2004 TDV6, low mileage. Should i buy??

Hi Guys
Ive been looking at a 2004 3.0 TDV6 with only 52K on the clock. All mileage checks out after a full HPI check. Drives very well and smooth and no noises etc on the test drive. minor issues with interior and the wing mirrors.

Thoughts? should i stay away or will it still last a good 40-50K before major issues?

My first potential used RR, so appreciate any advice!!!

At that mileage it will need a gearbox rebuild before your 40-50k is up the gearboxes are not know for there long life, have a search on there failure.
and an 2004 will be a td6 inline bmw engine.

brianp38dse said:

At that mileage it will need a gearbox rebuild before your 40-50k is up the gearboxes are not know for there long life, have a search on there failure.
and an 2004 will be a td6 inline bmw engine.

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Thanks mate. So you think it should last a little while longer? Yes, its the BMW engine, not much power but all i want is a cruiser.
Asking 8 grand for it at that mileage. Looks ok compared to others under 60K

My dealings with l322`s is limited but have read a lot on here about the chocolate gearbox others will know more.

brianp38dse said:

My dealings with l322`s is limited but have read a lot on here about the chocolate gearbox others will know more.

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more cheese than chocolate

ukadamwest said:

more cheese than chocolate

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It sounds like i should stay away from taking the gamble!!!

HMRRTDV6 said:

Thanks mate. So you think it should last a little while longer? Yes, its the BMW engine, not much power but all i want is a cruiser.
Asking 8 grand for it at that mileage. Looks ok compared to others under 60K

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Paying £8k is just the beginning. It is still 15 years old . Whilst you may catch the gearbox, before it melts, it will still need an oil change and even then, pretty soon will need rebuilt. There are also all the other bits and bobs that will need doing, like brake pipes, etc. No matter which one you buy, unless you can do the work yourself, keep around £2k for unexpected bangs.
Try looking at higher mileage , with the gearbox recently done, and most of the other work too.

8k would get you a mint P38 Vogue SE..

Just sayin like!!

The L322 is a great vehicle but that GM5l40 is a right anchor of a 'box..

HMRRTDV6 said:

Hi Guys
Ive been looking at a 2004 3.0 TDV6 with only 52K on the clock. All mileage checks out after a full HPI check. Drives very well and smooth and no noises etc on the test drive. minor issues with interior and the wing mirrors.

Thoughts? should i stay away or will it still last a good 40-50K before major issues?

My first potential used RR, so appreciate any advice!!!

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If it's a 2004 L322 it's a TD6 NOT TDV6 as Brian says.

You could be lucky or unlucky with it. As already stated, gearboxes are the weak point with the TD6 mated with the GM box. The gearbox could go pop after 2k miles.....it could be fine for 60k miles. Depends how it's been driven, serviced etc.

To me, £8k is a bit steep for a mint 2004 TD6, let alone one with a few niggles.

Good luck whichever you decide.

Unless you have deep pockets and enjoy electronics, IMO the L322 is best avoided, the gearbox is the least of the problems.

Thanks all for the advice!! Its much appreciated. I really dont know what to do. The mileage checks out and i mighht be able to get the price down from 8 to 6K. I guess its pot luck. If it lasts a couple of years without any issues it will have been worth it.
The HPI MOT's through the years all show very minor stuff and mileage year on year was minimal so guessing its been driven well.

About to go for a second look in the day time, any tips of what to look out for????

HMRRTDV6 said:

Thanks all for the advice!! Its much appreciated. I really dont know what to do. The mileage checks out and i mighht be able to get the price down from 8 to 6K. I guess its pot luck. If it lasts a couple of years without any issues it will have been worth it.
The HPI MOT's through the years all show very minor stuff and mileage year on year was minimal so guessing its been driven well.

About to go for a second look in the day time, any tips of what to look out for????

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I'd be amazed if it runs for 2 years with no problems, the only question is whether the problems will be big ones or small ones.
Check there are 2 working key FOBs and that every button and gizmo works in particular that satnav, radio etc work on the display screen and that all pixels are present on the smaller displays. Check movement and heaters for the seats work, that the mirrors can be adjusted, check wipers and washer. Take it for a long test drive, any roughness in gearshifts or a kind of vibration from the transmission, run a mile. I could go on.

HMRRTDV6 said:

Thanks all for the advice!! Its much appreciated. I really dont know what to do. The mileage checks out and i mighht be able to get the price down from 8 to 6K. I guess its pot luck. If it lasts a couple of years without any issues it will have been worth it.
The HPI MOT's through the years all show very minor stuff and mileage year on year was minimal so guessing its been driven well.

About to go for a second look in the day time, any tips of what to look out for????

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Everything.
Seriously, take a couple of hours, read everything you can on here about the L322, learn her foibles from the ground to the sky. Then go in prepared. Do not be fixated by low mileage and only little jobs done. That only means the big jobs are coming.
Unlike many websites for other marques, we , on here, will be brutally honest. I LOVE my L322, but be under no illusions , these vehicles have teeth, and those teeth are after your sanity and your wallet.
The good bits are , it's an L322, it is a fantastic vehicle when all is working. Even better when the big jobs have been faced and you are just fighting niggles. Then you get to enjoy her and will fall in love.

Got to say having owned two classics and a p38 and repaired them in the last thirty years then this l322 for a year I much prefer being behind the steering wheel of the l322.

Don't let high mileage put you off. Tdv6 is good for 250k if serviced to the letter.

I'd be looking at higher mileage cars that have had recent cambelts, receipts for gearbox, air compressor, epb etc etc.

Like @gold rover says, better to have big bill work already carried out and niggles to face than other way round.

I'm going back in my disco shed now m'luds, m'lady doffs cap

just thinking..

8k could get you a good 4.4 L322 with the marginally better but still not great ZF5HP box..

Heck you could get one with The JAG motor and 6HP26 box, now thats a combination..

Probably the best ever put in the L322.

Henry_b said:

Heck you could get one with The JAG motor and 6HP26 box, now thats a combination..

Probably the best ever put in the L322.

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Supercharged AJ133? Worked on the line building those for a bit, proper motor

1988smithy said:

Supercharged AJ133? Worked on the line building those for a bit, proper motor

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N/A AJ41 at that price bracket..

Great Motor..

You can get a half decent supercharged for that money.
If I had a budget of 8k, that's what I'd be looking for.
3k would get you a tidy 2004 with a duff box and 2.5k for a new box, quids in!