Should I buy this L322 ??
Discussion
The issue with the 5.0 S/C (up until 2014 or something) is the timing chain guides that can break.
As with the M96 Porsche engine (you should know best, ATM) there is a big debate about the percentages of failure. It sure is not 100%!
I heard if you catch it the right time, i.e. when the engine starts rattling, it is a £4-5k job to fit new uprated metal chain guides.
If the guides fail ultimately and the pistons make contact with the valves, I don't know what the cost will be.
Having had a B6 Audi S4 with exactly the same potential timing chain guides issue, and now a 997.1 C2, an engine that grenades itself due tue IMS and bore scoring (or so the internet tells me), it would somehow dull for me not buy a problematic 5.0 V8 S/C
As with the M96 Porsche engine (you should know best, ATM) there is a big debate about the percentages of failure. It sure is not 100%!
I heard if you catch it the right time, i.e. when the engine starts rattling, it is a £4-5k job to fit new uprated metal chain guides.
If the guides fail ultimately and the pistons make contact with the valves, I don't know what the cost will be.
Having had a B6 Audi S4 with exactly the same potential timing chain guides issue, and now a 997.1 C2, an engine that grenades itself due tue IMS and bore scoring (or so the internet tells me), it would somehow dull for me not buy a problematic 5.0 V8 S/C
Mr. Jimmy said:
5. 80 percent,(honestly),of problems are caused by duff batteries or poor charging.
This, so much this. Or a drain causing the voltage to drop overnight. If the car detects a drop, it won't even try to start when you turn the key and every computer onboard will shout at you. Too smart for their own good.Art0ir said:
Mr. Jimmy said:
5. 80 percent,(honestly),of problems are caused by duff batteries or poor charging.
This, so much this. Or a drain causing the voltage to drop overnight. If the car detects a drop, it won't even try to start when you turn the key and every computer onboard will shout at you. Too smart for their own good.I owned both a L322 and later a L405 with the 5.0 Supercharged engine.
Never had a problem save for ones my L322 didn't start and I had to put a new battery in.
Both cars had deployable sidesteps, never had a single problem, worked perfectly fine in both cars.
I wouldn't have a Range Rover without them, very convenient for older people or small kids.
Compared to the TDV8's I used to own, the Supercharged engine runs so much smoother, much more immediate and linear response with no lag.
I would not go back to Diesel.
Never had a problem save for ones my L322 didn't start and I had to put a new battery in.
Both cars had deployable sidesteps, never had a single problem, worked perfectly fine in both cars.
I wouldn't have a Range Rover without them, very convenient for older people or small kids.
Compared to the TDV8's I used to own, the Supercharged engine runs so much smoother, much more immediate and linear response with no lag.
I would not go back to Diesel.
It's me again !!! (the guy who simply doesn't get a damn L322 bought 
)
Well, the whole buying process turns out to be really difficult ....
My other cars before, where always the first ones I have driven, that I bought in the end:
I know that it doesn't help, that no one in the family wants one. I also have decided to keep the Mini for the moment being, so to keep the OH happy and so she doesn't have to drive the hopefully coming soon L322
Now for a short update: I went to view and drive the 2010 5.0 Autobiography I have posted earlier.
I really liked the interior and the car itself. It drove beautifully and the only point on the car I could find where the following:
Now the big gap in service history worries me a little, but the car drove really nice and I still could see me buying it. I'd change all the oils and filters (including transmission) anyway.
I want let him dangle a bit and stick to my offer from last Saturday.
But I don't really like doing business with somebody who tried to pull it on me and misrepresents the car in the advert.
But in the meantime there was an other car popping up (only yesterday infact) that caught my eyes:
It's a 2007 4.2 SC with virtually identical miles as the 2010 5.0 Autobio, but at an advertised £9k considerably cheaper.
I have just come back from viewing it and arranged a test drive tomorrow. The driver seat is heavily worn, but with no tears.
Nothing one couldn't repair with liquid leather from colourlock.
The car was rising a bit slowly compared to other ones, but I'm not afraid of changing an air compressor if must be.
What really drew my attention, is a fully stamped service book from the local main JLR dealer (Emil Frey) with not a single one missed. And that the car has only one former owner, a highly decorated medical doctor, born in 1946. Amazing what the internet tells you within seconds
Infact I have just spoken with him on the telephone, and he traded it in for a "small Discovery", because it was getting to big and he doesn't have the horses anymore to ferry along.
Well, now let's see what the test drives throws up! Wish me luck!!
)Well, the whole buying process turns out to be really difficult ....
My other cars before, where always the first ones I have driven, that I bought in the end:
- Lupo GTI? Bought the first Lupo I have ever sat in.
- Audi S4? First S4 I have driven myself, or indeed viewed.
- Volvo C30? Test drive off one, ordered a different engined one the same day.
- Porsche 997? Test drove a few 996, bought the first 997 I went viewing.
- F56 Mini Cooper S? Bought the test car (with 15 miles on the clock) on the spot. Never have been in an F56 before,
I know that it doesn't help, that no one in the family wants one. I also have decided to keep the Mini for the moment being, so to keep the OH happy and so she doesn't have to drive the hopefully coming soon L322
Now for a short update: I went to view and drive the 2010 5.0 Autobiography I have posted earlier.
I really liked the interior and the car itself. It drove beautifully and the only point on the car I could find where the following:
- Front left (smashed) and left wing camera (looking ok) of the surround view didn't work
- driver interior light was flickering
- "weak battery" warning on the display (the two former point could well bee linked to that)
- the interior needs a little going over with fresh colourlock paint, especially the drivers seat.
- the full service history (!) went only until 2014 @ 65k miles and from there on has only one stamp from a backdoor garage in 2018 @ 88k miles (so the car has done less than 1k miles in the past 15 monts)
- the car is on sale for the past 4 months, but while i was waiting for the keys, the seller phones rang with someone wanting to buy this car immediately. Also he only spoke about "the Range Rover" despite having 2 different ones. When he hung up, he told me the phone was going crazy for this very car.
yeah right ....
Now the big gap in service history worries me a little, but the car drove really nice and I still could see me buying it. I'd change all the oils and filters (including transmission) anyway.
I want let him dangle a bit and stick to my offer from last Saturday.
But I don't really like doing business with somebody who tried to pull it on me and misrepresents the car in the advert.
But in the meantime there was an other car popping up (only yesterday infact) that caught my eyes:
It's a 2007 4.2 SC with virtually identical miles as the 2010 5.0 Autobio, but at an advertised £9k considerably cheaper.
I have just come back from viewing it and arranged a test drive tomorrow. The driver seat is heavily worn, but with no tears.
Nothing one couldn't repair with liquid leather from colourlock.
The car was rising a bit slowly compared to other ones, but I'm not afraid of changing an air compressor if must be.
What really drew my attention, is a fully stamped service book from the local main JLR dealer (Emil Frey) with not a single one missed. And that the car has only one former owner, a highly decorated medical doctor, born in 1946. Amazing what the internet tells you within seconds
Infact I have just spoken with him on the telephone, and he traded it in for a "small Discovery", because it was getting to big and he doesn't have the horses anymore to ferry along.
Well, now let's see what the test drives throws up! Wish me luck!!
Thanks for the comments so far!
From what I read on here (an FFRR.com, etc.) it seems the 4.2 SC is the sensible choice buying an old L322
I'm eager to see how well it drives! From what I have read, it should be adequate.
I could always do the 6% or 10% pulley upgrade, should I feel the need for it!
Having driven the 3.6 TDV8; 4.4 TDV8 and the 5.0 SC, this 4.2 SC is the only "modern era" L322 (i.e. >'07) I have yet to drive.
From what I read on here (an FFRR.com, etc.) it seems the 4.2 SC is the sensible choice buying an old L322
I'm eager to see how well it drives! From what I have read, it should be adequate.
I could always do the 6% or 10% pulley upgrade, should I feel the need for it!
Having driven the 3.6 TDV8; 4.4 TDV8 and the 5.0 SC, this 4.2 SC is the only "modern era" L322 (i.e. >'07) I have yet to drive.
Follow up:
I didn't buy the 4.2 SC
In short, the car was properly shagged.
The air compressor was weak; the air struts leaking; brakes (discs and pads, rear and front) are shot; tires are down to just above legal limit; bodywork and interior more worn than I realized yesterday. I wasn't even interested in haggling the price. (the seller wanted to sell and was more than willing to come down with the price)
I wouldn't mind buying a car that needs some TLC either from a mechanical standpoint, or bodywork/interior. But not both together and to that extent.
I fully realize that you get what you pay for, but one is still on the lookout for the bargain of the century
The engine was smooth and pulled strong. Performance was adequate, although noticeably slower than the 5.0 SC unit.
Also I realized that I'm really after a MY10 model with the updated interior. The changes are small, but the car feels much younger!
So the hunt continuous!
late 2009-2012
3.6/4.4 TDV8 or 5.0 SC
no privacy glas
no black interior
preferably dark blue/green
preferably autobiography with leather ceiling (I'm a sucker for extended cow skin)
budget £15k (for the right car in perfect condition max. £20k)
I didn't buy the 4.2 SC
In short, the car was properly shagged.
The air compressor was weak; the air struts leaking; brakes (discs and pads, rear and front) are shot; tires are down to just above legal limit; bodywork and interior more worn than I realized yesterday. I wasn't even interested in haggling the price. (the seller wanted to sell and was more than willing to come down with the price)
I wouldn't mind buying a car that needs some TLC either from a mechanical standpoint, or bodywork/interior. But not both together and to that extent.
I fully realize that you get what you pay for, but one is still on the lookout for the bargain of the century
The engine was smooth and pulled strong. Performance was adequate, although noticeably slower than the 5.0 SC unit.
Also I realized that I'm really after a MY10 model with the updated interior. The changes are small, but the car feels much younger!
So the hunt continuous!
late 2009-2012
3.6/4.4 TDV8 or 5.0 SC
no privacy glas
no black interior
preferably dark blue/green
preferably autobiography with leather ceiling (I'm a sucker for extended cow skin
)budget £15k (for the right car in perfect condition max. £20k)
Ok, now I have gone completely crazy.... I have set my eyes on yet another Range Rover:
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/9MnaOfyc[/url
It meets my requirements of no tints, and preferably green, oh and no diesel
She's a late 1993 with 160k miles on the clock.... But look at her .... This beauty could be mine for about £11.5k
I know it's completely bonkers, but how bad would this be as an L322 alternative ???
Having a classic car (a '67 Volvo 1800 S, also in green btw) I know the associated running costs....
Is there anybody out there driving one of these regularly??
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/9MnaOfyc[/urlIt meets my requirements of no tints, and preferably green, oh and no diesel
She's a late 1993 with 160k miles on the clock.... But look at her .... This beauty could be mine for about £11.5k
I know it's completely bonkers, but how bad would this be as an L322 alternative ???
Having a classic car (a '67 Volvo 1800 S, also in green btw) I know the associated running costs....
Is there anybody out there driving one of these regularly??
Filibuster said:
Having a classic car (a '67 Volvo 1800 S, also in green btw) I know the associated running costs....
Is there anybody out there driving one of these regularly??
Looks just like my old Classic! I've owned both this and an L322 and whilst the L322 was faster, quieter, better built and more economical, it's the Classic I miss the most and want to own again.Is there anybody out there driving one of these regularly??
As to bills, maybe I was lucky but my Classic gave me three and a half years of reliable motoring. It never let me down, never failed to start and never troubled the breakdown services. The biggest bills i had were £400 for two air springs (just after I bought it - I didn't recognise the signs that they were knackered!) and a few hundred for a transmission oil cooler after a stone flew up into it on the motorway. Obviously there was silly stuff like the driver's door handle snapping off in my hand one day, the passenger door lock that kept locking itself and the stereo which would occasionally fall silent for a few minutes, plus there was always a switch that sometimes didn't work, or a bit of trim that fell off, or a mysterious water leak but that was part of its charm. Servicing at a local independent specialist was reasonable and parts are plentiful and sometimes astonishingly cheap (apart from the dash surround if it's a soft dash...). In fact, the only real downside was 14mpg, which dropped to 9mpg when the vacuum advance hose split!
I'd have another one like a shot.
classicaholic said:
I believe the AA drive them around a lot!
Genuine LOL ! 
Deranged Rover said:
Looks just like my old Classic! I've owned both this and an L322 and whilst the L322 was faster, quieter, better built and more economical, it's the Classic I miss the most and want to own again.
As to bills, maybe I was lucky but my Classic gave me three and a half years of reliable motoring. It never let me down, never failed to start and never troubled the breakdown services. The biggest bills i had were £400 for two air springs (just after I bought it - I didn't recognise the signs that they were knackered!) and a few hundred for a transmission oil cooler after a stone flew up into it on the motorway. Obviously there was silly stuff like the driver's door handle snapping off in my hand one day, the passenger door lock that kept locking itself and the stereo which would occasionally fall silent for a few minutes, plus there was always a switch that sometimes didn't work, or a bit of trim that fell off, or a mysterious water leak but that was part of its charm. Servicing at a local independent specialist was reasonable and parts are plentiful and sometimes astonishingly cheap (apart from the dash surround if it's a soft dash...). In fact, the only real downside was 14mpg, which dropped to 9mpg when the vacuum advance hose split!
I'd have another one like a shot.
Thanks for your insight!As to bills, maybe I was lucky but my Classic gave me three and a half years of reliable motoring. It never let me down, never failed to start and never troubled the breakdown services. The biggest bills i had were £400 for two air springs (just after I bought it - I didn't recognise the signs that they were knackered!) and a few hundred for a transmission oil cooler after a stone flew up into it on the motorway. Obviously there was silly stuff like the driver's door handle snapping off in my hand one day, the passenger door lock that kept locking itself and the stereo which would occasionally fall silent for a few minutes, plus there was always a switch that sometimes didn't work, or a bit of trim that fell off, or a mysterious water leak but that was part of its charm. Servicing at a local independent specialist was reasonable and parts are plentiful and sometimes astonishingly cheap (apart from the dash surround if it's a soft dash...). In fact, the only real downside was 14mpg, which dropped to 9mpg when the vacuum advance hose split!
I'd have another one like a shot.
Sounds good! I fully understand that this is in no way a feasible alternative to a much newer L322, but I urgently have to scratch that Range Rover itch
As always, Harry Metcalfe has a great video on these old beasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJeCMcVIdZo
David Beer said:
That’s a LSE ? I had one before the p 38, looking now to replace my 60 th defender convertible. In the UK not many LSE.
Not yet being too familiar with the Range Rover Classic, what trim level is an LSE? I suppose above SE? Do you happen to have more info on this? BTW the car is in Switzerland, as I am.
Also I just realized why I have subconsciously been looking for classic Rangies: I have just seen "Hunt for Red October" for the gazillionst. time just the other day. Seeing Alec Baldwin being brought to Heathrow in a classic Range Rover must have triggered something
Filibuster said:
Not yet being too familiar with the Range Rover Classic, what trim level is an LSE? I suppose above SE?
Do you happen to have more info on this? BTW the car is in Switzerland, as I am.
Also I just realized why I have subconsciously been looking for classic Rangies: I have just seen "Hunt for Red October" for the gazillionst. time just the other day. Seeing Alec Baldwin being brought to Heathrow in a classic Range Rover must have triggered something
LSE is the long wheelbase, its huge space for the rear passengers, you can not touch the front seats with your feet. Do you happen to have more info on this? BTW the car is in Switzerland, as I am.
Also I just realized why I have subconsciously been looking for classic Rangies: I have just seen "Hunt for Red October" for the gazillionst. time just the other day. Seeing Alec Baldwin being brought to Heathrow in a classic Range Rover must have triggered something
I had a SE, LSE, P38, two defenders, still got the 60th convertable. The LSE were popular in the US and the Middle East.
You have me now looking for a LSE, i will report back !
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff