Thirsty Discovery and Z4 thread
Discussion
Hi folks. I'm planning to dip my toe in the LR waters with an L322 petrol (probably a 4.4 at my budget of £8k).
I'm not expecting to buy a perfect car, but as an LR layman I'd prefer to go in with my eyes open if I can.
Does anyone know of a specialist (or individual) who offers a PPI service for cars of this age, with a slight bias towards Southern and Eastern England? (obviously I'd expect to cover any travel costs)
I think I have a good independent garage identified near to me who will be able to maintain the thing, but they don't tend to offer a PPI service on older cars.
I'm not looking for a fully warrantied/insured style of inspection, but more of a general condition report that would indicate where I'm likely to need to spend money in the near future (and to corroborate any seller claims).
Of course the option exists to buy from a dealer and take straight to a specialist for inspection, and use the Consumer Rights protection in place to remedy any major faults I'd missed. But I felt like a bit of up-front expense could potentially save a lot of post-purchase hassle.
Any advice appreciated.
I'm not expecting to buy a perfect car, but as an LR layman I'd prefer to go in with my eyes open if I can.
Does anyone know of a specialist (or individual) who offers a PPI service for cars of this age, with a slight bias towards Southern and Eastern England? (obviously I'd expect to cover any travel costs)
I think I have a good independent garage identified near to me who will be able to maintain the thing, but they don't tend to offer a PPI service on older cars.
I'm not looking for a fully warrantied/insured style of inspection, but more of a general condition report that would indicate where I'm likely to need to spend money in the near future (and to corroborate any seller claims).
Of course the option exists to buy from a dealer and take straight to a specialist for inspection, and use the Consumer Rights protection in place to remedy any major faults I'd missed. But I felt like a bit of up-front expense could potentially save a lot of post-purchase hassle.
Any advice appreciated.
So, after all that, can anyone actually help me find someone to do a PPI on a petrol L322? 
(But seriously, it wouldn't be PH if every post on the thread wasn't completely off-topic and telling me to buy something else)
I'm going to look at a privately listed 2005 4.2 this evening, which sounds promising apart from the small issue of current drain...
I'm also looking at a few 2007-on facelift petrol Cayennes, as prices have tumbled back towards pre-covid levels. Even though they aren't as big or as cosseting as an L322, conventional wisdom seems to suggest they are a bit more robust and reliable.
(But seriously, it wouldn't be PH if every post on the thread wasn't completely off-topic and telling me to buy something else)
I'm going to look at a privately listed 2005 4.2 this evening, which sounds promising apart from the small issue of current drain...
I'm also looking at a few 2007-on facelift petrol Cayennes, as prices have tumbled back towards pre-covid levels. Even though they aren't as big or as cosseting as an L322, conventional wisdom seems to suggest they are a bit more robust and reliable.
Carbon Sasquatch said:
Why not ? Much better than the 3.6 - or are you advising sticking to petrol ?
There's a very comprehensive buyers guide here - https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/post189410.html#18...
Hadn't spotted that on my travels. Mega helpful. Thank you!There's a very comprehensive buyers guide here - https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/post189410.html#18...
bolidemichael said:
Hello C70R, this is my thread on the £3,600 AJV8 FFRR. We love it.
Even though this is 2nd/3rd car, you're far braver than I. camel_landy said:
Zerosumgame said:
Current drain will almost certainly be the FSR - which is a c.£30 part and an hour max to change on your drive.
It can also be something as simple as a corroded micro-switch on one of the doors, preventing the ECU from going to 'sleep'.M
A.J.M said:
Your budget is in that strange bracket of a lot of overpriced rubbish mixed in with good cars. It’s sorting the wheat from the chaff that’s the issue.
Couldn't have put it better.I decided on the budget specifically because I'd prefer a car with a Jag engine but without the full interior facelift and electric handbrake (one more thing to go wrong...). It seemed like the sweet spot, and in the current climate I'm keen not to push past the point of diminishing returns.
If this were a 'toy' that I was keeping for a long time, I'd be happy to blow the budget. But this needs to be a dependable workhorse that I can use while we gently renovate the house we've bought.
Maybe the L322 isn't the answer?
For those asking the question about diesel, it's a nonstarter - I need a ULEZ compliant car.
Edited by C70R on Wednesday 15th June 07:52
camel_landy said:
C70R said:
There seem to be more Range Rover Sports in my price bracket, which is a more logical and direct comparison to the Cayenne.
Am I more or less likely to get a good Sport at my budget?
It's the same as before but a different set of potential issues. I'd direct you back at A.J.M.'s statement regarding trying to maintain these things on a budget.Am I more or less likely to get a good Sport at my budget?
M
BlackStang5point0 said:
Just to chip in here personally I'd try and join some L322 forums / fb groups and see whats for sale as chances are you will be buying off an enthusiast that may have addressed all the usual issues and / or will be able to demonstrate a load of preventative maint has been carried out. Buying one off some random private punter / used car dealer is asking for trouble IMHO.
I have done, and have posted Wanted ads in 4 different groups. Plenty of people offering me diesels or cars with BMW engines. Not a single decent car offered so far...camel_landy said:
classicaholic said:
Carbon Sasquatch said:
C70R said:
So I'm basically panning for gold no matter which model I choose?
Yep - I'm sure a Porsche of similar vintage will be similar.There are some good ones about - diesel, 50% over budget, colours/body kit a bit marmite but - https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic63684.html
(Not sure on the ULEZ status of the 4.4 TDV8)
M
Carbon Sasquatch said:
C70R said:
It looks at least like upping my budget by 1k increases the number of Sports quite significantly, whereas that's not true of L322s...
The Sport was launched in 2005. The L322 was face lifted 06/07 - so there may be a step in price for face lifted cars that doesn't apply to the Sport - maybe ??Tuscan Wil said:
Hi OP
I used AA to inspect mine, they give decent enough report for your negotiation or making your decision. The Engineer will also call you to talk you through once he/ she finished the inspection. Just make sure you are available to answer the phone near the time.
You can get a discount if you are already an AA member and they cover most of the country and save me the hassle for finding one local to the car, otherwise you add on the cost of the inspection for their time travelling and expense.
I hadn't even considered The AA. That's really helpful, thank you. I used AA to inspect mine, they give decent enough report for your negotiation or making your decision. The Engineer will also call you to talk you through once he/ she finished the inspection. Just make sure you are available to answer the phone near the time.
You can get a discount if you are already an AA member and they cover most of the country and save me the hassle for finding one local to the car, otherwise you add on the cost of the inspection for their time travelling and expense.
Was their knowledge about the specific model in-depth enough to be useful? Did they highlight any RR-specific areas or issues?
ETA - I just tried the website and when it came to input the registration it returned "I'm sorry, we don't inspect that model of vehicle" for L322, L320 and Cayenne. That was why I'd discounted them initially.
Edited by C70R on Wednesday 15th June 12:12
Tuscan Wil said:
C70R said:
I hadn't even considered The AA. That's really helpful, thank you.
Was their knowledge about the specific model in-depth enough to be useful? Did they highlight any RR-specific areas or issues?
ETA - I just tried the website and when it came to input the registration it returned "I'm sorry, we don't inspect that model of vehicle" for L322, L320 and Cayenne. That was why I'd discounted them initially.
That is strange. They just did mine about two months ago!?!? Mine was a 2012 model Westminster. I wonder if it is to do with the age of the vehicles. I recalled they stated in the web saying they don't do any classic cars or performance cars. But then again how do they define a classic car or a peformance car?Was their knowledge about the specific model in-depth enough to be useful? Did they highlight any RR-specific areas or issues?
ETA - I just tried the website and when it came to input the registration it returned "I'm sorry, we don't inspect that model of vehicle" for L322, L320 and Cayenne. That was why I'd discounted them initially.
Edited by C70R on Wednesday 15th June 12:12
They certainly did't take anything apart to inspect any specific components, but they did have a good poke in the engine bay and underneath pointed out a few things that you can't see unless you know what you are looking at or the vehicle is on the ramp. They have a traffic light system. Mine have three red items which the dealer have sorted out . There were a few amber items, the dealer said they were not flagged up as advisory in a less-than-a-month-old MOT, so refuse to do them. But they did upgrade and extend the warranty to 12 months, instead of six originally, as a good will. It was a good price compared to others on the Auto trader.
Of course they will have all the usual caveats in the report, so it depends on what you intend to achieve. I personally think it is useful for bargaining and to give you a good idea of the vehicles over the shining and glossy bits. If you want to know any specific things of the specific models, the specialist will be a better route I guess? After my research, if the turbo or the trans box give up in a 64K TDV8, then it will just be my tough luck, but then who will put their neck on the block saying your car will be trouble free for the next xxxxx miles? All the amber items in the report were the normal wear and tear for the Rangie, which I can live with and just budget to it for my next service.
Another day, another rubbish L322 for sale.
It looked promising, and a call to the dealer seemed to reinforce the condition that the photos were showing. The listing was limited and the car was top of my budget, but stated "full service history". When I asked him to send detailed photos of the rear arches and the last couple of pages of the service book, there was suddenly a "mistake" in the listing. It had no service history.
This is painful.
It looked promising, and a call to the dealer seemed to reinforce the condition that the photos were showing. The listing was limited and the car was top of my budget, but stated "full service history". When I asked him to send detailed photos of the rear arches and the last couple of pages of the service book, there was suddenly a "mistake" in the listing. It had no service history.
This is painful.
bakerstreet said:
C70R said:
There seem to be more Range Rover Sports in my price bracket, which is a more logical and direct comparison to the Cayenne.
Am I more or less likely to get a good Sport at my budget?
The RRS is very much the baby of the group if you compare if you D3/4, L322 and L405 and I suspect even the P38 will feel bigger inside than a Sport. Also there is much less of a sense of occasion in a Sport compared to even an early shabby L322. Am I more or less likely to get a good Sport at my budget?
The early 2.7s are gutless IMO and are one of those cars that errr towards needing a remap rather than just wanting it. All the usual LR issues.
Gearboxes. Torque converters fail at £1400 all in and rebuilt 6Sp box is £3.5k. Later 8Sp car is better
Suspension arms
Air Compressor, air tank, valvle blocks, but the air bags are quite robust
Sills rotting out and its all hidden behind the arch liners
EGRs/glowplugs can cause issues too and on 3.0s you can't delete and map them out either.
3.0 is much more powerful, but be prepared to shell out £7k if the crank snaps on the 3.0 engine. They have a very poor reputation.
Interior in black is super drab imo and beige interior cars do sell better IME. Also of that era, I think the Sport interior was the worst from LR.
Boot on the sport is small compared to L322 and D3/4 and its no where near as practical as the D3/4 and that is why its cheaper. Seats don't fold flat either and that was a no no for me.
However, I am now looking at Sports as they are good value compared to
bakerstreet said:
C70R said:
Another day, another rubbish L322 for sale.
It looked promising, and a call to the dealer seemed to reinforce the condition that the photos were showing. The listing was limited and the car was top of my budget, but stated "full service history". When I asked him to send detailed photos of the rear arches and the last couple of pages of the service book, there was suddenly a "mistake" in the listing. It had no service history.
This is painful.
Thats just dealing with car traders in general. Not really L322 or LR specific. It looked promising, and a call to the dealer seemed to reinforce the condition that the photos were showing. The listing was limited and the car was top of my budget, but stated "full service history". When I asked him to send detailed photos of the rear arches and the last couple of pages of the service book, there was suddenly a "mistake" in the listing. It had no service history.
This is painful.
In spite of the above, I might have found a car at the other end of the country. Service history is 'lost', but the dealer has given me the name of the garage that maintained it. Once I've gotten a satisfactory response from them, I'm going to book an inspection via the RAC.
If that comes back ok, then I'm going to have it shipped straight to Overland Vehicle Services in Norfolk for a mega service (inc. transmission fluids etc.). They can give me a second assessment of the condition before they start, which should hopefully give me the peace of mind that I need.
If that comes back ok, then I'm going to have it shipped straight to Overland Vehicle Services in Norfolk for a mega service (inc. transmission fluids etc.). They can give me a second assessment of the condition before they start, which should hopefully give me the peace of mind that I need.
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