Buying a 322 on LPG
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tomcat59alan
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Better if you buy an L322 if you are running on LSD.
forthbridge
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We've had our L322 for around 2 years now and its a lovely car, the fact it also runs on LPG is a bonus. Conversions are still around the £1600 - 2000 mark so you could drop that off the purchase price to get a value for the bare car. I think that the Prinz system is reportedly one of the better for the vehicle, so as long as its been serviced it should perform well.
Not wanting to teach you to anything you don't already know, far more important is the vehicle itself - in my humble opinion these Range Rovers even more so than the P38's. They're quite complicated, require diagnostics and have now been in the 2nd hand market for long enough to have been let go a bit. I got our car off a relative and he'd searched for 6 months before picking it up. I'd say check everything you can on it - the threads on this forum would be invaluable pointers for that and do your best not to buy someone else's problem.
Good Luck
Not wanting to teach you to anything you don't already know, far more important is the vehicle itself - in my humble opinion these Range Rovers even more so than the P38's. They're quite complicated, require diagnostics and have now been in the 2nd hand market for long enough to have been let go a bit. I got our car off a relative and he'd searched for 6 months before picking it up. I'd say check everything you can on it - the threads on this forum would be invaluable pointers for that and do your best not to buy someone else's problem.
Good Luck
Thanks for your input, i've never owned a 322 before but read the stories of other peoples problems which is making me wonder. The trouble is is there anything in this market that doesn't have potentially scary problems ?
Touaregs, X5's even trusty Landcruisers aren't without potential costly issues
Even if you find a nicely looked after one it could still bite you in the ass by the
looks of it.
My last couple of dailys have been Landcruisers, a mint 2001 plate 3.0 D4D reliable
but seriously boring place to sit, then a 2005 plate 3.0 D4D, not so reliable and still
a very dull place to sit.
The L322 wins hands down on looks inside and out for me but really don't want a money
eating nightmare
looks of it.
My last couple of dailys have been Landcruisers, a mint 2001 plate 3.0 D4D reliable
but seriously boring place to sit, then a 2005 plate 3.0 D4D, not so reliable and still
a very dull place to sit.
The L322 wins hands down on looks inside and out for me but really don't want a money
eating nightmare
Last edited:
tomcat59alan
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Yup you are right, and that's true of all car's. If it's got tits or tyres its going to cost you money.
Yes but some seem to be way better than others
My 2001 plate Landcruiser i had for 3 years and it never missed a beat, needed a couple of
lower suspension arm bushes and nothing else other than servicing
Does the 4.4 v8 suffer any gearbox issues like the TD6 appears too ? I'm also reading about diff
problems and tailgate seals letting water in onto the electrics ?
My 2001 plate Landcruiser i had for 3 years and it never missed a beat, needed a couple of
lower suspension arm bushes and nothing else other than servicing
Does the 4.4 v8 suffer any gearbox issues like the TD6 appears too ? I'm also reading about diff
problems and tailgate seals letting water in onto the electrics ?
Last edited:
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The L322 is an awesome machine....but.....the early ones are beset with issues.
All the above is all sound advice, the Petrols don't suffer as bad with gearbox issues, but they are known to go south sooner or later...usual sign is a vibration/cattle grid effect at between 30-50 on light throttle...most pronounced up a slight gradiant.
The electrical gremlins are profound with such a complex car, but what surprises me is that the same systems are found in 1996-on BMW's so why it wasn't all sorted out by the time the L322 was launched in 2002 astounds me! But it does mean that most faults are well documented on here, other Range Rover forums and also on Bimmer sites!
The M62 is a very good power unit,most common faults are the PCV Valve and VANOS ticking! They convert to LPG very well, some have a flushlube system fitted to lube the valves and keep them cool, not strictly necessary, but maybe worth it for peace of mind. I have had our new for 2.5 years, yes it has been a pain, but (touch wood) the LPG has not been an issue....engine is strong and powerful with a good roar when poked, but keep on top of maintenance, particularly the cooling system and gearbox oil changes and she'll pull strong forever. Mine is ticking over the 174k miles mark now!
I have both an L322 and a P38.....comfort, hmmmm the L322 is a more relaxed drive due to the oodles of power available and the more 'car' like handing....but, the P38 is a much softer more cushioned ride....
As with most BMW derived products, the spec list for the models can vary as they are just a kit of parts and an options list....Vogue was the top standard model in 2002-2005 but even then, the spec can vary greatly between them depending on what the original owner wanted...I have seen genuine Vogues without the Sat Nav, or with Sat Nav but not DSP...etc...
Best to ignore the name, and go for the one with the toys you want in it!
The Mk3 Sat Nav is basic but functional, upgrading to the Mk4 is simple and worth it, but is still now looking dated when compared to others and even to what you can get on your phone now-a-days!
Regular Gearbox oil and filter changes are a must to try and prolong the inevitable...but it will happen at some point!
They are not as solidly built as the P38 (which was arguably the best screwed together and rust proof Range Rover ever!.....electrical issues aside that is!) and they are starting to show rust signs on wheel arches and tail gates (sound familiar?? )
They eat suspension bushes, especially the rear due to its fat ar$e, and they can be a pain to change, but if you can wrangle a spanner with confidence then it isn't so bad.
The EAS system is just as temperamental as the P38....but just like the P38, keep up on maintenance and sort issues promptly and it will be fine...the main weakness is the plastic valve block...I mean plastic...WTF were they thinking of!??!
They will throw a fault just because...for no reason...so your own diagnostic gear is paramount if you want to save trips and money to a dealer/indy.
Many available....muts nuts Faultmate will set you back £1000 or so, but is ultimate...
RSW All Comms is the most capable at the budget end, IIDTool by GAPDiagnostics is great, but uses the message centre display for readouts..so if that is fecked your stumped.....Bearmach Hawkeye has mixed reviews and can't do EAS Calibrations.....Lynx by Omnitec/Britpart little known about it, but reports are reasonable to those who have used it....
Pity Blackbox Solutions never did and looks like they won't do a Nanocom for the 2002-2005 L322's....if they did I'd be the first to buy one! (although my L322 still won't talk to diagnostics following a HID/Bi-Xenon bulb failure)
Remember the Golden Rule to buying a Range Rover - Never, Ever buy one with faults unless you are prepared for and understand the potential costs, frustration, time and head scratching that is involved in repairing it!
Complex, expensive, powerful, comfortable, unreliable, sublime, frustrating, annoying, beautiful etc are all the sorts of words I would choose for the L322.....would I be without mine despite all the problems I have had? No, I love it regardless.....if you can accept its faults, you'll love it.....
If you are after something more reliable and dependable....you'll hate it!
All the above is all sound advice, the Petrols don't suffer as bad with gearbox issues, but they are known to go south sooner or later...usual sign is a vibration/cattle grid effect at between 30-50 on light throttle...most pronounced up a slight gradiant.
The electrical gremlins are profound with such a complex car, but what surprises me is that the same systems are found in 1996-on BMW's so why it wasn't all sorted out by the time the L322 was launched in 2002 astounds me! But it does mean that most faults are well documented on here, other Range Rover forums and also on Bimmer sites!
The M62 is a very good power unit,most common faults are the PCV Valve and VANOS ticking! They convert to LPG very well, some have a flushlube system fitted to lube the valves and keep them cool, not strictly necessary, but maybe worth it for peace of mind. I have had our new for 2.5 years, yes it has been a pain, but (touch wood) the LPG has not been an issue....engine is strong and powerful with a good roar when poked, but keep on top of maintenance, particularly the cooling system and gearbox oil changes and she'll pull strong forever. Mine is ticking over the 174k miles mark now!
I have both an L322 and a P38.....comfort, hmmmm the L322 is a more relaxed drive due to the oodles of power available and the more 'car' like handing....but, the P38 is a much softer more cushioned ride....
As with most BMW derived products, the spec list for the models can vary as they are just a kit of parts and an options list....Vogue was the top standard model in 2002-2005 but even then, the spec can vary greatly between them depending on what the original owner wanted...I have seen genuine Vogues without the Sat Nav, or with Sat Nav but not DSP...etc...
Best to ignore the name, and go for the one with the toys you want in it!
The Mk3 Sat Nav is basic but functional, upgrading to the Mk4 is simple and worth it, but is still now looking dated when compared to others and even to what you can get on your phone now-a-days!
Regular Gearbox oil and filter changes are a must to try and prolong the inevitable...but it will happen at some point!
They are not as solidly built as the P38 (which was arguably the best screwed together and rust proof Range Rover ever!.....electrical issues aside that is!) and they are starting to show rust signs on wheel arches and tail gates (sound familiar?? )
They eat suspension bushes, especially the rear due to its fat ar$e, and they can be a pain to change, but if you can wrangle a spanner with confidence then it isn't so bad.
The EAS system is just as temperamental as the P38....but just like the P38, keep up on maintenance and sort issues promptly and it will be fine...the main weakness is the plastic valve block...I mean plastic...WTF were they thinking of!??!
They will throw a fault just because...for no reason...so your own diagnostic gear is paramount if you want to save trips and money to a dealer/indy.
Many available....muts nuts Faultmate will set you back £1000 or so, but is ultimate...
RSW All Comms is the most capable at the budget end, IIDTool by GAPDiagnostics is great, but uses the message centre display for readouts..so if that is fecked your stumped.....Bearmach Hawkeye has mixed reviews and can't do EAS Calibrations.....Lynx by Omnitec/Britpart little known about it, but reports are reasonable to those who have used it....
Pity Blackbox Solutions never did and looks like they won't do a Nanocom for the 2002-2005 L322's....if they did I'd be the first to buy one! (although my L322 still won't talk to diagnostics following a HID/Bi-Xenon bulb failure)
Remember the Golden Rule to buying a Range Rover - Never, Ever buy one with faults unless you are prepared for and understand the potential costs, frustration, time and head scratching that is involved in repairing it!
Complex, expensive, powerful, comfortable, unreliable, sublime, frustrating, annoying, beautiful etc are all the sorts of words I would choose for the L322.....would I be without mine despite all the problems I have had? No, I love it regardless.....if you can accept its faults, you'll love it.....
If you are after something more reliable and dependable....you'll hate it!
2.0_hippo
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Quit moaning and buy one
tomcat59alan
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Quit moaning and buy one
If he buys one then he will be moaning and so will his bank manager
pete1987RRC
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Xc90?
2.0_hippo
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XC 90 have their own issues
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you will hear horror stories on here as that is what 95% of people come on to a forum for....to find answers...there are thousands out there that are fine....mine is fine, just a couple of niggles that I have yet to fathom....
There are good ones out there just choose wisely...but when you do have issues, come on here and we'll try and offe help and guidance.
They are awesome cars and a pleasure to drive with oodles of power, so you won't regret buying it.....just drive it till the next issue and sort that, then drive again until the next issue and sort that....
Regular maintenance and care will keep these ladies going for a long time, neglect or miss maintenance and they will burn you heavily!
forthbridge
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As has been said, they're not without their problems, but they are a very nice car to drive. If you're handy with a spanner and as Saint said read the forum there'll no doubt be help available should you need it. If you know a owner locally have a chat and a look round theirs before you buy / test drive the one that you're looking at, that way you'll have a feel for it.
Lastly check the number of owners on the v5 and if it's got any service history, no guarantee of a good car but it all helps.
Lastly check the number of owners on the v5 and if it's got any service history, no guarantee of a good car but it all helps.
Datatek
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The big plus with LPG is that you get a bigger bang when you burn it
Totally understand what your saying and not ruled one out yet.
I'll keep looking and see if a genuinely looked after one comes
up forsale, i fear at the age im looking at that might be some time
Again thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated
I'll keep looking and see if a genuinely looked after one comes
up forsale, i fear at the age im looking at that might be some time
Again thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated
