Range Rover L322 (2002 to 2012)

The L322 is the third-generation Range Rover, unveiled at London's Design Museum in late 2001 and on sale from early 2002 as the replacement for the P38A. Development began while BMW owned Land Rover, and the early cars use BMW engines and electronics; after Ford took over, later cars switched to Jaguar-derived petrol V8s and Ford group diesels. It was the first Range Rover to abandon a separate chassis in favour of a monocoque body, and it was larger in every direction than its predecessor, with a 2,880mm wheelbase and four-wheel independent air suspension.

The L322 moved the Range Rover firmly into luxury car territory, competing with large executive saloons as well as other four-by-fours, while keeping permanent four-wheel drive and real off-road ability. Later cars gained Terrain Response, which adjusts the drivetrain and suspension settings for different surfaces. On the road it is quiet, refined and commanding, though heavy, with kerb weights quoted between about 2,435kg and 2,710kg depending on version.

Its reputation today is of a superb vehicle that demands proper maintenance. Air suspension, automatic gearboxes on early cars, front propshaft couplings, hidden corrosion around the rear arches and a long list of electrical functions all need checking. Well-documented examples with specialist history are the ones sources recommend.

• Years: on sale from February 2002; replaced by the L405. Sources differ on the end date, with production generally given as ending in 2012 and the L405 on sale from the start of 2013.
• Body style: five-door estate, monocoque construction, permanent four-wheel drive with air suspension at all four corners.
• Engines (per PistonHeads): - BMW M57 TD6 2.9 straight-six turbodiesel (2,926cc), 184PS (2002 to 2006 model year) - BMW M62 4.4 petrol V8 (4,398cc), 290hp (2002 to 2005) - Jaguar-derived 4.4 petrol V8, 306hp (from 2006 model year) - Jaguar 4.2 supercharged petrol V8 (4,196cc), 400hp (2006 model year to 2009) - TDV8 3.6 twin-turbodiesel (3,630cc), 272hp (from 2006 model year; Drives Today says 2007) - 5.0 supercharged petrol V8 (4,999cc), 510hp (from April 2009; the RAC quotes 503bhp) - TDV8 4.4 twin-turbodiesel (4,367cc), 313hp (from 2010 per PistonHeads, 2011 per the RAC, which quotes 308bhp)
• Gearboxes: five-speed automatic on early cars, six-speed automatic from the 2006 model year, eight-speed automatic with the 4.4 TDV8. Automatic only. Transfer box with low range.
• Production: no reliable total production figure was found in the sources consulted.

• 2002 to 2005: BMW TD6 and 4.4 V8, five-speed automatic. Trims including HSE, Vogue and Autobiography. 344mm front brake discs.
• 2005 to 2006 (2006 model year): Jaguar-derived 4.4 V8 and 4.2 Supercharged with Brembo six-piston front calipers; TDV8 3.6 replaces the TD6 shortly after; six-speed automatic; larger 360mm front discs on non-supercharged models.
• April 2009: 5.0 supercharged V8 replaces the 4.2.
• 2010 facelift: revised front end with daytime running lights curving around the headlamps, new grille and side vents, Terrain Response adds hill start assist and gradient acceleration control, Adaptive Dynamics damping. 4.4 TDV8 with eight-speed gearbox follows.
• 2011 to 2012: Autobiography Ultimate Edition (500 built per the RAC) and the Westminster run-out trim.

Bodywork and structure

• Rear inner wheelarches: these rot, often hidden behind the outer door skin. Open the rear doors and inspect the shuts and the arch area closely.
• Rear brake pipes: corrode and are awkward to replace. Look under the rear of the vehicle with a torch.
• Water ingress: check sunroof and windscreen seals, and lift the boot floor. The air suspension compressor sits in the spare wheel area beneath the boot, where trapped water causes failures. Note whether a spare wheel is present.
• Lamps: condensation and corrosion inside lamp units, and stone chips on costly headlamps.
• Split tailgate: check the lower tailgate for dents from people sitting or standing on it.
• Off-road damage: scraped sills, bumpers, exhaust and wheels.

Engine

• TD6: turbo failures are common and some engines have failed outright. Look for a well-documented history.
• BMW 4.4 V8: chain driven and generally durable, but high-mileage V8s can burn oil. Check the oil level and ask about consumption.
• TDV8: a split intercooler hose causes sudden loss of power and limp mode at speed. Listen for unusual noises and check for warning lights.
• LPG conversions: common on petrol models. Ask for the installation certificate and service receipts.
• General: start from cold if possible and look for smoke, and ask whether any engine has been remapped.

Gearbox and drivetrain

• Early five-speed automatic: the weak point of early petrol cars, sometimes failing around 60,000 miles. Look for fluid changes in the history.
• Diesel torque converters: can develop faults that lead to gearbox failure.
• Transfer box: clunky changes and hesitation engaging drive can point to a failing transfer box.
• Front propshaft coupling: wear in the flexible coupling can leave the front axle without drive. Many were replaced under warranty or goodwill, so look for it in the history.
• With the engine running, ask for drive and reverse to be selected. Note any delay, clunk or abrupt engagement.

Suspension, steering and brakes

• Air suspension: with the engine running, the vehicle should rise and fall smoothly and quietly between the three ride heights. Slow rising suggests a failing valve or compressor; one low corner suggests a leaking air spring. A car that has sunk while parked but rises on start-up is less concerning than one that sits unevenly when running.
• Rear hub bushes: worn bushes cause clonks over bumps.
• Ball joints: check front and rear.
• Brakes: check discs and pads, and on later cars confirm the electronic parking brake applies and releases. Its module can fail, often from corrosion caused by underuse.
• Wheels: wheels larger than 20 inches accelerate suspension wear.

Electrics and interior

• Battery and low voltage: many erratic warning lights and faults stem from a weak battery. Ask when it was replaced.
• Driver controls: check electric steering column reach and rake, seat memory, heated seats and steering wheel, steering wheel buttons and all four windows.
• Climate and navigation: check heating, cooling and the screen for missing pixels.
• Seats: the driver's outer bolster shows wear first and indicates overall use.
• Warning lights: with the ignition on, the usual lamps should illuminate and then go out.

Identity and paperwork

• Check the VIN against the V5C and the model year and engine against the stated specification.
• Tuned and modified cars exist; check whether body kits or engine upgrades are factory or aftermarket.
• Supercharged and Autobiography badging is easy to add. Check the specification, including the larger supercharged brakes.
• A full vehicle history check is worthwhile on any high-value four-by-four.

Parts supply is good through Land Rover and a large network of independent specialists, and many components are shared with other BMW, Jaguar or Land Rover products of the period. Used and reconditioned gearboxes and transfer boxes can be found through specialists at well below main dealer replacement cost. Running costs are high because of weight, tyre sizes and complexity, so a thorough history matters. Regular servicing, gearbox fluid changes and attention to the air suspension compressor are the basics of ownership.

Clubs:

• The Range Rover Register (opens in a new tab), founded in 1985, welcoming owners of Range Rovers from classics to current models.
• Association of Land Rover Clubs (ALRC) (opens in a new tab), the umbrella body for UK Land Rover clubs.

• Has the air suspension compressor, valve block or any air spring been replaced, and when?
• When was the automatic gearbox fluid last changed, and has the gearbox ever been rebuilt or replaced?
• Has the front propshaft coupling been replaced, and is there a record?
• Has the vehicle ever had water in the boot or cabin, and have the rear arches been inspected for rust?
• Is there a full service history, and are all keys and the handbook pack present?