Thinking of parting with my '08 Vogue and upgrading to a '12 4.4. One of the things I've noticed is that although there is a lot of good buying advice on this and other forums, there doesn't seem to be much focusing on all the new features that were added, either as standard or optional, from the '10 MY onwards.

I have found some such as the http://offroadrover.com/ blog which has some interesting content but is US-centric and therefore doesn't mention much about the diesels.

I love the look of the '12 interior and I've read good things about the 4.4 (apart from the turbo drain hole mod issue) and 8 speed ZF box.

When I first looked around for my '08, which was my first Range Rover, I found the number of things I had to check pretty daunting but looking at all the new features and options of the late L322s it seems as though I have to check as much again

The more I read about the '12 the more questions I have so it would be helpful to read some advice on what to check for with the new equipment. I think this will become of more interest to buyers as the '12 moves into the price range of more people (I couldn't afford a '12 when I bought my '08 but it's a serious consideration now).

For example, does anyone have the reclining rear seats on their vehicle? Is it true that the reclining seats cannot be folded down? If so, do they still have a 60/40 split?

Thanks for any tips you can offer  2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 automatic (LHD), Santorini Black
2008 Vogue 3.6 TDV8 automatic (LHD), Java Black

I updated from a Td6 Vogue.
The first car I looked at was a 2011 Vogue. Very nice car but....
The next car I looked at was a 2011 Vogue SE.
I knew immediately that the minimum spec I wanted was VSE.
2012 Westminsters were still a bit more pricey but scarce at the time.
I have had my 2011 VSE nearly 2 years now and not regretted buying it once. I love it.

Hi

I don't know about the rear seat issue although I have heard the reclining seats do not fold. Non reclining seats do have 60/40 but don't always have the 'ski' hatch in the middle.

Check the bottom lip of the upper tailgate for corrosion and the rear tail gate glass edge trims for similar issues. Naturally a FSH is a must. ideally a gearbox oil and filter change before 100k despite ZF saying sealed for life or 150k depending on who you believe. A box oil and filter change cost me 350 plus vat.

You obviously know about the oil drain mod but this is not an essential fix IMHO. The second turbo kicks in at 2500rpm and you really have to make the effort to get to that number. The occasional 'clean out' sorts it out but its a bit disconcerting when you cover the folks behind in smoke for the first time. If you tow a lot it might be more common.

I do have a copy of the original press release from June 2010 introducing the 2010 - 2012 MY range and if you PM me your email I'll gladly scan it over to you. It talks a lot about the new 4.4 TDV8 and 8Spd box but also:
Terrain Response Enhancements
Hill start assist
gradient acceleration control
laminated privacy glass as option
revised external appearance
optional Harman Kardon Logic 7 1200w 9 speaker system
5 new alloy wheel designs
Same Brembos as the existing supercharged.

etc  405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

I can confirm that the reclining rear seats do split 60-40 and you can fold the back down and then hinge the whole seat all the way forward. They also have the centre arm rest and through-load thing.

I have a brief write up of MY 2010-2012 differences on OffRoadRover.com under "Range Rover Buyers Guide" menu, thanks for mentioning. Unfortunately we do not get the diesel V8 or split screen front nav, or TV.

I also have extended write up in my book Cliff’s Unofficial L322 ‘Full Fat’ Range Rover Buyers Guide:
There is more information on there about world wide options.

Very briefly 2010 was very loaded, 2011 and 2012 largely deconted (vision package optional, was standard, Rear Diff Lock was standard on SC through mid 2011 then dropped in 2012), though 2012 does have different headlights and taillights and grille surround.

Reclining seats can fold but the Autobiography Ultimate 2 rear captains chairs with the champagne holder in the middle do not fold at all. The 1200 watt stereo optimally needs to be paired to a subwoofer as many consider it bright without.

I would suggest the 07-09s are likely going to be the gems looking back but a 2010-2012 with a warranty is a very nice car. OffRoadRover.com An American Western Range Rover Off Road Blog

Thanks for the replies. I also noticed on various review videos of the US 2012 MY L322 on YouTube that the US versions don't have the rotary gear selector but the regular selector found on models from previous years. Anyone know why? 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 automatic (LHD), Santorini Black
2008 Vogue 3.6 TDV8 automatic (LHD), Java Black

Rotary gear pack is only on the diesel which had the 8 speed afaik and not on any 5.0s with the zf 6hp28 I have been told rotary gear selector isnt compatible with the zf 6hp28 with the 5.0s. The USA only got 5.0s and therefore only the six speeds. I have never seen one even modified to fit as zf 6 is a physical linkage vs electronic in the zf 8. OffRoadRover.com An American Western Range Rover Off Road Blog

For me the VSE was also the way I decided to go

VSE gives you adaptive cruise, air cooled front seats and the adaptive headlights. I wanted all of those things

My old man has a Westminister which is a different spec. He has the adaptive cruise but only the standard headlights. He has the air cooled seats but they are a different design to the VSE - people on here refer to them as armchair seats!

I'm sure Stan will be able to give more advice as he has a Westminister

I bought a 2010 VSE 3 years ago and only after I bought it and read posts on here did I realise how loaded it was. Its got climate seats front and rear, rear recliners (they do fold 60/40), semi aniline leather, acc, double glazed windows, extended wood trim, adaptive lights, HK Logic 7, and more. I can now only replace it with something with at least as much kit on it!

Anyone know which year brought the bluetooth MP3/iPhone connectivity? My '08 Vogue doesn't have it. 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 automatic (LHD), Santorini Black
2008 Vogue 3.6 TDV8 automatic (LHD), Java Black

None of the 322's have Bluetooth music, the 2010-> have a wired iPod connection using a special cable.  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
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Mine's a NAS 2008. I have Bluetooth for the phone. Music is through the AUX plug in the back seat area.

As above, rotary gearshift is only for the 8-speeds. The petrols never got beyond the 6-speed, which means they all had the regular lever here in North America.

Were the safety features blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control and emergency braking available separately or were they an all or nothing option? 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 automatic (LHD), Santorini Black
2008 Vogue 3.6 TDV8 automatic (LHD), Java Black

Mine has the last two (as standard I believe) but the first is an option.

Frank (i like that name) buy an 5.0SC - i had an 2010 before and it was very good !  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

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