I'm in two minds as to which L322 to buy.

I live in the countryside, and would use it as a daily driver for school runs only, maybe a few weekends. I'm thinking, in total, about 4,000 miles per year.

I was reading another thread on this forum where experience and consensus suggested about 25 MPG on country roads for the 4.4 diesel.

What if the average for the 4.2 S/C (not 5.0) on country roads?

Thanks in advance, for your time & help.

Tommaso

I'm on my 2nd 4.2 and mid to late teens is all you can expect.

Yes the petrol engine is more expensive to run butbut arguably more reliable and less hassle than a diesel.

My 4.2sc averages16-17 mpg if I use it locally. That’s doing say 5-6 mile runs along small country roads and lanes and not spending a long time standing in traffic. Hope that helps. Des

2005 (2006 MY) L322 4.2sc Java Black, 2010 facelift conversion
1965 Lenham Lemans GT 1310 , Gulf Racing blue, FIA spec and road legal
2018 F56 Mini JCW, Thunder Grey/Black, Mulgari St2 tuned, FMIC, short shifter and Eibach springs

Best way to run into DPF issues is using a diesel for short daily runs and a low anunal mileage. You probably won't even save on fuel costs doing 4k miles per year. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I live in the country side, if I go to town its about 6km and if I go to the next town over its about 20km. I do these a few times a week and for the most part I cruise and enjoy the ride but having a 4.4 that for some reason this week is very peppy after some work I do like to over take the slow cars and bring the revs up. my clock says 10.5-11.5L/100KM. On a longer journey Ill get 9.5L/!100KM. This may be down to callipers that need a service.

I have the diesel as I can claim the fuel and service against the business but the diesel and short journeys could cost more long term on maintenance. If I could have the SC I probably would but the road tax here would kill me, €2200-3200 I think  Current yokes
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster
2006 Disco 3
Scoobie GT wagon
Mx5 G Ltd
TT S Line
Pajero JDM Exceed

4000 miles per annum! 4.2 SC every time. Previous cars:
S-Max 2007-2013 (only diesel I've had, good car but expensive when diesely bits go wrong, so what's the point?)
Galaxy 2001-2007
Mondeo Estate 1997-2001
Sierra Estate 1993-1997
Uno Turbo 1987 -1993
Fiesta 1984 - 1987
Fiat 127 1982 - 1984

For a 4Kpa and mostly short run use case, a modern diesel would be the less sensible choice.

Interesting that you're considering a late 2010- TDV8 but the earlier 4.2SC. Why not the 5.0SC from the same period as the 4.4TDV8? 2012 (L322) 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE, RSE, Fuji White over Arabica.
Previous V8s: BMW 645Ci, P38 4.6, P38 4.0, Merc CL500
Previous others: Honda x1, Volvo x7, Rover x6, BMW x6, Ford x1, Mercedes x2, Skoda x3, VW x2, Renault x2, Citroen x1, Mazda x3, Nissan x1, Audi x3, Kia x1, Fiat x4, Subaru x3, Austin x2, Triumph x2, Jeep x2, Hyundai x2, Lexus x1, Mitsubishi x1, Saab x2... and some others I've forgotten!

Bought my 07' 4.2 in 2015.
I average 12-15 mpg short runs and a quick blast up the motor way at 70. They come with a load of goodies :- Sat nav, phone Tv, dvd player, (screens on front headrests for rear passengers). When you open the taps the supercharger sound is epic, always brings a smile even now. Downside is road tax, last year i paid £695 for 12 months.
Whatever you decide on check the steel brake pipes they are like Swiss cheese and rot on all models and many owners have replaced all the brake lines (especially across rear) with Cupra Nickel (including myself).

Good Luck with your search

By my quick reckoning, the petrol S/C will cost you about £500 / yr more in fuel for the 4K annual miles you mention. Based on today's fuel prices and assuming you're happy to put normal 95 RON in it.

See below, this based on 18MPG for the 4.2 S/C and 26 MPG for the 4.4 TDV8 (country roads / short trips):

Miles MPG Galls Litres Cost / Litre Fuel cost / Yr Notes
4000 18 222.22 1010.2 £1.529 £1544 95 RON Petrol
4000 26 153.84 699.3 £1.439 £1006 Diesel


With a petrol you don't have to worry about problems caused by frequent short trips such as DPF blockage and oil dilution caused by frequent incomplete active regen's, etc. BUT you do have to worry about supercharger rebuilds and timing chain / tensioner wear (at least on the 5.0 S/C which seems to need new timing chains & tensioners around 90K).

I know what I'd choose if I only did 4K / Yr. And it'd have 500Hp+ and be a 5.0SC despite timing chain worries. 1992 RR Classic 3.9 efi Vogue
===================
Both my fatties now gone...
Previous: 2011 L322 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE /// 2002 L322 4.4 V8 HSE /// 2009 Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 XS /// 2004 Defender 90 TD5 /// 1993 110 V8 Snatch Landrover /// 2005 Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 SE (Aus) /// 1990 110 Isuzu 3.9 County (Aus) /// 1976 Series III Trayback (Aus)

I would go petrol for short journeys of and 4k per year, the Diesel takes a while to heat up so worse MPG. I get an indicated 25-30mpg on a 15 mile countryside commute, and 35 on long motorway trips (they usually overread and I haven't calculated it, guess it would be 5% over)

+1 on 500hp!

D3Jon wrote:

By my quick reckoning, the petrol S/C will cost you about £500 / yr more in fuel for the 4K annual miles you mention. Based on today's fuel prices and assuming you're happy to put normal 95 RON in it.

See below, this based on 18MPG for the 4.2 S/C and 26 MPG for the 4.4 TDV8 (country roads / short trips):

Miles MPG Galls Litres Cost / Litre Fuel cost / Yr Notes
4000 18 222.22 1010.2 £1.529 £1544 95 RON Petrol
4000 26 153.84 699.3 £1.439 £1006 Diesel


With a petrol you don't have to worry about problems caused by frequent short trips such as DPF blockage and oil dilution caused by frequent incomplete active regen's, etc. BUT you do have to worry about supercharger rebuilds and timing chain / tensioner wear (at least on the 5.0 S/C which seems to need new timing chains & tensioners around 90K).

I know what I'd choose if I only did 4K / Yr. And it'd have 500Hp+ and be a 5.0SC despite timing chain worries.

I drive the 4.4 diesel... it's plenty fast enough for a car of this bulk... the handling outweighs any sporting performance you might like to have in reserves. its nice to have immense power reserves to show it off etc... but the reality is, it comes at a cost. the 4.4 tdv8 its such a refined diesel you hardly hear it. but one thing not yet mentioned.... is the ULEZ type charges to enter certain cities/areas. that to me is the only drawback. and I live in one! I don't use mine everyday, and now save up errands to do on a paying day...so I pay less overall. the 4.4 tdv8 is the most frugal l322. -and what a drive!!

RogueRanger wrote:

I’m not aware that the supercharger or timing chain have any issues on the 4.2sc. According to the forums, it’s one of the most robust and reliable engines in any L322.

And you can get a 4.2sc for £300pa less road tax which if you’re only doing 4k miles pa makes a big difference to overall running costs.

I did caveat the timing chain comment with the fact this applies to the 5.0 Engine. I fully agree, the 4.2 isn't known for premature timing chain or tensioner wear issues.

I thought the front pulley (nose) bearings often need changing in the 4.2's SC once mileage goes North of 100K? Also the isolator's spring can be prone to breaking? All cheap enough to fix though!

Not knocking the supercharged engines in any way, or the 4.4 TDV8 for that matter (it's a cracker). I was pointing out the advantages of the petrol over the diesel if used for short journeys, but balancing it with the small disadvantages of the petrol SC engine, over and above the obvious thirst of the petrol SC.

Cheaper road tax is a very good shout out!

Jon 1992 RR Classic 3.9 efi Vogue
===================
Both my fatties now gone...
Previous: 2011 L322 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE /// 2002 L322 4.4 V8 HSE /// 2009 Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 XS /// 2004 Defender 90 TD5 /// 1993 110 V8 Snatch Landrover /// 2005 Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 SE (Aus) /// 1990 110 Isuzu 3.9 County (Aus) /// 1976 Series III Trayback (Aus)

Short trips and low mileage, I'd go for the petrol. You're asking for DPF problems with the diesel. 4.4L of capacity idling away very quickly accumulates the soot content.

Just be aware that short trips on any engine increases wear as a result of heat cycling, and the 5.0L is known for chain guide failure. Heat cycling will serve only to increase that risk. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

I'm biased, but I would go for the petrol. On a run I can get 22ish but stop start around town traffic and I will be lucky to get into double digits.
I figured that the extra that I spent in fuel would be offset in diesel related issues, inlet manifolds, EGR valves, turbos/pipes etc.
Also this one might be debated, but I think the V8 petrol engine is so much smoother and quieter than the diesels. You really do just waft along in the petrol V8. 2010 RR Autobiography 5.0 SC
2020 F-Pace SVR 5.0 SC
2018 RRS HSE Dynamic 3.0
2014 Disco XXV
2011 Disco 3.0
2009 RRS HST V8