Dear FFRR friends
I’m presently in the market for a 4.4 TDV8 from 2010-12 on the UK market (and looking specifically for an SE or autobiography because I personally think that gap in the lower central console looks so wrong if not filled up with knobs!)
I’ve had P38s and 2005 L322s before so I have a little bit of background knowledge.
But what I wanted to ask the collective wisdom about is whether there are any less obvious differences or upgrades I should be aware of during that period?
My old 2005 was one where the electronics had moved to MOST but pre-dated the provision of an aux-input, so after that experience (which led me down several years of fun playing about with most-aux-rr units and soldering irons just to achieve a humble aux input, which even all that effort always behaved in a buggy way... long story) I am aware of how you can sometimes get subtle but important changes “under the hood” that aren’t obvious, based on the different month/year cut-offs!
As far as a can see, the last big facelift items were the gear stick moving from a stick to a dial, and the dash becoming LCD and the head unit becoming black not grey, and most of the post-2010 L322s seem to tick all those.
But did anything else subtle happen that I should be aware of (that might, say, favour a 11/12 over a 10)? Or autobiography/Westminster vs SE? Or anything else?
Thank you for any advice.
Mike

I am assuming you know that the dial versus the stick gear lever indicates an 8 speed gearbox and the 4.4TDV8 over the 3.6. Just for clarity only the diesels get the rotary dial and 8 speed box, the petrol L322 remained with the same gearbox.

There are differences externally, typically grille colour, colour coded door handles and side vents and the background colour of the head and tail lights which become black versus dark grey and whilst they all matter to those of us sad enough to care I don’t think they are in the league of your auxin, or no aux in frustrations.

So if you select a rotary gear selector - apart from colour coding, light background colour and wheel options and Land Rover tinkering with the specs and options I don’t think there are any mechanical differences you need to be aware of.

Rotary gear selector cars are all 4.4 and 8 speed gearbox and that is a sweet spot to start at, they also have the bigger brake calipers - branded Range Rover, the digital dash that you mention and would definitely be my choice if I were looking for another L322. Mine has been a pleasure to own and when an L405 replaces it - which it will as soon as the mate whose cars I buy cars replaces his current 405 - I will remember it fondly and be glad I did the research you are doing now.

Good luck  2016 (L405) Autobiography in Black with Ivory - for ULEZ
2014 (L405) VSE in Black with Ivory
2011 (L322) VSE in Black with Ivory
2005 (3.2 V6) Porsche Cayenne in Black with Savanna
1999 (P38) VSE in Burgundy (?) with Sand

Dear 160dmb
Thank you for this excellent advice.
Mike

The best advice is to buy on condition and history not spec, mechanically they are all the same and really apart from some gadgets which are rarely used and cooled seats there is little difference is the models. I do agree on the missing knobs on the vogue however if it were a choice between an excellent Vogue and a slightly less excellent vse then the vogue would win.

Read up on the common problems, of which there aren’t many, and make sure they are sorted. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Morning Mike

Just having a quiet cuppa before shaking out the wife. Lots of great help about on the forum, generously given and gratefully received by all. A few quick searches on the forum should see you getting the idea on 2011 MY.
eg
2011 4.4 tdv8
2011 4.4 tdv8 trim

A PR sort of review gives some tech specs for the FF for the 2011/12 MY
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/land...on=history

Keep looking on here in search, but don't forget, there are many items asking for advice and detailing repairs and it can often seem it's all problems. Some are small, others not so. Our 4.4 2011MY has been with us 6 months and has had anew alternator, pricey even at an Indy, but if you spanner yourself it can be done.

Trim levels seem to be down to choice of original buyers, adding some items they want. Ours is a Vogue, but has heated/cooled front seats which I don't think are Vogue standard issue, nice pair of knobs to fill the space in the lower console though. Search for what you want, not perhaps the model. I am sure the upper trim levels may return better resale speed and pennies, but we went for personal preference.

I haven't had the chance to drive a Supercharged as they were like hen's teeth when we were looking, but our 2011MY 4.4 is quite awesome when asked and still does 30mpg overall.

Good hunting

Richard

Many thanks also northernmonkey and rjff (and that’s a great review on the Honest John site - thanks).

As far as trim and toy goes, this is an approximate guide to which toys were fitted to which model:

Thank you. That would be much appreciated.
PM sent.
Mike

The Westminster is the later run out model, it replaced the Vogue and Vogue SE, but the VSE had far nicer seats. I Agree with buying the best condition you can find, but I would go for a VSE or Autobiography if given the choice over a Vogue or Westminster. 2021 L405 Vogue SE 4.4 V8 DIESEL ~ #17

Thank you Vogue.
Cheers
Mike

Fwiw, my last L322 RR was a 2011 VSE 4.4 TDV8, bought new, covered 69k faultless miles, absolutely zero issues, I have owned Range Rovers and Land Rovers solely since 1973 and so far it has been the best out of all of them. Serviced on time and driven like a car should be has probably helped. If you can find a good one it is the absolute pinnacle of motoring - I have absolutely no desire for any other make of car. I would take the RR every day over an Aston or a Bentley. 2021 L405 Vogue SE 4.4 V8 DIESEL ~ #17

I hope I find a nice one, like you did!!
Thanks
Mike

Hi a few months ago I was thinking the same
I had my heart set on a autobiography level but after searching and trying a few I found it better to go on history and condition over trim, afer all even the vogue is high end motoring.

Proud owner of 2011 Vogue fully loaded 360 cams, rear tv screens, blindspot monitoring. Heated cooled front and back seats .came with 22 inch wheels can't have everything but they are growing on me .

I think the 22 inch look the best!! But I’ve heard they’re not so practical, in terms of being quite vulnerable to kerbing.

Hi again yes the wheels look great and the car had lived all its life in and around central London so I'm sure no problem.
I'm semi rural country lanes and potholes , and to be honest with the contental 40 mm profile tyres it's much better than expected.