New 2003 L322

Just got myself this 2003 L322 with 123k on the clock for £850.

MOT ran out at the beginning of the month but does still run under its own power. Trade seller said that the previous owner said that the gearbox can slip but I’m praying it just needs a service and oil change which I’m going to do myself.

I’ve never so much as changed a wiper blade before but have got this car as part project part teaching myself simple mechanics.

Wish me luck.

Luck is hereby being wished!!
At that miles if it's the original box then you might need more than an oil change, but you bought it cheap enough. What was mentioned on the last MOT?

For that price, I would have bought it without asking for permission! The new harnesses for my RRC cost more.

All the luck in the world is hereby wished! And congrats on the purchase!

Good luck with your purchase, simple mechanics it will not be, how are you with electronics?

Welcome. You have picked the right motor to learn mechanics, well advanced mechanics. All the best plus there will be plenty of help and assistance on here when you need it, don't be afraid to ask.

kermit_rr said:

Luck is hereby being wished!!
At that miles if it's the original box then you might need more than an oil change, but you bought it cheap enough. What was mentioned on the last MOT?

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Last MOT was a pass with no advisories and the one before had a fail for something in the rear suspension. Nothing about transmission or rust.

Hope it was a proper MOT and not just a mechanic turning a blind eye for some extra cash. Unfortunately I have zero service history.

Budget £1.5 to £2k or maybe a little more for a gearbox and torque converter and you should have a lovely motor for little money.

I'd say you'll be putting a gearbox in it, it seems to be the weakest link on the early cars and as BiB has suggested, a couple of grand seems to be about the sum to do it properly.

Look at it this way though, you've got an early car which (I personally think) has aged very well now, if it's a TD6 they are pretty easy to work on. It's got enough tech and capability to be great on and off road and you got it for next to nothing so even as a project/learning tool you could take a few bits off and recover most of your money if it all goes wrong.

Honestly though, I don't think you'll get away with a gearbox oil change, that's probably a waste of money and time in my opinion. I think you only get about 3l of oil out when you drop the pan and there should be around 10l in there total as it's in the torque converter and cooler etc. so you'll be luck to change more than 30%, a full flush is what I do with them. I'd put that money straight towards getting the box rebuilt myself.

I'm casually looking for an early car but I want one that's already had its gearbox rebuilt

Just out of curiosity, because one of our daily driver might need replacement in a year or two, what are the main weaknesses of the L322? Because those TD6 with around 200,000 km go for around 7-8 k in Germany. Would be a nice car to commute 300 km a week, not to expensive to buy and being a diesel even acceptable to run. Unless maintenance is eating all the budget!

And they sure do look nice, still have this Classic look about them.

hef19898 said:

Just out of curiosity, because one of our daily driver might need replacement in a year or two, what are the main weaknesses of the L322? Because those TD6 with around 200,000 km go for around 7-8 k in Germany. Would be a nice car to commute 300 km a week, not to expensive to buy and being a diesel even acceptable to run. Unless maintenance is eating all the budget!

And they sure do look nice, still have this Classic look about them.

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Hiya. Just my own opinion, but that is quite high for the earliest L322. I'd also add 200k km which is approx 125k miles, unless the gearbox has already been done do it straight away. If it has been done at the 70 -80k miles, you are getting close to at very least a gearbox oil change. It is also the age at which many give up on the constant issues and just get rid. So look very carefully.
The other bit to be wary of is the wheel arches, as they may look ok on the outside but the inners can be seriously rotten. Look at my posts on the wheel arch replacements from a couple of years ago.
All that said -if you get one that has been loved, and looked after, with everything already done, then they are well worth €8k. Otherwise make sure you have €2k-€3k to spend in the first year of ownership.
And yes they still look lovely

P.s that 300km per week , depending on how many days that is over, you will have to keep a close eye on ensuring you charge the battery on the runs. The early L322 hates short runs. She is tempermental and wants lots of attention just for having started up