Swapping the Jaguar for a L322?

Hi guys,

After driving around very happily with a Jag XJ8 4.0 for the last two years, I've put the car up for sale to move to large SUV. Key reasons for doing so:

- My girlfriend and I spend a lot of free time in the countryside (riding/shooting/walking/swimming/holidays), so it would be great to have car that does do decent off road (fields/mud/beach), can tow a horse trailer and generally is happy with muddy gear in the back etc (you can see the trouble with my long wheelbase Jag...)
- We regularly need to transport embroidery machines - large heavy things that require a station wagon shape boot

My budget would be around £7-7.5k for a used car. As we're both total petrol heads, we're more than happy to put up with things like poor fuel economy, high road tax, consumables etc, if that repays us with a fun vehicle to own

However, two things are key:
1. It should be reliable in terms of starting and driving. The car would be used 2-3 times a week (ca. 5.000 miles a year) and we have no time to wait for the RAC every time or start fiddling ourselves. We never thrash our cars but it shouldn't be too much of a petal to live with;
2. It shouldn't be a known money pit - I know the risk of buying a used car and am happy to add ca. £500-1,000 to my budget for immediate 'catch-up' maintenance post-purchase. However, engine and gearbox rebuilds, heavy welding or big rolling chassis replacements are not cool. Also, I don't really have the time and space for a 'project'. I basically want to avoid adding another £3-4k soon after buying my new ride to the extent possible.

Main cars on my short list:
- L322 RR 4.4v8 - amazing do-it-all and loved the model for many years, but I'm a bit worry about the money pit issue given my budget
- Neat 300tdi or early TD5 Defender - true driving experience but curious how it holds up to point 1. Also I noticed they're quite expensive at the moment (more the £7-10k range for a London LEZ exempt one).

I've considered RR Classics (probably not great re. my two points?), RR P38 (cheap to buy, but see point 1 and 2), Disco 3 (probably similar to L322, and few V8 models available). I know there are a few Japanese 4x4s available in the market, but they just don't really make my heart jump TBH.

Are my wishes and budget somewhat aligned? Or should I wake up and move along/increase my budget?

I've been reading practically every buyers guide out there, but just wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter, and any real life experiences along with it Cheers Adriaan

Going to be dead honest with you here mate... I read right the way down to your "two things are key" bit then stopped. A L322 Is not for you! The budget your on should get you a decent enough one but it will need lots of love and care. £3000 plus for a recon gear box is common in most higher mileage examples and those with tow bars should be avoided unless they were for towing a trailer of feathers. The cost of rebuilding a gearbox will blow your set aside cash out of the water. If you want a decent SUV that will sit quietly until you want to use it without causing pain and heart ache when it lets you down don't for god sake buy a L322...

Just my opinion and experience with them


W

The L322 is a spoilt brat, it will cost you the earth to run and maintain. They are notoriously unreliable, but get a good one and the rewards are immense.

The boot isn't as big as you'd expect from such a large car, so measure it first before commiting.

13-15 mpg is about the norm, with 18-20 on a run.

They are not keen on sitting around waiting to be used, so ensure you have a good battery and zero battery drain issues that can plague the L322.

I am one of Range Rovers biggest fans and even I have a spare car for those times when she throws a hissy for what seems like no reason!

The drive is awesome, they look awesome and the ride comfort is awesome....just ensure you can live with their faults.

And remeber the Golden Rule...... Never ever buy a Range Rover with a fault no matter how small it appears unless you fully appreciTe the costs, time, frustration and heartache it can potential take.

Is there any year L322 that is most unreliable? I had an 03 plate V8 which went back to the garage 5 times in the first month of ownership - only minor things that the garage failed to sort properly from the start (windscreen wipers loose, LPG guage, coolant leak etc) although nothing major I lost patience and confidence in the car and garage - wish I stuck at it because the car was the most comfortable, nicest to drive I've ever had. I'm looking to return to Range Rover ownership but don't want the td6 so its either another V8 which I love or the tdv8.

I will learn to live with niggles as its truely a great car with real road presence.

had my l322 a fair few years now & tbh still puts a smile on my face everytime I take her out (a bit like the wife ) .imo not as bad as people make out just avoid the ones that have been in idiot/wanna be gangsta hands.yes they have a expensive keep but imo worth it

Is yours a td6 or V8?

AdriaanB said:

As we're both total petrol heads, we're more than happy to put up with things like poor fuel economy, high road tax, consumables etc, if that repays us with a fun vehicle to own

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You don't fit in well with the Islington set do you !!

wil2813 said:

had my l322 a fair few years now & tbh still puts a smile on my face everytime I take her out (a bit like the wife ) .imo not as bad as people make out just avoid the ones that have been in idiot/wanna be gangsta hands.yes they have a expensive keep but imo worth it

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+1 had mine 3 years now, as long as you look after it it will look after you but you can't run it on a budget good look.

busakaz said:

+1 had mine 3 years now, as long as you look after it it will look after you but you can't run it on a budget good look.

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+ 1
Applies to every RR made. Many 'new' owners learn this the hard way.

chawks said:

Is yours a td6 or V8?

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v8 of course keep your dervs they do nothing for me

Echo the comments above. I think what you require is a BMW X5. I prefer the Jag though!

Why not a P38 there are less electrics to go wrong and the spares are cheaper

Or if you are of the Islington 'set' a carbon neutral unicycle knitted from organically sourced peruvian yak hair

ukadamwest said:

Or if you are of the Islington 'set' a carbon neutral unicycle knitted from organically sourced peruvian yak hair

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Can't use Peruvian Yak anymore due to some Nancy bobblehat wearing Meatus licker describes them as a species of importance....we have successfully been knitting eco-friendly Tuna loving unicycles from a sustainable source of molted cat hair for the last 18 months....

Good characterisation of the 'Islington set' there Driving my TVR Chimaera (with a tuned 5.0 V8) past Planet Organic with lots of burbling, popping and banging always raises a few eyebrows Also, I once bought a bicycle but it has been kept stored since I've bought our first car

The Jag is truly a great vehicle and has been extremely reliable, a great driving experience every time we go somewhere. Unfortunately its boot shape and inability to tow 3 ton trailers off muddy fields makes us explore a change of car.

Interesting comment on the X5 - was that a serious suggestion Grrrrr? Not being cynical here, but very curious if these cars are more reliable than an L322. I'm not overly fond of X5s (and read many comments about its apparently harsh ride) but they might have a benefit if they're not money pits. Probably not the best off roader but with a decent set of tyres (not those flat 22" units) and 4 wheel drive it should be able to do something off tarmac?

Re. the P38 - indeed cheaper parts but if I'm correct it's not the most reliable car out there?

AdriaanB said:

Re. the P38 - indeed cheaper parts but if I'm correct it's not the most reliable car out there?

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Oh Tish !!!

In 4 years and 30k on the blue P38 the failures to date.. waterpump, O2 senso. Viscous fan thats about it.

in 5 years on the silver one and 20k. alternator and a MAF sensor.

Yes the airbags were tired on both, and when they started to show signs of failure, all 4 were changed. valve block overhauled. never given a problem..

The X5 will probably be bad for towing 3 tonnes over a muddy field.. those wide tyres will not be exactly beneficial// the X5 is a road car that can do very mild off roading.. NCP car parks,

Both our P38's are V8 with LPG and i tow regularly, a 750kg trailer with a range rover on it is nothing to it. Never driven a diesel one but will be good for towing having low down torque. A p38 like anything mechanical will need maintenance but it is an off road car with great towing capabaility. The EAS makes towing a breeze.

The early L322's were an X5 in a posh frock....

The wife has the X5 M Sport, its a harsh ride and eats a set of tyres a year...she likes it though and that's worth a fortune in peace and quiet. Personally I would of bought a RR Sport.

doriz said:

The wife has the X5 M Sport, its a harsh ride and eats a set of tyres a year...she likes it though and that's worth a fortune in peace and quiet. Personally I would of bought a RR Sport.

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Thought about a trade in for a younger model ?

AdriaanB said:

Good characterisation of the 'Islington set' there Driving my TVR Chimaera (with a tuned 5.0 V8) past Planet Organic with lots of burbling, popping and banging always raises a few eyebrows Also, I once bought a bicycle but it has been kept stored since I've bought our first car

The Jag is truly a great vehicle and has been extremely reliable, a great driving experience every time we go somewhere. Unfortunately its boot shape and inability to tow 3 ton trailers off muddy fields makes us explore a change of car.

Interesting comment on the X5 - was that a serious suggestion Grrrrr? Not being cynical here, but very curious if these cars are more reliable than an L322. I'm not overly fond of X5s (and read many comments about its apparently harsh ride) but they might have a benefit if they're not money pits. Probably not the best off roader but with a decent set of tyres (not those flat 22" units) and 4 wheel drive it should be able to do something off tarmac?

Re. the P38 - indeed cheaper parts but if I'm correct it's not the most reliable car out there?

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BMW X5. Yes, I was serious. You said reliability was the most important thing and you didn't have time to work on it.

My cousin has an X5. I'm not sure about serious off-roading but we've had it up muddy and snowy hills in Derbyshire with no issues in winter. He uses it to tow trailers all the time with caravans, diggers and other plant. And when I say towing I mean 300 miles and more of road with mud at each end constructing golf courses / race courses and the like. It only has air-suspension at the back to keep the rear happy under load and when towing IIRC but its ride was OK across fields and OK on the road. I prefer my P38 but I have to admit he has had no issues whereas I've had quite a few weekends under mine. That said, mine is over 10 years older so what do you expect from a 20 year old car?

Always test drive several cars before buying. That way you know how it is supposed to feel. Allows you to compare too. Finding a second-hand car is like a second job for a while. That said, I bought the Rangie on my way home from work one night on a whim. Stopped to have a go and ended up buying it with no further looking or research. So, be warned! Rangies are like heroin and cost about the same to run.