Buying The Older L322

[Grumbles]

I didnt want to highjack Grover-98s L322 buying thread so I thought I'd ask this question under seperate cover.

The points below re buying a higher kilometre [say 150,000 kms plus ] L322 4.4 V8 are a summary of what my various readings [here and o/s] in the last 24 hours have revealed in the way of likely failures and/or must do maintenance either now or in the immediate future.


1 - Cooling system - Radiator and transmission cooler will need replacing.
2 - Viscous fan hub will need imminent replacement.
3 - Water pump will need or has already been replaced.
4 - Blue coolant is essential.
5 - Front diff needs to have undergone the LR recall.
6 - Transmission needs to have been serviced.
7 - Engine breather pipes will have collapsed or will collapse resulting in major engine failure.
8 - Steering column – will probably fail
9 - Alternator is due for replacement
10 - Suspension air bags will need replacement.
11 - Water leaks.
12 - Parts prices - for comparison L322 parts prices are roughly four times the cost of the equivalent part for a P38.

I'd appreciate the opinions from you experienced L322 guys as to this list and whether it is realistic or not.

Thanks.

[ahebron]

Hi Grumbles
Another alternative is to buy that has had this work done.
I bought a one owner FSH 2003 TD6 HSE with 230,000km recently .
It had the diff done, a new radiator, new steering column.
I have given the gearbox a new filter and oil, replaced all filters, removed the egr and Cat, flushed out the inlet manifold.
The suspension still goes up and down I see no need to replace any of those parts just yet.
Water leaks seem to mainly be on sunroof equipped cars.
Parts can be expensive but if you look around and use compatable BMW parts then you will save money. As an example transmission fluid from BMW was 1/3 the price of Land Rover and its the same stuff. Only go to a main dealer for parts if very very urgent.
Getting a diagnostic tool like IID Gap will save a lot of money and time.

Adrian

[andrew e]

My bags lasted to 296000.

Parts are on par with p38s. Some like valve blocks are cheaper, whereas airbags are more. Dealer and 2nd hand parts are expensive, from Australia anyway.