Hi all, have been lurking this forum since couple months now.
Since my youth I have been thinking of a L322 and that famous The OC episode with the Green Supercharged one.

I have a daily driver: G21 3-series diesel (I do around 40k km per year) but I would like to add a L322 to the fleet for the "fun" aspect. I do mostly long trips (around 200 km) or short (10-30km).

I would like to change those short trips: store, dropping off children, bike trips... with the L322 and sometimes (on a good day) those trips of 200km or more. (1 time a week)

I have seen couple of L322 here for sale in Belgium and the Netherlands and my first option was a TD6 2003 Blue but after test driving it, the base engine doesn't do it for me. It feels like a tractor and after test driving a 2007 v8 3.6, I knew directly that a "better" engine was changing my feeling and wow-factor.

But since the car will be sitting outside, will not be driven everyday for long trips... I have been wondering if that engine: v8 3.6 is the right one => EGR, Turbos, ... I really like the facelift: external and interior but reading so many people raving about the SC versions or the 4.4 petrol (2002-2006) I am a bit lost. Any advice?

My dream spec: 2011 4.4 with the green colour and beige interior but here in Belgium and Netherlands, they are just so expensive for a good one (+15k) and since it is not a daily driver my budget is around 10k+- with an emergeny fund.

Thanks in advance for some tips and advice

What about the 4.4 Jaguar engined model? Do you have those over there? About 2005/2006.

I’d say you need to drive an SC and compare to the diesel drive. Petrol might be better for the shorter journeys, and you did say there was a fun factor……

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

I know some people like it, but for me, the TD6 is an awful engine, with no power to overtake.

Each engine has its issues - the 3.6 can randomly eat its turbos, but otherwise a great engine.

The petrol engines use a lot more fuel, so it really depends on your mileage.

Diesels don't particularly need a lot of long trips, but equally don't like exclusively town driving, sitting in traffic and short trips. As long as you mix it up a bit, they're fine IMHO

Budget is usually the deciding factor - I'd go 4.4 TDV8 if you can stretch to it.

Main factor will be the petrol costs. If your doing 20k plus a year, your gonna need deep pockets money wise for petrol

I've just figured out that I done 18000 miles last year and at an average cost of £150 per tank (300 mile) that's £9,000 a year in petrol before you've even paid for any basic maintenance.

If your doing high miles, get a v8 diesel. Neither are going too get round the nurburgring in any decent time so not a fun car too drive but certainly a car where you feel like your driving an armchair along the motorways

Thanks for the comment.
The most daily driving (90%) will be done with 3 series BMW.
So the fuel cost is a factor, but certainly not the most important one.

If that's the case mate, look for a well serviced 4.2 or 5.0 petrol one. 5.0s normally come up cheap when they are due the chains so this can be used as a bargaining point.

I'd go for the 5.0 over the 4.2 if I had the choice again but my 4.2 does the job pretty well for me

Thanks for the moment I have on my shortlist:
- 06 4.2 SC
- 11 4.4 v8

That’s easy if they are the choices. 4.4 TDV8. Longest I’ve ever kept a car.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport