Hello, hoping for some advice.

I have only never owned a L320 and now I am looking to buy my first ffrr.

I have a sensible 'daily' and the range rover would be a evening and weekend car.

What are the big differences between 3.6 and the 4.4? I know the 4.4 has the 8 speed gearbox but is it worth the extra money or is better to get the 3.6 and put the extra money into the maintenance?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Also are 3rd party warranties worth it?

Thanks

IMHO If you can afford it then the 4.4 is significantly better, it also doesn't eat turbos like the 3.6...

Lots more thoughts will come your way....  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

A great decision, I absolutely adore my 4.4 tdv8 L322.

I did a lot of research before deciding on the 4.4 with my main reasons below.

Significantly less chance of turbo failure - on a 3.6 now turbo failure would likely render the car a financial write off unless you can repair yourself or with the help of a friend.

The last versions before the next are usually the best developed.

ZF 8 speed gearbox - i have owned a couple of Giulias and Stelvios, also 5 setiex, XFS and XJ with this gearbox and it's a fantastic gearbox.

I prefer the face-lift face and lights.

Better economy plus great performance.

I also believe the adaptive suspension is limited to the last iteration.

Good luck and hope you find a nice example. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue Santorini black ivory leather

Back in 2016 I spent more than I wanted in order to skip the 3.6….. now on my 10th year with the 4.4. Longest I’ve ever kept a car….

 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

Can't see the point in not getting a 4.4 these days apart from going with a 5.0SC. Prices for good ones are so low that there are no savings when you factor in the running costs and as pointed out potentialy much higher if you have to replace turbo's and have the gearbox repaired which is weaker than the 8spd. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Thank you for all the comments so far.

Looks like the 4.4 is the one to go for, which was the engine I wanted all along but it's always good to get the advice of people who have owned them.

Had a 3.6 for twelve years from new. Absolutely loved it.

Then I got a 4.4 (still have it) and have spent the past few years wishing I'd made the change sooner!!!

The 3.6 is a financial liability beyond 120k miles. Two turbos cost me £6k and that was barely the half of it up to 166k miles. The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom

I love questions like this….it gets the brain engaged😁
Is there a budget involved?
Does it have to be diesel?
Reason I ask is, I have one of the last L322’s 4.4tdv8 & absolutely love it, I tow a twin axle caravan plus a race trailer (not at the same time🫢) so there’s a reason why I’ve gone diesel. Don’t forget, a 4.4 tdv8 will set you back £710 pa Road tax!
But, you say ‘ evenings & weekends’……perhaps a really well sorted 4.2 supercharged or a well sorted 5.0 might fit the bill? The diesels don’t like short journeys is the only thing I would say against them.

Re-warranties…..I looked at this when I bought mine over 5 years ago but decided against it. I read so many horror stories about companies refusing to pay for this or that & trying to welch on any payment they could, so said no. Instead, I use a really good Indy, I put a few pounds away each month for servicing, whatever she wants she has & touch wood, she’s been as good as gold.

Hope this helps😁 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

New to L322 and also considering "What are the big differences between 3.6 and the 4.4?"
Would the 3.6 be more suitable for regular short journeys rather than mostly long hauls?
Thanks,

The 3.6 doesn't have a DPF so yes but it's a lot easier to look after a 4.4 DPF with the occasional longer trip than replace turbo's on a 3.6...... 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I have a budget of about £10,000 for the car, I don't mind the petrols but I've told the wife that it can be used as a backup towing car and she travels around Northern Ireland with horses. So I thought diesel would have been best.

Yeah I've heard that some 3rd party warranties aren't worth the paper they're written on.

With my budget, that's why I was looking at 3.6's but preferably I would get a 4.4

I've got the worst of both worlds by "forum" standards - a facelift 3.6 TDV8 with 143k miles on.

Owned for little over a year and it's cost me more in maintenance then the cost of the car, granted some of that was choice preventative. That's also paying a specialist and doing little DIY work.

It's towed my track car and big covered trailer up and down the UK with ease. Every problem I've had thus far has been related to the general car ie not the engine. So I feel regardless of 3.6 or 4.4 it would have cost the same.

Having said that, I'm well aware of the turbo and gearbox costs associated with the running of this car.

Which ever you buy, you won't be disappointed. They can be the best and worst cars in a matter of seconds (very much like my Lotus). Best advice I would give is to make sure you have a healthy contingency fund.

In the wise words of Harry Metcalfe "Running an L322 is like running a Bentley, and if you look at the running costs with that context, it doesn't feel too bad".

Ok, then how about £5k for a petrol version which will get you a very well sorted BMW 4.4 or a 4.2 SC with money left in the Kitty for any issues?
£10k should get you a 4.4tdv8 probably around 120k-130k miles but still looked after, especially if you wait for one to come available on this forum.
You could easily buy a 3.6 which has been cared for, map out the EGR’s & still have money in the Kitty.
A 4.4tdv8 would be my choice simply because they are the better variant, only thing I would say is, just don’t use it to pootle down to Sainsbury’s once a week, they need to stretch their legs every now & again on a decent run. 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

Stefanbutler wrote:

I have a budget of about £10,000 for the car,

That would leave £2000 for repairs and then I would put away £100 a month for maintenance