As per the title, has anybody gone against the flow and gone back from an L405 to a late L322?

I'm missing my old one on so many fronts. I keep finding myself scouring the small adds looking for a low mileage late L322. Am I have some sort of break down!!

I got a very late (Nov12) 42k miles Westminster a couple of months ago and could have had an L405 for the same money, but didn't.

Not the same as going backwards, but I reckon I made a good choice and don't regret it in the slightest!  The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom

I had a 2011 Westminster which I loved,I had that for 7 years until stolen.I replaced with a 2017 L405 and didn't feel the same was more Jaguar than Land Rover .A few months ago that got stolen,insurance paid out and I could have replaced like with like but instead I bought last of the line 2012 5.0SC ,mint condition ,50k miles.
Back to a normal sunroof,a analog clock,chunky controls,lights on a proper switch,comfy seats,a radio with stations in one list permanently displayed for easy channel hopping and lastly fresh air from the central vent and warm air on your feet.
Downsides , miss Apple Airplay ,handsfree phone call quality and doesn't handle at speed like the L405.
The design of the L322 I much prefer ,more in keeping with original.

My sentiments exactly. The only difference being I'm not remotely interested in Apple car play and all the other tech that the new one has. I think I'm talking myself into a sale!

And there’s folk like me with a late L322 that imagine the L405 is the next logical step…. If only for the aluminium rear wheel arches 🤣.

Might not be all it seems then…

Think the general consensus tends to be that the L405 is a better car, but the L322 is a better Range Rover.

 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

Think that’s a fair conclusion - sure it would be possible to keep the more rugged, traditional feel without compromising on the luxury side, but that’s obviously not what the market wants.

mjdronfield wrote:

the L405 is a better car, but the L322 is a better Range Rover.

Davlyn wrote:

As per the title, has anybody gone against the flow and gone back from an L405 to a late L322?

I've posted several times about doing this 2 years ago, yes. (4.4 SDV8 Vogue => 2004 4.4 M62)

As I usually say, the L405 is a better car, the L322 is a better Range Rover.

I had this L322 fully renovated (all consumables, suspension & arms, full respray, etc.)

Best Range Rover I ever had in many ways.  l=Oo\________/oO=l l:OolΞΞΞΞΞΞΞloO:l

Current
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L SDV8 - 2013 - Indus Silver, on Almond.
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L V8 - 2002 - ex-2003 G4 Challenge Event Vehicle, Stage 3: Australia
RANGE ROVER HSE 4.4L V8 - 2004 - one-of-one Overfinch
RANGE ROVER P38a 4.0L V8 - 1999 - ex-2000 TReK Event Vehicle: South Africa

Previous:
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L TDV8 - 2012 - RANGE ROVER 3.6L TDV8 x3 - RANGE ROVER Td6 x1 - RANGE ROVER Classic 3.5L V8 x1

Not exactly as the the title but similar process, I've had a 2011 VSE for about 6 years now, about a year ago I decided it was time to move on to a 3 to 5 year old L405. First problem was finding one that ticked all of the boxes spec wise, it might sound fussy but all I wanted was the things I've got on my current car like adaptive cruise and cooled seats but it seems that was too much to expect. Combine that with my refusal to go near a 3.0 due to the potential crankshaft problem then it took an age to find a suitable car.
When I finally did find the right one and went to see it I simply couldn't see that it was worth £40K extra to me (and this was before used prices went crackers). I didn't bother having a drive in it as I knew that I'd be wasting the sellers time.
I've kept my L322 and used the money I was going to spend to buy a Bentley.
I now know this was the right thing for me to do.

Interesting comments.
I have a 2012 Westminster & am extremely happy with it.
It is not a daily car & so I see little benefit in “upgrading” to a L405.
I do, in theory, quite fancy the idea of improving the technology in the L322 - primarily Apple Airplay, as has been commented upon in this thread.
Is this viable / have others done it?
Thank you.

I currently have a 2005 TD6 and looking to upgrade to a L405

Test drove a 2017 SDV8 . Huge step up in on road dynamics & comfort. What's not to like

I had both side by side for a short period. There is a certain romance / nostalgia about the L322 for sure and I would love the right one again. But the for me the L405 is superior in every aspect, especially on the road. You can really feel the weight saving.

The only thing’s I really miss from the L322 are the looks and the more usable boot space oh and it felt a little more solid towing. Sold - Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

Problem with the l405 as some have said, it's a better car, but a worse Range Rover.

The loss of the castellated bonnet is a big loss I think. 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - 'Black Betty'
2000 4.0 P38 HSE - 'Green Goblin' - Gone.
Audi..Mini..BMW..

I struggle to see in which way the L322 is a better Range Rover?

The L405 has better ground clearance, significantly better wading capabilities, better approach and departure angles and a better terrain response system. It’s also a better luxury vehicle and drives better on the road. Is that not pretty much everything that defines a Range Rover?

I’m sure the new one is probably a step up again in all those areas. Sold - Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

I've now owned two 405's whilst my wife has been running a lovely 12MY 5.0 AB with ALL the trimmings and if given the choice I jump into my 405 as dynamically its STREETS ahead... Albeit my last 405 has not been quite standard

Kind of agree with the 322 being the better Range Rover and the 405 being the better car