Driven today..........2002 Range Rover L322 4.4 V8

[AW8]

Hmm,

Granted not the tidiest example but with a forecourted screen price a smidge under £7k I was curious.

Not the 1st RR I have driven and granted it had done a few miles albeit less than my, (slightly pampered), E53 X5.

L322 was mainly driven by me on on mixed rural B roads. Too soft in bends & steering too vague. No doubt whatsoever my X5 would leave this for dust if both piloted together & with some degree of haste on back roads. RR doubtless a different beast & doubtless a nice place to sit when on Motorway or perhaps cruising along..............I am mindful most well cared for & decently shod RR's will leave an E53 X5 static in demanding off road conditions. 

Same engine as in my lighter X5........Power just about adequate but I clearly noticed a relative a performance downfall not to mention the 15mpg average on the pixelated computer display.

The RR and my X5 both registred in 2002 and both  a fair few miles over 100k.

The RR was a 2 owner supposedly dealer historied car which had important front diff recall done, suspension sorted & new pads/discs/tyres all around. Known to me locally it is being forecourted on behalf of a local business proprietor on SOR basis

A fairly honest example........if honest means in need of tlc. Paint dull, interior dirty & a few scuffs/marks not to mention the tailgate corrosion starting - I thought it was just the early classic ones that went there 1st.

Might seem a cheap car but in need of £400-£600 of paint, a repalcement heated mirror glass, door armrest an oil service, brake fluid ( & I suspect coolant). plus pixels in both dash & centre of dash sorting. So a 7k car could that could easily stand you at £8500 and thats if everything worked and it wanted for nothing underneath.

So on face of it a seemingly fair priced V8 L322 that might not stack up to be the bargain it seems. I siuspect it might be forecourted as owner has probably been offered circa £5k to p/x.

SE spec didn't help matters & neither did green/grey colour trim combo.

In fairness to other L322's this was probably not the best kept/maintained example but far from the worse out there either.  I also accept there are plenty of less than perfect E53's around too.

This L322 not for me but glad I had opportunity the revisit RR briefly.

I shouldnt feel sorry for unloved cars but every so often I do......this car deserved better.

This thread perhaps of use to those considering an L322, (or on paper torn between E53 & L322).

Finally despite all my ramblings above Isuspect it might not take long to sell. Cars like these are used locally by folk that go and buy boats with trailers then look for a cheap 4x4 to dump same in the water. Other uses would include a care free dog transportation, workhorse or just a bad weather car.

[Hoppy_70]

I've owned 5 of these but think they are now starting to look a bit dated. They aren't as well built as the e53 but outmatch it on equipment and luxury (if it all works).

I hate to say it but of I were choosing between the two I'd go for the RR. I think the e70 though, is an all round better car (which is why I bought one!)

[AW8]

L322 Nice place to sit albeit the above mentioned example poor on B roads by comparison to my E53.

E70 would make sense for me too, however, certain property issues make this unlikely for a good while.

[Denis O]

Test drove a 4.2 Supercharged with 50k miles on it and it was a very serious consideration before we went for the Le Mans. One of the biggest motivators was the diesel option and consequent "frugal" consumption.

We were going from a P38 4.6 so road manners of the L322 were exemplary in comparison.

Never driven an e70 so can't comment.

If I had the choice I'd go for the L322 TdV8 with all the options ticked (supercharged spec) and it would have to have electric side steps.

[Paulpen]

Only just seen this having made the decision between the two a few months ago (aloth not buying yet).

Having friends that have the RR is certainly what id class as a more comfortable and relaxing place to be and is capable off road however it also seems more sluggish, fault prone and just not as good looking in my opinion (im more of a 5 spoke wheel, square lines, 90's car kind of person).

[Insight G40]

My dad was considering one of these to replace his Q7 recently.

Her saw sense and bought a 10 plate 40D E70 instead.

[shadrack]

You say tail gate corrosion,as some may know around 2/3 years ago i had a 05 plate rrs (nothing but trouble i hasten to ad) anyway one thing that did occur was the plastic panel above the number plate and full width of the top tailgate just fell of!!! now the reason behind it just falling off was quite clear, the holes that the clips go into had rusted so badly that the clips no long held it to the tailgate, there was rust holes large enough to put two or three fingers into!! and at the time this was a 8 year old suppose premium branded vehicle, anyway overall quick summery: Looks good altho abit dated now, economy bad 18 mpg 2.7 v6 diesel (probs to do with them been so heavy), very slow with th2.7tdv6 and abit wollowy compared to a x5 e53 or e70, comfort wise for long journeys it was probably the most comfortable car i ever owned!