For the last 6 years I have been the owner of a Discovery 3. Ownership has been a struggle, and the towbar now has some play in it, so it's the end of its towing days. However I need something for towing.

Of course, you'd have to be a fool to buy another Land Rover product after feeling like it brought you more grief than it was worth! But having looked at the available alternatives, I kept thinking that I would like a Range Rover, at least for a bit. I guess it's like Stockholm Syndrome. It makes no sense, but you do it anyway.

So... I bought the cheapest Range Rover L405 Autobiography with a towbar on AutoTrader.

When I looked at the car, it was in a good condition for the age (it's a 2013). But of course, there will be faults.

So I drove it 180 miles home, and it drove quite nicely. (I had test driven some other cars, which had expensive sounding things like clonking suspension). Managed 41 mpg before I got to the petrol station. Then, once at home, in the name of experimentation, I decided to open the sunroof. Now the sunroof won't close, and it appears to be dead. It's not even trying to move, though the blind still works.

Start as you mean to go on!

I've had my L322 for over 2 years and have never opened the sunroof for that very reason. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Oh mate... You opened the sunroof?!

Is your middle name "danger"

I hardly ever drive mine with it shut….. 🤔🤣 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

Pull down the roof panel and close it manually... Im sure there's an Allan key hole in the bottom of the motor for just this reason...

If you still have your Disco? Take it into a main dealer and ask them to look at the towbar. If its worn the rear chassis cross member, JLR was paying to replace the crossmember and fit a genuine heavy duty towbar... I think its still live...

No allen key hole on the sunroof motor on the L405. It was shut by temporarily swapping the sunroof motor and the blind motors over.

Surely JLR aren't doing recalls on 16 year old cars?! I'll check over on the disco3 forum.

So far on the RR I've changed oil, pollen and air filters, with an oil change, and changed the coolant level sensor. Might need the coolant expansion bottle replacing though.

Having done an oil change, I can say that the vacuum oil drain tube is a game changer. I’ve seen these on boats, where there is no space below the sump, as the engine is mounted as low as possible, so vacuum drain is required.
Last time I did a oil drain via the supply (20 years ago), it was in a garage with a concrete floor, and being on my back, with hot oil running up my arm was horrible.
So given that this time I did the oil change outside, on gravel, while it was raining, the vacuum oil change prevented me feeling very, very sad!

Coolant expansion tank changed this week. No more low coolant level warning!

Changed a non-genuine tail lamp for a genuine one. Now they both match!. Will it improve the radio reception? I doubt it...

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Changed a non-genuine tail lamp for a genuine one. Now they both match!. Will it improve the radio reception? I doubt it...

Bit the bullet and paid for a genuine luggage divider/dog guard. Fitted it today. It's well made and fits nicely. Pricy, but you can see why.