Hello all.
I've been a massive Land Rover fan since I was a teen. They've shown up in some of my favourite films. The Italian Job, Layer Cake, Snatch, Stepbrothers etc.
Never thinking I would own one, I am now on the Time/Money side of the life triangle and having watched that Metcalf/Clarkson video I decided the time was now.

Trawled the forums and buyers guides and went to see a few duds.
A mint condition 200k mile P38 which had had a lot of money spent on it. IMO it was overpriced and I made a lowball offer. It had been bought by an MOT centre from a guy who was getting on in life and they were wanting to make a few bob. I watched the price on Autotrader drop £600 below my offer before it disappeared so I chuckled at that one.
Next was a 2010 L322 TDV8 which was presented in poor condition. Manky with underinflated tyres and coffee spilled all over the inside. Needed brakes all round too so I walked away from that one.
Then there was a great sounding 2011 which was advertised as a FF without pictures only to turn out to be a sport when I arrived.
Was about to give up until after xmas when the car I got popped up on AT very close to where I live.

128,000 mile 2008 4.2 Supercharged in Stornoway Grey with sand (I think) interior.

The list that the indy gave me was as follows:
• Knocking noise could be a ball joint or inside the steering rack, however there is no play in either.
• Some sections of the heated front and rear screens are inoperative.
• The steering wheel is off centre when driving straight.
• Handbrake is not holding well. This will require stripped to identify the cause, possible the expanders and shoes or fixings not holding securely
• Boot floor stand clip and plastic end cap are missing.
• The lower tailgate latch at the offside is sticking and not securing.
• Air conditioning is poor.
• Auxiliary belts are perished and cracking. New auxiliary belts, may need tensioners but will not know until stripped.
• Both rear wheel arches are corroded, especially the offside at the end of the sill.
• The inner rear wheel arches are also corroded.
• The nearside rear tyre has a cut into the depth of the reinforcing cords on the sidewall, this is an MOT fail item
• The offside front fog lamp has water ingress and starting to corrode.
• Both front air springs are perished.
• Some undertray fixings are missing, but it is still secure enough.
• Offside front outer drive shaft gaiter is losing grease from the CV joint.
• The transfer case is leaking oil badly, possibly the input shaft oil seal that has failed, topped up to level as required.
• The vehicle has been fitted with 4 new front suspension arms fitted but the bushes have been tightened up on full axle droop, this is causing the bushes to twist badly. Needs the bolts loosened at normal height and re-tightened. Carry out a full 4 wheel geometry
• The exhaust tail pipe silencing material is falling apart.
• The exhaust system is quite rattly, possibly collapsed internal baffles in the silencers.
• The offside front wheel has a visible welding repair on the inside, this may be an MOT issue in the future.
• Front differential is a bit damp, possibly the input pinion seal leaking.
• The offside rear upper rose joint has play.
• Nearside headlight washer not spraying.

The car goes in at the beginning of Feb for the handbrake, transfer box leak, aux belts, CV boot, a service and gearbox oil change.
I’ll look at the other items further down the line.

I've already fixed some things like a broken parking sensor, headlight washer, replaced the tailgate straps, removed the side steps.
I'm not a fan of the 22" wheels, they look too much like cart wheels so I bought a set of 20" autobiography wheels cheap off gumtree and an going to get them refurbed and fitted with General Grabber A/T3s.
Only other mod I'm going to make is a back box swap out for stainless pipes. ---------------------------------
2008 L322 Supercharged
2007 Porsche 987 Boxster S
2021 BMW iX3

I wouldn’t say that list was devastating, more ‘work in progress’. Lots of niggly things that perhaps shows the previous owners skimping on maintenance.
You’ve got two choices…..sell her or keep her, simple as that. If you like her just spend a few pounds every month on the more important issues & go from there. End caps & latches can be self done, a/c might just need a top up & I think your car is old enough for the cheaper gas.
My only comments would be are these, 1) when you change the belts, do ‘em all & also do the tensioners, even the water pump, preventative maintenance they call it. 2) whoever works on your car, please make sure they’re used to working on these girls & just not ‘any old garage’. I picked up on the bushes that had been tightened up on the ramp with the wheels drooping, silly mistake!😳
She looks ok on the photos, spend a few pounds & she’ll be fine. As for welding, try asking around for recommendations, motorsport obsessed guys are always pretty good with a welder.
Have fun & under the terms & conditions of this site, you must keep us up to speed🤣🤣🤣 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

Lovely car, I hope you get it all sorted.

For readers of this thread this perhaps highlights the benefit of an independent pre purchase inspection. When I bought my 2008 SC in Southampton a local 4x4 specialist checked it out for me and gave a verbal debrief; all for the cost of one hour’s labour - well worth the spend. If the seller refuses, walk away?

As long as you got it cheap that's not an unusual list of job for a car that age. A lot of owners run these as running repairs. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

just getting mine done ........... all fun

Welding was completed a couple of weeks ago.
nothing too bad I think.

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That's a few sunny weekends work for Christ sake I do like the colour combo. Good luck with it.

Last edited by Gsxr1250dave on 28th Jan 2024 9:57pm. Edited 1 time in total

Great post. I enjoyed reading it and thanks for posting.

I too bought a 4.2sc recently and, like you, I have a laundry list of jobs to complete.

Mine is a 2005 with 2010 facelift front and rear. I didn’t get a pro inspection before purchase but I’m okay with where I have got to four weeks later. I have done some jobs, given it to the garage to do others. There is more for me to do when it comes back next week, though nothing urgent.

You’ve inspired me to do a similar write up…

If we don't get a new London tosspot I'm swopping my well sorted rebuilt m62 non compliant with my mates 4.2sc fullfat.

We’re guaranteed to get a new Tosspot as mayor. But don’t let that stop you - just get the 4.2sc!

The 4.2sc is all ready hear in the form of the rrs I bought for the wife but she didn't like it so its my daily at the moment. Iv put to much into my m62 to let it go with a full engine rebuild as well as other stuff

I get it. You have the best of both worlds - enjoy!

Good job with the welding, looks like a nice repair. 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue

Lovely looking car 👍 looking forward to hearing more about your progress..