My own brave pill L320 4.2SC
My own brave pill L320 4.2SC
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Decky_Q

Original Poster:

1,949 posts

200 months

Tuesday 4th November 2025
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After a a prolapsed disc in my back I had difficulty driving our land rover evoque manual, 10minutes or so and I would have back pain that only got worse the longer I had to sit there.

Started looking for an auto and considered lots of sensible diesel stuff, until I saw a 4.2SC Range rover sport in budget.

I'm in NI and the car was in rural Wales. MOT history check wasn't great, lots of advisories at every test, but no fails for anything scarier than tires/bulbs. I contacted the owner who was waiting on someone to view the car before he considered a long distance buyer who hadn't seen the car, fair enough.

I get a message on Halloween night that if I can get there for Sunday he'll meet me at the ferry terminal in Holyhead. Ferry booked return and off I went. Nice guy, car was a little rough but crucially no issues, fresh MOT and not much rust underneath, so bought without haggling a penny lol



Had a spin around rural wales,the V8 sounds great with a supercharger whine, arm rests have taken alot of weight off my back and auto gearbox was smooth.



Ferry home was uneventful thankfully, and only fault so far is front parking sensors that I can sort easily enough myself.

It was specced with everything black, even optional black brembos instead of red, it's debadged, and has lots of options added for the rear passengers, heated perforated analine seats, audio pack etc.
The MOT history made sense when I looked through the paperwork, Range rover dealership so advisories were probably trying to drum up extra work. New supercharger 3 years ago done at the dealership, and seemingly quite alot of money spent on maintenance (is this good or bad I dont know yet!). No mention of chain tensioners but engine sounds quiet at idle. Got 16.4mpg on the motorway home, radar cc makes driving with duff leg even easier.

Loving it. Getting it up on my friends lift tonight to poke around a bit more and consider waxoyl type stuff to keep it clean.

sinbaddio

2,769 posts

199 months

Tuesday 4th November 2025
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Great car OP, I hope it treats you well.

Jhonno

6,430 posts

164 months

Tuesday 4th November 2025
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Good luck!

ChocolateFrog

34,954 posts

196 months

Tuesday 4th November 2025
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I would say that's about as brave as it gets this side of a Bentley.

Congratulations and I hope you good luck with it.

Decky_Q

Original Poster:

1,949 posts

200 months

Tuesday 4th November 2025
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Got it up on the lift today and lots of new parts visible, belts and pulleys were obviously done when the supercharger was changed, new suspension arms so bushes and ball joints are good, 2 new genuine headlights, new battery, all fluids look fresh and the right colour. and confirmed its virtually rust and leak free, I bagged a good one with nothing needing done for now.

I've never been in a bookies but I do like a gamble. Seems I've done well this time, £3500 for a keeper quality car smile

Shuff4

218 posts

110 months

Tuesday 4th November 2025
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I like it, well done Sir.

Decky_Q

Original Poster:

1,949 posts

200 months

Thursday 5th March
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It's been 4 months now and no issues whatsoever. The interior was black on black so changed some of the trims for silver to lighten it up a bit.



The drivers arm rest leather was worn so £22 on ebay for 2 new covers, and 20mins later both like new.



With the bad weather we had deep flooding on the roads around our house. River had burst its banks and was flowing down the roads. The RR had no issues at all. And then the snow came! Having 2 4x4s wasnt so daft now.


Decky_Q

Original Poster:

1,949 posts

200 months

Thursday 5th March
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I am averaging 13.5mpg which works out at 225 miles per 100l of petrol. I had expected it to be similar to my 5.0 s class that had 18-21mpg but no luck. Will double check for air leaks and change plugs at the next service to see if it helps.




_Rodders_

777 posts

42 months

Thursday 5th March
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That economy is truly eye-watering.

Marginally (and I mean very marginally) better than what we got out of a US Motorhome with the Ford 7.3 V8 last year.

Edit. As that would have been US gallons the FFRR is actually worse hehe

Heroic effort.

Edited by _Rodders_ on Friday 6th March 20:21

Frimley111R

18,390 posts

257 months

Thursday 5th March
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And people complain about the range of an EV!

Decky_Q

Original Poster:

1,949 posts

200 months

Yesterday (07:58)
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Iran fuel crisis might make this a hard one to swallow!

Hereward

4,901 posts

253 months

Yesterday (08:11)
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Decky_Q said:
I am averaging 13.5mpg which works out at 225 miles per 100l of petrol...
Crikey! My 5-litre Supercharged does about 19mpg.

With the Iran war pricing it may be cheaper to take a taxi everywhere hehe

Decky_Q

Original Poster:

1,949 posts

200 months

Yesterday (09:09)
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I posted my mpg to see if any other owners would post their experience to see if this is just expected or is there something amiss. I will have to investigate!

Hereward

4,901 posts

253 months

Yesterday (14:10)
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I did read that the 4.2 SC is thirstier than the 5.0 SC. Quite a big difference, though.

Nigel_O

3,589 posts

242 months

Yesterday (17:13)
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Quick check on Fuelly suggests that 13.5mpg is at the lowest end of the range (as in lowest mpg, not lowest consumption…)

Other owners appear to be getting 15.5 - 16.5, which is almost 20% better, but still bloody scary as unleaded heads towards £1.50 a litre…