Hi all,

Been lurking for L322 during past years and have now finally decided to purchase one before they become even harder to get hold of.

The problem is that after all these time lurking I know that for my driving style, being mostly very short journeys of 10-30 minutes and twice a year longer distances I should purchase a SC or petrol in general. Especially as I do approx 8100 UK miles / 9320 us miles per year and don't need to tow unless the occasional helping to move etc.

The challenge is that in Sweden the Jag petrols are not often for sale and I've been tracking the market during 3+ years mostly out interest. The 4.4 TDV8 comes out occasionally and there I can be little bit more picky.

Should I be patience and wait for a petrol or can I actually purchase a TDV8 just so I can finally have my hands on a L322?

Personally I've never owned a diesel and I prefer petrol cars. Road tax is €350 more expensive but fuel consumption is not an issue, the car will be parked outside at the street. My concerns are the typical ones being turbos and DPF.

Looking forward to your input!

I have exactly the same issue as you…. This year I have only travelled 6.5k miles as we have an electric car that does all the small local mileage. A big diesel is just awful at those trips….. also with my budget I will be looking at cars with circa 100k miles onboard…. The turbos and EGR’s are very common failures at 90-110k. Yes the SC has timing chain issues at the same mileage, but the engine and supercharger are far more suited to smaller mileage and short trips than the diesel. I’d rather replace a timing chain than turbos.

I have changed the oil twice in 6.5k miles in my sdv6 to try and prevent issues with the egr’s and DPF but sadly my useage really doesn’t suit a diesel anymore.

Also I have owned a couple of identical cars in both engines…. A 335d touring and a 335i touring spring to mind….no comparison to a FFRR of course but the diesel was probably quicker in everyday driving, it was effortless, wafty and drama-less. I still preferred the petrol though!

I’m going to get the 5 SC before they get priced off the road and become extinct…. But at the end of the day it’s personal choice and what fits your useage that counts. Enjoyable debate though!

The turbo's and EGR's are *not* common failures on the 4.4 TDV8's!

You're thinking of the 3.6.

I only use my 4.4 TDV8 once every few weeks, generally for airport runs of about 40 minutes. It then sits at the airport for 3 to 7 days and brings me back home.

We also use the car for weekend camping/holiday trips, less than 5 times a year.

I have never seen a DPF warning and have experienced no issues in the 2 years I've owned the car.

If you're doing regular journeys of 10 minutes or less, I'd go for a petrol, if the car has time to get up to temperature (~10 mins depending on your climate) and you do an occasional motorway blast, I really don't think I'd be too worried.

Sorry to bring up this old post.

Recently seen couple of horror stories on the cost of changing parts on 4.4. TDV8, such as valve cover gasket, radiator etc. The labour cost is crazy that due to the actual time required to do such kind of jobs.

As I heard 5.0SC is much easier to work on, the ongoing maintenance cost of tdv8 could wipe off all the savings of fuel.

I'm quite handy but if a small job takes 10+ hours, I can't do it in my home...

Any thoughts?

They are both near £100,000 vehicles....

They cost a lot to maintain and repair, if they are well kept they can be very reliable but there is always the chance a big money job comes along....

That's the price of owning such a great machine... if living dangerously isn't for you then can I suggest you buy a Toyota....  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-

Hate to be a doom monger but yeah - either vehicle is potentially going to be very expensive to fix, should a major thing need replacing.

I don't have much relative knowledge to know whether one is more expensive than another, but most jobs are expensive if you're paying a specialist daily rates.

I've not seen anything reported about the TDV8 that gives me any major causes for concern.

My last issue was the starter motor, which I fixed for free with a few hours labour - it wasn't a quick job, but it also didn't cost anything... the pleasure of owning and driving these beasts has so far more than made up for it!

Just my honest opinion.....

A stock 4.4 TDV8 is MORE than enough on UK roads.

No need to chip.

Torque is amazing.

Towing is top drawer (if thats your thing)

Power is there when required.

2 years ago I owned an Audi A6 Avant BiTdi with the 313bhp engine mated to the 8 speed box. Absolutely epic car.

My L322 has the same power, with the advantage of the higher riding position and everything that goes with the FFRR drinving experience.

And at the same time not throwing away £££ at the petrol station just because you want a V8 FFRR.

If speed is what you are after, and the sound, buy a saloon or estate V8........BMW / Merc / Audi etc....etc

Steve 4.4 TDV8 Sumatra Black + Ivory Leather

As in V8 PETROL......... 4.4 TDV8 Sumatra Black + Ivory Leather

Thanks guys for your opinions.

At the moment I have a L320 2010 SCV8. Which is a nice car almost tick everything. But I have always been looking for a FFRR as an ultimate goal for me. A bit more space, more 'divine' feel, more poshed/relaxed feel on road... although less 'sporty'.

I've test drove both SCV8 and TDV8 on L322 yet price/condition I'm not satisfied as yet. Both are great engines and each has its own advantage/disadvantage compare to the other.

At this stage I'm trying to get some comparison on the maintenance/fixing side. I'm quite handy and do most of the work by myself. I do have bad experience on a 2004 Audi A8 4.2 petrol engine that it's so big fill the engine bay that a lot of small work can not be done unless engine is off the car. So when I saw lots of comments on doing the work on TDV8 that tasks such as valve cover gasket replacement/radiator work takes 10 hours, it's a bit scares me off.