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DocMason94

New Member
Posts
9
Location
Birmingham
Hello, introducing myself as requested. Just call me Doc, everybody does, no idea why because I'm not a Doctor.

I recently purchased a 2002 L322 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 petrol (converted to an old OMVL LPG system in 2002). I was originally going to buy a new Jaguar XJ, but my fiancé insisted I buy something with a big boot for the dogs, which I suppose is sensible for a German Shepherd and Golden Retriever.

The car itself I absolutely adore, which surprises me. There is something about driving a Range Rover which I always look forward to. She's being used as a daily driver and now my 60 mile round trip (all motorway) for work is always a joy.

I got the car for £3500 with 127 on the clock. Full service history, and so far mechanically speaking she has been reliable.

The good:

1) Engine, working very well lots of speed and power when the mood takes me.
2) Gearbox, seems totally fine to me. Goes up and down through all the gears smoothly. Selects reverse without issue. I'll be getting the gearbox done just as a precaution as I'm aware the gearbox is the wrack spot.
3) Air suspension, actually in 100% working condition. Air compressor is fine. Air cushions as fine. Happy days.
4) LPG mostly working fine, filling up for £22 every three days and because I spend 97% of my time on the motorway cruising it's actually surprisingly economical.
5) Huge boot which is fantastic for my two dogs. My German shepherd is only 6 months old and he already weighs 40kg... He's not far, but his dad was a military working dog so he's a big boy. My golden retriever isn't to far behind.
6) Interior is in fantastic condition other than one panel on one seat, I really was amazed when I got into the car.

But this is what's gone wrong so far:

1) Burst coolant hose which needed replacing for £140. No more coolant leaks now this has been done.
2) None of the cigarette lighters worked, but they were fixed for £30 so I can actually charge my phone.
3) A minor leak in the rear crankshaft seal which I'll get sorted at some point, but I don't feel it's urgent as it's so minor (correct me if I'm wrong!). There is no oil puddling on my driveway so...
4) The driver side seat panel where all the buttons for moving it etc, it's all cracked and broken and being held together strategically with cable ties, so I need to buy replacement seats and fit these at some point.
5) The rear windscreen wiper worked! For one turn, and is now broken. Sounds like the motor.
6) The radio is broken (screen is on), looks like she's suffered with water going into the amplifier. I'll be getting this done and upgrading to a modern satnav system at some point anyway so it's not the end of the word.
7) Very minor rust, which for an 18 year old car really surprised me. She's getting a full respray near the end of may (lockdown permitting) so this will be addressed then.
8) A very old OMVL LPG system fitted from 2002 which does misfire for around the first 10 minutes after sitting, but then goes away. It throws a yellow engine management light. Feels kangerooey is the only way I'd describe it. Took it to a local LPG chap but he's now in isolation so this has yet to be addressed. No misfire on petrol at all.
9) New keys for £340. My key ran out of battery so I had to replace them. However, like an idiot I lost the transponder chip and I didn't have a spare... £340 for somebody to remove the dashboard, and programme two keys for me. This is my fault not the cars, an expensive lesson learned!

All in all I'm actually rather pleased with the old girl! My father said to me that getting a range rover would be a terrible idea, a money pit he called it. But when you view a car as just a tool then I suppose every car is a money pit. When you're somebody who loves cars, you don't mind spending money on it. This range rover doesn't seem any less reliable than any other car I've owned and although she is 18 years old, she doesn't feel like she's going to fall apart. All good from my end!
 
Welcome to the forum
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List of problems int that bad really for a rr. Most of the troublesome ones were probably fixed before yer got it. ;)

Range Rover:
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/range-rover.10
 
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