Hello to all, first post!

I've been looking for something special, a RR for the inevitable return commute across fields, well single muddy lanes, and a brook, my wife's VW Passat won't do.

I've looked at the usual online places and found a few cars that I have rung about. One car, which is beautiful, FSH, low miles, 4.4 Westminster, 2 owner, seems perfect, I really want to place a deposit but...

...just a question and some advice, the car has already had major work to the engine to the tune of £7k.

I found this out when I asked the dealer the usual questions regarding the services, first 4 at a RR dealer then the past few at a company called QP Online. (RR has 72k miles total). The dealer read through the invoice for work last November and the list was huge.

I called QP Online and a really decent chap talked me through the work he did. Apparently, I think, the timing chain snapped and caused enough issues that the engine had to come out, new pistons, rings, cylinder hone, timing chain and all the other stuff that goes with it.

I asked him about the car in general and he recommended and suggested that it was excellent as he also changed the transfer box oil, new tyres, discs and other stuff. To note, QP Online have a really good reputation with helping fix large LR issues.

So, my thoughts are would it put you off or would it indeed make you happier that this car has had a real good going over last November and any other issues would have been addressed if found ! I'm thinking the latter, I think...

Move on to another one. Although there should be no issues with the work carried out, I just would not be happy with this engine.

Last edited by Highroller on 3rd Sep 2021 8:34am. Edited 1 time in total

With a potential engine failure / replacement, the question is always did they change absolutely everything that might have been damaged or collected debris from the failed parts. You'd never be sure. Paul,
2001 Discovery 2 TD5, 211,000 miles & climbing
2006 FFRR TDV8 Vogue 145,000 miles & climbing
Member of Midland (Land) Rover Owners Club, www.mroc.co.uk

QP are very good and they are meticulous. There’s enough L322’s out there that you should be able to find one in budget, mileage and condition that hasn’t had major engine work.

Hi, thanks chaps, I think that is quite conclusive. I shall continue my journey!

Also depends on what warranty ( if any) the new engine has. I’m looking at similar vehicles and have been for a while but am starting to get the feeling that I may have missed the boat for L322’s as a lot on the market seem to be around the age where they could be needing expensive repairs and the low mileage ones are way over priced.

I think I would be questioning why after the previous owner had spent £7k on it less than a year ago did they trade it in. Sounds like they had no confidence in the car after all the repair work 2011 TDV8 Vogue SE

Move on. Next! 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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Timing chain break on a 4.4TV8 ?
First one I've heard about here on the forum....
You can see how substantial they are in the workshop manual. Dual chains per bank too.
Something not right there. Cheers, Greg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

Find another one. You don’t need to have any doubts in the back of your mind. It’s a shame if it ticks all the boxes, but…..

Just my 2p….

 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 suspect that is the vehicle I almost bought. 2012 black with white interior. It drove well and was in good condition. I found the invoice from QP Online in the glove box, and also called about the engine. I had decided to buy the car, but every time the garage were supposed to finish the prep they found additional faults. In the end I pulled out of the deal. The garage were really fair and just gave me the deposit back with no questions. I was never 100% certain about the car - and am now glad I did not go ahead.

Tomorrow I am picking up a beautiful grey Westminster. It is more money but a much better vehicle with lower miles. Good luck with your search.

Hi, yep, that's the one! They said they have changed a seat heater element and something else. The dealer said that is was prepped to go but the buyer decided not to go for the purchase.

Richard2113 wrote:

I found the invoice from QP Online in the glove box, and also called about the engine.

Yep. That is the one. The timing chain had broken and had taken out a large part of the engine. Oil change in diff. When I put the deposit down they needed to fix the passenger seat heating and cooling, what looked like an oil leak, and a couple of things. It ended up taking a couple of weeks to get parts, then something else failed. They fixed that then one more thing failed. I just gave up at that point. So either someone gets a beautifully fixed machine, or one that is just constant trouble.

I decided to look elsewhere. I have no real idea whether the car I am buying is better or worse than the one I turned down, but it feels better and I am really looking forward to getting it.

Good luck again!

There’s a grey 2012 Westminster on Autotrader also with a new engine at lowish miles - thought these engines were bombproof?