Seeking L322 advice

Seeking L322 advice

Author
Discussion

Old Skool

Original Poster:

96 posts

164 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
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Hi guys

This forum is not my usual territory so be kind...

Am looking to replace my daily driver with a FFRR. Wife is complaining about the current IS200 being too uncomfortable and spending a lot of recent time on the motorways has made me want a more comfortable cruiser with more luggage space.

Always loved RRs and was thinking of buying a new Sport in a couple of years. However for the meantime I thought I'd try a proper one to get used to the size and upgrade early from the current rep mobile. I might then sell on in 2 years.

Budget is around 17/18k and for that id really want 08 onwards, black with a light interior. Not a fan of the woods so piano black would be preferred but not a deal breaker. Likewise tinted glass and side steps - could always have these added later.

Originally started looking at 3.6TDV8 but am now getting seriously tempted by the 4.2SCV8.... I know the mpg is ridiculous but I love V8s. Having a AMV8 already though makes me think I might be being silly since I already scratch that itch. For the DD should I really go for diesel? Then again I would like *some* performance...

So was just looking for some advice really:

Am I silly to consider a Supercharged considering I'm based in Central London (although do 150 mile motorway runs at least twice a month)?

Do the high mileage ones suffer? I'm currently looking at both diesel and petrol examples at 80k+miles. Recipe for disaster?

Would you rather go for a later 2009 model @ 100k miles or a 2007 example @ 55k miles? Both available circa 18k.

Any other advice for a inexperienced newbie?

Any and all comments welcome

Best,
OS

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

227 months

Tuesday 5th August 2014
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I've owned a number of petrol SC L322s now. They've all been great. More reliable than you might imagine, and always an event. Fuel consumption is pretty tedious but I weigh that against the saving on purchase price, and the fact it makes a decent noice (4.2 better than 5.0 in this respect). The 5.0 is also LOL quick.

DKL

4,491 posts

222 months

Sunday 10th August 2014
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Have a good read here
www.fullfatrr.co.uk

Simes110

768 posts

151 months

Monday 11th August 2014
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I've owned a 4.2 SC for over a year now and drive a 75 mile round-trip into London and back each weekday.

I doubt you'd find a better car this side of a Bentley for sheer ambience, comfort, capability, isolation and enjoyment.

They're quick when you want them to be, immensely cosseting when needed, practical and just so enjoyable to own and drive.

The 4.2 growls and burbles nicely. Nothing heavy, but just enough to let you know it's there.

I get over 20mpg on my daily commute.

Mine has had a supercharger pulley upgrade done. Worth every penny for massively improved low-end response.

Buy one!

Piersman2

6,598 posts

199 months

Monday 11th August 2014
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^^^ I would agree with every word here.

I do a 40 mile trip into and then out of London everyday in my TDV8. Everything said above is true of the TDV8 but it returns 26mpg. smile

The TDV8 is more than fast enough for daily M4 / London traffic and floats along at 100mph all day. I doubt it sounds as nice as the petrols mind , but the V8 diesel is by no means an unpleasant noise especially once you're moving.

L322s rock! I replaced my Jag XJR with this one and haven't once regretted it. Love it. smile

OtherBusiness

839 posts

142 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
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Had a 4.4 V8 FFRR (Westminster) for 6 weeks now. Love it too!

Edited by OtherBusiness on Tuesday 12th August 18:20

Old Skool

Original Poster:

96 posts

164 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks very much for the replies guys. Just by way of quick update...

I have been persuaded (boo) to stick with a diesel for the time being so I think TDV8 it is for me now especially considering that there doesn't seem to be much of a discount on the petrol versions to justify the increased running costs.

However after making the mistake of looking at '10 models, the budget has shot up dramatically from 17/18 to around the 30k mark to try and get into (what looks to me) as a much nicer model both inside and out (mainly inside).

Am eyeing up an autobiography model as well which I wouldn't pay extra for but this is around the right sort of price. It also has the rare reclining rear seats option which seems intriguing... As an aside, I was quite shocked to see how much it would costs to replace the wooden panel parts with (say) a piano black version - looks to be circa £1000 to replace those things and another £500 for the steering wheel if I end up with one that has wooden inserts (which I really don't like). Ouch.

Any views on the 2010 models/rear reclining seats/swapping out dash trim most welcome!

Will keep you updated but moving closer to sorting one by the end of the week in Dark blue with ivory. Yum.

OS

Walter Sobchak

5,723 posts

224 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
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If you're looking at a 2010 or newer L322, try and get the 4.4 TDV8 over the 3.6, not that the 3.6 is a bad engine, it's really good but the 4.4 is just slightly better and has the newer 8 speed gearbox, a little more economical too.

Simes110

768 posts

151 months

Wednesday 13th August 2014
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The 'piano look' can be had very cheaply if you remove the parts and spray / lacquer them yourself. Fiddly, time consuming, but very cost effective and looks great.

Alternatively, you could get a set from a company called PowerfulUK, based in Swindon.

http://www.powerfuluk.com/categorylist/range-rover...

Or you could get yours repainted by a professional company.

Or you might be able to find a set on eBay.



Old Skool

Original Poster:

96 posts

164 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
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So an update.

Bit the bullet and am now the extremely happy owner of a 2010 3.6 TDV8 Autobiography in Buckingham Blue.

Did think about stretching for a 4.4 but considering I was way over my budget anyway and all the extras i was getting in this Autobiography (rear DVDs/Rear recline seats etc) I bit the bullet and am very very pleased i did.

Car still feels like a bit of a truck in terms of size but is SO comfortable and motorway journeys are a breeze. It has more than enough pull for what i need and although the lag can be a bit LOL at times it is all quite good fun. I have to say although one may instinctively think the opposite, the state of London roads is so appalling that I can see why so many people here have them and why it is in fact such a good car to have in London. It soaks up all the imperfections, the never-ending speed bumps are far more comfortable to traverse, the inside is a nice place to wait out the jams and with the cameras even the width restrictors are easy enough to handle.

I have also grown to really like the cherry wood interior and so wont be changing those pieces. I need to add some tints and steps and then it is complete in my eyes.

Very happy with the car - thanks to you all for your responses.

Only minor gremlin at the minute is that the ipod connector/lead does not seem to be working and will not recognise my iphone so will need to get that looked at. In addition, the USB port seems only to work intermittently, just barely charging my phone. The other day the car also randomly locked itself into valet mode for a few hours which was disconcerting. Given the electrical gremlins and the fact its had a few mikes I am tempted to get it assessed and then purchase an extended warranty since a local service centre isn't too far away from me.

Anyway thanks again for your comments and helpful responses. One very happy owner here!

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

227 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
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Presumably the Ipod connector is in the centre console box? Try one of these for bluetooth music without the trouble of actually having to connect a cable!

http://www.viseeostore.com/products/viseeo-tune2ai...

EdJ

1,286 posts

195 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
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My ipod connector doesn't seem to work all the time. It's a LR official part and was fitted by the dealer, but whilst there's a switch to toggle between the CD changer and ipod, it's never really worked reliably.

Glad you like the wood and have decided not to change. I've got the piano black in mine, but always thought the wood looked nicer!

One thought about tints, the after market ones never look anything like as good as the factory ones. I have factory, but if I could remove the tints, I would to make the car look less like a limo.

Likewise, the step, unless you really need it (and you can easily lower the suspension when parking if you or passengers struggle to get in) I'd go without. It looks so much cleaner without in my opinion. Each to their own though!

Piersman2

6,598 posts

199 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
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^ Or go for the deployable steps, best of both worlds.

Guess what mine's got? :smug face:

smile


Walter Sobchak

5,723 posts

224 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
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Sounds a lovely car, glad you're enjoying it!!.

AuthurDaley

566 posts

207 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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Rocksteadyeddie said:
I've owned a number of petrol SC L322s now. They've all been great. More reliable than you might imagine, and always an event. Fuel consumption is pretty tedious but I weigh that against the saving on purchase price, and the fact it makes a decent noice (4.2 better than 5.0 in this respect). The 5.0 is also LOL quick.
Comments like these make me look at classifieds and I am now contemplating viewing a 2007 S/C tongue out

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

227 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
AuthurDaley said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
I've owned a number of petrol SC L322s now. They've all been great. More reliable than you might imagine, and always an event. Fuel consumption is pretty tedious but I weigh that against the saving on purchase price, and the fact it makes a decent noice (4.2 better than 5.0 in this respect). The 5.0 is also LOL quick.
Comments like these make me look at classifieds and I am now contemplating viewing a 2007 S/C tongue out
You know it makes sense hehe