L322 advice, what to look for?

So…
Coming from the Disco forum and Defender forum, I get in here searching for info on the L322 (like what to look for) and there isnt much available…. It doesn’t have any problems??

LOL… I wish!!

Anyway… so far what I’ve read about in here, most expensive thing that can go wrong is something to do with a steering column, right? About £450?
Then the other one is a recall on the front diff… ?

I’m looking at a 2003 /2004 Range Rover, probably Vogue as money won’t stretch to Sport…

There’s **** loads of different types, HSE, HS…God knows! Still have to figure out all the differences…

Other thing is, seems like everyone that has bought a Range Rover is a lazy ****, as its almost impossible to find a manual…
Is this a good or bad thing? Are the manual gearboxs rubish and everyone goes for the automatic?

Are the automatics any good?
Any engine sizes to avoid?


Ooo.. Im looking at diesel btw...


Just starting to feel about what’s out there as I quite fancy one, so trying to get as much info as possible.
Won't be used for long commutes either as I have a ****ty old Citroen C5 for that.

Any words of wisdom?
Should I just leave it alone and buy a Toymota as one Land Rover in my life is enough?

LoL



Cheerio!
JP

Gearboxes are another weak point on the early diesel L322's, would be worth doing a search for TD6 gearbox probs. I'm sure you'll get many other opinions in the not too distant future

Not sure if they did a manual, I've heard of injector probs on the TDV6 as well as the weak gearbox on early ones.

what is consider an early one do you know?
the L322, came out in 2002...so from what year did they start to make them stronger?

Well, here's my advice and experiences for what its worth.

Obviously, there's no point me mentioning things like - try and get a low miler with full service - cuz that's just common sense but here's what I found when looking.

If I remember the models are HSE, Vogue and Autobiography - Vogue SE only came out on the upgrade (I think) - Definately try and get a Vouge as it comes with Sat nav, TV, Rear heated seats and a few other niceties.

The doozul is a bit slow in my opinion and can be thirsty. The petrol on the other hand is a better drive but obviously will cost a bit more per mile. So you'll need to choose between an oil burner and a gas guzzler based on yer mileages. I'm not sure that there is THAT much difference between the 2 though. Almost 2 and half ton will need some pushing and you'll be revving a 3litre v6 quite a bit. Most people I speak to say they get around 22mpg in diesel format and I get around 19mpg in petrol so really not that much in it.

Never heard of a manual L322 and would be very surprised if they did, just doesn't make economical sense for Solihull to do that in such as car. If anybody know's different though i'd love to hear it.

Yes, the steering column motors are prone to go but I think it depends on the driver and how far it has to travel each time to get in and out the car. I've tried to set mine to not move too much to try and save the motors but I guess it's pot luck.

Look out for water in the boot - it will kill the EAS compressor - think they are about £400 to replace, easy job to do though.

The dash suffers with pixel problems on the display on both HSE and Vogues - sommat to do with bad connections and it's a dash dismantle job to fix so don't forget to check that.

Oh, and mine (petrol) very occasionally ticks over at 2000 rpm - no reason for it at all - it can be at any time but a recycle resets it. Guess it's a computer software problem but I doubt you'll experience it until you've lived with the car for a bit.

Check that the car is level, some have issues with the front of the car lifting but not the back. This can be a bugger at night cuz you'll dazzle everyone. Just try lowering and rasing the car to see if it resets. If not, could be a problem.

My back lights mist up in cold weather. So if you see that, switch the lights on for a few minutes, it should clear.

Check that the nearside mirror moves down when in reverse (there's a switch at front of drivers door to toggle it) - It's supposed to aid in parking - mine sticks but I'm used to it now.

My air bag light is currently on all the time at the moment so make sure to check that - I'll need to fix it soon as it' gonna be an MOT fail - it's gonna be a bastard to fix and could be very expensive but I guess you'll see that if it's on - If it is on all the time ask or a big discount or walk away.

So, in essence I've not had THAT many issues - they are mostly niggles really but I don't think I'd like to own anything else, I love my car me.

Anyway, good luck in finding a goodun.

Cool!

thanks for that! certainly helps..

about your airbag light and the MOT.... a mate had a problem like that on his Merc ML..he taped the light to get through MOT

Consider a V8 with LPG conversion. You get V8 power and refinement and diesel running costs. I dont think either the V8 or diesel came with a manual box, they are all auto's. The Vogue is well spec'd and has finer leather than the HSE which is why they are more sought after. They cost around £60k when new.

Naaa, dont think I'll go for a V8, I like me doozil tratters

and isnt there loads of problems associated with LPG kits and V8 engines?

t 322 is a beaut to drive and thats t diesel not many petrols here, now its a completely car to the sport, the sport is closer to a disco 3 both of which have t l r v6 engine of 2.7 or 3.0 litre engines, where as t l 322 has t bmw 3.0 inline 6 i think its t m71 engine, all t probs that i know off have been listed by t guys above, i think from 06 on some of the niggles have been sorted, .

fok.. 06, its too much money! budget doesnt stretch that far...

I've seen 03/04's for around £12K...

now, in terms of mileage?
My old Disco 1 had 220k miles... and was still going when I sold it...
on these engines, what mileage should I be aiming for?

Ooo.. and another question, what major services can I expect at what mileage?
(like the disco 1 had the cambelt every 60k)

cheers!

I think its probably easier to talk about the most reliable bit of an L322,for me it has to be the towing hook on the front for when they break down - which is common.
I've never seen a broken L322 front tow hook.

[JP];1357482 said:

Cool!

thanks for that! certainly helps..

about your airbag light and the MOT.... a mate had a problem like that on his Merc ML..he taped the light to get through MOT

Click to expand...

My bro in law is an MOT Tester - nudge nudge - wink wink, no what I mean so I could always get him to do it.

I'd rather fix it though and have the old bags.... er i mean air bags save my families life if ever we need them.

A bit of black insulation tape might get it through if desperate tho

so.. what do you mean??

by saying a towing hook, that means they need a towing hook because they brake down all the time...

but then you say you never seen a broken towing hook,? meaning they dont get towed so the hook isnt used !?!

didnt get what you are trying to say.. lol

this looks nice...

2002 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER HSE TD6 AUTO BLUE on eBay (end time 15-Feb-11 19:55:53 GMT)

funny story that the papers, with garage receipts,etc, got lost in the post....but he has the V5

not buying it though, but seems cheap, compared to others I've seen

People rely too much on service history imho...looks genuine, good feedback.

[JP];1357909 said:

I've seen 03/04's for around £12K...

Click to expand...

I saw this on ebay the other day and was tempted to get it for the misses to play about with - she's ferrying our 2 kids about in her Works Cooper-S and she WILL NOT LET GO OF IT 2010 CONVERSION RANGE ROVER HSE DIESEL OVERFINCH L322 on eBay (end time 19-Jan-11 13:45:55 GMT)

it's on the old side and mileage is a little high but if it looks as good as the photos - it's a decent car.

[JP];1357909 said:

now, in terms of mileage?
My old Disco 1 had 220k miles... and was still going when I sold it...
on these engines, what mileage should I be aiming for?

Click to expand...

Holy crap, an L322 with 220k on the clock would be a bad idea - shop around bud - try and get something with 50k on a pay a little extra. Mines done 30k and I'm having little issues Can't imagine what she'd would be like with that many miles on her

I'm a tractor boy thru and thru..i really cant see why you'd spend 16k on that..each to their own...i'd get a damn tasty td5 for that money. The tax and road limits in the uk are so restrictive...gone are the days when a motor like that can realise its potential..i'd get ****ed off that i can't use it.

A friend of mine has the 6 car garage..ferrari, lambo, aston, audi, etc...he's made his money, and trys to enjoy it...but even he admits that its frustrating cos he's got thousands of horse power, beautiful cars..that he cant take anywhere due to laws (correct or not) and fear of jealous buggers taking a key/knife to them.

storm99 said:

I'm a tractor boy thru and thru..i really cant see why you'd spend 16k on that..each to their own...i'd get a damn tasty td5 for that money. The tax and road limits in the uk are so restrictive...gone are the days when a motor like that can realise its potential..i'd get ****ed off that i can't use it.

Click to expand...

To be honest - It was only a thought for little while - until I came to back to earth and realised that a) my misses would never park it at Tescos and b) it would probably break down a lot.

She seems happy driving about in the mini and the kids are only little so I'll leave it be for now.

but yeah, I'd like tractor myself for mucking about in but that heated steering wheel and heated seats is so nice when it's freezing - me just being soft I guess

Hehe..i had a nice p38 with all the toys for a customer..i enjoyed it...but i was so worried it'd break and i couldn't fix it with snot and rubber bands like my 90...