Range Rover L322

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Charles Banbury

Active Member
Posts
114
Location
Oxfordshire
could anyone have a look at the link below and give me some advice? This popped up and I am seeing it today. I have read extensively on buying a L322 but as a p38 owner I know that a Range Rover will never be perfect, however what big issues should I look at on this one? And, does it look like a decent deal. I am hoping to bid about 6k. Any advice?
Many thanks as ever!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201605274370287?atmobcid=soc4
 
Also, aren't the front seats wrong?
For a start it is not a TDV6...if the seller doesn't know what engine is fitted (it is bleeding obvious once you open the bonnet it is not a Vee engine!) then I would take everything else he says with a pinch of salt, and double check everything.

The biggest weakness by far on the TD6 models is the gearbox.....and it is not considered as part of a full service....at 114k miles it is at a point where the gearbox will start giving problems, the GM5LE box will eat itself in short order so make sure it has been either a) replaced (best option) or b) had the fluid and filters changed (will help).

It is the HSE model which means it will not have the Sat Nav and colour display (as can be seen in the pictures) but aslong as you are not fussed with the higher spec then that is fine.

The car looks in good condition, but check and double check everything.

I am not sure what your concern is with the seats...they look original and in good condition to me!

Makes sure:

The EAS rises and falls in good order
The Front suspension doesn't groan and creek
The Rear suspension doesn't squeak
All the buttons work and no warnings on dash
The TD6 is quite a torquey engine and should pull strongly, I was surprised how much willingness there is to pull when I drove a friends...I have the V8
The idle on the TD6 is good with minimal knocking and vibration (mostly felt with larger rims and thinner tyres) so on the fitment shown in the pics, she should idle with minimal vibration in the cab. lumpy idle could be a dribbly injector or wiring loom issue.
Check the rear quarters for water ingress, particularly the nearside corner behind the trim panel as this is where the expensive audio equipment is.
Check the spare wheel well for signs of water, as they do tend to leak and the EAS compressor is located under the spare wheel
Check for smooth gear changes, if cold, the gear changes can be a little jerky as the gearbox uses a 'warm up' strategy whereby it holds the lower gears longer to allow the fluids to warm, so when changing gear it is at a higher RPM than usual and can be a little jerky....but once warm the shifts should be silky smooth.
Go on to light throttle around 30-40mph on a slight incline and see if you can feel a cattle grid vibration.....in the V8's this is a sign the torque converter is due renewal...on the TD6 it could mean the box will not last to long!
Kick down should be swift and positive, hesitation could be fluid or filter related.

They are big complex and expensive beasts to own, so ensure you allow for this in your offer....if you cannot spanner your own repairs and will need a garage to do work for you, bills can rack up quickly. Home Diagnostics are a must on these things, even if you won't do the repair yourself.....even getting a diagnostic session done on one of these things can be expensive, so if you can do it yourself and then instruct an indy what you would like done, it can save you a bit in costs.

I would never put anyone off owning a L322 Range Rover...but I do warn people to go into ownership with eyes wide open.....and never take the sellers word for anything, they only want to sell and make money....
 
all good advice from Saint V8.

Also listen for and clonks or bangs and check the tyre wear. These are heavy vehicles and font and rear suspension will be well worn at this mileage. Any bangs or clonks and uneven tyre wear could be a sign of needing a suspension rebuild.

Check the rear arches for corrosion, can't see anything obvious in the pictures, but it is a know corrosion point
 
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