| Hi from a new L322 owner - 2006 4.2SC | |
Hi all!
Was encouraged to sign up here by another L322 SC owner, as I've dipped my toe into the ownership of a 2006 4.2 V8 SC.
A bit about me... if you've had a P38 before, then you may know me from the likes of Rangerovers.net - I specialise in fixing some of the electronics, BECMs, door locks, switchpacks, electronic issues on them...
I am based (ish) in the UK - especially pre-covid, though I worked a lot internationally. However since covid hit, and being as I work in the entertainment industry, there has been next to no work in the UK for me. So I moved back (temporarily at least) to New Zealand where I grew up as I had work on events offered to me here.
In the course of being here, I was randomly eyeing up Range Rovers (more as a comparison to UK) and was tempted (and encouraged by my mate in the UK) to go and look at a 2006 Supercharged L322.
It was horribly unloved - bought as a 16th Birthday present for someone, and I don't think it had probably seen a service in the last few years.
Long story short, I decided to offer on it as it was a lot cheaper than others around, and I went in lower as I pointed out a few of the things that needed doing that weren't mentioned in the listing. To my surprise, they accepted the offer, and I was the proud owner...
The interior was filthy and took me about 5 or 6 hours to clean to a reasonable state (the difference in looks was amazing). I also got it fully serviced at a trusted Independent LR shop - which I used when I used to live here and have P38's 15 odd years ago. I got them to do everything including a transmission flush and new fluid/filter, brake fluid change, engine, diffs, tcase oils etc. and have a look under it to see what the state of it was.
They came back and said the underside was in really good condition, and it looked like I had saved it at the right time. Only noted work is the front suspension bushes/arms, and a new drive belt/tensioner at the next service.
Other things I've noted are a rip in the drivers seat (in process of getting it repaired with an upholsterer), a dent in the LH Rear above the wheel arch (from where previous owner backed it into a fence post... ).
So far I have:
Put 4x new tyres on it with 4 wheel alignment
New casing for the key
Restored the hazy plastic on the headlights using a maguires restoration kit
Replaced the LCD screen in one of the RSE screens as it was smashed - I stripped the unit down to get the model number of the LCD and ordered just that
Replaced the reversing camera as the original wasn't working
Replaced tailgate struts/straps
Replaced bonnet struts
Full interior clean
Things that are currently still in progress...
Replace the other RSE screen as there's now a brightness mismatch...
Find a nav disc for the factory nav
Do the bluetooth phone upgrade
Repair the Hi/Low and HDC switches as these were snapped off when I bought it
Parking brake needs adjusting
Replace the thermostat as it doesn't always get up to temperature, and I've heard that this is a common issue with the stat sticking open.
Repair the drivers heated seat, as it doesn't work - but others do
Investigate the occupancy sensor in passenger seat as this sometimes shows the airbag light on the dash when someone sits in it - I am guessing either a faulty sensor or a broken wire in the seat.
I have also bought a GAP IID tool which is now registered to me and the vehicle.
I have done a bit of a scan of the ECUs and the likes, and seen there are some which can have firmware flash upgrades... these include the amplifier/ICE system, instrument cluster, and the transmission ECU.
Is there any worried in upgrading these? I am most worried about the transmission one...
I have occasional hard shifts, and I've read on LR and Jag forums that updating the TCM firmware has fixed this for a lot of people or at least made it better (it's the ZF 6HP26 box). But I have also heard that resetting the adaptive values on these transmissions can cause issues on higher mileage boxes if they've had the fluid changed (this has 217K Kms/135k Miles in it) - and don't know if this is done as part of the ECU flashing. I've also heard that these boxes are a decent transmission that should last with servicing unlike the earlier model on the 2002-2005 models.
What are the general thoughts on this?
Anyway - enough for my first post... Here are a couple of pictures of the new girl... Hopefully my P38 at home in the UK won't be too jealous!
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The sunny outside picture is after I've done the headlight restoration 
Hopefully I will be able to contribute to the forums as I get to learn and know more about the intricacies of the L322! So far I'm enjoying ownership - it is definitely a nice vehicle to drive, and the supercharger whine is addictive!
Cheers,
Marty
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7th Jul 2021 12:16pm
