Another update, transfer neutral message has stayed away so I am quite pleased to have resolved that problem.

The infotainment issue is also resolved for now, I have got some spare pins that I extracted from some old connectors. However with some careful cleaning and refitting of the original pins into the connector its all back working again with the display being fine. I drove for a couple of hours at the weekend in it with no issue.

I have also taken the opportunity to fit a new battery, curiously the one fitted was dated as July of 2019 but after a week or so of being sat it would flash HDC failure on startup which is telltale of a weak battery. I've replaced it (95ah) with a 100ah Exide EA1000 which is my battery of choice when it comes to these things and it now starts after a week with no error so that seems positive. I've since had the 95ah Yuasa on the reconditioning charger which reports it as healthy - I'm not sure if its a bit weak from the previous issue with the Mk3 and its perhaps been totally drained a few times which does not help long term health.

I have ordered some replacement front and side grills which should be due any day now. I may keep the 2010 side grills to be honest as I do rather like them but I figured having the original ones does give me the option of returning it to as LR intended if required.

So the current remaining issues are as follows:

One Mirror does not fold, and the other folds and immediately folds back out again.
Parking sensors do not work

Which for a 16 year old L322 I don't think is a bad effort! Really both of those problems are somewhat first world issues!

Next job, well although it apparently had an oil change recently I think I'm going to change it again, it cant hurt, I will know its been done and know its got the correct oil in it. I've no reason to believe it doesn't but an oil change cant do any harm! 2005 E60 M5
2006 L322 4.2 SC
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
--------
2004 L322 4.4 Vogue, 2019 NP300 Navara, 2016 NP300 Navara, 2002 L322 4.4 HSE, 2006 (MY07) L322 S/C ,2001 330Ci Sport Track Car, 2005 650i Coupe, 2001 P38 Vogue, 2003 530i Sport Touring, 1999 P38 4.6 HSE, 2002 E39 M5, 1995 300zx TT Slicktop, 1997 M3 Evo, 1992 300zx TT Targa, 1998 323i Coupe

Heaven forbid I even washed it the other day!

Nice car and good luck.

You most likely know, but on the mirror folding, there are microswitches inside with arms that bend and thus prevent correct operation. Ma ybe worth a look. Hope this helps. Cheers
Richard

(there are no such things as an ordinary FullFat, an ordinary cat or too many tools)
2011 TDV8 Vogue Santorini Black
Gap IIDBT

Super thanks I will have a look at that. I have to say my first two L322's mirrors behaved and so has any other vehicle I've had folding mirrors on so I've never had to fix that issue. I might try and take the mirror to bits and see whats what - I have to say though I'm not going to loose sleep over it!

Parking sensors I might get brave and have a look at but really I should fix the M5's parking sensors before attacking the grey dreams! 2005 E60 M5
2006 L322 4.2 SC
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
--------
2004 L322 4.4 Vogue, 2019 NP300 Navara, 2016 NP300 Navara, 2002 L322 4.4 HSE, 2006 (MY07) L322 S/C ,2001 330Ci Sport Track Car, 2005 650i Coupe, 2001 P38 Vogue, 2003 530i Sport Touring, 1999 P38 4.6 HSE, 2002 E39 M5, 1995 300zx TT Slicktop, 1997 M3 Evo, 1992 300zx TT Targa, 1998 323i Coupe

Where have the months gone?! I am quite shocked to say that it's still here. It is still largely behaving its self, although suffered with a flat battery the last couple of weeks which is something new. I think it was the final stage resistor which I have changed for a quality branded part today (the one removed was not original and looked to be a cheap copy). Interesting the fans do seem to function OK but I think I could hear them running with the ignition off the other day so fingers crossed.

I also removed the battery and put it on my CTEK charger on a full recondition program to make sure it was in the best of health (it was new in January)

Other than that the old girl has become something of a permanent feature. I've done something like 1500 miles since the end of last November. Which of course doesn't sound like much but it is 4th vehicle for us and used mainly for going out walking or anywhere that might be a bit dirty.

I keep talking my self into replacing it with another supercharged or possibly even a work of devil diesel v8 as they seem to have plummeted in value. However, the double road tax would negate any fuel saving plus I'd probably have to put double the amount of cash in to get a vehicle a couple of years newer which doesn't really do that much different. So I might as well stay as I am!

I suppose Novembers MOT will be a crunch point! I do regularly question if we need such a machine (as I've said before it is a frivolous luxury) but once we discuss not having a Range Rover the boss says she would miss it/can't be bothered listen to me trying to talk my self back into one again! Such is the disease of the green oval. 2005 E60 M5
2006 L322 4.2 SC
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
--------
2004 L322 4.4 Vogue, 2019 NP300 Navara, 2016 NP300 Navara, 2002 L322 4.4 HSE, 2006 (MY07) L322 S/C ,2001 330Ci Sport Track Car, 2005 650i Coupe, 2001 P38 Vogue, 2003 530i Sport Touring, 1999 P38 4.6 HSE, 2002 E39 M5, 1995 300zx TT Slicktop, 1997 M3 Evo, 1992 300zx TT Targa, 1998 323i Coupe

Last edited by quavey on 10th Oct 2020 9:06pm. Edited 1 time in total

I booked the M5 in for an MOT this week and at the same time checked when the Range Rover was due, noticing it was exactly a month away I took advantage of the rules which allow you to MOT a vehicle early and preserve its renewal date I booked in the Range Rover with some in-trepidation I must admit.

Anyway, quite surprised that it passed with no advisories! Not that I suspected there was anything wrong but even when I know something is perfect MOT day always makes me worry!

13 months on the ticket now, is it time to sell? Maybe - I do relentlessly look at something a bit newer. However it won't get much more use. I become extremely indecisive when I get in this mood. I've a 2004 Range Rover, works OK, does the job being a Range Rover. Its perhaps worth £3000, I could find and would love a supercharged or even an early 3.6 VSE for 6-7k the money isn't a problem but I struggled with the value. Is the car that's 2/3 years newer worth more than double what I have now? Or more precisely will it be twice as good - probably not. Then my irrational side says, it's only money, Its not like I'm looking to spend an arm and a leg on finance and I would enjoy having a slightly newer one so sod it lets treat my self!

Ah well, for now lets see how she gets on! 2005 E60 M5
2006 L322 4.2 SC
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
--------
2004 L322 4.4 Vogue, 2019 NP300 Navara, 2016 NP300 Navara, 2002 L322 4.4 HSE, 2006 (MY07) L322 S/C ,2001 330Ci Sport Track Car, 2005 650i Coupe, 2001 P38 Vogue, 2003 530i Sport Touring, 1999 P38 4.6 HSE, 2002 E39 M5, 1995 300zx TT Slicktop, 1997 M3 Evo, 1992 300zx TT Targa, 1998 323i Coupe

I’d stick with what you’ve got, it’s a smart looking car and as you’ve said better the devil you know, a Supercharged or TDV8 is a better car sure, but it’s not going to do a much better job and it’s still also going to be an old Range Rover.
You’ve got a new Model S for all the up to date techy side of things anyway ( which is he interested to hear more about, I’ve driven both Model S and X and thought they were great, be interested to hear what they’re like to actually live with)

I will be watching this thread closely - in case you choose to sell

Archieatkins wrote:

I will be watching this thread closely - in case you choose to sell

HS66 wrote:

I’d stick with what you’ve got, it’s a smart looking car and as you’ve said better the devil you know, a Supercharged or TDV8 is a better car sure, but it’s not going to do a much better job and it’s still also going to be an old Range Rover.
You’ve got a new Model S for all the up to date techy side of things anyway ( which is he interested to hear more about, I’ve driven both Model S and X and thought they were great, be interested to hear what they’re like to actually live with)

Yeah that is largely where I'm at, vanity pushes me towards something newer but as you say even a 2007 or 2008 whilst being a bit newer are still old girls really.

As for the Model S, well its been an interesting few months. I'll condense the story if it is of interest. Basically ordered early June (taking advantage of a price drop), found an inventory car at the lower price but with free supercharging and decided to swap into that. Which was all fine. June 24th, when collecting the car I noticed several cosmetic defects and declined to take the car on that date. They gave me a loan car, a 2017 75d.

I had the 75d until July 29th and in that time did 3750 miles, collected my car and its now done 8000 miles. So I'm up to just shy of 12,000 miles on electric since the end of June. Cost was its unbelievable, I don't have a special electric tariff and the cost for those 12k miles would be something like £480. However its actually nearer £280 as I use the supercharging network which is free for my car and one or two public chargers here and there which were also free.

Obviously being electric there is no BIK (it is a company vehicle), and there is no road tax.

What I will say is that its very much a blunt instrument and very fast off the mark - performance over 100mph is nothing like as impressive as its 0-60 dash. It does handle OK, but nothing like a euro sports saloon. However its quiet and comfortable and well equipped - I would say its getting on for the finest car for long distance motorway travel. With the added bonus of never needing to visit a petrol station. For me it replaced a Nissan Navara pickup truck which I was doing 35-40k miles a year in , which equated to three visits a week to the petrol station.

Range wise its rated at 380 miles, realistically 300 miles is comfortable driving at motorway speeds in moderate weather. Very cold/wet would probably bring this down to 250. It's not been a particular problem anywhere and is helped by starting with a full "tank" each day. Charging time varies depending on how much is needed, temperature, state of charge and other factors such as battery temperature etc. However I tend to try and stop at a charger when I need some lunch and pick up a few electrons - this means I very rarely "have" to charge.

Anyway, I've waffled enough in short its very impressive and I never thought I'd be able to drive an electric car like I do in 2020

 2005 E60 M5
2006 L322 4.2 SC
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
--------
2004 L322 4.4 Vogue, 2019 NP300 Navara, 2016 NP300 Navara, 2002 L322 4.4 HSE, 2006 (MY07) L322 S/C ,2001 330Ci Sport Track Car, 2005 650i Coupe, 2001 P38 Vogue, 2003 530i Sport Touring, 1999 P38 4.6 HSE, 2002 E39 M5, 1995 300zx TT Slicktop, 1997 M3 Evo, 1992 300zx TT Targa, 1998 323i Coupe

Nice!, when I’ve driven one, although quite briefly I found it very relaxing to drive, the quiet and relative lack of needing to brake was good and I was very impressed with autopilot, I also was very impressed by its performance as I drive a P100D and yes I did pull away from one set of lights in ludicrous mode .
Sadly I’m not in the position to afford one but I’m giving it 2 or 3 years and when you can pick up a used Model 3 long range or performance for £25k I will make the switch .

Ah mine is "only" a long range, 0-60 is 3.7 seconds but as ever its not the numbers that tell the story, the instant torque and reaction makes it far quicker than just about anything on the road away from the lights at least. It would absolutely destroy my V10 M5 up to around 100mph, where the big old dino drinker would take a breath, snatch another gear and the Tesla would just be left in the heat haze!

A colleague has a P100d which are 2.5 seconds or a little less depending on year, wheel choice etc, to 60 and it makes a big difference - but where they do excel even more is at the higher speeds with the large rear motor.

Either way sub 4 seconds to 60 is plenty quick enough for a daily! As for the model 3, so far is residual resale values are holding very strong, I wouldn't be able to afford anything if it wasn't a company car and I am very thankful for it. However, in its defense, when you take into account the purchase cost of it against the Navara, servicing, fuel, VED costs etc actually the difference over 100k miles isn't as as much as you would think! 2005 E60 M5
2006 L322 4.2 SC
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
--------
2004 L322 4.4 Vogue, 2019 NP300 Navara, 2016 NP300 Navara, 2002 L322 4.4 HSE, 2006 (MY07) L322 S/C ,2001 330Ci Sport Track Car, 2005 650i Coupe, 2001 P38 Vogue, 2003 530i Sport Touring, 1999 P38 4.6 HSE, 2002 E39 M5, 1995 300zx TT Slicktop, 1997 M3 Evo, 1992 300zx TT Targa, 1998 323i Coupe

I’d hardly say the long range is slow at 3.7 seconds!. I think the Model 3 performance would be ideal for me.
I know what you mean away from the lights, the only other thing I’ve used which would keep up is my R1M and even then you’d need a perfect launch, after 60 though I think it would pull away, bet you’re very happy to have one as a company car.

I have been struggling with the car needing a jump start recently, the battery was new last January so instantly you blame the troublesome car. I fitted a new FSR for the sake of it being cheap and tried a couple of things, including recharging the battery fully etc.

Anyway, it died again so I pulled the battery off and put it on the Ctek for a couple of days. On return I thought I had better test it with the meter and see what was what. I was quite surprised for it to be just 12.5v despite the charger reporting it had finished. Much to my shock as I held the meter on the terminals it wound back to a little under 12v. Not good at all. Within 30 minutes its down at 10.6v and clearly U/S.

Now the battery I had purchased in January on eBay, had a 4 year warranty so after a quick trip to halfords for a go on the battery tested the supplier offered to refund the purchase cost - brilliant. I have since ordered a new battery which arrived and was fitted today. Much better.

It's also been impersonating a pirate for the last few weeks with a headlamp out, realising that it may not be just the bulb but being not keen on removing the working one just incase I broke the bulb I bought a pair of D2S on eBay and fitted them both today. A pleasantly easy job and its now got a headlight bulb on each side. 2005 E60 M5
2006 L322 4.2 SC
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
--------
2004 L322 4.4 Vogue, 2019 NP300 Navara, 2016 NP300 Navara, 2002 L322 4.4 HSE, 2006 (MY07) L322 S/C ,2001 330Ci Sport Track Car, 2005 650i Coupe, 2001 P38 Vogue, 2003 530i Sport Touring, 1999 P38 4.6 HSE, 2002 E39 M5, 1995 300zx TT Slicktop, 1997 M3 Evo, 1992 300zx TT Targa, 1998 323i Coupe

Where does the time go, another three months have gone by but very little to report. Apart from the old girl cruised through 137,000 the other day, which means its managed 400 miles since last October and its MOT.

I should use it more, but the same could be said for the M5 that has probably done even less than 400 miles since its last ticket!

Whilst I drive an awful lot for work, we don't go anywhere for pleasure due to the restrictions so the vast majority of the few miles driven have been exercising miles rather than anything useful! 2005 E60 M5
2006 L322 4.2 SC
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
--------
2004 L322 4.4 Vogue, 2019 NP300 Navara, 2016 NP300 Navara, 2002 L322 4.4 HSE, 2006 (MY07) L322 S/C ,2001 330Ci Sport Track Car, 2005 650i Coupe, 2001 P38 Vogue, 2003 530i Sport Touring, 1999 P38 4.6 HSE, 2002 E39 M5, 1995 300zx TT Slicktop, 1997 M3 Evo, 1992 300zx TT Targa, 1998 323i Coupe