Would you buy another L322?

Within my selected price range i am looking at examples with roughly 150-250Ks on the clock. ;)

As best that can be worked out the GM 5L40E (TD6) change little in the years it was used by R.R. So in that regard you takes your chances.
BMW that used the same gearbox in the X5 Appear to made some slite changes.
The ZF gearbox used by the V8's is better but also has problems.

Gary

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Originally Posted by Grover-98

Within my selected price range i am looking at examples with roughly 150-250Ks on the clock. ;)

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Personally, I would recommend the diesel if you are looking at one with higher KM on it. Diesel engines in general wear a lot better than a petrol engine, and usually produce much higher KM before work is required.

Not sure what sort of KM the petrols are good for, but I have heard reports of the diesels still going strong at 250 to 300KKM. Maybe the only reason I haven't heard of a petrol one doing the same, is that maybe no one can afford to drive them that far.. :)

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Originally Posted by bacicat2000

Personally, I would recommend the diesel if you are looking at one with higher KM on it. Diesel engines in general wear a lot better than a petrol engine, and usually produce much higher KM before work is required.

My thoughts exactly, also the benefits of far better economy has a slight impact on the decision.

Not sure what sort of KM the petrols are good for, but I have heard reports of the diesels still going strong at 250 to 300KKM. Maybe the only reason I haven't heard of a petrol one doing the same, is that maybe no one can afford to drive them that far.. :)

Most of the Petrol models within my price range are showing closer to 100-150KM on the clock.

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Kind Regards.

Fuel economy comes down to personal thresholds – some don’t mind 20L/100, me personally, I didn’t consider the V8 as an option, our TD6 L322 is the least fuel efficient vehicle I’ve ever owned so it is fair to say my level of expectation when it comes to throwing money at bowsers is quite high.

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Originally Posted by bacicat2000

... do you know if the better double DIN units will intergrate into the CAN bus for the steering wheel controls?

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Yes they do Gav, I'm in the process of getting a facia, there are a few different ones, will post when my research is done.

Biggest benefit of the Vogue spec over the HSE kit wise is the seats, the more adjustable comfort seats in the Vogue are fantastic, prob about the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in, a world better than the ones in the HSE and noticeably better even than the ones in the 08 that lose the separate backrest top section adjustment due to the airbags being moved to the seat. Not sure if these were an option on the diesel at all.

Other difference between the Nav/Non-Nav setups for the audio system is the Nav specced cars have an amplifier as well as the DSP and additional speaker. Upside of this is better audio quality, downside is it's not really possible to upgrade/change them much without having to pull out the entire system and replace the amp etc too.

Personally if I was buying another 03 I would look for the best condition petrol Vogue with reasonable KMs I could find and stick it on LPG straight away. Would give in my opinion the best of comfort, power, refinement, kit and be more economical on fuel than the diesel likely into the bargain with about the only downside being the clunky satnav.

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Originally Posted by ariddell

Biggest benefit of the Vogue spec over the HSE kit wise is the seats, the more adjustable comfort seats in the Vogue are fantastic, prob about the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in, a world better than the ones in the HSE snip

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What other features do the Vogue seat have? I thought my HSE ones were comfortable, and they more adjustments tham you can poke a stick at.:p

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Originally Posted by ariddell

Other difference between the Nav/Non-Nav setups for the audio system is the Nav specced cars have an amplifier as well as the DSP and additional speaker. Upside of this is better audio quality, downside is it's not really possible to upgrade/change them much without having to pull out the entire system and replace the amp etc too.

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This is where I get confused with what spec came with what vehicle. My HSE does not have Sat Nav, but does have a 9 speaker stereo with amp in the back - it is a different amp than the sat nav version though, but a couple of suppliers I have contacted about new head units say there is only the Vogue style (sat nav) and the basic (non amp) version, and this simply isn't the case.

This also goes for most features - some do have them and some do not, and there doesn't seem to be any way of telling which has what based just on saying it is an SE, HSE or Vogue.

Cheers - Gav

Main difference with the Vogue seats is the backrest split into 2 sections which separately adjust to give better back/shoulder support as opposed to 1 single section on the HSE. The headrests are also a different design and I seem to recall the lumbar support was more adjustable.

According to the original sales brochure there were 3 audio options across the range:
6 Speaker - Standard on SE.
11 Speaker - Standard on HSE Diesel and HSE V8
12 Speaker with DSP - Standard on Vogue, optional on HSE.

Satnav was optional across the entire range so by the looks it it you could have an SE with a 6 speaker stereo and satnav if you wanted it.

Cheers,

Al

Now that i have done all of the research... I believe the Diesel HSE is my main cup of coffee (i hate tea)...

Now i have set my priorities, price range and now the test driving truly begins... which is probably the hardest part as there are so little out there to test dive :(

James.