I will introduce myself first. I am a Land Rover enthusiast from a coastal city in eastern China (Hangzhou, near Shanghai) and also a loyal owner. I have a 2010 model 90 Puma Defender and a 2023 model Discovery 5. I have always been a fan of the Range Rover, especially after a self-driving trip to the south-central UK last year, which further confirmed my desire to purchase a used Range Rover, preferably a later model version.

Here are my considerations:

1. Since the later model 4.4 TDV8 version has a high premium in the second-hand market in China, I might give up on this model for now;

2. So my choices are the 5.0 NA and 5.0 SC. I am more inclined towards the 5.0 NA. Why? Considering that the supercharger might bring a higher chance of overheating during off-roading, the 5.0 NA might be more moderate. Also, I heard that the supercharged version has a more complex engine than the NA version, with slightly higher maintenance costs.

3. I am curious if both the NA and SC have timing chain issues, and if there are no other common problems to be aware of besides this?I would very much appreciate everyone's advice and guidance. I will humbly listen to your suggestions, and I am willing to document my car purchasing process through photos in the forum and share it with everyone!

Welcome! I don't know anything about the NA, as far as I know it was never sold in the UK, just the SC.

For the <2012 5.0 SC then the chains are an issue - mine went at 108k miles. Big job, but can be done. Otherwise the car is very strong. In the overall scheme of things (ie that all of these cars are expensive to own/run) then I very much doubt that there would be enough difference in running costs between the NA and SC to influence your purchase decision. Much more important would be how well looked after its been - you need to see a detailed service history ideally with an indie rather than main dealer.

I've never done serious off roading with any of my fatties but I have done a fair bit of towing and "soft" roading (fields). Never had a sniff of any overheating issue with that kind of use. The 5.0 SC is a wonderful car - incredibly capable and a lovely place to be - I hope you get to enjoy one. Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

First of all, I really appreciate receiving your suggestions, which are very valuable to me, especially the voices of real car owners from across the ocean.

Then, I was really surprised to learn that there is no 5.0NA option in the UK! It seems that SC is definitely a good choice for you, so based on the SC model, I would like to ask:

1.What is the approximate range of the overall MPG of your SC, sir? I might be interested in the MPG situation on city roads;

2.At approximately how many kilometers does it generally require a timing chain replacement?

3. Is the engine design of the SC reasonable? I mean, if some parts need to be replaced, would it involve lifting the entire engine, because I seem to have heard that replacing the timing chain requires lifting the entire engine?

1. MPG is very dependent on how you drive as well as where you drive. City driving and/or heavy towing likely to be around 16; country road driving 20; motorway on cruise 24. Heavy use of the loud pedal can easily drop this to single figures - fun but expensive!

2. Very roughly some danger from 100,000 km - mine was 172,000 km

3. Its a big complex engine running very high fuel pressure. The chain replacements require a large part of the front of the car to be dismantled, but I don't think the engine actually needs to be removed. The engine was never taken out of mine in 50k miles over 4 years. Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

After listening to your advice, I feel it is very valuable. It seems that the SC is a very worthwhile purchase for a later model L322. So, finally, an interesting question: why is the NA model not sold in the UK? Does anyone know the reason?

I think the 4.4 TDV8 would maybe out perform it. It has more torque than the SC….. In the UK we like diesels so it’s a good seller for Land Rover. The NA maybe had minimum market appeal. I believe in the US, they got the NA and SC but no TDV8. I don’t think diesels sell well there.

 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

Shieh wrote:

Why is the NA model not sold in the UK? Does anyone know the reason?

mjdronfield wrote:

I think the 4.4 TDV8 would maybe out perform it. It has more torque than the SC….. In the UK we like diesels so it’s a good seller for Land Rover. The NA maybe had minimum market appeal. I believe in the US, they got the NA and SC but no TDV8. I don’t think diesels sell well there.

Stuart- wrote:

Shieh wrote:

Why is the NA model not sold in the UK? Does anyone know the reason?

The NA is a 5.0 petrol model that lacks the supercharger, I gather. Over here, petrol is expensive (13 RMB a litre for premium) if we are buying a large petrol engine, we want performance. So there'd be no demand for a naturally aspirated 5.0 petrol. For those less concerned with performance, they can buy a V6 diesel. Also, diesels are more preferred here.

I've seen that there is a growing enthusiasm for the L322 in China, I posted this on Instagram recently, which is from Chinese WeChat (you might have to turn your VPN on Shieh, to see it).

I only have personal experience with the 4.4TDV8. I've always assumed the V6 is a tad underpowered. However, many here have them, so it's just personal preference, I suppose. That said, my wife's Velar is a V6 and it goes like a rocket.

I didn't know fuel was that price in China, I visit there often but don't drive there.

Why does the L322 4.4TDV8 command such a premium there? 2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography in black
2018 D300 SE Velar in champagne
1982 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit in green
Spiffing wheel centre caps, L322 sill repair panels, etc

Your question is a very good one. Firstly, in the early days, diesel vehicles in China were mostly cheap and rough utility vehicles (with very average soundproofing materials), which led to a general perception that diesel vehicles were of lower quality. Since they were priced quite high, people preferred to buy gasoline versions (another important reason is that there are very few personal households in China that need low-torque towing for RVs). This resulted in the TDV8's ownership being far lower than that of gasoline versions. Additionally, in recent years, the hype created by online influencers and second-hand dealers in China has kept the prices of TDV8s in the second-hand market high, reaching around 400,000 RMB at times. I checked the second-hand market today, and they are still around 200,000 RMB, which is quite outrageous!