Classic or L322?

rangie1998 · Jul 7, 2016

This might seem an odd question as the two cars are worlds apart. I already have a 92 RRC Tdi, which is currently off the road having some welding done.
I'm thinking of either a nice restored soft dash V8 auto, which are around for about £8k, or a V8 L322 at the same price.
Probably only want to keep it a couple of years, and intend to use for trips out, like touring the Yorkshire dales.
Which would you go for? Old versus new!

robhew86 · Jul 7, 2016

Difficult question!

Personally if I was ging to use it, I'd go for the L322. Much more modern nicer to drive.

However, WHEN (not if) it breaks (and let's face it, both of them will!) the classic will be easier and cheaper to fix.

The L322 will depreciate, the Classic may appreciate.

Whichever you go for, enjoy!

pete1987RRC · Jul 7, 2016

Classic

The l322 will cost a fortune to maintain which is why I bought an xc90

rangie1998 · Jul 7, 2016

Interesting replies, I like my old 200 Tdi but would like something a bit nicer for days out.
I saw this L322 on eBay, so much car for the money and very tempting. Surely they can't all go wrong!!?
Item No. 152143135129
My dad has a 98 4.0 P38, had it 12 years but they just don't do it for me.

Saint.V8 · Jul 7, 2016

rangie1998 said:
Interesting replies, I like my old 200 Tdi but would like something a bit nicer for days out.
I saw this L322 on eBay, so much car for the money and very tempting. Surely they can't all go wrong!!?
Item No. 152143135129
My dad has a 98 4.0 P38, had it 12 years but they just don't do it for me.

No 100% keen on his 'description' .... chiefly the endless list of sound system installed....he lists all the different types for the different vehicle models....the 11 speaker HSE, the lower end SE, the DSP set up, Harmon Kardon and the Logik 7....so which one is it!??

bitnix · Jul 7, 2016

If you get it it, make sure you break as many things in it throughout the 6 months warranty haha. That will give you a head start before the maintenance bills will come knocking.

rangie1998 · Jul 7, 2016

I guess it depends how good the warranty is....I might be cynical but with 108k on the clock I can see the response. "That's classed as wear and tear Sir".
Classic might be looking more tempting. The prices are high for the right ones and I don't think this will last forever.
I have an old Volvo s60 as a daily car but that's just 'transportation'. Thing doesn't go wrong so no excuse to get rid!
Just fancy something nice for days out, has to be a RR really. Saint.V8 I see you have a 740i, I sold my 730i 1994 M last year, was the same colour. Fantastic car, I bought it from its original owner, only done 90k. Paid just over a grand and sold it for the same 3 years later. Maybe I should have kept it!

paul58 · Jul 7, 2016

I think you answered your own question,they are worlds apart,personally i would go for a well sorted classic,less hassle.

Saint.V8 · Jul 7, 2016

rangie1998 said:
I guess it depends how good the warranty is....I might be cynical but with 108k on the clock I can see the response. "That's classed as wear and tear Sir".
Classic might be looking more tempting. The prices are high for the right ones and I don't think this will last forever.
I have an old Volvo s60 as a daily car but that's just 'transportation'. Thing doesn't go wrong so no excuse to get rid!
Just fancy something nice for days out, has to be a RR really. Saint.V8 I see you have a 740i, I sold my 730i 1994 M last year, was the same colour. Fantastic car, I bought it from its original owner, only done 90k. Paid just over a grand and sold it for the same 3 years later. Maybe I should have kept it!

Yes, that is my 5th or 6th 7'er and my 4th E38 variant.

I have a massive soft spot for an E38, this is my second 740, and have had 2x 735 E38's previously......I just love them.

The current one will have to go I think.....I love it and with the 4.4 M62 (the slightly older non-Vanos version the M62B44 as opposed to the post 99 M62TUB44) it is 'fun' to drive, but I only drive it a few times a month, and I still have to pay for insurance, tax and etc for it to just sit at the side of the road.....which is £65 I would prefer in my back pocket rather than spending it on a car that goes nowhere.

Drove it on Tuesday evening to run a few errands, and it is stonkingly quick and always makes me smile...the looks of it are stunning (albeit she is getting on 19 years old and done 205k miles - runs sweet as though) but I really can't afford to keep 3 cars (the L322, the 110 and the Bimmer) and whilst the Bimmer is fast, comfortable, got air can and is a dream to drive.....I can't live without a Green Oval as a daily driver, so it will have to go!

rangie1998 · Jul 7, 2016

It's really the same reason I sold my E38, hardly used it. Went on holiday to Scotland with it 2 years ago, performed faultlessly and returned 30mpg. Problem was it just isn't a 'Range 'Rover'! The car was mint, the original owner always had it serviced/repaired at the main dealer where he bought it from. There were service bills for over £16k over a period of about 10 years, with a very recent one for a new BMW fuel tank and fitting at £2.5k!!
I miss it but with a car like that it has to be used...

rangie1998 · Jul 7, 2016

Maybe I'm missing a trick in that I'm not considering a P38....much cheaper, no real rust issues, some nice late ones out there. My dads is a 98 4.0 SE in green with lightstone leather. Only done 73k miles and full main dealer history, not many left like this but he isn't selling it, I probably will buy it when the time comes as I'll get it cheap and it's been in the family so long.
Just always thought the P38 didn't have the same appeal as the classic, something missing but I'm probably wrong...

Gmacz · Jul 7, 2016

P38 is a marmite car, you like it or not, marmite is really horrible.
Get a good classic, look good, rare on the road, drive is very nice, cheap spares and classic insurance.
L322 complicated, expensive parts and repairs but looks good and there are plenty around every bend on the road.
Both will make you smile, p38 will drive you mad.

norseman · Jul 7, 2016

It depends on what you want to use it for, the older models have much less performance that the newer one's but I'd go for a well sorted Classic

the early V8 efi's are a good bet with the 3.5 being pretty bullet-proof. Steer clear of LPG (if you can't afford the fuel bills stick to a euro-box) - get a good one, if you can find it & treat it to a professional Dinatrol/Waxoyl treatment, unless that's been done within the last couple of years - look after it & you'll get your money back at resale time. None of LR's products are ever 100pc reliable but have you seen the repair prices for the modern stuff (?) & then of course there's the depreciation - which means it's ''a lot of motor for the money guv'' but often you are then buying into someone else's realisation of the true cost of ownership & the skimped servicing as a result.

wil2813 · Jul 7, 2016

just sold my 93 tdi classic,had my l322 getting on 6 years now & wont part with it ,bought me a late p38 vogue now for dotting around in lets face it they are all nice imo just personal pref i suppose

Soriano51 · Jul 7, 2016

Classic. Find a good (reasonably) rust free example for the right money, look after it and you won't lose. Interestingly the classic car magazine Octane tipped the P38 as one of their 10 cars to buy this year. Reason being that good Classics becoming hard to find with pricing to match.

rangie1998 · Jul 7, 2016

Looks like I should buy my dads when he finishes with it, in 12 years it's been one of the most reliable cars he's had, that's why he's kept it so long!

rangie1998 · Jul 7, 2016

Some photos of past and present. Blue one is currently having light restoration...just need to finish it. Sold the 1971 2 door about 6 years ago. K reg one was my friends and the P38 is my dads. Also my 730i which I sold last year.

Saint.V8 · Jul 7, 2016

Time for a show and tell.....

I think I have further pictures of my 1993 3.9 Classic and the DSE at work (I think as I can't find them on my hard drive at home!)

One of my previous E38 7'ers....a 735 with the M62TUB35 engine....on LPG and was a really nice motor

My first Range Rover, an '88 3.5EFi Classic...loved that car, until rust become the end!

My current daily driver....a 1991 110 Defender with a 300Tdi.....nice car, I am quite smitten considering I am a Range Rover fanatic!

My previous daily driver, now the girlfriend drives it after we sold her Ninety pick up!

One of my other P38's and my old E38

The L322 and the P38 together in the yard at work

The girlfriends Ninety Truck Cab....sold it and that caused some tears...she adored that little fun bucket.....but it was impractical with a 2 year old!

The L322 and the current E38 7'er the 1997 740

My first Classic and my First P38 sitting together

My first P38....a 1995 4.6 HSE

The current 740

Thrown in for fun....my old Twin Turbo Supra with the girlfriend old Mini Flame in the background

My Second P38.....a 1997 4.6 HSE

One of my first 7'ers....an E32 730....my first 7'er was an E23 735!!!

I'll have to see if I can dig out pictures of my DSE which was in Appalachian Green Mica Metallic....quite rare and I believe from some of the history I managed to dig out...was one of 6/7 made for the 1999 Wimbledon Champs....the reg was something like VXXX LOB and the colour was chosen to represent the colour of the Wimbledon grass!!

Also pictures of my '93 Classic......only have a few of those I think...and not sure where so will look later!

rangie1998 · Jul 7, 2016

Some nice cars there, like the wheels on the 740i. I have a '88 RRC 3.5 Efi in the garage but it's just a parts car, rust is too far gone for it to be a viable restoration.

rangie1998 · Jul 8, 2016

Been looking at adverts for late P38 4.6 Vogue, some nice cars but prices vary a lot. Anything from £1,500 to £7,000. The L322 is starting around £5,000 for a good V8, to me why would someone be spending say £3,500 to £5,000 on a P38 when for a little bit more you can have a L322?
Couple of questions, sure they've been asked before...sorry!
Is the L322 a lot more costly to run than the P38?
Is the BMW 4.4 a good engine? Better than a Thor 4.6?

Classic or L322?

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