It's been a few years since my last L322, which was a 5.0 Autobiography and all the tricks. It was lovely.

I've had all manner of Land Rovers since

RR L405 4.4SDV8 VSE
RRS Supercharged
Discovery 3 HSE
New Defender 100 HSE
Disco 5 HSE Lux
RR L405 VSE 4.4SDV8 (again)

I now have one of the last model Disco 4 HSE SDV6 models as it's such a great all rounder for family etc.(along with 2 old style Defenders at present and a Series 3)

However - I've seen some L322s for sale going for what seems like crazy low money, with FSH, full HPI clearance, clean MOTs etc. I'm seriously tempted just because I love them so much and I wonder if this current dip in prices will last or not.

I feel I might miss out if I wait too long.

I don't need a 2nd car, but I wonder if it would just be a cool thing to do! They're the best Range Rover ever made IMHO. I'd be more than happy with another 3.6TDV8 VSE, 2010-2012 era. Just so lovely.

Thoughts? Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

I’ve just done exactly this - bought a 2010 3.6 TDV8 Autobiography from a fellow forum member last week and couldn’t be happier - after a long line of previous L322’s and L405’s in all forms.

Preaching to the converted but there’s something so right about the L322, I think the design is aging so well. At their current prices & assuming well maintained, no terminal corrosion in the usual places and in standard form, you just can’t go wrong in my view - put simply, nothing compares for the money. Jonathan

2007 Defender 90 XS Hardtop

If something happened to our L322, we’d go and get another. No questions asked.

I’ve been tempted to get a US dry-state 5.0 n/a HSE imported. But I’m not allowed 😭

It’s the styling, heft and performance of the 4.4 TDV8 that does it for me 😍 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

I decided to hang on to mine even though I'm in the crap zone for London and it's not compliant but if I take the right route I can get out without passing a scamera .

Something about a v8 petrol L322 with rear box removed. I did get the engine fixed after the guides let go so it proves I'm attached to it. It will be my shooting car for the rest of the season.

About 9 years I’ve had mine. Longest I’ve had a car.

Keep looking on autotrader at L405’s and the odd L494 as I prefer the rear…. But posts like this make me think that move might be a mistake…..

 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’m the same as mjd had my L322 for over 5 yrs now, was sorely tempted with a ‘15 plate L405 same colour combination but, every time you look out of the window at her, there’s a twinkle in her eye😁😁. Unless circumstances change she’ll be here a bit longer.

I keep seeing them around and unfortunately some round here look well dog eared, and others like they have ramraided Halfords.

I do keep seeing a Firenze one like my old one around which is very nice (not mine) and am 1/2 tempted to go backwards a step when I swap the 405…..

Question is, would I be buying myself a whole heap of pain 🤷‍♂️ There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Beware of rose tinted glasses 🤓

mjdronfield wrote:

About 9 years I’ve had mine. Longest I’ve had a car.

Keep looking on autotrader at L405’s and the odd L494 as I prefer the rear…. But posts like this make me think that move might be a mistake…..

Bought my 05 4.2sc to run the grandchildren round in as they don’t fit in my other cars.

Almost a year later, I’ve spent ~£5k on servicing, mods and repairs and I enjoy driving it so much I hardly use the other cars, even though we rarely have the grandchildren.

The looks, ride quality and driveability of it are addictive! Des

2005 (2006 MY) L322 4.2sc Java Black, 2010 facelift conversion
1965 Lenham Lemans GT 1310 , Gulf Racing blue, FIA spec and road legal
2018 F56 Mini JCW, Thunder Grey/Black, Mulgari St2 tuned, FMIC, short shifter and Eibach springs

northernmonkeyjones wrote:

Question is, would I be buying myself a whole heap of pain 🤷‍♂️

The way to think about that (the above post) is that the running costs are generally the same for a car that’s worth £5k and one that was £20k.

So, instead of saying that the £1k service bill was too high for the value of the car- say that you saved a load on the purchase/ value and then it doesn’t feel so bad! Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

As Stan would say…YOLO. And he’s right.

Our ‘12 isn’t worth a penny really, and I don’t mind throwing the cash at her whenever she needs it. I’ve never looked at her monetary value vs a repair bill. Because the ‘value’ is the feeling she primarily gives me (money can’t compete with that) If I was being 100% practical we wouldn’t have this car. But then I have a few silly cars 🤪

It’s been a very good car (rose tinted RR wine goggles on tonight) but I know others would have bailed a long time ago at some of the bills I’ve had. But then, surely that’s part of the deal?

The advice I give myself is “never sell her”

Good luck with your quandary!

-Tom. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

I love mine, like no other car I’ve had. I’ve got a defender and a soft top merc for running around in and they’re both great in their own way but I can’t think of many cars that come close to a late L322.

Mine has 96k on it, full history, I’ve had it since it was on 60k and I’ve put new discs and pads on, throttle body and donut hoses and replaced the oil cooler - all done by me; otherwise it’s been fine. I had the Indy I use give it a good once over earlier this year and he reckons it’s got a good couple more years in it, so I’m going to splash out and get the brake lines done (I’m getting to old to get underneath it these days).

I guess I’ll keep it until it’s not worth spending money on now, it’s probably not going to increase in value or p/x value anytime soon and I can’t think of any other car that I’d want to replace it with.

I don’t think I’d buy another though, these cars are getting on and it’s probably harder and harder to find a decent one that you’re not going to have to spend money on in the early days of ownership.

I have a 2007 4.2 had it for 14 years on the open market its worth nothing it does however run beautifully and has no faults other than the TPMS which is the spare (need to sort that)
I spend in the region of about 3k a year but I do circa 20k - it is now on just shy of 260k .
Interestingly every now and then I look at a 405 test drive and ask myself what am I getting for 50 grand simple not enough
Love it