Thank you to all for the replies so far. It is an interesting issue and certainly not off-putting but something to bear in mind. One thing I will aim to do is find one from an LR dealer with an approved used warranty of sorts. It is enough to put me off buying one from a general trader or a private sale.

With the L405 being at the top of my budget, it might be a better option for me to go for the L322 and keep a significant chunk aside for repairs.

It is a proper first world problem to have - which Range Rover should I buy?

Don’t forget, you can still buy from non LR main dealers or privately and still have the LR Extended warranty. The warranty can be retrospectively purchased from LR if it doesn’t have one, provided you pay a main dealer to do a health check; or, if you buy privately and it has an LR warranty, for a nominal admin fee it can be continued with the new owner. We always sell our cars privately and with LRs, I’ve always sold it with the LR warranty in place and available for the new owner to continue, if they want to do so 👍🏻

Just some other options…

It is, if you can find a nice late 4.4 L322 then that is a nice place to be. There is plenty of buying advice on here about what to look for and the common faults on the 4.4. There are good ones out there and at £20k you should be in a good place for choice. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Just noticed the reference to interest in an L322. Yes, very nice. Saw a mint 61 plate the other day and wished we still had one. Lots of presence, great ‘car’ and very classy.

I had a L405 3.0L for 4 years and never had any serious issues at all. I have had FFRR's since 2005 and have never had any major issues.

MY12 L322 4.4 has been my favourite of all my RR's i had it from 2000 miles to 60000 and it never missed a beat. fantastic car. ------------------------------------------
L460 D350 73 24 model FFRR Autobiography Santorini Black with Shadow Pack
L405 4.4 V8 18 FFRR Autobiography (facelift) Santorini Black with Shadow Pack
L405 3.0 V6 13.5 FFRR Autobiography Santorini Black
L322 4.4 V8 12 FFRR Autobiography Santorini Black (RR Styling Pack)
L322 3.6 V8 10 FFRR Autobiography Santorini Black
L322 3.6 V8 07 FFRR Vogue SE Santorini Black
L322 3.0 I6 55 FFRR Autobiography Santorini Black

[quote="btiratsoo"] It is enough to put me off buying one from a general trader or a private sale.
If the risk is enough to prevent you from buying without a Landrover warranty then this probably isn't the engine for you, unlike a lot of internet horror stories and myths the problem of the 3.0 spinning bearings and/or snapping cranks is real.
Most of those on the forum who have had a problem with it will now have moved onto another make so aren't around to comment. The support from Landrover when it does go wrong is at best "variable" (read appalling) and the warranty is not guaranteed to sort it. You then have to consider spending another £1500 next year to renew a warranty which probably wont cover the problem.
I rarely pay much attention to internet horror stories but several convincing threads on here and personal direct knowledge of at least 4 engines with major crank problems has convinced me to avoid the 3.0, I simply couldn't live with the worry when there is an alternative available.

Everyone entitled to their opinion and many people have them 😂

Last edited by pld118 on 21st Jun 2021 5:55pm. Edited 1 time in total

Unless you disassemble the engine, there is no way to know if it has the casting error that leads to a broken crank.

Buying a car with that engine is a gamble, but the probability of the crank breaking is low.

However, if your limited budget for a car reflects strained finances overall, you should probably choose something else.

While the V8 Diesel engine is unsophisticated even by diesel standards, the biggest problem is the oil level sensor replacement. It is expensive, but not a catastrophic failure.

And the supercharged gasoline V8 is lovely.

Thanks again for all the replies guys. It looks like the issues of a decision for me might be over as I have possibly found the late model L322 that I have been looking for. This will keep me well within budget and also allow for any future repairs without being stretched. Although an L405 is affordable, it would empty the coffers too much at this stage.

I have not been put off by the 3.0TDV6 and after test driving one, I think it is a lovely vehicle and if the L322 falls through, then an L405 will be on the cards for sure.

I really appreciate all your input - positives, negatives and general opinions.

That Range Rover in the link, the front bonnet badge is in the wrong position, it’s too low down on the front panel and the space between range and rover isn’t wide enough. Maybe just had a little paint or maybe had a bump at some point.

Just my little 2p’s worth

Just filled my D300 for the second time since I collected it in May and it is averaging 34.8mpg on my app which is a true figure. Amazing compared to the old TDV6 in my 2018 car which was only 27mpg average.  All LR cars from 1984
2021.5 Vogue SE D300 Carpathian Grey
2018 Vogue SE British Racing Green GONE

Lad wrote:

That Range Rover in the link, the front bonnet badge is in the wrong position, it’s too low down on the front panel and the space between range and rover isn’t wide enough. Maybe just had a little paint or maybe had a bump at some point.

Just my little 2p’s worth