Hello all, I'm a new member here and had hoped to have purchased an L322 Vogue by now.

Unfortunately it's a bit of a drawn out story but I will try to keep it as brief as possible

I found a 2012 4.4 TDV8 for sale which was basically like brand new with 60k on it and FSH, LR main dealer with the last two by an independent specialist
The dealer is very well respected in the area.

When I took it for a test drive i noticed a slight brake judder at low speed, but more concerning was (I can only best describe it as a very very slight flutter/ vibration through the floor, no noise though)
It consitantly did this when driven gently going up hills at 56 to 58 mph, and no other speeds. I only happened to notice it because I was not comfortable in a strange vehicle and was being very careful with it. If you just put your foot down in normal acceleration you would never have noticed it.

Anyway, the next day I had a phone call explaining that new brembo disks had been fitted and that the flutter/vibration was due to a mismatch of tyre makes between front and rear and the electronics that do whatever they do were not happy with different rolling circumferences.

I went back a week or so later and took it out again. This time on test it left a huge plume of smoke when going up a hill and the flutter/vibration was still there I took it straight back and told them. They said they would have another look.

Next to be changed was a prop shaft centre bearing, this also did not cure the issue.
A pair of replacement turbos have been fitted. The smoke is gone now i'm told.
Now the gearbox has been taken out to be looked at to try and cure the issue. I haven't heard anything for a couple of weeks now, though I guess it is a pretty involved job to do.

The time scale of all this is now running into 6 or 7weeks by now I guess.

I paid a deposit when I thought it was just a couple of simple faults, I really like the vehicle a lot, it is immaculate. I imagine the garage has by now invested quite a lot of time and £££ into trying to fix it. I have stuck with it mainly due to the companies very good reputation and also there are no other 2012 models for sale within a semi reasonable distance from me. I also figured that a couple of what I understand to be known issues, ie turbos. gearbox would hopefully be ok during my potential ownership.

I guess this post is just to see if anyone else has ever come across a flutter/vibration issue, and also if I should stick it out or walk away.
I haven't asked as yet but I was hoping that the gearbox would be looked at by a ZF specialist, It would give me more confidence in the whole vehicle if it was.

My gut feeling is that the previous owner chopped it in knowing something was wrong. When I checked the mot history it had averaged 10k miles every year but mysteriously since the last mot in Feb or March I think it was, It has only done 600 miles. It could be nothing but you can't help but wonder.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this.

If it were me I'd look elsewhere, even if it does involve a bit of travel. Some well maintained examples come up on this site under 'For Sale' from time to time.

While the dealers have a good reputation, they don't seem to know what they are doing with this car e.g. telling you the problem was mismatched tyres and then having to try various other things when it wasn't that. Some on here regard mismatched tyres as a sign of neglect and that alone would put them off. Likewise 'Brembo' discs are regarded as an inferior choice compared with OE (see posts by Cam Tech Craig on the topic using the Search function). If both turbos needed to be replaced Q if the car has had a lot of town/stop start sort of use which tends not to be good for diesels and can lead to lots of expensive problems when they get older. I don't know if just changing the turbos solves all of that.

Have a look at the Baltic Blue list of 322 faults on here which might give some other ideas, and also help in any further search.

Late 322s have a poor reputation for rusting, especially rear wheel arches and sill area and the rear tailgate, as well as these other issues, so be sure to check carefully for that. My 2012 WM was bad for rust, and that was the main reason I changed to a 405.

On vibration, mine only did that when the brake callipers were sticking or the wheels had been rotated so that the wear on the tyres didn't match road position. Worn suspension/steering components are other possibilities, and I have a vague recollection of reading on here that sticking injectors can cause it too. Only Range Rovers since 1988

I wouldn’t say that turbos or gearbox are known faults on the 4.4, in fact, I’d go as far to say there are hardly any issues with actual turbos or gearbox.

Maybe you could give them a deadline and get your money back if it’s not to your satisfaction by that time?

Another nice one will come up at some point.....

 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

I agree with CS and MJ. Deadline or walk away with a refund.

It appears the dealer isn't confident with an FF and seems to chasing rather than identifying faults. Smoke from the car when accelerating hard is a symptom of not having had the turbo oil drain mod done, not necessarily a sign of turbo replacement being required. It's more down to stop start short runs and not exceeding 2500rpm when the second turbo fires up. (600 miles in a year?). Assuming that this was not something done at the manufacturing stage on late L322 4.4s, the jury on here is still out on it being essential.

Odd tryes are easy, what is the manufacturer's spec and what is fitted, are they the same all round. Why take out/investigate the gearbox when all on here seem to be happy that the 8 speed is superb?

Your comment on the last owner is telling, perhaps knowing it's not in best nick, says to me that you are not a sunny bunny.

Walk and find another. Cheers
Richard

(there are no such things as an ordinary FullFat, an ordinary cat or too many tools)
2011 TDV8 Vogue Santorini Black
Gap IIDBT

Chuck it back and find another  2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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they are doing costly work, why?

Very unusual to replace 2 x turbos.
Also remove the gearbox?

Maybe they on-claiming the work but doesn't sound right.

It's a buyers market for a diesel right now.

Yes it's nice but plenty more more out there, ok that one has lower than typical milage but you might just have to travel a bit is all.
. Cheers, Greg
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2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

Hmm, tricky one, but I do agree with the others, if they can't fix it before you have bought it, its unlikely to be done post completion.

Have you driven any other similar aged TDv8s ?
Are you sure what your noticing is not a common thing, just the rest of us are not looking for it / noticing it ?

Assuming they arent a main dealer, have you considered paying for a main dealer or RAC comprehensive inspection ?
I did this for a car I bought. It gives you a bit more peace of mind, especially if they are not the supplying dealer because they have no interest in not reporting things just to make a sale.

Ultimately it will depend on how choosy you are on spec as to how many are available.
Unless you are absolutely set on this car I would walk away, wait for another to come along, or accept it has a minor 'funny' that is not serious enough for the dealer to determine its cause, yet. Too many toys, not enough time

2011 4.4 TDV8 AB Black

reads like a torque convertor problem ?

CS wrote:

While the dealers have a good reputation, they don't seem to know what they are doing with this car e.g. telling you the problem was mismatched tyres and then having to try various other things when it wasn't that. Some on here regard Worn suspension/steering components are other possibilities, and I have a vague recollection of reading on here that sticking injectors can cause it too.

mjdronfield wrote:

I wouldn’t say that turbos or gearbox are known faults on the 4.4, in fact, I’d go as far to say there are hardly any issues with actual turbos or gearbox.

Maybe you could give them a deadline and get your money back if it’s not to your satisfaction by that time?

Another nice one will come up at some point.....

John w wrote:

Hmm, tricky one, but I do agree with the others, if they can't fix it before you have bought it, its unlikely to be done post completion.

Have you driven any other similar aged TDv8s ?
Are you sure what your noticing is not a common thing, just the rest of us are not looking for it / noticing it ?

Assuming they arent a main dealer, have you considered paying for a main dealer or RAC comprehensive inspection ?
I did this for a car I bought. It gives you a bit more peace of mind, especially if they are not the supplying dealer because they have no interest in not reporting things just to make a sale.

Ultimately it will depend on how choosy you are on spec as to how many are available.
Unless you are absolutely set on this car I would walk away, wait for another to come along, or accept it has a minor 'funny' that is not serious enough for the dealer to determine its cause, yet.

Hold out for a forum owned motor
Although mine came off here and it's still cost me a few grand to get sorted. Oil cooler gaskets, secondary turbo, oil pump plug and other bits 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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i cant comment on all the other things you noticed but.

we have a 07 4.2 SC, it had a judder between 70 & 80, simple fix we did speeding i know i know. but what we did find was that the lower front nearside suspension arm needed changing after that all was good.

i would also say set a deadline if not walk

Matt If In Doubt Give It A Clout

Previous Vehicles:
Land Rover 110 3.5 V8 (is my dads though)
1.9TD Seat Toledo
1.4 Rover 214 (dont ask)
2.0 Nissan Primera SLX (i want it back)
1.4 Seat Ibiza
996cc Toyota Aygo (I miss this car???)

04 TD5 Discovery 2 (my Current Car)
07 4.2 SC FF (wifes car)

Just a quick update.

After having an exchange gearbox and torque converter fitted it still isn't right.

We have now amicably agreed to go our separate ways.

So i'm still looking for one. I didn't realise it would be so difficult to find what i'm looking for!

Ideally a 2012 in Black with ivory interior with less than 70k miles and FSH. 20k budget.

The few that are currently available are sadly a rather long way from Cornwall.

I have seen on near Swindon and will see if they will provide some more in depth details after Christmas.

Thanks for your replies.