime back (due to cracking by a massive ice fall from a tree) and the surround has looked a little out of shape since (but no excessive noise resulted, which might be the cause of the noise issue with your potential vehicle). I have not seen any rust on the roof leading edge on mine and I thought (incorrectly it seems) that all the panels were aluminium anyway!
As said above, it is hard not to enjoy the cars superb comfort over long distances and winter abilities (and the longer you own it and spend upon it, the more you feel you have to/want to keep it).
But the TD6 has the above diff and gearbox issues to consider - Trust your engineer/warranty cover can provide some reassurance on these, whichever TD6 you look at.
Good luck with your search and hope you find your RR soon.
Steve
I own a similar model year TD6 to the one youre looking at and agree with Steves comment above; that one key issue is whether the vehicle has had the front differential recall completed - If the LR service history is a little lacking (hence the filter issues?), then perhaps it has not been to a main dealer since the recall (which commenced for the TD6 model in late 2007 by my recollection) Easy to see the difference if you know what you are looking for, the front drive shaft has a flexible joint to avoid excessive spline wear (which had some nasty, vehicle stranding consequences which I and other owners experienced first-hand). Your engineer should be able to help determine this one fairly easily and LR still has the recall in operation (I would hope) if it needs doing.
Also, gearbox Any excessive drag when held on the foot brake in Drive? Clunking between shifts from P, to R, N, D etc,? Not sure of the mileage the vehicle you are looking at has covered, but I have just replaced the gearbox on mine (with LR replacement exchange) at 99,000 miles and feel it did well in comparison with some other owners reported experiences at much lower mileages. However, the replacement gearbox is exactly the same design I believe, so has the same inherent issue with internal degradation to look forward to (if your warranty covers it, then perhaps you can rest assured). Brake discs also needed replacing all round at the same time as the gearbox went on mine.
Cant believe any dealer would try to sell the vehicle with fault codes showing Does the suspension move between ride height options on demand from the rotary dash control and/or drivers door mounted "exit" height switch, plus automatically dropping to motorway height on the move after a period at 65mph? Mine gives a fault code of Suspension In-active and locks in normal height (which is not so bad) when it has issues. I replaced the compressor a couple of years ago which has helped cure the problem, but it still hates humid, wet weather sometimes and can take a day to dry out and clear the above fault code and operate normally again it seems. I have never seen the fault code you've had reported.
Mine also had a battery issue, with a duff cell last year which left us stranded once, hence the need for an expensive battery replacement. I also had a windscreen replaced sometime back (due to cracking by a massive ice fall from a tree) and the surround has looked a little out of shape since (but no excessive noise resulted, which might be the cause of the noise issue with your potential vehicle). I have not seen any rust on the roof leading edge on mine and I thought (incorrectly it seems) that all the panels were aluminium anyway!
As said above, it is hard not to enjoy the cars superb comfort over long distances and winter abilities (and the longer you own it and spend upon it, the more you feel you have to/want to keep it).
But the TD6 has the above diff and gearbox issues to consider - Trust your engineer/warranty cover can provide some reassurance on these, whichever TD6 you look at.
Good luck with your search and hope you find your RR soon.
Steve