I'm hearing the siren call of the L322 once more.... I was considering the 4.4 TDV8 but have seen a few 5.0 Supercharged in my price range with fewer miles which has piqued my interest....is the key weak point on these the timing chains? Is it a case of they will break and it is just a matter of when? Does the 5.0 N/A suffer more than the 5.0 S/C?

AFAIK The NA doesn't exist in the UK. In the SC the chains are a common fault after (say) 80k miles, but I suspect there are some out there that have somehow kept it together. 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)

As with any RR service history is a must.

Oil is the most important thing when it comes to the longevity of the chains. LR extended service intervals are no good in this regard.

Opinions differ on whether it's a case of when, not if.

You can sort of test the stretch / wear on the chains / tensioner by poking it through the oil cap although it's not 100% and only tells one side of the story (literally).

Make sure you hear it start from cold and then start when it's hot as well.

Good luck!

Supercharger coupling is something else to consider.
Mine had a new engine in 2016 @99k miles. (Prev owner)
Just a thought, but is diesel turbo replacement the same cost as timing gear work on the 5.0?
I saw a 5.0 on auto trader recently with an invoice for timing chains of £2.5k - which seemed cheap? Guess depends on parts used…..
Sometimes I think I could have just had a diesel as there is no V8 noise (compared to a tvr 😂) as standard. But then I like top trumps and having 500+ hp. 2010 Supercharged

I replaced the timing chains along with all the guides, tensioners and VVT sprockets in 2022.

At the same time I replaced all of the plastic parts of the cooling system - cross over pipe, thermostat, water pump, and some pipework.

I also sent the supercharger to Powerhouse Automotive to be rebuilt and upon reassembly replaced all of the bearings in the idler pulleys and dealt with anything else I found along the way.

The timing chains don't break, there is a stainless steel pin on the tensioner that touches an aluminium chain guide and as the pin wear a hole in the guide it can no longer keep the chains tensioned.

You will likely be able to hear chain slap when starting the car (not very much of it) or before any damage occurs you'll get an engine management light telling you that there's a cam/crank synchronisation fault.

The 5.0 engine is a noisy engine though, especially when compared with the old 4.2 Supercharged. This noise is due to the direct injection system which does make it sound quite ticky. I've had a 5.0 Supercharged XFR and now this Range Rover and both sounded identical.

I documented my chain replacement in this thread if you want a read:

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic67143.html

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior

It's not the chain, or at least it wasn't for me. It's the aluminum prop/cylinder/post on the tensioner under the guide(s) that wear when they manage the guide rail.

Here's mine, below on the right. If you look at it, you can see the beveled ridge (or shoulder) that shouldn't be there.

It's usually the tensioner, it doesn't have a hardened mating area, they can wear out fast.

Old one on top that has worn badly, new, uprated below with a hardened disc,