L322 Range Rover - Cheapest ever?
Discussion
I'm back on here a lot sooner than I thought. I have recently posted this, some details about my E39 Touring.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A couple of days later, and again, after a few drinks, I saw myself looking for a new family run about. I'm in the process of trying to exchange on a period property, so why not get a country motor to match!
After pretending to be handy with a spanner with the E39, why not crank it up to 11 with a Range Rover?
A few days ago, I picked up this... A 2003 Range Rover L322 TD6 HSE. This cost £3,500, not bad!
Why did I like it? I liked the lack of modifications. So, so many of these have newer grilles and side fins and whatever from a later model. I hate this! It is a 2003 car, let it look like it did from the factory. I'm a tall person, so big cars make life easier for me (also without a sunroof helps). The car also has plenty of room for the children and the child seats.
£3,500 seems like not a lot for a RR. This is true, but it is on 206,000 miles. However, the engine and gearbox are wonderful! The gearbox was (apparently) replaced with an upgraded unit at around 120k, and with how it shifts, I don't doubt it.
Being a bit of a BMW lover, this car is right up my street. From the M57 3.0 24V turbo diesel BMW engine, to the rad cap and bleed valve, or the malfunctioning MID on the dash, this really is a BMW underneath. That means... it needs some maintenance straight away!
I have changed all nine odd litres of oil and changed a blown side light bulb. All good going so far.
So what is left? What could do with some fiddling... Being honest, the list is as follows:
Two barges now on the drive. Final piece of the puzzle, is a track car.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A couple of days later, and again, after a few drinks, I saw myself looking for a new family run about. I'm in the process of trying to exchange on a period property, so why not get a country motor to match!
After pretending to be handy with a spanner with the E39, why not crank it up to 11 with a Range Rover?
A few days ago, I picked up this... A 2003 Range Rover L322 TD6 HSE. This cost £3,500, not bad!
Why did I like it? I liked the lack of modifications. So, so many of these have newer grilles and side fins and whatever from a later model. I hate this! It is a 2003 car, let it look like it did from the factory. I'm a tall person, so big cars make life easier for me (also without a sunroof helps). The car also has plenty of room for the children and the child seats.
£3,500 seems like not a lot for a RR. This is true, but it is on 206,000 miles. However, the engine and gearbox are wonderful! The gearbox was (apparently) replaced with an upgraded unit at around 120k, and with how it shifts, I don't doubt it.
Being a bit of a BMW lover, this car is right up my street. From the M57 3.0 24V turbo diesel BMW engine, to the rad cap and bleed valve, or the malfunctioning MID on the dash, this really is a BMW underneath. That means... it needs some maintenance straight away!
I have changed all nine odd litres of oil and changed a blown side light bulb. All good going so far.
So what is left? What could do with some fiddling... Being honest, the list is as follows:
- Front wheel bearing grumbling - booked in for tomorrow at a local garage
- MID and speedo LCDs failing - < £100 DIY
- Air compressor inactive warning - ~£20 DIY for replacement compressor piston ring
- Glue or similar on centre console key tray - £60 second hand part for whole centre console replacement
- Offside wing mirror surround missing - £20 odd quid on eBay
- Rust to tailgate and rear arches - not sure on this one, probably not to be sorted for a while
- Rear wiper rusted to buggery and not working properly - £50 for blade and arm, DIY replacement
- Electric steering column only goes up and down - £xxx too much, need to find cheaper way to fix this
- Headlight wipers inoperative - not sure if MoT requirement due to xenon lights, will look into this
- Some of the 11 speakers not working - dodgy connection or second hand amplifier required. Will do for now, though.
Two barges now on the drive. Final piece of the puzzle, is a track car.
- note - cheapest ever RR L322, probably not far off! Certainly one that works and that isn't a CAT C/D! Although if you know of cheaper, do post!
Hello everyone.
There aren't any headlight washers on the early ones, only wipers. It looks like it has failed an MoT in the past on them not working, so I am a little confused. We shall see, the MoT is a while off yet.
I did question the wheels, but having found a scanned brochure online, it looks like they were optional alloy wheels from new (18").
Definitely not expecting it to be easy, but hoping it is DIYable. It doesn't seem all that complicated... so far!
The steering column makes a weird noise when trying to make it move in and out, so something has come adrift. Lower dash might have to come off to look.
She's at the garage having the wheel bearing noise looked at. Will be nice to get the car back and see how quiet she is supposed to be at speed. The engine, when driving round town, is surprisingly intrusive. However, I am used to the M54 quietness in the E39.
Anyone with any tips or advice (other than running a mile!), please let me know. Nearest car I've had is a 2nd generation Lexus RX300, which isn't all that close, although did have air suspension (and the worst MPG V6 going).
There aren't any headlight washers on the early ones, only wipers. It looks like it has failed an MoT in the past on them not working, so I am a little confused. We shall see, the MoT is a while off yet.
I did question the wheels, but having found a scanned brochure online, it looks like they were optional alloy wheels from new (18").
Definitely not expecting it to be easy, but hoping it is DIYable. It doesn't seem all that complicated... so far!
The steering column makes a weird noise when trying to make it move in and out, so something has come adrift. Lower dash might have to come off to look.
She's at the garage having the wheel bearing noise looked at. Will be nice to get the car back and see how quiet she is supposed to be at speed. The engine, when driving round town, is surprisingly intrusive. However, I am used to the M54 quietness in the E39.
Anyone with any tips or advice (other than running a mile!), please let me know. Nearest car I've had is a 2nd generation Lexus RX300, which isn't all that close, although did have air suspension (and the worst MPG V6 going).
spookly said:
With the rusty tailgate, make sure you at least brush the rust back and put some rust treatment on it. Then just dust over with a lacquer until you're ready to fix it properly. Once the tin worm takes hold it seems to go through the panels very quickly.
I think this one is past it. The upper tailgate at least. Metal has split into laminar sheets, for lack of a better description. A shame, as that and the left tail light are the only things that let the looks down majorly. TooMany2cvs said:
MJ85 said:
There aren't any headlight washers on the early ones, only wipers. It looks like it has failed an MoT in the past on them not working, so I am a little confused. We shall see, the MoT is a while off yet.
It should be a fail.Tester's manual said:
1.7 Headlamps
Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;
Reason for Rejection : 1.7.2 headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;
Reason for Rejection : 1.7.2 headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.
bungz said:
Best of luck with this.
Without fail every time one of these comes up on here for cheap there is a huge to do list, but I guess that's half the fun.
Sounds like the gearing if the motor can be heard in the column, that's got to be fixable?
Cheers! Yeah, definitely works in some capacity. Without fail every time one of these comes up on here for cheap there is a huge to do list, but I guess that's half the fun.
Sounds like the gearing if the motor can be heard in the column, that's got to be fixable?
markw996 said:
I replaced my rear wiper arm too, but also be aware that the rear washer fluid is piped through the motor / wiper gearbox housing and is prone to leaking and rusting up the wiper motor. I cleaned mine out and fitted an aftermarket seal.
It does have headlamp washers, they are built into the wiper arm caps. If they're not working then suspect the pump. There are 3 identical pumps (that do the headlamp washers, front screen & rear screen) so you can swap them around to aid fault diagnosis.
As you can probably tell, I have spent a lot of time DIY fixing my 2003 L322 over the last 6 years of ownership!
Ah! So they are low pressure water as they have a wiper? One of the caps is missing for a start! Something to look into, cheers.It does have headlamp washers, they are built into the wiper arm caps. If they're not working then suspect the pump. There are 3 identical pumps (that do the headlamp washers, front screen & rear screen) so you can swap them around to aid fault diagnosis.
As you can probably tell, I have spent a lot of time DIY fixing my 2003 L322 over the last 6 years of ownership!
markw996 said:
Steering column fault will be a broken piece of white plastic, the part is available for under a fiver but a b
d to fit.
Did mine about 5 years ago hence memory sketchy.
Oh and about removing the lower dash.... not possible I'm afraid so I hope you have small hands!
Edit, have a look here: http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/steering/...
Nice one, cheers.d to fit.Did mine about 5 years ago hence memory sketchy.
Oh and about removing the lower dash.... not possible I'm afraid so I hope you have small hands!
Edit, have a look here: http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/steering/...
Edited by markw996 on Thursday 17th November 08:52
Jimmy Recard said:
Dr G said:
Sounds like you've got a good handle on things; 3500 quid really isn't a lot of money for that much car (and potential).
Are the wheels original? They look a tiny bit odd to my eye.
The headlamp wipers are not an MOT requirement with xenons but the washers and levelling must work (where fitted).
Yep, the wheels are correct. Optional on an HSE I think and not that common.Are the wheels original? They look a tiny bit odd to my eye.
The headlamp wipers are not an MOT requirement with xenons but the washers and levelling must work (where fitted).
Looks great op. I've got first refusal on my mate's similar 02 plate V8 Vogue if he ever sells it!
http://accessories.landrover.com/gb/en/range-rover...
EarlOfHazard said:
I bought a 2002 3.0 TD L322 for 2k from a friend (an old guy I used to work with). He was and is a Land Rover nut - and still has a Defender and Series 2.
The Rangie had been sat for months and had dropped on its suspension. Also, water had gotten in to the back and fluoded the pump and caused staining on the rear plastic. So the example I bought was more a project than the lovely one you've bought.
I sent it straight to a Land Rover specialist, who fitted a new pump and also a control unit that tell it when to put air in the airbags. But the car wasn't talking to the system, so it stayed on the ground.
I phoned the garage up and said to remove the bits, I'd sell it as a project; but was nicely informed that it was working!!
Hurrah, I mention that I'd keep it - to which he strongly advised me to sell it. So I sold to a trader for 4k, netting about 600 quid profit after the repair bill.
Engine and gearbox were fine though...
Subsequently, I caught the Land Rover bug and bought a Series 3.
Very interesting! Any pics? Would be interested to see.The Rangie had been sat for months and had dropped on its suspension. Also, water had gotten in to the back and fluoded the pump and caused staining on the rear plastic. So the example I bought was more a project than the lovely one you've bought.
I sent it straight to a Land Rover specialist, who fitted a new pump and also a control unit that tell it when to put air in the airbags. But the car wasn't talking to the system, so it stayed on the ground.
I phoned the garage up and said to remove the bits, I'd sell it as a project; but was nicely informed that it was working!!
Hurrah, I mention that I'd keep it - to which he strongly advised me to sell it. So I sold to a trader for 4k, netting about 600 quid profit after the repair bill.
Engine and gearbox were fine though...
Subsequently, I caught the Land Rover bug and bought a Series 3.
Time for an update.
BMW key anyone? One of the RR keys didn't work. A £1 battery has made the second key work; excellent.
The suspected wheel bearing...wasn't. Lower front arm bushes were knackered, causing premature wear to the tyres. 4 new road tyres and new arms later, all is well. Driving much, much better.
Now that the important bits are done, the smaller, annoying bits, can be sorted out over the next few months. Exciting!
BMW key anyone? One of the RR keys didn't work. A £1 battery has made the second key work; excellent.
The suspected wheel bearing...wasn't. Lower front arm bushes were knackered, causing premature wear to the tyres. 4 new road tyres and new arms later, all is well. Driving much, much better.
Now that the important bits are done, the smaller, annoying bits, can be sorted out over the next few months. Exciting!
Edited by MJ85 on Friday 18th November 11:45
I thought I'd post a small update.
The L322 has very much made itself at home. We are in the process of moving, and its space and comfort have been great. My wife has mentioned that she'd struggle to want to go back to a normal car now... whoops.
Anyway, most of the niggles remain for now, but will be sorted in my new garage/workshop at the new house. I have just had the front brake pads changed, including a wear sensor, for £108 inc. VAT at my favourite local garage. Not too bad.
Farm shot..
With the E39.
The car has given a couple of 400 mile tanks, although the MPG, when calculated, isn't that amazing as the tank is large. Many say the TD6 is under-powered (174 BHP and 2,550 kg or 68 bhp/tonne), but neither of use have had a problem with it, and we both dislike overly slow cars. So far, so good. Another update soonish, I'm sure.
The L322 has very much made itself at home. We are in the process of moving, and its space and comfort have been great. My wife has mentioned that she'd struggle to want to go back to a normal car now... whoops.
Anyway, most of the niggles remain for now, but will be sorted in my new garage/workshop at the new house. I have just had the front brake pads changed, including a wear sensor, for £108 inc. VAT at my favourite local garage. Not too bad.
Farm shot..
With the E39.
The car has given a couple of 400 mile tanks, although the MPG, when calculated, isn't that amazing as the tank is large. Many say the TD6 is under-powered (174 BHP and 2,550 kg or 68 bhp/tonne), but neither of use have had a problem with it, and we both dislike overly slow cars. So far, so good. Another update soonish, I'm sure.
UPDATE
What can I say, it has been a bit of ride with the ol' L322.
Hit a pheasant in January, wiping out the nearside wing mirror. Unfortunately, these mirrors are electric, electric folding, auto dimming with puddle light. A pattern part if £550! It isn't even body coloured. £250 later, an eBay second hand unit had been sourced.
I also set about fixing the rear wiper. These are a weak spot and fail regularly. £50 for a new blade and arm was required as the previous one was seized. As mentioned, the washer jet goes through the motor and that was leaking. I tried a known cheap repair on it, but after "fixing it" the motor failed completely! Not sure what I did, but a new, genuine motor was sourced at £150.
On heavy cornering on right hand bends, the ABS/DSC lights were coming on and speedo was dropping out. Anyone who has had a BMW might know what this is (N/S/R ABS sensor). I booked in and had it diagnosed. Booked in again to get her fixed. On the way to the garage, BIG PROBLEM!
Total loss of steering control, with the wheels pointing in different directions, a failure somewhere! Very dangerous, and good job it happened around town and not on a country lane. I haven't got any pictures right now as my phone has failed, but I'm sure I can recover them soon.
After having the car recovered at great hassle by a company that recovers lorries (due to its weight), we could assess what had failed. The front subframe had rusted through, with the mount to the control arm completely coming away. OH DEAR!
Excuse the horrible work phone pictures.
I've sourced a decent second hand subframe for £285, but removing it has turned into a real problem, plus other issues picked up by the damage and removal (xenon headlight level arm, track rod, driveshaft ABS ring etc. etc.). Total cost of this issue is probably going to be approaching £1,500 - bad news.
I will update when the car is finished, but she'd better drive like new!! ;-)
What can I say, it has been a bit of ride with the ol' L322.
Hit a pheasant in January, wiping out the nearside wing mirror. Unfortunately, these mirrors are electric, electric folding, auto dimming with puddle light. A pattern part if £550! It isn't even body coloured. £250 later, an eBay second hand unit had been sourced.
I also set about fixing the rear wiper. These are a weak spot and fail regularly. £50 for a new blade and arm was required as the previous one was seized. As mentioned, the washer jet goes through the motor and that was leaking. I tried a known cheap repair on it, but after "fixing it" the motor failed completely! Not sure what I did, but a new, genuine motor was sourced at £150.
On heavy cornering on right hand bends, the ABS/DSC lights were coming on and speedo was dropping out. Anyone who has had a BMW might know what this is (N/S/R ABS sensor). I booked in and had it diagnosed. Booked in again to get her fixed. On the way to the garage, BIG PROBLEM!
Total loss of steering control, with the wheels pointing in different directions, a failure somewhere! Very dangerous, and good job it happened around town and not on a country lane. I haven't got any pictures right now as my phone has failed, but I'm sure I can recover them soon.
After having the car recovered at great hassle by a company that recovers lorries (due to its weight), we could assess what had failed. The front subframe had rusted through, with the mount to the control arm completely coming away. OH DEAR!
Excuse the horrible work phone pictures.
I've sourced a decent second hand subframe for £285, but removing it has turned into a real problem, plus other issues picked up by the damage and removal (xenon headlight level arm, track rod, driveshaft ABS ring etc. etc.). Total cost of this issue is probably going to be approaching £1,500 - bad news.
I will update when the car is finished, but she'd better drive like new!! ;-)
Jimmy Recard said:
Bloody hell!
I'd been thinking about looking for a cheap L322, I'm glad to be aware of that subframe rust! I will definitely be looking out for that
It is less than ideal! In my case, I believe it was a combination of it being a Scottish car (as in, salted roads) and a high miler. I don't believe this is common at all, but worth a look!I'd been thinking about looking for a cheap L322, I'm glad to be aware of that subframe rust! I will definitely be looking out for that
The car had just come back from the school run, which is a 60 MPH rutted road with ditches either side. Lucky, really.
It is a big shame, because other than a bunch of electrical niggles, she felt strong. I've got a full service kit ready as a treat for when she returns (oil, filter, fuel filter, air filter, pollen filter, revised crankcase vent filter), so hoping for some easy mileage.
I work the older cars against a theoretical £300 a month for a newer car. For me to be happy, average cars need to easily beat this, and cars like the RR need to match it. This figure won't be equalised for a while!!
It is a big shame, because other than a bunch of electrical niggles, she felt strong. I've got a full service kit ready as a treat for when she returns (oil, filter, fuel filter, air filter, pollen filter, revised crankcase vent filter), so hoping for some easy mileage.
I work the older cars against a theoretical £300 a month for a newer car. For me to be happy, average cars need to easily beat this, and cars like the RR need to match it. This figure won't be equalised for a while!!
helix402 said:
Re the updated breather filter, I take it you're replacing the "loo roll" one? I replaced the loo roll one on my 330d M57 (same engine) with a non BMW Vortex filter. This made the car smoke on heavy throttle. I replaced it with a genuine BMW loo roll type, no smoke.
Cheers, will try it and check it out! If not, loo roll it is!It is time to get this up to date.
Here is a picture of the true extent of the subframe issue. Quite shocking.
The car originally went in for an ABS sensor. The final bill was somewhat more involved!
The garage finished with the car, but the suspension wasn't working. This isn't ideal!
I knew the compressor piston would be knackered, so I replaced that.
After this, it required the fault codes clearing. I used a BMW piece of kit I had that allowed the air suspension DTCs to be cleared. A normal code reader won't do anything with these; read or clear. The car was now usable!
Spare wheel was removed for this, so good idea to clean her up. Like new!
Showing the 18 inch wheel against my Clio track car
Seeing as she was finally ready to be used again, time for some servicing! Oil...
Fuel filter
Air filter
Needed a change
Crankcase vent (old). Replaced with vortex type (seems fine, no smoke as mentioned previously may be an issue!)
And here she is, sitting proud!
What's next?
LCD fixes, amplifier refurb, cosmetic stuff... the list goes on!
Here is a picture of the true extent of the subframe issue. Quite shocking.
The car originally went in for an ABS sensor. The final bill was somewhat more involved!
The garage finished with the car, but the suspension wasn't working. This isn't ideal!
I knew the compressor piston would be knackered, so I replaced that.
After this, it required the fault codes clearing. I used a BMW piece of kit I had that allowed the air suspension DTCs to be cleared. A normal code reader won't do anything with these; read or clear. The car was now usable!
Spare wheel was removed for this, so good idea to clean her up. Like new!
Showing the 18 inch wheel against my Clio track car
Seeing as she was finally ready to be used again, time for some servicing! Oil...
Fuel filter
Air filter
Needed a change
Crankcase vent (old). Replaced with vortex type (seems fine, no smoke as mentioned previously may be an issue!)
And here she is, sitting proud!
What's next?
LCD fixes, amplifier refurb, cosmetic stuff... the list goes on!
Jimmy Recard said:
I think I'll be doing a compressor rebuild in the next week or two - is it as easy as the forums say?
Yeah, it is just a few bolts and a little bit of fiddling. I left it connected and did it whilst sat in the boot. 2 x 10 mm socket/spanner, torx bit and not a lot else. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff