Going through a bit of a dilemma...

Been a L322 2011 5.0 S/C AB owner for about 6 years. Bought it with 70k miles and now has 110k miles. 2 years in I got the dreaded noises from the engine and ended up spending about £4.2k with our local main dealer having the timing chain guide replaced and also bearings in the supercharger replaced as well as they were also rattling. Had researched and expected this at some point so wasn't unexpected. Apart from this the L322 has been a fantastic machine. As you all know it goes like stink and is a lovely place to be. Its never failed us in the 6 years we've had it and the engine since the work was done has not skipped a beat.

I expect a car like this and of this age to cost money to keep going. With things like tyres, servicing, general wear & tear etc. at MOT/Service time if the bill is below £1k then I think that's a bonus but I'm not surprised if it pushed £1.5k. That's the cost of ownership IMHO. I used main dealers for first couple of years but now use an trusted local independent for MOT/Servicing.

So to the dilemma. This year to pass the MOT has cost me just over £1.3k which was mostly wear & Tear items but what worries me are whether some of the advisories are serious issues in waiting:

- Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil Both (5.3.2 (b))
- Both rear inner sills are showing signs of corrosion
- Underside of steps are corroded
- Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
- Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
- Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))
- Underside of vehicle is showing signs of corrosion

Apart from the side steps (which I guess I could just replace) its the corrosion warnings that concerns me most. I'm guessing as they are advisories they are probably still fixable rather than terminal? In addition the clear coat is peeling on the bumpers and wing mirrors, alloy wheels could do with a refurb, front bumper has a crack where some must have drove into it in a carpark, A/C might have a leak and Reverse Camera sometimes doesn't work

Question is do I push another 5/6/7k into it (if that's enough) to fix the advisories and the cosmetic issues etc and by doing that am I likely to get another 5 or so years out if it or will I likely now keep having to spend 5k or so every couple of years? Happy to carry on payig £1k or so a year to keep it going but not another £5k+ every couple of years. Do I therefore think about cutting and running and move onto a newer L405?

For the L405 I think I can budget for up to £35k-£40k for the right car. Looking at P400e PHEV's and 5.0 S/C mostly. Not really a diesel person but seems people like the 4.4 on the Rangie. I would consider it but would need it to be ULEZ compliant as we do go to Heathrow, sometimes London and Bath and Bristol and only see this sort of thing getting worse. We would do a fair amount of short journeys but also do long trips of about 120 miles each way 2 or 3 times a month.

Worries about the L405 from reading the forum and various other reviews and just started to go look at them but not test driven yet is:

- Will performance match my L322 (obviously S/C will be ok but not sure about PHEV or Diesel)
- Saw some people say all round visibility in L405 is not a good as in L322 - love that although a big car you can see all the corners on a L322 so it doesn't feel that big
- Conflicting views on boot space. Some say L405 is smaller especially in the PHEV and if you have the Executive rear seats which I think most of the S/C's do as they are AB spec. We don't carry a lot all the time but love the cavernous boot in L322. Can easily get two golf trolleys and two sets of clubs in there without dropping seats and with cover in place. Would need L405 to be able to match this.

Appreciate it if anyone wants to share thoughts and views on any of this.

Chris. ----------- Current Garage --------------------
2011 Range Rover L322 5.0 S/C Autobiography
2015 MINI JCW Hatch
2006 BMW 650i V8 Conv
1997 Range Rover P38 4.6 V8 HSE
2014 Harley Davidson Fat Bob
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Stick with the devil you know. You’ll end up paying for stuff on the L405 as well as the purchase so you’ll be way deep  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Factor in the depreciation of the L405 and suspect the L322 will cheaper over the course of ownernship.

Also depends on how much you cost "annoyance" factor as due to the age the L322 is likely to need more garage visits compared to the L405.

I'd say invest in the L322. Your list isn't that long and pretty much the same for every L322 and none of it appears terminal, you've just got to get on top of it and stay on top of it or it'll just get worse and you've already got the timing chains issue out of the way.

If you change then you don't know what your buying into and the 405 isn't without it's own corrosion concerns.

I'd say get the corrosion sorted immediately before it becomes terminal, treatment is repairable if it's not gone too far even for the DIYer, Dinitrol / Nitromors rust restorer, followed by Dinitrol, Tetraseal protection and then ongoing Dinitrol, WaxOyl or Lanoguard for prevention.

Bushes are always going to go, you just replace them as an almost consumable item every 5 to 10 years.

External cosmetics you can tackle as funds are available and although unsightly don't detract from the driving / wafting experience, you could aways consider it patina.

Just my 3 peneth, your money, your choice. Fuji White 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westmiinster

As cost is obviously not an issue given your budget for an L405 then just choose the car you like best. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

My 2012 WM had misting on the rear shocks and related advisories for several years and it didn't seem to do any harm. If keeping the car get the bushes done. The corrosion would worry me more, can you get trusted advice on prospects for repair/reducing recurrence? Corrosion was what drove me to replace my WM, I just got exasperated with it.

If you get a 405 the 5.0SC will be fine re performance. I'm personally wary of the complexity and potential for problems of older diesels, especially with AdBlue, DPFs and oil dilution so would avoid that, one also can't get replacement engines any more. Replacing ARC pipes on the 405 is expensive and they can have galvanic corrosion so check potential purchases for that.

My experience was that visibility was not notably worse 405 v 322, the wider door pillars make it desirable to have blind spot monitoring, but most later 405s should have that. The 405 windscreen feels narrower and this is maybe accentuated by the pano roof controls. There seemed more reflection in the side windows when driving in the dark, due to the window angle I suspect, I got used to it.

The 405 boot is definitely smaller, the length and width are fine, but it is shallower. There is less cabin storage too, and the (non-executive) seats just fold, rather than fold or tumble. You'd need to try your usual luggage and see if the 405 works. I reorganised a bit and found it OK. I'd not have executive seats, but unlike the 460 AB they were not standard on the 405 AB so I think you'd have enough choice.
The gesture tailgate can be useful, but also a hazard if the tailgate is set off unexpectedly and hits something.

Check insurance costs between the two, 405s might be more expensive out of proportion to value. Only Range Rovers since 1988

I went through the very same conundrum about 6 months ago. Had a 2011 4.4 tdv8 for 10 years and couldn't face the battle with rust, salt on Scottish roads doesn't help. Bought a 2 year old p525 and really like it with the exception of executive seats, you will not get 2 sets of clubs and 2 trolleys in there without putting the seats down. Not a problem for me but just pointing it out.

Thanks guys for sharing thoughts all useful stuff. Well noted CS on the insurance for the L405. I've seen some horror stories on quotes people have had. I did some exploratory quotes with the meerkats and for the L405's I might be looking at it looks to be £400-£500 at the moment more that I paid last year on the L322. I can live with that and can probably get it a bit better with shopping around.

Today we visited a local dealership to have a play around with a couple of L405's they had. Took two sets of golf sticks with us to check the boots. First off the P400e PHEV is now discounted. The boot space we'd loose due to the battery intrusion is a bit too much than I want. Could fit in the two sets of clubs but as Rex has said trollies may be a bit of a squeeze, although I think we could still do it in a none PHEV L405. The killer for the PHEV though was on the test drive. Around town up to about 30mph the pull seemed equivalent to my L322 5.0 S/C but accelerating past 30mph there was noticeable drop off in pull. Likewise and worse IMHO on a two lane road going from 50-70 seemed really lacking and nothing like the pull we get with the L322.

The revelation for me (a V8 petrol lover) was the 3.0 V6 SD diesel we also tried. I was really amazed by this engine. Not quite as rapid for sure as the L322 but pretty close for most normal driving with great torque which made it feel fast enough for the 50-70 type overtakes. I'm keen now to also try a 4.4 diesel but they didn't have one I could try today.

Part of me is now wondering now if I can find 3.0 V6 or 4.4 on a lower budget in the Approved Used network, buy into the extended warranty to help cushion issues then convice SHMBO we fix the issues on the L322 and keep it a a cherished classic  ----------- Current Garage --------------------
2011 Range Rover L322 5.0 S/C Autobiography
2015 MINI JCW Hatch
2006 BMW 650i V8 Conv
1997 Range Rover P38 4.6 V8 HSE
2014 Harley Davidson Fat Bob
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@chrisnj

Be aware that the 3.0L won't have the dynamic suspension (for flatter cornering). Only the 4.4L has the as standard.

But I have been told the 3.0L makes for easier steering/cornering as it's a lighter front end.

Also make yourself fully aware of the 3.0 V6 crank issues. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Dolphinboy wrote:

@chrisnj

Be aware that the 3.0L won't have the dynamic suspension (for flatter cornering). Only the 4.4L has the as standard.

But I have been told the 3.0L makes for easier steering/cornering as it's a lighter front end.

JayGee wrote:

Also make yourself fully aware of the 3.0 V6 crank issues.

Thanks for pointing that out but is that something you really have to worry about though? From reading threads on here I get the impression its one of those internet things that seems to have blown up out of all proportion. IMHO no car is without its faults and some things just seem to get more traction online. From all I've read on this subject I don't think its something that would stop me getting a 3.0L V6.

I've yet to drive the 4.4 V8 so will have to see what that is like but I liked the V6 so that would be on my possible list if one came up with the right spec and price for me. Unlike the P400e PHEV that one is not for me.  ----------- Current Garage --------------------
2011 Range Rover L322 5.0 S/C Autobiography
2015 MINI JCW Hatch
2006 BMW 650i V8 Conv
1997 Range Rover P38 4.6 V8 HSE
2014 Harley Davidson Fat Bob
-----------------------------------------

The 4.4 SDV8 has its issues too. With your budget I would try a 4.4 L405 and go from there. You will get a great deal on one now. I’ve had mine 4-5 months and probably lost £3k already.

If you want to keep the L322 I would get the rust assessed first. Is it surface rust or something more serious?

Nice problems to have 😁👍

Even nicer problem is going to have a look at a 5.0L SV tomorrow. Didn't think my budget would stretch to a V8 petrol but seems there are possibilities  ----------- Current Garage --------------------
2011 Range Rover L322 5.0 S/C Autobiography
2015 MINI JCW Hatch
2006 BMW 650i V8 Conv
1997 Range Rover P38 4.6 V8 HSE
2014 Harley Davidson Fat Bob
-----------------------------------------

Dolphinboy wrote:

@chrisnj

Be aware that the 3.0L won't have the dynamic suspension (for flatter cornering). Only the 4.4L has the as standard.

But I have been told the 3.0L makes for easier steering/cornering as it's a lighter front end.