Thread: Comparison questions.

RR Sport is a Disco3/4 with a better looking body, shorter wheelbase and less internal room. Given that D3/4 is smaller inside than L322, RRS feels snug. I'm 6'3 and I felt RRS to be small. First thing I notice now when I get in a D3 is how small it is.

That said, compared to the 3.0 TD6 L322, the Ford/Jag power train is better, significantly better. The 2.7 engine is a bit better and the 3.0V6 is miles better. The 6HP26 ZF is better. Since you asked about towing - L322 has a solid tow point; old fashioned lump of steel welded to other big lumps of steel. D3/RRS have a stupid folding arrangement. It has a couple of week points, go have a good look at one you’ll see what I mean – Many plp tow big things with them but for me, the tow hitch arrangement was what sent me to L322 – several castings snapped off D3s in the early days prompting LR to issue the “no LDH allowed with air suspension” rule, which is solely so the pin or casting doesn’t fail on the back of D3/RRS – nothing to do with air suspension… You can now buy a replacement tow point from Mitch Bros Engineering which I would. RRS/D3 will pull better (extra gear + more torque). D3 will handle towing better then RRS due to the longer wheelbase. However L322 will handle a van better (terms of handling) than X5 and D3/RRS but it’s down on raw oomf.

The RRS will provide more of a car feel on road like the X5. L322 is bigger with a softer more comfortable ride but it does suffer from body roll in the city – hwy don’t notice it.

I assume you know that the 3.0TD6 L322 is the same under the covers as your X5 but with a duel range transfer case. So you will be aware of the transmission which IMO is not as scary as most make out. If you DIY, you will only need one lot of engine spares.

If you are asking about the later TDV8 L322 (3.6 or 4.4) then that’s a different story again which is not even worth comparing.

Thanks Harlie, you really are a Wizard.

Originally Posted by harlie

RR Sport is a Disco3/4 with a better looking body, shorter wheelbase and less internal room. Given that D3/4 is smaller inside than L322, RRS feels snug. I'm 6'3 and I felt RRS to be small. First thing I notice now when I get in a D3 is how small it is.


The RR Sport is larger in dimensions than the X5 but I find the X5 very comfortable. Maybe it's the ergonomics. The seats in the X5 are low so my legs are straighter. Perhaps the seats in the Sport are higher and the foot wells are smaller. I guess I need to go and sit in one.

That said, compared to the 3.0 TD6 L322, the Ford/Jag power train is better, significantly better. The 2.7 engine is a bit better and the 3.0V6 is miles better. The 6HP26 ZF is better.
Is that 6HP26 ZF box in the 2.7? So when you say better do you mean it is better than the 5 speed in the X5?


Since you asked about towing - L322 has a solid tow point; old fashioned lump of steel welded to other big lumps of steel. D3/RRS have a stupid folding arrangement. It has a couple of week points, go have a good look at one you’ll see what I mean – Many plp tow big things with them but for me, the tow hitch arrangement was what sent me to L322 – several castings snapped off D3s in the early days prompting LR to issue the “no LDH allowed with air suspension” rule, which is solely so the pin or casting doesn’t fail on the back of D3/RRS – nothing to do with air suspension…
Interesting, but it does make sense. Could I tow my van then without LDH comfortably with RR Sport?
You can now buy a replacement tow point from Mitch Bros Engineering which I would. RRS/D3 will pull better (extra gear + more torque). D3 will handle towing better then RRS due to the longer wheelbase. However L322 will handle a van better (terms of handling) than X5 and D3/RRS but it’s down on raw oomf.
I really have no issue with the X5 towing. The van has never stepped out of line in any conditions, wind, trucks, downhill etc but I do use LDH. I can sit on the speed limit without a hint of white knuckles.

The RRS will provide more of a car feel on road like the X5. L322 is bigger with a softer more comfortable ride but it does suffer from body roll in the city – hwy don’t notice it.
I like the ride and feel of the X5 so if the RRS is like that, I'd have lipstick on my earlobes while I was driving it.

I assume you know that the 3.0TD6 L322 is the same under the covers as your X5 but with a duel range transfer case. So you will be aware of the transmission which IMO is not as scary as most make out. If you DIY, you will only need one lot of engine spares.
I'm aware of the engine and tranny similarity. I was just thinking I'd try something different like the TDV6 and 6 speed. Also why buy a RR when I can get those mechanicals (albeit without low range, suspension etc) in another X5 for less money than a RR. If I sound like a heretic in this forum, I apologise.

If you are asking about the later TDV8 L322 (3.6 or 4.4) then that’s a different story again which is not even worth comparing.
It gets down to money for me, under $35K is where I want to be and I don't think I could get one of those in that price bracket.

I guess I was initially asking about the TDV6 as a package and it sounds like it's comparable with the 3L in the X5 and I'm happy with that. The 5 speed box has been OK in the X5 and hopefully the 6 speed is as strong as that given proper maintenance.
Thanks again.

Having read a bit further on the forum, perhaps this thread should be moved from the exalted halls of the L322 section into the depths of the D3, D4 and RRS section. Perhaps the Moderators could do this for me, please.
I apologise to all L322 owners for my upstartedness.

If you're happy with the size/room in RRS, get one -about the same as X5? Yes the 2.7 has the same 6speed ZF as the early 3.0 (later 3.0 got the 6HP28 before the 8speed). There is a step up in terms of drive train over the 5 speed X5. The 6HP26 is the same 6 speed transmission that was put behind the 3.0TD in the X5 from 2004.