Hi,

Frst post and first impression of this forum is great. Some very helpful advice being offered.

I`ve spend the last few days reading through a lot of the threads here and have certainly learned a lot more than I knew a week ago.

I`ve always wanted to try a RR and have seen what looks on paper to be a nice example. Its a L322 2002 vogue 4.4 petrol for £6k with 85,000 miles. Gear box and torque converter recently overhauled. Services annually (dealer then indie), no pixel issues, need 2 new tyres.

Never owned a 4x4 before and dont want to end up with a money pit. Dont mind setting aside £1500 for annual maintenance but dont want to be spending too much more.


I live in central London and do c3500 miles p.a. Will never go off road. Purpose is just to have a bigger family car for weekend occassionaly midweek use.

Am i likely to be buying a money pit at this price?

Like most things, I don`t need a new car but i want one. Should I save and spend something like £20k at the end of 2015?

Forgive my ignoroance but apart from the cosmetic and nicer interior what are the real differences between say a £6-8k 2003-2004 RR vs a £18k - £20k later model L322?

Are the later models more reliable? More economical given the small mileage i do?

Any advise appreciated.

Hi Bagus,

First thing, from what I hear all FFRR have the potential to be money pits.

The 6K sounds low for the spec if through a dealer. I would check the Gear box and TC out by test driving in high and low range, when it was done ie. what milage and by whom. what warranty is with the car and or GB/TC?

Other than that they are a great car. I would be surprised if you got better than 15mpg with your intended driving.

Thanks.

Yeah reckon mid to low teens mpg will be what I`ll be getting with the "around driving" driving.
Gear box and TC were down 20,000 miles ago at a gear box specialist. The chap has the receipt but I haven`t viewed the car in person yet so haven`t noted who performed the overhaul. It was done 3 years ago so not sure any warranty would still be in place.

This is being advertised privately by a mechanic who took it as px on his RRS in order to shift the RRS.
All mot`s available so have no reason to doubt mileage is other than genuine but i guess you never really know for sure.

Most other early L322`s i see are £8l+ and often have over 100k miles on the clock so agree it does sound "cheap".

Hi bagus, welcome. I bought my 2002 with 118k miles it had a new TC and fsh. It does exactly what I expected, I had the airco repaired and the gearbox megaflushed. Including the transport to france it costed me 8k £. I liked it that much that I wanted a newer one. Bought a 2007 MY and to be honest I think the 2002 is a better build car.
The 2002 stands now in my garage,is driven once a week and the 2007 is my daily driver.
I like the BMW engine, planning 6/8 k to spend on the purchase and a little reserve for the "you never know" situations will bring you a lot of pleasure.

Success with your purchase.

Have a look at this one ....

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic24315.html

It has got more miles, but is a nice car.

Cheers Robert. Depending how I get on looking at this car over the weekend I may well be dropping you a line.

What was it about the 2007 model that made you want to buy newer?

Goodmorning Bagus, the 07 is the best face lift IMHO. Combination of the 05 exterior and the 07 interior with the terrain response option and the 6 gearbox. I am still not used to the 09 update, to much plastic and the 405 is not my kind of FFRR.