L322 Ability Off Road

[2nd Rower]

Hi,

What is the general consensus on the 'offroad-ability' of the L322, particularly the TD6? Is it a capable getting out and about in the Australian wilderness..

A friend thinks that it would 'not have enough clearance', but doesn't it have similar off road suspension settings to the D3/D4 and Rangie Sport?

All thoughts comments and any first hand experiences welcome

TIA
2R

[PAT303]

I have a Td6 and the traction control is very good,actually it's bloody good.They are too low,I have to pick my lines early when going over ground my defender will do on it's ear and I've had three through the tread punctures running continental tyres.They are very neat underneath,nothing hangs down and nothing is in a position that will cause it to be hit unless you really try hard to do it.I really like the room,they have enough space for five adults with thier bags,they are very quiet,smooth and I get very good economy,mine did Newman to Karratha and back last weekend and it got 9.5ltres per 100 sitting on 120k's/hr.All over they are good,I would and have taken mine over some rough ground but I'm fitting it with harder tyres when the conti's wear out,service costs are cheap,all over running costs are cheaper than my 08 hilux I had.Fitted with Michelin tyres I would take mine anywhere across WA,I just wouldn't go to the really hard rock hopping type tracks. Pat

[cairnsrover]

I have only had mine since May. In the deep north its very wet tracks that we have to contend with. I am amazed at the ease that the L322 does it and a very smooth ride. I can compare with a ML and Cruisers that I have had over the years.

For super rough stuff had to beat a Cruiser ute but other than that these heavy machines do it very well.

[ariddell]

Comparing specs on the brand new models:

Range Rover Vogue off road height clearance - 283mm
D4 off road height clearance - 310mm
Range Rover Sport off road height clearance - 227mm

Would expect the older L322/D3/RRS to be pretty similar to the new ones.

I haven't had any clearance issues on the rare occasions we have taken the L322 off road but tyres are definitely an issue, especially on the 19/20" wheels - best to stick to the 18" if you want a reasonable selection of more off road biased tyres.

Cheers,

Al

[PAT303]

In Newman rocks are an issue,I drove down a creek bed two weeks ago to get to a waterhole and mine scraped a few times.The only issue is you can't fit taller tyres,but then again thats why I have the defender.All up they are a class act. Pat

[101RRS]

Comparing specs on the brand new models:

Range Rover Vogue off road height clearance - 283mm
D4 off road height clearance - 310mm
Range Rover Sport off road height clearance - 227mm

Would expect the older L322/D3/RRS to be pretty similar to the new ones.

Al

I am surprised at the lack of ground clearance of the RRS given its Disco origins. I can see that figure in the brochure but wonder if it is a misprint. My Freelander has 210mm (measured) and it gets slammed for poor ground clearance so if true - the RRS is not a lot better.

I have seen some nice looking tricked up L322s on US forums so work can be done on them if required. I have seen standard L322s offroad ans invariably performed better than standard cruisers etc.

I think if you are looking at offroad then a close look at tyres would advised.

Cheers

Garry

[PAT303]

The biggest trouble is if you do alot of open dirt road cruising like I do you can't run at anything but normal height or you'll wreck the tyres.Washouts and ditches etc across the road means stopping and setting the height,crossing then lowering again.Still I wouldn't sell mine for anything else. Pat

[drivesafe]

Hi 2nd Rower, the earlier L322, the TD6s are fantastic oof road and with a decent set of off road tyres, I doubt that there would be too many vehicles that could compete with it.

They are great on and off road and there's lots of genuine and after market accessories available for the earlier L322 RRs.

The V8 diesel versions, the later model L322 are the greatest waste of space ever made and is nothing more than an over rated over priced under performing Pimp Mobile, a puss box special.

If your after a great off roader and a fantastic on road long distance cruiser, you can’t beat the TD6. It has more room inside that the newer RRs and the seats are bigger, so more comfortable, particularly when off road.

Plus with the way they have devalued, they will now hold their price.

[2nd Rower]

Many thanks for all the responses! It's good to hear that there's a general positive consensus.

I think I would be looking at a TD6 for the longer range on a tank. There don't seem to be that many on Carsales.com.au, is there a better place to look.

Also what are the risks of taking a high KM (e.g. 170km's+) example versus one that is low km's (e.g. less than 100km's).

Lastly is there a source of knowledge on the different model variations and spec available in Australia (SE vs HSE vs Vogue), and also the options such as "Driver convenience pack"?

[harlie]

After going through this early in the year and purchasing a mid-2004 td6 this is what I managed to find out. Here goes.

MY 03 (pre aug 04)

Vogue over HSE.
Nav system, 12 speaker ICE, 19” wheels, Bi xenon head lights, Heated Steering wheel, heated seats (all), “comfort seats” in front.
Vogue Options - Met paint, integrated phone.

HSE over SE
11 Speakers instead of 6, Driver's Convenience Pack (auto wipers, parking sensors, exterior mirror mounted approach lamps, power fold mirrors, Memory drivers’ seat +mirror and column, load space net, duel sun visors), Auto Dimming rear view mirrors (all 3), Sunroof, CD changer.
HSE Options - All the Vogue extras EXCEPT “comfort seats” and the 19" wheels were V8 only

SE options - All the HSE and Vogue extras EXCEPT “comfort seats” and 19”wheels.

All SE vehicles I looked at had no extras at all.

As an addition to above - I found the 2002 / early 2003 HSE models had the sunroof and Driver's convenience pack as an option, they all had driver’s memory seat but the rest of the pack listed above wasn’t there on many of them. And it also appeared that if the sunroof was there the full pack was also.

There was an update with build date of around August 2004. Post this date is MY05, major difference was the gradual replacement of all computer systems, replacing the BMW ECUs with Ford – yes there is actually 2 bus systems for the MY05 and diesel MY06. And the replacement was gradual – good luck trying to work out what systems you have.

Terrain response was never installed in a TD6 car, in the petrol varient of MY06 the V8 BMW engine and all BMW ECUs was replaced with the Jag engine + 6 speed including terrain response and Ford ECUs where diesel varients gained new trans with the TDV8 (MY07). MY06 on - the Range Rover was renamed Range Rover Vogue (introduction of Range Rover Sport) with only one spec, these vehicles most obvious changes are updated headlights, bumper and grill and the extra AC vents in the top of the dash.

hope this helps...

[Captain HSE 4.6 2000]

The V8 diesel versions, the later model L322 are the greatest waste of space ever made and is nothing more than an over rated over priced under performing Pimp Mobile, a puss box special.

If your after a great off roader and a fantastic on road long distance cruiser, you can’t beat the TD6. It has more room inside that the newer RRs and the seats are bigger, so more comfortable, particularly when off road.

Plus with the way they have devalued, they will now hold their price.

Drive safe I have a L322 MY2003 rego-ed 2004 and it's been great but still has the odd funny. Regarding your comments about the later models are you saying that when the ford gear/parts was put in they went down hill? Down the track why shouldn't I consider updating to a newer model ?

[drivesafe]

Hi Captain, it all depends on what you want the RR for.

As far as Ford taking over, When I heard this had happened, all I could see is the RR going down hill.

I could not have been further from reality.

The first thing Ford did was reintroduce reliability to the LR range and to this point, my 07 RR is without question, mechanically, the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.

The electronics, relating to engine and suspension management are top notch as well.

BUT

The sound/sat nav is the greatest rip-off you could imagine.

Nothing about this crap works properly and I have had it in a number of times and not once was any of the problems been resolved.

It’s cheap nasty junk being passed off as a top quality system.

The Bluetooth only works when it fells like it and it usually doesn’t fell like working.

The CD player only plays the first 40 or so tracks on MP3 CDs and flatly refuses to play some bought CDs.

The nav, when I first got the RR, would display a compass barring and show the GPS position. While trying to fix a problem with the TV setting, the compass and GPS were removed and they don’t know how to reinstall them.

As far as the 07s off road ability, or more to the point total lack of any real off road ability. As I have posted before LR seem more interested in making pimp mobiles than genuine off roaders.

LR have succeeded in destroying the worlds best off roader.

Captain, if you want an on road cruiser, the 07 RR is it and so is your model, but the 07 is just grossly over priced for what it does.

If you want both a good on road cruiser and a genuine off roader, either keep your current RR, or go buy something like a Hyundai Santa Fe, which would be far better value and more useful than the 07 RR is.

Non of the off road accessories from the earlier L322 RRs fit the later versions and they are not making any to fit them.

I could go on but I just get the S**** the more I think of the amount of money I’ve wasted buying this waste of space, especially when I owned an 03 RR which was just so much better than the 07.

[2nd Rower]

Drivesafe? - What are the off road accessories that are available for the TD6, and which are the ones worth having/looking for when buying one of these cars?

[drivesafe]

The main one is the winch. The LR winch could be bought with Plasma rope and looked great.

Plus, and this is the main and ruling problem with the later version, 18” mags, the later versions are restricted to 20” unless you want to grind down the brake callipers.

There are also other accessories like side steps but you could probably get some custom made, but not worth the trouble if nothing else can be done to improve the 07s off road ability.

Don’t get me wrong 2nd Rower, my 03 RR was the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned but at least you could work on it and work with it.

No exaggeration, if I won lotto or what ever, the first thing I would do is go looking for the most immaculate 03-04 RR I could find and then flog off this waste of space.

The earlier versions of the L322 had character, these new ones are just CARS, not 4x4s.

[2nd Rower]

Thanks again for all the info much appreciated.


Plus, and this is the main and ruling problem with the later version, 18” mags, the later versions are restricted to 20” unless you want to grind down the brake callipers.

The TDV8 RRS and 3.0 TDV6 RRS and D4 have the same issue with large calipers limiting wheel and thus tyre choice at 19" or bigger... GGHaggis has sourced a solution for the RRS and D4 here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/105896-18-rims-disco-4-3-0l-sign-up-here-9.html

Maybe you can investigate if these new 18" compomotive rims will fit the L322 TDV8?

[spudboy]

I have an 03 RR Vouge, and whilst it did have some early issues, they were all fixed under warranty and for the last couple of years it has been faultless.

TD6 diesel is a peach. Excellent acceleration and brilliant fuel economy.

Off road is excellent. The only dramas I've had which have got me close to being bogged was leaving the DCS on when in soft sand. That is a killer!! Never had an issue with ground clearance - I reckon it is very good as there are no diffs hanging down to get caught up on anything.

Mine is running Goodyear MTR Mud/Snow tyres, which are a tad noisy but very good at what they are built for. These are the "official" RR G4 Challenge tyres.

The worst thing is the depreciation. If I think about how much it is worth now I might cry - so I don't think about it.

HTH
David

[drivesafe]

Maybe you can investigate if these new 18" compomotive rims will fit the L322 TDV8?

Hi again 2nd Rower, thanks and I have been watching with great interest but I think the calipers on the RR are bigger than those but one can only hope!

[drivesafe]

The worst thing is the depreciation. If I think about how much it is worth now I might cry - so I don't think about it.

Hi Spudboy, you definitely have the best of the L322 and I wouldn’t fret too much over the depreciation, it’s not just an RR thing.

Every luxury vehicle has the same problem.

[spudboy]

...Every luxury vehicle has the same problem.

Yeah - I guess so. The only one I've had that didn't tank was a 911 Porsche. Hopeless offroad but :p

BTW - the MTR's I'm running are on 19"s because I think that is the only way to buy them (or it was 2 years ago - I don't think I could find 18's, so I had to get new rims).

[PAT303]

I've only had one minor issue with my 03 and that was the battery in the key fob went flat so the imobilisor wouldn't disable,other than that it has been excellent.I will agree with drivesafe,the Alpine system is rubbish.I have been told by those in the know that it is a very highly regarded japanese made system but to me it is junk.Offroad mine is let down by it's highway tyres but the traction control,stability control is as good as it gets,it works in a blink of an eye.Mine goes very well,it pulls hard and gets economy above what common sense saids it should,30mpg is common for me. Pat

[drivesafe]

BTW - the MTR's I'm running are on 19"s because I think that is the only way to buy them (or it was 2 years ago - I don't think I could find 18's, so I had to get new rims).

As far as tyres go, I thought I’d be a smart arse and kept the 18” rims from my 03 RR so I could put a set of decent off road tyres on them and just use them on the 07, when needed.

As is now known, the 20” are the smallest rim you can fit.

Now I don’t know what the rest of you think but in my opinion, Land Rover are now employing retards to design the vehicles.

Who in their right mind would put low profile tyres on a 3 ton truck, let alone a 3 ton 4x4.

I have a crack rim ( at least one ) and for the life of me I can’t remember hitting a pot hole or gutter to cause the crack but whats even worse, it’s not the passenger side front wheel, the most likely to be damaged.

It’s the drive side rear wheel, the least likely to be damaged.

At the moment, I can’t risk driving this puss box to far until I get all the rims checked and I wonder how many other late model L322s are in the same state but the owners don’t know.

BTW the Discovery 4 is going the same way. It won’t be long before they become a 4x4 that can’t be used as a 4x4.

What the hell is behind Land Rover’s thinking?

[harlie]

What you're saying Tim is exactly why I went for a pre MY06, so obviously I totally agree with you.

But unfortunately that’s what the world market wants, North America and Europe are more interested in perceived on road performance, braking that rips your face off without over heating, and pimping – and that’s where the biggest markets are. We are only a plip on the global figures and even within AUS how many of these high end vehicles ever leave the black – or even tow.

My 2004 L322 looked completely brand new when I purchased it, the under body had never been treated and didn’t even have as much as a stone chip let alone a scratch, previous owner swore that it had never left the pavement and I truly believe it. The insurance premiums are even lower than for my D2 – why, because you won’t find a L322 fitted with 33s and a 45 inch lift kit charging around at Sandy Cape let alone Land Cruiser park, well at least until I arrive :D but I won’t have the tyres or the lift….

Unfortunately they are just providing what the Global market wants – look at how many Jap 4*4s are getting around now on 20 or 22” rims, people are actually paying huge $ to convert from 16s and 17s to pimp machines. I bet the Rodeos and Hiluxs handle like rubbish when done, and the Cruisers and Prados just look stupid…

And I agree the D4 will be on 20s soon too. Shame that they took Discovery away from its roots, a simple, affordable but comfortable and capable wagon. It was the Disco 1 that saved Land Rover from the grave, and I would have continued ownership in the discovery range if they hadn’t pimped the crap out of it – so when it was time to move on I went L322, because if you’re going to have a complicated super lux 4*4, might as well just go to the top, just not the latest….

[2nd Rower]

As is now known, the 20” are the smallest rim you can fit.

I am surprised given that the D4 and RRS can come with 19" wheel options that fit the larger calipers that the L322 does not... For the RRS, IIRC, the 19" is even called off road in the brochure!?!?

I've just popped over the the LR website, and according to the eBrochure there is a 19" option ("Style 8") for the current MY11 L322.. 19" is not ideal I know, but surely slightly better than 20's..?

Maybe you could then fit the Goodyear MTR like the G4 vehicles use?

Happy to be corrected if this 19" isn't actually available.

[drivesafe]

Hi 2nd Rower and harlie, the 19' would be better but they are still low profile tyres ( as you say IF they fit ) what I can’t understand is, while the new RR is nothing more than an over priced, over rated, under featured, under performing CAR, but the Discovery 4 is still potentially a great 4x4, so why the hell won’t Land Rover offer a high profile tyre option with the 3lt versions.

When I bought the 2.7lt D4 for my wife, the 3lt options I looked at that turned me off the dearer visions was not the wheels, at that time I was not aware of the wheel size limitations again.

The main turn off was that the extra price only got me a bigger motor, not a major consideration for a planned town car, and the addition of the same crap sound/sat nav, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to pay extra for crap like that.

Again, why can’t LR offer a high profile option?

[Celtoid]

I'll probably cop a flaming for this but I haven't read a report that states that somebody couldn't get somewhere due to their tyre size, specifically 19"s. One guy did tell a tale about his mates D3 that performed really well off road...in fact awesome was the word he chose but it kept getting punctures. He was actually talking about 18"ers. Sounds to me more like a quality tyre choice problem rather than a size issue.

Incidently, yesterday I had my D4 SE sitting in a car park next to a D3 SE......sort of embarrassing as mine is filthy....head to foot in dust and mud and the other was all shiny.....:mellow:. I'm looking at my 19s and the D3 18s. Both of us still running the infamous Goodyear Wranglers that are standard. There really isn't a hell of a lot in it, size wise.

I could be wrong but there seems to be plenty of folks driving off-road on 19"s without issue....until they get spiked I suppose.

I have no idea but is it physically impossible to get a 19" tyre with tough side walls or can that only be achieved with a bigger side wall. Is it a manufacturing limitation?

Cheers,

Kev.

[33chinacars]

Hi Guy's

Not sure if this helps but both Cooper & Mickey Thompson offer 18", 20" & 22" tyres semi offroad tyres in various sizes. Check them out. Might find something that suits

Gary

[Celtoid]

Hi Guy's

Not sure if this helps but both Cooper & Mickey Thompson offer 18", 20" & 22" tyres semi offroad tyres in various sizes. Check them out. Might find something that suits

Gary

What happened to 19"? :confused:

Cheers,

Kev.

[PAT303]

Im with Tim 100% on this.If people want 20'' rims let them have them,BUT give the rest of us the option to be able to fit smaller rims for offroad use.The trouble today is every manufacturer has made the mum and dad 4WD too exxy to buy,even crap like mid spec Prado's are 70K for christ sake.If LR put a modernised D1 T/Diesel on the market for 50K they would fly out the door. Pat

[33chinacars]

I hear what you say Pat & Kev. AND Agree. Have a look on their web sites for 19". May be something suitable ??

Gary

[Leo]

Have seen a TDV8 RR with winch, front underbody protection plate, roof rack and MTR tyres (a pic here: http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/post10857.html#10857). The non-supercharged petrol V8 can take 18" wheels too. Since they come standard with rear e-diff and have more wheel travel and better angles than the D3/4, they're actually better off-road. More comfortable too.

Quite a few in the US done up for 4x4ing, some in the UK, and here too. Accessories are available, just got to look in the right places. ;)

Wish I could afford one, lol.

[Fish78]

Hi, could i just ask, what is wrong with the TDV8?

I'm either going L322 leased via work (second hand) or P38 outright with own funds soon, ive been thinking the TDV6 might be underpowered, but im open to actual owners opinions.

I do plan on going to some tough places with which ever RR i get, to be honest though ive been studying P38s for over 12mths now, been close to handing over cash twice, but im still a bit nervous about them, love the way they look, feel and drive but...heart says yes, brain says no lol.

[RR P38]

Hi, could i just ask, what is wrong with the TDV8?

I'm either going L322 leased via work (second hand) or P38 outright with own funds soon, ive been thinking the TDV6 might be underpowered, but im open to actual owners opinions.

I do plan on going to some tough places with which ever RR i get, to be honest though ive been studying P38s for over 12mths now, been close to handing over cash twice, but im still a bit nervous about them, love the way they look, feel and drive but...heart says yes, brain says no lol.

If you are actually going to seriously use the L322 off road you will need to do something with those exhausts and the spare tire, i hate the way they look under the rear end, all exposed to damage as far as i can see.
The P38 on the other had as you say is a nice drive and very comfy and when you consider the entry price of the new Vs the old model the P38 comes out a winner i think. If money is not an option i would get the L322 though.
Stock rims(16") are the go on a price/range basis yep Land rover are just pimping their cars up to appeal to the masses now as well, If it looks good it must have capability, not always practical and often doesnt work.
Just look at all the bits available for TOJO`s at ARB.
Most of that stuff is shiny and MIGHT get used once a year, i have followed TOJO`s into pretty rough terrain in my stock standard P38 and come out with no problems.
Sure good tires for the terrain you are entering are important, but there is no substitute for drive skill/experience.

[101RRS]

Hi, could i just ask, what is wrong with the TDV8?

I'm either going L322 leased via work (second hand) or P38 outright with own funds soon, ive been thinking the TDV6 might be underpowered, but im open to actual owners opinions.



As far as I know the L322 never had the TDV6 which is in the RRS and Discovery. I think you are thinking of the TD6 which was only in the RR. The TD6 is not as powerful or have as much torque as the TDV6 (either the 2.7 or 3litre)

There is nothing wrong with a RR TDV8 but as this replaced the TD6 in the RR (2006/7) it is far more expensive in the used car market. However as mentioned there were some serious upgrades at that time that some think were downgrades as far as the car overall was concerned.

Garry

Garry

[Grumbles]

ive been studying P38s for over 12mths now, been close to handing over cash twice, but im still a bit nervous about them, love the way they look, feel and drive but...heart says yes, brain says no lol.

I don't think you are alone there. :confused: :D

[PAT303]

There is nothing wrong with the Td6,TDV6 or TDV8,it's the 19-20'' rims that they have which is the problem.Only LR would make the best offroad vehicles in the world and then completely ruin that ability by then fitting them with boy racer rims/tyres. Pat

[rangie85]

Having now owned every version of the RR, taken a stock 2009 patrol and cruiser sahara off road too, my opinion is that, stock, Range Rovers are the best performers of the lot. The P38A is the best of the three generations, followed by the classic, then the L322 last. I have the V8, so can;t vouvh for the performance of that. You can't get away from the fact that RAngies have softened over the years. It's a inevitable trade off between on road and off road performance, it's physics. While the differential decreases over time, it is obvious having taken all three genreations both on and off road that this where the vehicle is going. If you want to increase your clearance, you can buy a system that wires in the cruise control system which can be independently adjusted at all four corners and will give you another 30mm I think above the highest factory setting setting. That and a set of A/T's / Muddies on a spare set of rims would probably be all you'd want to do to and L322 - if you want a serious off roader, get something older that you can mod and thrash.

[2nd Rower]

Some further questions:

On the L322 TD6, what suspension settings are there - e.g. does it have Access Height; normal Height and Off Road height (like the Rangie Sport and the D3)?

If it has it, what is the off road height?

Also does the TD6 have the extended mode like the Rangie Sport and D3 when it bottoms out?

Lastly did the TD6 L322 have an e Diff option or similar?

[spudboy]

No an L322 expert, but have a 2003 TD6, and yes it has 3 ride heights + a very low entry/access height. I reckon it has:
- very low for entry/egress
- low for highway over 80 KM/h
- normal
- High for offroad

No idea if there is a super high once you get stuck, as I've never had it that stuck to find out! Probably has it though as the FFRR is always the leader of the pack for innovation, which then flows down to Disco etc.

Not ever heard of a eDiff on L322, at least of my vintage. It's all done with traction control.

HTH
David

[rangie85]

Access = 1820mm (5ft 11.7")
Motorway = 1840mm (6ft 0.4")
Standard = 1863mm (6ft 1.3")
Off road = 1913mm (6ft 3.3")

Not sure how this equates to ground clearance. I know there is a beached recovery mode, this adds another 30mm to off road. Apologies for the inconsistent measurements - this is plagarised from landyzone.co.uk

[harlie]

If you are actually going to seriously use the L322 off road you will need to do something with those exhausts and the spare tire, i hate the way they look under the rear end, all exposed to damage as far as i can see.
Hey?? The spare tyre for L322 is in the boot - and the exhaust is not visible from behind other than the pipe tips. I assume you’re thinking of Range Rover Sport.

Comments about the staying away from the TDV8 actually refer to MY06 and later, the first of these (diesel variants) actually have the TD6 engine, petrol variants have the Jag V8 and 6 speed auto.
1. Prior to MY06 the L322 can take 18” wheels, MY06 on are 19 or 20 depending on brake spec.
2. The front end was updated and there aren’t any 4x4 accessories available for the later model (winch bar ect)

There is no e-diff in the earlier L322

According to the shop manual the suspension does have a Super High setting that is automatically selected when the vehicle decides it is stuck. Something along the lines of no forward (or reverse) motion and reduced weight detected (via individual suspension pressure and height) on some wheels, with some complicated algorithm… Like Highway mode, This height is not selectable by the driver but can be activated by TestBook (or similar) and will return to Off Road height as soon as forward motion is detected.

Highway mode (height) is automatic after 30 sec at 100+km/h.

Given the P38a runs on 16 wheels, has a shorter wheelbase and is considerably lighter it has to get a big tick on it’s side…

[Homestar]

Hi, been out looking at an '02 today, and have a couple of questions. Firstly, is the price. The one I ended up liking the most, is a L322 MY03 HSE with TD6 engine. It is a one owner vehicle, has full LR service history, all the bells and whistles, and the electronics seem to work fine. It has 120,000 km on it, and both the interior and exterior are in excellent condition. Given that while looking around, I have seen prices varying from low 30K for a high KM vehicle, to high 40k for low KM units. This one drove very well compared to one of the others I drove. It looks like I will be able to drive it away for about 41K. Does this sound too much?

I don't mind paying a bit more for the right vehicle, as I will have it for years, but I don't want to get ripped off either.

I would like to name the dealer, to see what others thought of them, but I wasn't sure if this would breach the forum rules?

The dealer was very good - I normally hate talking to dealers, but this operation seems a bit different, and a lot more 'trust worthy' - if I dare use that term when talking about used car salesmen...:D.

Smaller volume kind of place if you know what I mean - owner operator, rather than salesmen looking for a quick sale and commission...

Any comments would be greatly appreciated on the price, and anything else I should be looking out for...

Cheers - Gav

[spudboy]

I have an identical vehicle. Won't tell you how much I paid for it because I might cry :(

$41K for a clean one with low KMs is a bargain. They are a stunning, stunning vehicle.

Can you see from the LR service history if it's had the front diff replaced? It prob should have as this was a general recall on that model.

I'd say go for it :p

[Homestar]

I have an identical vehicle. Won't tell you how much I paid for it because I might cry :(

$41K for a clean one with low KMs is a bargain. They are a stunning, stunning vehicle.

Can you see from the LR service history if it's had the front diff replaced? It prob should have as this was a general recall on that model.

I'd say go for it :p

Thanks - Not sure about all the details of the service history. Looked at the log book, and it had all the services done at the right times by an LR dealer. There are other papers with it - I didn't get there far today, just wanted to get the missus to drive a couple to see if she liked them ... She did :D. This one was the pick of the crop.

I'll find out if this has been done. I also saw mentioned on this thread that the trannie fluid should be replaced regularly - should I be looking to make sure this has been done? If it hasn't, will the trannie have suffered doing 120KKM on the original stuff?

I'm just counting up my pennies now, to see what I am going to need to borrow to make up the short fall.:p

I was originally budgeting for a good D2, so I need to find a bit more cash first.:p

Cheers - Gav

[Camo]

Thanks - Not sure about all the details of the service history. Looked at the log book, and it had all the services done at the right times by an LR dealer. There are other papers with it - I didn't get there far today, just wanted to get the missus to drive a couple to see if she liked them ... She did :D. This one was the pick of the crop.

I'll find out if this has been done. I also saw mentioned on this thread that the trannie fluid should be replaced regularly - should I be looking to make sure this has been done? If it hasn't, will the trannie have suffered doing 120KKM on the original stuff?

I'm just counting up my pennies now, to see what I am going to need to borrow to make up the short fall.:p

I was originally budgeting for a good D2, so I need to find a bit more cash first.:p

Cheers - Gav

Thats about the right money for the k's.. Id try and get it down to 39k though. Make sure brakes and tyres have lots of life left. And check the front diff recall with landrover (will need VIN numbers). Ive had mine for nearly a month now and loving it more each day. The TD6 goes very well and is great on fuel.

Even took it 4x4ing last weekend:D and still went well on road tyres!

Camo
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/603.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/612.jpg

[spudboy]

That's a classy way to go camping :D

[PAT303]

Mines it's twin sister.The brakes are the same price as any other vehicle to replace,I did mine last week. Pat

[Homestar]

Thats about the right money for the k's.. Id try and get it down to 39k though. Make sure brakes and tyres have lots of life left. And check the front diff recall with landrover (will need VIN numbers).

Thanks for that. With the Diff recall, do I need to contact LR, or will it be in the service history somewhere? I will look at the brakes - I think the tyres had a bit left on them. What other tyres does anyone run apart from the road tyres? If I end up getting this, it will be asked on occation to do what it was designed for, but not real rough stuff, I'll leave that to the '86.:p. I was thinking more of an all terrain... Any thoughts?

Cheers - Gav

[spudboy]

I run Goodyear MTR's on mine, but that meant going to 19" rims (it originally came with 18s). These are the "official" Land Rover suggestion and are used on the G4 Range Rovers.

Excellent tyre in the snow and mud and not too loud around town (but much louder than the standard tyres). When they wear out I will be going back to the 18"s though as the number of times I have needed these tyres is not high enough to justify the extra cost and tyre noise.

HTH
David

Edit: When I bought mine they were only available in 19", but this may be different today......

[Camo]

Thanks for that. With the Diff recall, do I need to contact LR, or will it be in the service history somewhere? I will look at the brakes - I think the tyres had a bit left on them. What other tyres does anyone run apart from the road tyres? If I end up getting this, it will be asked on occation to do what it was designed for, but not real rough stuff, I'll leave that to the '86.:p. I was thinking more of an all terrain... Any thoughts?

Cheers - Gav

Yep. Contact a proper Land Rover dealer with your VIN numbers. Mine wasn't even entered in the log books + the guy I bought it from had no idea about the recall (had no idea about rangies anyways). Must have been done some point during a service.

Good luck!
Camo

[drivesafe]

Even took it 4x4ing last weekend:D and still went well on road tyres!

Camo
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/603.jpg

Lucky basted, I’m very jealous.

This heap of crap 07 RR would be lucky to out do commodore off road, but my 02 L322 was fantastic off road.

[Homestar]

Soooo - did a bit more research, the front diff has been done. Only a few things I wasn't happy with, and they will be fixing all these. The LCD displays are almost gone, the 120K service needs to be done, and a few minor scratches and scuff marks inside will be fixed. Had a good climb all over and under it today - very clean underneath, no evidence of it being off road before, so once all these bits are sorted, it should be all go. Just need the bank to value my house before they will rubber stamp the extra $$$ I need, but I don't think that will be an issue, so next time I post, I should be the new owner of it. Fingers crossed...:)

[Camo]

Brilliant news mate. Hope they fix all the stuff properly. Love to know how much the LCD's cost to replace.. bet one day mine will die.

Hope all goes well for you;)

Camo

[Archiguy]

No an L322 expert, but have a 2003 TD6, and yes it has 3 ride heights + a very low entry/access height. I reckon it has:
- very low for entry/egress
- low for highway over 80 KM/h
- normal
- High for offroad

Hi all,

Put this together with information from here and rangerovers.net - comparison of suspension heights and modes for P38, L322 early & D3.

Bacicat2000 - congrats - sat in your car at the dealer a couple of weeks ago. Don't worry - didn't take it for a drive:D Just doing my research so that if we replace with TD5 with something more luxurious i've had a look at a few.

Matthew

[Homestar]

Well, slight change of plans due to my bank dragging its heals. Got the house valued (3 days after the application), which came back all good - bank approved the amount based on the valuation (another day), but I was told today by the bank that there is a backlog on the system, and it will take 4 to 5 more working days to get the final rubber stamp, and they wold release the funds within 48 hours after this...

So, the guy holding the vehicle had another buyer when I signed up and put down a deposit, but the contract is only good for 7 days meaning that I will have to let it go. I asked the dealer for more time, but the other buyer has cash ready to go... :(

I'll wait till the bank gets the money in my account before I go and pick another one out...

I will be moving my banking business elsewhere after this whole sorry affair.:mad:

[glenhendry]

Last weekend I took out my 2000 P38 to Land Cruiser Mountain Park and put it up against my brother's 2005 Vogue V8 petrol. I have GenIII air-springs and both cars have mudders (16" vs 18"), purchase prices ($11k vs ~$38k). We ran with a Hilux surf with twin lockers, mudders, solid diffs and and huge leafs and lifts.

We both did the Sure track and other tracks rated extreme. It was dry. We all wheeled all day with no snatching and no winching.

I noticed:
- The L322 lifted its front wheels ~5x more often than the P38 (which rarely did)
- The L322 is so much quieter
- The L322 is more comfortable
- The L322 is more powerful
- The L322 appeared more "level" more often, despite lifting wheels
- The L322 has much lighter steering
- The L322 has a cleaner underbody
- I'd prefer a L322, even though I -LOVE- my P38.

The main point we all discussed was how happy the L322 to lift a front corner, high. I cant help but equate that to poor articulation, yet the L322 is supposed to have better articulation than the P38? It still made it up and down all the hills, but I always drew a sharp breath when it reared up.

[Homestar]

The L322 has independent suspension, so it will cock a leg far more readily than the P38 which has live axles. The traction control in the L322 takes care of this though, and as you pointed out, it still excelled off road. It's just an idiosyncrasy of the machine. Once you know about it, and are happy for it to do its thing, then there isn't an issue.:)

[glenhendry]

Understood, but isnt one of the main pro's of a good four 4x4 is good articulation? Surely it is better to keep all four on the ground and have more points of traction? I reliase that the TC bites the spinning wheel but are we saying that articulation isnt important when you have TC? My P38 has TC on all four corners too.

We also wheeled with a new pathfinder, which also lifted its wheels really early and easy, and I dont think that I would classify it as a super capable off roader? I may be wrong... My wife always thinks so. ;)

[CBH25]

Maybe your brother is just a **** 4WDer? :)

I think the combination of below makes up some of it:
Wrong line of attack/steering angle.
Lots more weight in the rear (and high) of the L322
Speed and momentum at the obstacle.
More tyre rebound due to 18's and maybe higher pressure?

[Homestar]

Suspension travel is desirable but any vehicle with independent suspension will never have what live axles can produce by their very nature. It is a compromised setup balancing comfort, handling and off road performance. There are only a few live axle 4wd still being made new anywhere in the world. The Defender is one of them. All the rest have to compensate for their inadequacies through traction control, or just being a **** car off road like a lot of them are now.

[glenhendry]

This then begs the obvious question; does the L322 improvements in TC and centre diff locking outweigh the reduction in articulation???

Otherwise stated: is the stock L322 (with 18" wheels) better off-road than the stock P38? I think we can all agree its better on road ;)

[RR P38]

This then begs the obvious question; does the L322 improvements in TC and centre diff locking outweigh the reduction in articulation???

Otherwise stated: is the stock L322 (with 18" wheels) better off-road than the stock P38? I think we can all agree its better on road ;)

Its pretty hard to be objective here.
When I look at the under side of my P38 its a tough bit of kit, sure some things hang down, but they are built with strength in mind. In comparison the underside of an L322 is mostly flat, I certainly wouldnt want to get hung up on a log or a boulder...because I think/know that I will leave some plastic behind.
It will be interesting to see how long the Transfer cases last in the L322, they are very small.
I agree with previous comments about the L322 road manners, they are brilliant. Dirt roads and corrugations pretty damn good as well.
I have not had the L322 off road yet to test it, but I am certainly aware of its softness bodily and on the underside, also its extra size I can see as being a problem, vision from the seat is also not as good as the P38.
Im heading out to Temora on Saturday for the Warbirds Downunder air show, might give it a shake down on a track along the way.

[jsp]

I have managed to put a nice huge dent in my air tank under the P38 and bash the diff's a bit (cracked one a few weeks after I got it).

Under the 322 though it all seems a bit more solid, and I have bashed a few rocks on fairly basic tracks and have a little confidence as many of the main components are tucked behind the tubular chassis frame that hangs around the trans/front of the car.

That being said, as a rather uneducated offroad driver the P38 gives me more crash and bash out of trouble confidence than the L322 does.

In the mud at speed at Melrose this year I was the only one out of the disco's and deefers who could keep tracking in a straight line, they all commented on that and were amazed I hadn't put it in low range, all on my girly highway tires.