So I’m still looking and was due to go and see a 2016 at the weekend but got a call to say it sold sadly.

So I’m on the hunt again and I’ve found a 2012 for far less money I quite like.

From what I can garner it doesn’t have the able or twin oil drains.

Does this make it a lot more unreliable? Looking at one north of 100k miles.

Are there any other iterations worth knowing about? Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

2012 will be an L322 but you have posted in the L405 forum?

The engine is the same, just with a few minor improvements on the L405 SDV8:
- slight power uplift
- new design intake hoses
- secondary turbo oil drain
- different mapping

The transmission is also the same.

In terms of the chassis, if you have driven an L405, you'll notice the amount of roll you get in an L322. The chassis is noticeably stiffer in the L405. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

It’s l405 100% 62 plate I think they started sept 2012…

So is the first gen sdv8 engine on the l405 the same as the last in the l322? Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

OK that must be one of the very first L405s. I thought the very early ones were still the TDV8, so didn't get the turbo drain mod. SDV8 brought the modifications. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

The 4.4 L405 were marketted as SDV8 from the outset but the factory twin secondary turbo drain wasn't introduced until early 2014 IIRC.

Be sure to fit the short anti-oil migration loom to the oil level and temperature harness that exits the side of the sump if it isn't already fitted.

Great - thanks can you retrofit a secondary oil drain too without too much fuss?

Are the early engine generally as reliable as the later? Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

The engines are just as reliable - you just have to live with the occasional smoke screen from the oil burn off.

The turbo drain mod is a major job - around £2,000 of work. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

And the drain would stop said smoke screen that’s it?
Cheers Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

A quick google shows some got the drain fitted under warranty? Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

Yes. The smoke doesn't cause any long term issues on the car. At the time Land Rover as a gesture of goodwill performed the modification on some vehicles, but not many (so assume it hasn't been done).

Otherwise the engine and gearbox are identical to later L405s. As said, it doesn't cause any issues as such, just a slight annoyance. My 2011 L322 4.4 TDV8 didn't have the mod - I found I barely ever experienced the smoke screen using Petronas oil (might have been coincidence however) compared to Valvoline. I sold that at 156,000 miles - never gave me any issues. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

2012 would make it one of the very first L405's. There were a couple of other minor bits that I'm struggling to remember - something around the electronics - the dials being a slightly different colour was the giveaway. Hopefully Craig will be along as I'm sure it was a reply of his that I'm vaguely remembering.

garyRR wrote:

The engine is the same, just with a few minor improvements on the L405 SDV8:

Hi, there's really no sweet-spot in FFRRs that I've been able to deduce when I was researching my purchase, it's all about how well the car has been looked after and a large dose of good luck to be honest.

Many a V6 diesel is plodding along oblivious to the fact it should be imploding by now and many a nearly new V8 has already thrown in the towel.

It's down to savvy buying, knowing the history of the car and buyers instinct for the most part I'm afraid.

I went for the last of the 4.4 TDV8 L322s in the end, the best I could afford, as the evermore complex nature of the newer cars started to scare me off, and I wanted the Tonka Toy version, the last of the line is usually the best. Fuji White / Jet 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster

I’m on my 4th V8 Diesel - all totally faultless - absolutely no issues whatsoever. All MD serviced and annually to the requirements. 2021 L405 Vogue SE 4.4 V8 DIESEL ~ #17

Any problems with higher mileage examples looking at 130k miles?

Also see lots of turbo failure and failed dpf regen failures - what causes these? Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF