Moving up to a RR

Hi all,

I am currently running a Disco TD5 which i have owned now for over 6 yrs.It's time now to own the dream, and i am looking to upgrade to a Range rover Vogue.Looked at a Sport, but seems i can get more for my money with a L322.I have no doubt that someone has asked this before, but would like some advice from them who know, on what the pitfalls are and what to look for.Think i have deceided on a 4.4 V8 and money wise, up to a 55 plate will have to be my budget.I have done some research and having a diesel does not really seem to stack up as only do 4k - 5k a year.Any advice on issues,age related etc would really help before i take the plunge,
Thanks in advance

Have a look here for a start. Gearboxes are the biggest thing to worry about, they seem to fail after about 70k miles :S

Get a 2006 at least

Then you will be guaranteed to get a proper facelift model with new electronics

Some of the 55 reg models had weird specs

Some had non facelift front ends but With facelift interior !!

You will also get the terrain response with the 2006 model

A search will pull up many threads on the Potential pitfalls of the L322 - I know, I have written a good few of them...

get a petrol with zf gearbox.
super history a must.
be careful of the make over facelift.
buy a p38?

I was in the same boat as you a couple of years ago. I found that the diesel L322 was a lot quicker and quiter than the td5 !

But after a deal gone wrong with a guy that backed out I ended up test driving a 4.4 v8 petrol. After a five minute drive I decided then that petrol was the way.

Also consider what kind of journeys you are likely to do ie. my wife uses the rr to take the lil one to nursery and go to work part time no more than 20 miles a day. If we had a diesel it would be sooted up by now and probably be having problems with the egr valve. So a petrol suit our needs better than a diesel.

There is one thing that would say about the disco td5 we had the ACE on it and I feel that the disco handled better than the rr around the corners.

Guy's,

Thanks for your time in replying and can i ask Wanagetmuddy,have you been happy with the motor otherwise,age mileage etc,any problems.Other than that,everything you pointed out seems to add up to the same,i.e journey's etc.Have the rr's not got any suspension aids like ACE as on the TD5

Wanagetmuddy said:

I was in the same boat as you a couple of years ago. I found that the diesel L322 was a lot quicker and quiter than the td5 !

But after a deal gone wrong with a guy that backed out I ended up test driving a 4.4 v8 petrol. After a five minute drive I decided then that petrol was the way.

Also consider what kind of journeys you are likely to do ie. my wife uses the rr to take the lil one to nursery and go to work part time no more than 20 miles a day. If we had a diesel it would be sooted up by now and probably be having problems with the egr valve. So a petrol suit our needs better than a diesel.

There is one thing that would say about the disco td5 we had the ACE on it and I feel that the disco handled better than the rr around the corners.

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Diesel is better for short journeys every time and much more economical. Gearbox is a problem on the petrol and the diesel

Apart from earlier classics RR's have Air Suspension all round. Provides for an unrivalled drive but can also give you plenty of problems if not kept in good shape - mainly airbags perishing creating leaks & causing stress on the whole system -plenty of info on here about this.
Go for a V8

Datatek said:

Diesel is better for short journeys every time

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I thought the opposite was the perceived wisdom about diesels.
Short journeys = bad because the engine doesn't get up to temperature and it gums up the EGR and DPF.

+1 on that.
Diesels are ok for longer runs. That said, my V8 has a serious thirst on short journeys but much better on a good motorway run.

rilot said:

I thought the opposite was the perceived wisdom about diesels.
Short journeys = bad because the engine doesn't get up to temperature and it gums up the EGR and DPF.

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So get rid of EGR and DPF !
Simples

rilot said:

I thought the opposite was the perceived wisdom about diesels.
Short journeys = bad because the engine doesn't get up to temperature and it gums up the EGR and DPF.

Click to expand...

Engine gets up to temperature very quickly on my P38 and the L322 can be fitted with a fuel burning pre heater if you are worried.
All taxis run diesels even though they mostly do very short runs often at very low speeds, if it were a problem they wouldn't use them.

The L322 Diesel engine comes complete with a diesel pre-heater to heat up the engine quickly.

was an option on the petrol models

Dezx4x4 said:

Guy's,

Thanks for your time in replying and can i ask Wanagetmuddy,have you been happy with the motor otherwise,age mileage etc,any problems.Other than that,everything you pointed out seems to add up to the same,i.e journey's etc.Have the rr's not got any suspension aids like ACE as on the TD5

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The L322 does have a system similar to the Disco ACE. Using a cobination of the Yaw Sensor, ABS Sensors, Steering Angle Sensor and the EAS Height Sensors the vehicle monitors steering input, yaw, speed, vehicle lean etc so on corner entry the vehicle can determine if to either assist in making the turn using Cornering Brake Control, Traction Control (DSC) or stiffen the suspension.

Thanks for that reply Saint.V8,sounds like a lot of sensors doing their bit.Do you have any thoughts on the gearbox issues,as of course as many say, you only hear of the unfortunate owners who have had problems,not the ones who have had none at all.I am still looking at a V8 as had the TD5 for over 6 yrs now and look forward to a bit more power.

Dezx4x4 said:

Thanks for that reply Saint.V8,sounds like a lot of sensors doing their bit.Do you have any thoughts on the gearbox issues,as of course as many say, you only hear of the unfortunate owners who have had problems,not the ones who have had none at all.I am still looking at a V8 as had the TD5 for over 6 yrs now and look forward to a bit more power.

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The ZF box on the early petrol models is far better in reliabilty then the GM box on the Diesels.....

Most common issue on the ZF box is the axial bearing between B and C clutch failing and breaking up, this causes the Clutch pack to move axially causing failure of the O ring that seals B clutch from A clutch...A Clutch then starts slipping due to reduced Hydraulic pressure, the Torque Convertor then starts trying to limit Clutch Slippage causing premature wearing of the Torque Convertor Lock Up Clutch....this results in fine juddering (like going over a small gattle grid) between 30-50mph.

Unlike the GM box which is more of a case of 'When' it is goin to fail, the ZF is more of 'If' .....

Also on the ZF box, you get a lot of warning before it finally goes south what with the vibration/juddering and the LUC trying to limit slip (indicated by the revs going up and down by a couple of hundred revs rythmicaly), meaning if you catch it early on, only have to replace the O ring and the Axial Bearing.....worst case is A Clutch plates, but the box should go into Failsafe before the Clutch Plates are worn out!

Top of head Stats based on internet reports I have read:

GM Box Failure: 9/10
ZF Box Failure: 3/10

Saint V8,thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience.Based on what your saying it's still going to be the V8,and will look for the newest and lowest mileage one i can find.Looking forward to getting out there and finding one,all being well in a couple of weeks.Think i will stick to a dealer and get a warranty thrown in.Hopefully i won't have too many issues that mean i have to keep asking for help,and fingers crossed she turns out to be as good as the Disco has been,

Dezx4x4 said:

Guy's,

Thanks for your time in replying and can i ask Wanagetmuddy,have you been happy with the motor otherwise,age mileage etc,any problems.Other than that,everything you pointed out seems to add up to the same,i.e journey's etc.Have the rr's not got any suspension aids like ACE as on the TD5

Click to expand...

Dez

The motor on these is just a pleasure to drive all the time be it gentle cruising or putting your foot down. I must admit it is very smooth on gear changes and juts follows through with the power.

Mine has done 70k now on 04 plate. I change the oil every 5k since I had it at 58k. I keep a close eye on it.

The things to watch out for are the PCV hoses they perish and gives a poor mpg.

Since I have had it I have done changed the following PCV hoses, radiator, water pump and air compressor has had to have a service.

I think Saint has done most these if you need assurance Saint is your man!

Also make sure when you are choosing you choose the vouge. Dont be fooled by the autobiography as it coulkd have less than the vouge. also there are two type of seats the poor mans and the rich mans.

Datatek
No disrespect but with regards to driving around on short journeys Petrol is better than the diesel.