On Wednesday 28th April 2021, a little after teatime, I became the owner of my first Range Rover.

It's an L322 4.4L TDV8 Vogue SE in Buckingham Blue, the reg is a 12 plate but the VIN decodes as 2011 so I have no idea what that means for the model year. The interior is navy seats, carpet and dash top with parchment everywhere else.

I bought it from a chap on the Wirral who is an electrician, he'd had it about two years and found he wasn't driving it enough to justify keeping it. I imagine being self-employed during a global pandemic might have had something to do with it...

He has had the wheels darkened to match the vents and grille as well as having "cquartz" paint protection applied (or at least a sticker on the driver's window claims it has).

I'm the fifth owner according to the logbook, it has done a little over 84k miles. The MOT history showed three previous fails:

July 2017 - number plate light was out and the washer bottle was empty
August 2018 - someone had disconnected electrical cabling to the nearside front brakes and both rear tyres had cuts exposing the ply or cord (did someone try to do away with their spouse?! )
July 2019 - another cut in a tyre... I don't know if the owner at the time made enemies or what was going on there!

Boot liner - it is replacing a Defender so will occasionally carry loads of logs and other large or messy loads
Seat covers for the back - I have children and don't want it to become a crumb-covered mess
Gas struts for the upper tailgate seem lazy - may need replacing
Parcel shelf - doesn't seem to fit properly, I'm not sure if it is a case of "they all do that sir" or whether this is a replacement which isn't quite right? However, I've seen the price of genuine parts so it can wait!
I'm used to having all sorts of handy stuff stashed in the Defender - any tips on where to hide tow rope, bottle jack, toolkits, tyre compressor etc. etc. most welcome!
It came with a space-saver spare - I'm not keen on these and for the sake of a few kilos in a 2.7 tonne car I would prefer to carry a full size replacement wheel
Sat-nav - it's woefully out of date. I have a lovely Garmin Nuvicam which doubles as nav and dashcam so I'd like to find a way to mount that and route the cable neatly
Squeak/Creak in driver's seat - not always, didn't do it until about half way into the long drive home. I hope it will go away again!
Bike rack for 4 bikes and possibly roof bars for a Canadian canoe in due course

Click image to enlarge

Welcome to the club!

She’s a sweet ride and you couldn’t ask for more when driving for several hours!

I love the active cruise control on mine, especially with these Lincolnshire roads! Set the speed and no need to worry about how fast or slow the traffic is. Although at times she does decide to momentarily speed up or slow down for no reason never enough to be a problem, but it does wake you up  Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

Another Hampshire owner
Loads of good independent specialists around here for the technical jobs 👌
Have the oil cooler gaskets been done?
Loads of advice on here  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Hi Rob,

I'm afraid I have no idea what has or hasn't been done. There are stamps in the service book but nothing else.

I know I have done the "wrong" thing by buying a car without detailed history or low owners, but I was swayed by the colour combination and the options list. Plus it drove well and the seller came across well... only time will tell whether I've made a mistake.

Speaking of Hampshire specialists, I've had my Defender serviced at Challenger 4x4 (I know, it's in Surrey!) and Safari Engineering. Is there anyone in the Farnborough area you'd rate for looking after an L322 specifically? I know both Challenger and Safari do them. 2012 L322 TDV8 Vogue SE: Buckingham Blue
2005 Defender TD5 110 XS: Cairns Blue - Gone but not forgotten

Hi
Both are good. Have also heard good things about LDR in Bagshot and LLB in Badshot Lea.
But Glenrands in Passfield is my current choice. Ex main dealer trained, new Hunter 4 wheel alignment and amazing customer service.
Takes 2 mins to check the oil cooler gaskets are not leaking. If really bad then you’ll smell it on a hot engine, oil drips from bellhousing area underneath and oil in the coolant tank if extreme.
If you’re around Petersfield sometime I’d be more than happy to give it the once over for you sometime
I was planning a Hampshire meet up nr Alton in 2020 then a little virus popped up. Will sort
Rob Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic44115...p;start=75
4th post down for all my work to date  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Thanks for the tips Rob.

Glad to see, as a long time member of defender2.net, that this site is as friendly and full of wisdom.

Not sure how Martin does it but his forums always seem respectful and informative! 2012 L322 TDV8 Vogue SE: Buckingham Blue
2005 Defender TD5 110 XS: Cairns Blue - Gone but not forgotten

DrRob wrote:

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic44115.html?highlight=4+4&start=75
4th post down for all my work to date

That's even more helpful! Thank you!

Definitely up for a meet.

Should also have said that I think I will be on the hunt for an IID tool as I'd like DRLs enabled at least; used to just use my LED sidelights in the 110. 2012 L322 TDV8 Vogue SE: Buckingham Blue
2005 Defender TD5 110 XS: Cairns Blue - Gone but not forgotten

Once you have an IID I can also show you how to do the DRLs and I also enabled the digital speedo window  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Welcome to Hampshire FFRR

Lovely colour combo BTW

Cheers,

MM 2011 TDV8 AB
2006 TD6 AB (Gone to Wales)

Hampshire posse seems to be a force to be reckoned with  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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That looks great. It's got the 2012my lights so must be a late 2011 build. Mines a 2011 but doesn't have the black lights. I'm also interested in the DRL's as it's a shame they don't come as standard as they really look good. I've got the same wheels on mine and a full size spare so they fit in the boot ok. I've also got the 2 rear luggage nets and there is little door under the side door at the back, drivers side. I didn't find that till after 2 weeks

Just a few photos I saved from the original advert:

I thought that the badge would be a green oval - it doesn't bother me much though...

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

My parcel shelf is the same colour as the interior.

My wheel bolts were the same. Some were so bad they had been rounded. The standard socket bar wouldn't fit on ok. Ended up knocking on a 7/8 AF socket. All bolts now replaced with new. They are not expensive so worth doing.

I'll have to go and look at my badge colour.

Love the blue interior. Never seen one like that before.

Cheers
It was a large part of the sale for me - I wanted dark leather seating and I like navy blue anyway, but I liked how the rest of the trim was light which makes the most of that enormous glass area in the L322.

On the wheel bolt point, typical that LR original parts are three times the cost of anyone else!

https://www.lrdirect.com/LR078545-Kit-Locks/

I might have to check with Robin what Duckworth could manage on pricing  2012 L322 TDV8 Vogue SE: Buckingham Blue
2005 Defender TD5 110 XS: Cairns Blue - Gone but not forgotten