Range Rover L322

[matthews4037]

Dear all,

In July i will be buying a Range Rover MK3 (L322)
Preferably 4.2 Ltr and up
My intention is to either buy one that has been converted or........get one converted.
My questions are
1. I have been told that Performance is not affected but have to start it in Petrol Mode and then switch, is this correct
2. MPG is obviously the rationale behind this, but what can i expect from LPG?
3, Happy to receive directions on the best model on a 04/05ish plate

Hope you can assist

Martin

[schmalex]

The only petrol choice is the BMW 4.4 (unless you go for an early Supercharged with the Jag 4.2 - I think they were available on an 05 plate) - a great, smooth unit.

Make sure it's had the front prop shaft recall done

Check the adjustable steering column moves in all directions smoothly and with no noises

Make sure there are no air suspension warnings, especially when cold starting

Get a Vogue, not an HSE. An HSE specced up to Vogue spec just isn't enough

Run away if any electrical gremlins present themselves. They won't be an easy fix

Make sure the gearbox shifts without any knocks (especially when slowing and accelerating from roundabouts)

Enjoy. They are truly superb cars, but really do have a thirst for fuel. My old 4.4 return an average of about 20mpg and it was driven pretty gently, with mainly motorway driving and the occasional green lane. LPG might see a wallet equivalent of 23 - 25mpg if you're very lucky

Edited by schmalex on Wednesday 6th March 20:49

[legless]

Early L322 petrols use the 4.4 BMW M62 V8 - 280ish bhp.

2006MY onwards use the Jaguar V8 - in 400bhp 4.2 Supercharged and 300bhp 4.4 NASP flavours.

2010MY onwards use a 500bhp 5.0 Supercharged unit. The NASP wasn't sold in the UK.

[camel_landy]

If you're already concerned about the fuel costs, just you wait until you see the service bills...

IMO: LPG is a false economy. What you save at the pump, you'll loose with the extra running costs (HT leads, coil packs, spark plugs, etc...).

M

[Nick1point9]

With LPG expect to see about 80-90% of the fuel economy (i.e. higher consumption) but remember that the fuel only costs 60% of that of petrol, so fuel costs are around 2/3 of an unconverted car.

[grand cherokee]

camel_landy said:

If you're already concerned about the fuel costs, just you wait until you see the service bills...

IMO: LPG is a false economy. What you save at the pump, you'll loose with the extra running costs (HT leads, coil packs, spark plugs, etc...).

M

so true

and don't forget main dealers won't service an LPG conversion

[300bhp/ton]

grand cherokee said:

so true

and don't forget main dealers won't service an LPG conversion

Why would you be using a main dealer for servicing??? Surely you'd want to take to people who know the vehicles.

[D4MJT]

LPG wise, I've not run an L322 but I ran a P38 with an up to date sequential injection LPG system. I averaged 13-14mpg on petrol, and 10-11 usually on LPG. LPG was cheaper at 70p a litre, but it's not the saving you imagine by any means.

I'm running a 4.4 BMW M62 L322 at the moment, combined local mileage is returning 15.7mpg on petrol, not hooning, and up to 20 on a run.

However, other costs to bear in mind are tyres, even mid range yoko's are £150-200 a corner, Continentals you're looking at £1100 for a set of boots. The catalytic converters are prone to cracking at the welds, see if they've been replaced. Copy parts are £650 ish, genuine from Land Rover are over £1k.

That said, the one I'm using has 112k on the clock now, and it's been mostly trouble free, it's been in the family since 25k.

[jdw1234]

You can't use the Channel Tunnel either.

[grand cherokee]

300bhp/ton said:

Why would you be using a main dealer for servicing??? Surely you'd want to take to people who know the vehicles.

your being silly - yet again!

independents do not have access to factory support/advanced diagnostics - and some work out far more expensive than main dealers

main dealers are now keen to keep older cars serviced and have adopted a competitive pricing structure

eg you can have OEM parts or OEM equivalent

[grand cherokee]

jdw1234 said:

You can't use the Channel Tunnel either.

are you sure?

[grand cherokee]

D4MJT said:

LPG wise, I've not run an L322 but I ran a P38 with an up to date sequential injection LPG system. I averaged 13-14mpg on petrol, and 10-11 usually on LPG. LPG was cheaper at 70p a litre, but it's not the saving you imagine by any means.

I'm running a 4.4 BMW M62 L322 at the moment, combined local mileage is returning 15.7mpg on petrol, not hooning, and up to 20 on a run.

However, other costs to bear in mind are tyres, even mid range yoko's are £150-200 a corner, Continentals you're looking at £1100 for a set of boots. The catalytic converters are prone to cracking at the welds, see if they've been replaced. Copy parts are £650 ish, genuine from Land Rover are over £1k.

That said, the one I'm using has 112k on the clock now, and it's been mostly trouble free, it's been in the family since 25k.

i get about the same mpg

and just fitted 4no Conti Sport Contact 5's at £1080 (local independent tyres shop beat everyone else)

[D4MJT]

grand cherokee said:

i get about the same mpg

and just fitted 4no Conti Sport Contact 5's at £1080 (local independent tyres shop beat everyone else)

Nice deal!

I've found it's pretty reliable on the whole, but you need to be prepared for the odd bill, it's usually around £1k. Mine had a new airbag and compressor before christmas at a local indy, along with a coil pack and an oil service and plugs, just shy of £1k.

[grand cherokee]

D4MJT said:

Nice deal!

I've found it's pretty reliable on the whole, but you need to be prepared for the odd bill, it's usually around £1k. Mine had a new airbag and compressor before christmas at a local indy, along with a coil pack and an oil service and plugs, just shy of £1k.

as you say the bills can be expensive - and i speak from experience

i think that the problem today is that the L322 is now available for sub £10K - great people think but its still a £70K car to run/maintain

and not forgetting mysterious electrical gremlins!

this morning my head uint suddenly went 'dim' and then 'brightened' then flickered but retained all functions? - oh ste i thought

went to Tesco - on starting car all back to normal???

Edited by grand cherokee on Thursday 7th March 10:18

[jdw1234]

grand cherokee said:

jdw1234 said:

You can't use the Channel Tunnel either.

are you sure?

Here is my source...

http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/site-information/lpg/

That is why I wont consider one (as well as potential reliability/packaging issues).

[grand cherokee]

jdw1234 said:

Here is my source...

http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/site-information/lpg/

That is why I wont consider one (as well as potential reliability/packaging issues).

my apologies - thanks for the information

[edc]

grand cherokee said:

D4MJT said:

Nice deal!

I've found it's pretty reliable on the whole, but you need to be prepared for the odd bill, it's usually around £1k. Mine had a new airbag and compressor before christmas at a local indy, along with a coil pack and an oil service and plugs, just shy of £1k.

as you say the bills can be expensive - and i speak from experience

i think that the problem today is that the L322 is now available for sub £10K - great people think but its still a £70K car to run/maintain

and not forgetting mysterious electrical gremlins!

this morning my head uint suddenly went 'dim' and then 'brightened' then flickered but retained all functions? - oh ste i thought

went to Tesco - on starting car all back to normal???

Edited by grand cherokee on Thursday 7th March 10:18

If you really want you can get them much cheaper than £10k. Ours was £6.5k a year ago. Granted in that time it's had new front airbags, front diff rebuild and now new front brake pads. It's not run on a shoe-string budget per se but the same issues could and probably would arise on a car costing twice as much.

[matthews4037]

Blimey,

The knowledge is all there!!!

I have read with interest and inwardly took it all in
Some of the issues i was aware of, most i was not.
I am surprised at the Channel Tunnel, is that for sure?
There are as you know alot out there.
I am retiring at a good age, and with a new Coy on the Horizon it will swallow up the running costs.
Would welcome any pointers to MK 3's that you may know of (having said that, guys and girls, what about the Diesel?)
Martin

[schmalex]

The TD6 is a strong engine and with a re-map, offers 99% of the performance of the 4.4 but with much better economy. If I were considering an LPG V8, I would probably err more towards the diesel.

Gearboxes on them are reputedly a little weaker than those fitted to the petrol.

[camel_landy]

IMO - TDV8 is the only diesel worth going for.

The TD6 is nice but the TDV8 is that much better... Take one for a test drive & you'll see what I mean.

As for LPG and the Channel Tunnel... Yep.

M