Just bite the bullet and go for it, what you got to lose? If you see big repair bills looming then just sell it on. I've wanted a fatty for many years and 2.5 years ago I bought one. I knew what I was getting into when I bought it, I just had to have one. And in my ownership I've spent just over 5k, most of it preventative maintenance and still think I've got another 2k to spend to get it up to my standards.
Yet before the fatty, I had a 2008 Saab 9-5 hot aero that I had for 9 years and not once did it ever let me down. And I'm very sure in that 9 years did I ever come close spending 5k on repairs and parts, including tyres, brakes, servicing and several coil packs.
Believe me, I loved that Saab and best car I've ever owned, but would I give up the fatty? Not a chance! It's the only car to be in now me thinks.
Like most folk on here say, make sure you get one with outstanding history and well looked after, yes you will have to fork out £££ but you could still do that with any other car you buy. Oh and if you get a droning noise, don't worry that will be the wife but like most of us on here, we have selective hearing that comes as standard with owning a fatty.

TBH - I agree with *all* the feedback.

Audi's are more reliable. I never had an issue with A4s, TTs (3 of them!), RS4 etc. But found the dealers to be typical large Rolex small brain types. Sorry that is unfair but hopefully you get my drift.

Had the FFRR since January. So new into membership. Spent a couple of £thousands on belts, other bits and bobs, and the gearbox / full flush etc. And now in contact with Craig Cam-Tech about some further work.

But ... Every time we go in the car it is an occasion. It is not built for driving like a nutter, but is swift when it needs to be, but so comfy and that view is epic.

I drive an Abarth as a daily now. Missus uses the Merc etc. But just love the FFRR!

My preference would be to purchase a cherished example from a forum member. They are knowledgeable and tend to get things fixed.

Go on. Go for it!  Current: L322 2011 Zermatt Silver TDV8 Vogue SE, MB GLB AMG35, Renault Clio R200 Cup
Previous: Audi RS4 Avant Nogaro, Audit TT Sline, BMW M3 E92, BMW Z4 3.0i SMG, Macan GTS, Boxster S 986, Touareg V6 TDI

Honestly mate they ain't bad motors too own. I've git my supercharged 4.2 and I bought that on a gamble.

You know what, it's been the most reliable car I've owned in 20 plus years. Whilst mine is somewhat older and more mechanics compared too a 2017 range, I'd find yourself a late l322 motor that's specd out to how you want it

This goes back to my complexity vs capability matrix that I have in my head

If you need/want the most capable vehicle in the world, at some point you're going to have to put your overalls on or get your wallet out. Or even both.

It's a no brainer for me, I have to have something with 3.5t towing capacity, has to be capable off road, but also has to be able to cart me plus tools etc all over the place in comfort. I've done the discovery thing to death, not a fan of the Tdv6 at all, so that leaves the likes of a Merc ML, which feels like a second class ride compared to the RR, Landcruisers which IMO are the most overrated vehicle going with nasty interiors plus they rust like ladas.

Yes, they need love and attention, but there's nothing else like them in the world!

Well all this is very interesting, I had a Mercedes (new) that wouldn't keep the right time, the dealer had to replace the whole dash at a cost of thousands because you couldn't just buy and fit the clock. My son has an Audi (RS4) there's something wrong with the rear suspension thats going to cost thousands to fix.

It's not just JLR or Range Rovers that aren't perfect, if you're unlucky you're unlucky. Geoff

In my experience pretty much every car I’ve bought, premium brands included, has its specific design weaknesses, the key is to know what they are and inspect any potential purchase accordingly - given the combined knowledge & advice available here, you can go in with your eyes open with any L322 or L405 purchase  Jonathan

2007 Defender 90 XS Hardtop

I think a lot of it is perceived reliability.

Every vehicle has issues. A lot of it is down to perception. You ask people what the most reliable 4x4 is and I'll guarantee they'll say Toyota. In reality, I have first hand experience of the total opposite. 3.0 injector problems, hilux diff issues, couldn't keep windscreens in the later hiluxs... now replaced with Isuzu, they also have some issues but much better.

I've run Ford Transits and Mercedes Sprinters, people swear by sprinters but I found them worse than transits reliability wise.

By the law of averages, the more complex a vehicle is the more likely it is something is going to go wrong. If you want 100% reliability the best thing to buy is a bicycle with the fewest moving parts possible

My Dad runs a Disco 3 (not the same I know but closes enough in terms of reliability etc). He has owned it for over 10 years and its now up around 170k miles. I do all the maintenance on it. It has never let him down, yes things fail but nothing insurmountable or indeed that would break the bank(so far)

Oil & Filter change every year and general maintenance / repair on minor things and that's about it. Nothing big has failed. Air receiver and Air pump for the suspension are the 2 biggest things that spring to mind. SDV8

Haylands wrote:

Just go and buy a Toyota, you will be much happier.....

Dacia Duster?  2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

Fatboy Slim wrote:

If you want 100% reliability the best thing to buy is a bicycle with the fewest moving parts possible

 Filters are in fact so good that in certain circumstances, when the ambient air is already polluted, a diesel car will tend to extract more particles from the air than it emits. Emissions Analytics worked with........etc etc

He who dies with the most toys wins...

Reliability is such an overrated quality in a car. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

@JayGee:

Loved your comment!

I know what you mean, and it partly explains my mantra below, being an engineer by profession, it’s always fun tackling the next “problem”, and especially purchasing new tools to do so It would be boring having a 100% reliable car. But having said that, (touch wood) I’m really having to work hard to justify the extent of “preventive maintenance” to SWIMBO sometimes!

I’ve had 2 “lucky” VW Amarok pickups both for 5 years each, and just put diesel in, which was a tad boring… swapped for a new Ranger Wildtrak recently, ah much better! Oil all over my drive from a leaking timing cover, -new gasket? No sir, new cover with built-in gasket, don’t you know.

Sorry, a bit OT there….  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Proftinkerpot wrote:

Steve
I read the reviews, I watched the videos on YouTube. There are lots of horror stories out there about how a Range Rover will break the bank and your heart. Lots of those stories centre on older, cheaper vehicles with patchy service history. I guess any 10 year old car such as a Mercedes ML, a BMW X5, an Audi Q7 etc will all have their issues.

Like you I wanted to drive what is described as the most capable luxury off roader in the world, so I did my research and purchased a 2012 Westminster with 54k miles and a good history. Will it cost money to own? Of course it will but 3 months in and all good so far. I'm going to continue the maintenance and upkeep with so e preventative work such as diff oil changes and gearbox oil change etc, and a check over for bushes etc before MoT in August.

Would I recommend the L322? Absolutely, I love it. Its very different from my M5 but the comfort and quality as well as practicality and rugged style are obvious. I believe the L322 is the pinnacle of the balance between luxury and agricultural usability.
Why else would her Majestty have retained hers in favour of a newer model, also Jeremy Clarkson among others. And of course the number of committed owners is evident on this forum and the number of specialists selling parts to keep yours going.

Get on board, regret it at times when all isnt well, but love it most of the time. Oh, and find a good local specialist to care for it. Just my early thoughts.