dibbles

Active Member
we owned a p38 lpg in the past. it was great when it worked, but we were just waiting for the next thing to go wrong which happened quite often.
then we had a bmw x5 lpg which we had for 5 yrs and was a great car.
but its no range rover is it.
we are looking at getting a l322 2004 lpg now, but after the constant p38 problems we are a bit concerned.
how are the l322s fairing now they have a few years on them?
what should we look out for when buying?
are they a nightmare like the p38
any advice would be great
thanks
.
 
The early L322s are basically an X5 with a Range Rover body. BMW owned Range Rover up until 2005 when Jaguar took over. So if your are looking at a 2004 LPG L322 and your LPG X5 was reliable......
 
They are worlds apart from the P38 in terms of driving - they are more planted and car like....as GDM says, they are an X5 with a posh frock.

But they are still riddled with infamous Land Rover 'failings' and the M62's passion for PCV valve, Timing Chain Guides and VANOS issues.

They are more reliable than the P38, (just) but the repair bills and vehicle complexity can be exponentially higher.....but the driving rewards are greater.

I am one of Range Rovers biggest fans, and have owned many over the years.....would I swap my L322 for a P38 - No..... Would I have a P38 and an L322 - if I had the room hell yes....

Gearbox is the main issue on the L322 - all other things are just niggles and annoyances....but the ZF5 gearbox (the Torque Converter particularly) is the big stumbling block on the V8 2002-2005 L322's

The engine is strong and powerful, she is fast and pulls like a train.....much like all M62TUB44 powered vehicles (the E38 740's and the E39 540's) it is a long standing and time tested engine....all the faults are known and well documented on forums and other internet resources.

Parts are getting easier to find, but shop around as prices can be eye watering!

A Range Rover with a fault can drain ahealthy bank balance rapidly if you can't diagnose and do your own repairs.....The early L322's are complex, but are still home DIY'able if you can read a manual, use a computer, figure out the wiring diagrams and can tell the difference between a spanner and a screwdriver.

They are awesome vehicles and once driven forever smitten....pity Vauxhall nabbed that catch phrase......drive one and you'll fall in love.....but keep both eyes open.

EAS is not a major issue, main problems are well documented chiefly compressor wear and split air bladders....valve blocks can be an issue but not as much as the P38 so it seems.

They hate weak batteries and can throw a right wobbler if they even drop 0.1v to low!

Most common issues are battery drain - chiefly the FInal Stage Resistor - not a difficult or expensive job, just access to it can be a pain for the 'larger' fellow!

DO plenty of research and don't go for the first one you see....ask plenty of questions and seek counsel on here....never take a sellers word for anything, they just want the contents of your wallet!

I love mine - as I did my P38's.....you just have to understand they are a Range Rover and they are born to be Divas!
 
They are worlds apart from the P38 in terms of driving - they are more planted and car like....as GDM says, they are an X5 with a posh frock.

But they are still riddled with infamous Land Rover 'failings' and the M62's passion for PCV valve, Timing Chain Guides and VANOS issues.

They are more reliable than the P38, (just) but the repair bills and vehicle complexity can be exponentially higher.....but the driving rewards are greater.

I am one of Range Rovers biggest fans, and have owned many over the years.....would I swap my L322 for a P38 - No..... Would I have a P38 and an L322 - if I had the room hell yes....

Gearbox is the main issue on the L322 - all other things are just niggles and annoyances....but the ZF5 gearbox (the Torque Converter particularly) is the big stumbling block on the V8 2002-2005 L322's

The engine is strong and powerful, she is fast and pulls like a train.....much like all M62TUB44 powered vehicles (the E38 740's and the E39 540's) it is a long standing and time tested engine....all the faults are known and well documented on forums and other internet resources.

Parts are getting easier to find, but shop around as prices can be eye watering!

A Range Rover with a fault can drain ahealthy bank balance rapidly if you can't diagnose and do your own repairs.....The early L322's are complex, but are still home DIY'able if you can read a manual, use a computer, figure out the wiring diagrams and can tell the difference between a spanner and a screwdriver.

They are awesome vehicles and once driven forever smitten....pity Vauxhall nabbed that catch phrase......drive one and you'll fall in love.....but keep both eyes open.

EAS is not a major issue, main problems are well documented chiefly compressor wear and split air bladders....valve blocks can be an issue but not as much as the P38 so it seems.

They hate weak batteries and can throw a right wobbler if they even drop 0.1v to low!

Most common issues are battery drain - chiefly the FInal Stage Resistor - not a difficult or expensive job, just access to it can be a pain for the 'larger' fellow!

DO plenty of research and don't go for the first one you see....ask plenty of questions and seek counsel on here....never take a sellers word for anything, they just want the contents of your wallet!

I love mine - as I did my P38's.....you just have to understand they are a Range Rover and they are born to be Divas!
You're a Saint. And you you live the "way not way" of the Tao. Well played.
 
Fully Agree with Saint.
I loved our p38 but it was always a worry. Now my mate has it, it has not gone wrong once.
The L322 is super. I fully support the BMW era V8...but again as St has advised keep your eyes open and ensure everything works.
I keep a fund to ensure I tick the bigger maintenance items and the sh1t happens ones.
best of luck.
 
Range Rover ownership requires a certain amount of disposable income and a enthusiastic approach to diy mechanics or a large amount of disposable income and a good garage. There will be problems. Petrol torque converter failure at 100k miles is almost a given, diesel gearboxs at 100k are almost a certainty, but if your ready for these or purchase wisely you can get a lot of car for your money. .
I started with a classic or three, moved onto two p38 and after a few years with an x5, where I discovered the frailties of the BMW v8 , I'm now on my first l322. 140k miles but with a new engine after it was run dry of oil. It is a beautiful thing to drive and I am now hooked. One of the best things I like is the amount of engine bay room after the x5, i am almost looking forward to my first issue ......
 
This is an interesting thread.

The L322 TD6 cannot be beaten. I loved it. But as the previous replies stated, you need a willing pocket or some degree of knowledge with the spanners & owning some sort of diagnostics is a must, preferably a blackbox system.

My 2006 L322 was sold after a 100k miles & two gearboxes. As it was in the higher road tax band, it wasn't missed especially as I have my D3 which I prefer for my daily runaround. The P38 is a simple vehicle compared to the later models, & once a P38 has been sorted by having the right people either maintaining or advising then they aren't really a problem & quite reliable believe it or not.

Maintaining these range rovers or land rovers don't get any cheaper as they get older, & they're not like a normal car when they go wrong. It always seem's to be a week off the road whenever a problem arises where as a normal generic car can be repaired in a few hours. That's probaly why anyone who owns a range rover usually has another car as well.
 
Fully agree Rick, its all about having the right people working on your car when it does go wrong and the P38 is OK when its sorted, it just takes time and £££,s to get there ;)
 
I have recently aquired my first Range Rover. It's a 2003 L322 TD6 Vogue diesel automatic with only 130,000 recorded miles. I can already see members cringing at the mileage. Well as a car it is brilliant. Being a long way past my first flush of youth, I thought it was about time I experienced Britain's world leader. Now I know why Range Rovers sell so well and have received worldwide acolades. My advice would be to buy the L322 with confidence, you are getting an awful lot of car for your money. Mine drives like a dream and returns 30 mpg..
 
Hi all, not sure I'm in the right forum but I'll give it a go, I have a L322 with a blown head I'm told, it could do with some other maintenance also but I am pretty much loosing the will to live!!! I need a good mechanic in the Redditch Worcestershire area if anyone knows of one. There's no rush to get it back on the road as I have since bought a very second rate run around so I'm at least not stranded but believe me........ it aint no RR!!!! GUTTED!!

Jordan
 
Hi, i would start a new thread with your own title as most people wont be watching this one, start a new thread with the suffix of L322 in this section, as in Range Rover
 
They are more reliable than the P38, (just) but the repair bills and vehicle complexity can be exponentially higher....

A Range Rover with a fault can drain ahealthy bank balance rapidly if you can't diagnose and do your own repairs...

I keep a fund to ensure I tick the bigger maintenance items and the sh1t happens ones.

Range Rover ownership requires a certain amount of disposable income and a enthusiastic approach to diy mechanics or a large amount of disposable income and a good garage. There will be problems.

you need a willing pocket or some degree of knowledge with the spanners
Glad to see there's a concensus:D
 
Or you could just buy one like mine, not mine though as i still have a kidney left to sell, but i have replaced everything i could think that could ever go wrong, but feel free to challenge me :)
 
Or you could just buy one like mine, not mine though as i still have a kidney left to sell, but i have replaced everything i could think that could ever go wrong, but feel free to challenge me :)

Don't tempt fate. You know the darn things can read and they keep an eye on these forums, looking for something else to break.
 
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That is very true, i am rebuilding all my brake calipers next, just for a giggle and thought i would replace the front discs while i am there.
I am also going to change my power steering fluid but don't know why.... i think i may have a problem:confused:
 

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