I suppose that makes sense Pete.

The ride is so stiff today, every bump jolting and jarring the car.

It's almost as if the shocks aren't compressing.

Might have to find a poor road and get someone to drive it past me whilst I watch the suspension.

A slightly crazy thought I've had is could a Chinese copy of SDD and a Mongoose clone mess up the car in some way to make it feel like this?

I've used this SDD on all 4 range rovers I've owned.

I owned the first one for a year very happily before it blew a boost hose and I recall buying and plugging in this sdd setup to diagnose.

The engine always felt laggy after that and I ended up selling it for the 59 plate facelift which ended up feeling the same with the added discomfort of heavy steering and poor ride.

I used it on the 4.4 tdv8 l322 as well which also drove nice when I bought it.

Just a thought...

interesting thread. My 2011 L322 seems to have developed a harsher ride, especially at the rear. I am going to have the dampers checked as I have read on here they that can leak.

@Mariana - did you ever solve your L322 harsh ride?

Hi Dolphinboy,

I wasn't able to solve it no, I've had it on 2 facelift l322s and this 405 and nothing helped.

I swapped the shock absorbers on the first facelift l322 to non cvd units which gave an improvement but it still wasn't as good as my first 3.6 tdv8 Westminster.

The ultimate solution with that car was to sell it and buy a Bentley.

I've had another 322 since which was also harsh riding, engine lethargic and heavy to steer.

Thought the 405 would be better but I was wrong.

funny Ive been looking at bentleys too! a chum picked up a Mulsanne turbo R for £12K! peach of a car. I would love one but have driven the continental GT W12 which is also a fave.

Which model did you buy?

I had a Continental GT W12.

Comfortable ride, light steering and a ridiculously powerful engine.

Only sold due to fuel prices rising to almost £2 a litre for super unleaded (required for the W12) and needing a big car once more.

I am at the point of tearing my hair out.

Last edited by MarianaWestminster on 5th Nov 2023 8:23pm. Edited 1 time in total

I know you changed shocks on an earlier 322 and it made no difference but your car is 8 years old and done. IIRC somewhere around 80,000 miles.

If it had a hardish life before your ownership, and I mean went down a lot of poor quality "B" roads then maybe your shocks are all worn...

Maybe when worn these CVD shocks give a hard ride... maybe the active roll bars are worn as well, I doubt that would help....

Still think you need to take it to someone who "knows" these cars, get to the bottom of it, fix it if broken or worn, accept it, or buy a Citroen....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I tend to agree with you Pete...

I've contacted Charles at RRW World on your suggestion Pete just waiting for a reply. (Sorry I didn't reply to your PM, things have been hectic)

Just not sure what can be done, if I'm told again that this is normal then it will be moved on.

I keep driving round thinking this can't be normal but I have no fault codes (at least related ones) and no idea what could cause a crap ride, heavy steering and lethargic engine all at the same time and in 3 different Range Rovers I've owned.

I'd expect all them to have been at least as good as if not an improvement on my original 2009 L322.

I suppose I could buy another 06-09 tdv8

Mariana why don't you go to a Dealer and enquire about changing yours and get a test drive of one you like to compare?>I think this is what I would do and then I would know for sure if the L405 is the car for me.
This would also reveal if yours has a problem. overfinch modified

He already has… Pete (Haylands) has met up with each other and driven both cars back to back… Write up is a few pages back… 👍

I know but try another to be certain as I don't think for Mariana it was conclusive. overfinch modified

I could do with driving another 4.4 yes but I don't want to waste a dealers time.

I might go and explain to one and offer them a 'fee' to take a car in stock out for an hour or so.

Last edited by MarianaWestminster on 5th Nov 2023 8:23pm. Edited 1 time in total

Heard back from RRW. Just asked if I wanted it remapped which is not what I'm looking for.

To top it all off a highway maintainance truck doing daft speed clipped my drivers side mirror on the way to work this morning

If you explain to them that you think you have a suspension issue and want them to have a look, I'm sure they will help...  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-