L322 with coils - thoughts

[rar110]

I've come across an ok looking 2003 L322 TD6 (no history for last 5 yrs - driver side arm rest needs replacing) with coils. The owner had repeated air susp problems despite replacing a couple of air springs so converted to coils.

I'm guessing it would be a $3000 exercise to change it back? I assume the sensors will need replacing and/or compressor refurbing.

At 170ooo km it's also in the zone for trans failure.

[Disco Muppet]

I've come across an ok looking 2003 L322 TD6 (no history for last 5 yrs - driver side arm rest needs replacing) with coils. The owner had repeated air susp problems despite replacing a couple of air springs so converted to coils.

Walk away.

[33chinacars]

Walk away.

Or would have to be very very cheap

[Disco Muppet]

Or would have to be very very cheap

Exactly.
If it's being offered for peanuts, grab it.
If not... ;)

[justinc]

Don't be tempted at any price. There is no such thing as a cheap l322. The eas on those is one of the least problematic of all rr's, sounds suspiciously like it was poorly maintained.

[Homestar]

I'm with JC. What else couldn't they be bothered with fixing properly? The EAS is both reliable, relatively easy to diagnose, and not expensive to repair (in the grand scheme of things). Coils into one is just a cop out. If it's dirt cheap, could be ok to wreck I suppose and use as spares.

What sort of price are they asking?

[rar110]

Thanks for replies. $23 neg. I was thinking $18500 given the cost of reinstalling EAS.

It was owned by a mechanic, who I get the impression is now deceased. He did his own repairs & maintenance, but nothing in the book since he bought it.

[jsp]

take another 6 or 7 off that for the trans, not if but when....

[Dougal]

Bargain at $10k if you need a hobby.

[rar110]

Bargain at $10k if you need a hobby.

Not really. I've moved on from having a vehicle I drive occasionally and work on it regularly. Driving regularly and working on it occasionally is where I'd rather be.

[33chinacars]

If you got it for $6000 - 8000 maybe . Other wise leave it for some other bunny.

[drivesafe]

I find it very strange that someone would convert to springs.

My heap of garbage came from the factory with faulty suspension and no matter how many times I raised the issue during the warranty period, it was never addressed.

So out of total frustration, once the warranty expired, and after reading how a few people in the USA had fitted springs, I seriously looked into ripping out the air suspension and fitting springs.

But the more I looked into it, the worse the idea seemed and I was far better off staying with the stuffed air suspension than converting to springs.

So either the owner of that RR did not do their homework, or there may other serious problems with that RR, that resulted in the springs being needed?

[Dougal]

Not really. I've moved on from having a vehicle I drive occasionally and work on it regularly. Driving regularly and working on it occasionally is where I'd rather be.
That's decision made then!

[Homestar]

Thanks for replies. $23 neg. I was thinking $18500 given the cost of reinstalling EAS.

It was owned by a mechanic, who I get the impression is now deceased. He did his own repairs & maintenance, but nothing in the book since he bought it.

I'll be asking about that for mine soon, but it's had the trannie and just about everything else done too. A long list. Also has a full service history. Tell him he's dreamin'

[rar110]

I'll be asking about that for mine soon, but it's had the trannie and just about everything else done too. A long list. Also has a full service history. Tell him he's dreamin'

Too many cars or are you upgrading?

[Homestar]

Lack of use. Used to be a daily driver for SWMBO, and we were also going to set it up for camping, but the 101 came along, so we go everywhere in that. SWMBO has a small manual run about now and hardly drives it. I don't really want to move it on, but it spends all it's days sitting on the nature strip looking sad...:(. Which makes me sad to see it like that...:(

Probably better it goes to a more loving home.

I shouldn't be saying this on this part of the forum - it may be viewed as selling outside the markets, but it was just making a comment on the price.:)

Cheers - Gav

[jsp]

look at it possibly from the other point of view, what kind of luck do you have?

I have bad car luck, they always go bad, always break down on me. Its always the expensive fix.

But heaps of people I have spoken too have bought a $1500 Range rover classic from ebay that's already done 400k on the original engine, and then pack their family into it and do another 150k in laps around the country not even bothering to change the oil and the only issue they have is the tyres keep wearing out every 70k?!?!

you win some you loose some just depends how much your willing to gamble :)

[Homestar]

My RRC was give to me by my FIL. Even before changing out the clapped out 3.5 that did 300,000KM towing a big boat or caravan that they had, I would have still jumped in it for a lap of the country with not much more than filling the fuel tank before I chuffed off. It's the most reliable vehicle I've ever seen or owned. It's never not got home under its own steam.

It has however got home with no lights, an almost flat battery, windows that won't wind up....

Bloody Lucas...:D

[rar110]

look at it possibly from the other point of view, what kind of luck do you have? I have bad car luck, they always go bad, always break down on me. Its always the expensive fix. But heaps of people I have spoken too have bought a $1500 Range rover classic from ebay that's already done 400k on the original engine, and then pack their family into it and do another 150k in laps around the country not even bothering to change the oil and the only issue they have is the tyres keep wearing out every 70k?!?! you win some you loose some just depends how much your willing to gamble :) I must admit I've generally steered clear of the 2001/02 incl early MY03 L322 models. My preference is a 2004 or MY06.