Hello Land Rover masters, this greenhorn going need some advice :D

Hello, i am a new guy in the forum. This is in fact my first time to join a Land Rover forum.

I came from Indonesia, my country has a lot offroad features to offer since it is a tropical region so you will have a sea of mud for most of the year. I've used Land Rover since i am 17, it was my first car, a Serie IIA with original engine and it was nasty... At first, i want to get a Jaguar, but somehow i ended up with a Land Rover, my heart just fell in love with it.

Now i am 20, i've moved to Germany to study mechanical engineering. I am about to buy my second Land Rover in Germany, it will be a 2006 Vogue, or at least a 2002 version. They are not so different aren't they? For this, i would need advice from some more expert users. At first glance, i concern myself about the air suspension that reportedly easy to break down, i just want to get some confirmation about this truth because i am going to replace the air suspension with a coil spring one. Will it be worth it? will it solve the reliability issue? The next is the Auxilliary port and bluetooth connection for the Radio that seems to be unable to be connected to a smartphone. How could i upgrade the radio so it receives Smartphone input? I would like to hear some friendly advice on these issues, thanks a lot, i am looking forward to go offroading with some british drivers though!!

Sorry for the slight gramatical error on the thread's title hehe.. speaking german everyday does take it's toll

Buy a 2006- model the drivetrain is pretty bombproof.

2002-2006 had a drivetrain that is to put it mildly ****..

Oh welcome aboard..

Welcome to landyzone

Welcome Aboard

Vogue is a trim level, not a model - so do you mean the L322 ? - Bit different to a SIIA

I've no idea how germany views major modifications like taking the EAS off - but, frankly, the EAS is the least of your worries on an L322.

Have you got proper diagnostics? IMHO you'll be wasting your time without them.

Welcome to the forum

Henry_b said:

Buy a 2006- model the drivetrain is pretty bombproof.

2002-2006 had a drivetrain that is to put it mildly ****..

Oh welcome aboard..

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Hahaha... pitty me, i've just bought the 2002 model... But everything seems find though, at least for now. I've just realized that the insurance cost is way off the roof.. That's my first problem with the Range Rover... hopefully i don't get to know the suspension problem LOL

brianp38dse said:

Welcome to landyzone

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Thanks a lot for the warm welcome sir!!

Justacarlovingguy said:

Hahaha... pitty me, i've just bought the 2002 model... But everything seems find though, at least for now. I've just realized that the insurance cost is way off the roof.. That's my first problem with the Range Rover... hopefully i don't get to know the suspension problem LOL

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Thats the L322 for ya

P38 insurance for me atleast 18 was cheap

2002 will be alright but expect issues they are getting to that age.

Disco1BFG said:

Welcome Aboard

Vogue is a trim level, not a model - so do you mean the L322 ? - Bit different to a SIIA

I've no idea how germany views major modifications like taking the EAS off - but, frankly, the EAS is the least of your worries on an L322.

Have you got proper diagnostics? IMHO you'll be wasting your time without them.

Click to expand...

Well i've ask for an OBD II device check and it seems fine.. So, if everything is fine, my concern will be the EAS. BUt you told me that EAS is my least concern, i really want to know what else should i be concerned with haha. But Land Rovers are indeed very demanding cars. And yes, the Range Rover engine looks alien to me

Justacarlovingguy said:

Well i've ask for an OBD II device check and it seems fine.. So, if everything is fine, my concern will be the EAS. BUt you told me that EAS is my least concern, i really want to know what else should i be concerned with haha. But Land Rovers are indeed very demanding cars. And yes, the Range Rover engine looks alien to me

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Gearbox - Engine - The entire electrical system!!

lol

Henry_b said:

hats the L322 for ya

P38 insurance for me atleast 18 was cheap

2002 will be alright but expect issues they are getting to that age.

Click to expand...

Well, i've maintained a 1961 Series Land Rover, a 2002 should not be a problem i hope.. But do you have some advice on maintaining the engine and suspension?

Henry_b said:

Gearbox - Engine - The entire electrical system!!

lol

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wow.. is the gearbox fragile? I know it's automatic, that means the working principle is like a black magic. Any suggestion on the maintenance?

Justacarlovingguy said:

Well i've ask for an OBD II device check and it seems fine.. So, if everything is fine, my concern will be the EAS. BUt you told me that EAS is my least concern, i really want to know what else should i be concerned with haha. But Land Rovers are indeed very demanding cars. And yes, the Range Rover engine looks alien to me

Click to expand...

Is the L322 OBDII compliant at that age ? I don't know - but IIRC it isn't ..... A search on here should tell you - or the web in general...

EAS is relatively simple - but you need diagnostics to fault find - else you'll be chasing your tail ...

The electronics will be the issue - battery drain being a recurring nightmare - and the steering column electronics seem to give some weird issues too

Gearbox wise - there were two fitted, depending on model - one of them ( the GM?) has a valve block made from soft cheese - again, a search on here will enlighten you .....

Good luck with it - nice bus when they are running right - but a serious test of patience when they are not...

Justacarlovingguy said:

Well, i've maintained a 1961 Series Land Rover, a 2002 should not be a problem i hope.. But do you have some advice on maintaining the engine and suspension?

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a '61 LR and a 2002 RR are worlds apart in terms of complexity

Gearbox needs a service every 60k
Engine oil should be done every 6k

Vanos can give issues listen out for a tapping which is also accompanied with a Timing advanced or retarded code;
Check for water leaks from the Rad and various hoses.

Suspension compressors can get tired - the front airbags rotate with the seal so they can leak.

Usually compressor failure is from it being overheated from feeding a never ending leak.

Check for a Judder when accelerating this can indicate the Torque converter clutch is worn - they didn't fit a torsional dampener in the Torque converter so the Converter clutch intentionally slips to give smooth'ish shifts - of course any clutch that slips will wear and a judder is the tell tale sign.

etc etc

Oh and check for rust around the rear secondary door seals it's common for dirt to sit there and rot the metal away.;.

Same applies for the rear seatbelt anchorage point and the rear subframe mounts


Check for water in the boot. this will damage the leccy system..

3tc etc

Justacarlovingguy said:

wow.. is the gearbox fragile? I know it's automatic, that means the working principle is like a black magic. Any suggestion on the maintenance?

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Fragile in a sense yes.

the Torque converter has no torsional dampener so the converter clutch intensionally slips to allow smooth shifts, of course this wears out and causes a judder.

A yo yo affect is the debris gets caught in the valvebody and causes the main drive clutches to wear thanks to a lack of hydraulic pressure..

Domino affect anyone!?

Keep it serviced and sort problems before they cause more. You will need decent diagnostics first as last.

3.0 derv is the GM5l40 Shyte!
4.4 2002-2006 is the zf 5l40 slightly less shyte.,

but still eh....

L322 with the Jaguar engine is the one to get IMO

Welcome. At least you are on the right site for help.