From Griff to L322 Rangie - am I Deranged?

[beancaker]

Having owned my Griff for nearly 20 years I am sorely tempted in my advancing years by the comfort and waft of an L322 Range Rover. I imagine ownership would be a similar 'pleasure and pain' experience. As with TVR, the 'net is littered with horror stories, but is it really that bad? Anyone here with experience of running both marques? Prices seem temptingly reasonable...

[mike_e]

Went from a Cerbera to a L494 RRS. Chalk and cheese, no comparison whatsoever, as you'd expect from 2 very different classes of vehicle. I've aged 20 years since I bought the Cerb and I can now appreciate a more comfortable vehicle. You miss the power of course but the quiet and luxurious cabin with some quite remarkable handling for such a big machine do compensate somewhat. I love the high up driving position which makes for much safer overtaking, and being able to get 5 people and 2 dogs into the same car. It's a chelsea tractor so hardly ever sees any off-road action, but it's a very capable vehicle if you fancy that sort of thing. In terms of reliability, no question, the Cerbera, to date, was far more reliable. JLR electrics are a weakness as is the air suspension and arm bushes which need replacing every couple of years.

I think the fact that they are so dissimilar and drive so differently, you don't miss the power and acceleration of the TVR, you accept it and enjoy the other benefits. Of course, if you find something with the same number of cylinders and capacity as your TVR then you'll have the best of both worlds. Still regret selling the Cerbera though, particularly as prices took off just after it was sold.

[Zener]

Drive nice but yes anyone that tells you they are reliable is talking bks add various body electrical woes inc engine electrics/sensors that for DIY you will need a compatible diagnostic scanner for (not a cheap little generic hand held either) add front wheel bearings to that list also

[carl350i]

Hi,

Yes I run both.

I’ve a tdv8 for every day and the griff in the garage.

I always say to,people, I’d 100% recommend the RR and 100% not recommend it, but it’s a cracking car to drive when all is going well.

To be honest mine has been pretty good, get a tdv8 over the older td6, it’s like chalk and cheese.

I drive mine to Devon once a month, 180miles and it’s effortless.

I wince sometimes driving the griff with mechanical sympathy hearing it crash and bang on our rubbish roads, the RR just drives over everything with ease, it’s a pleasure to be in and you get out the other end a lot more relaxed.

Cheers.

[crispian22]

I've ran both,4 TVR's over 15 years and 2 l322's.

The first was a bmw v8 engined swine,ran it for 12 months and it cost me £6k in repairs.

The second was a facelift 4.2 supercharged,absolutely no problems at all,ran like a dream and could certainly hustle along if provoked,cost only fuel(a lot) in 12 months.

Only cost me £6k in depreciation..........


Get a good one and they are sublime.

[beancaker]

Thanks for the replies chaps. Test driven three so far, and very impressed. A couple of them had been around the planet a few times but still felt very solid. Plenty of low down grunt from the 4.4tdv8, and supremely comfortable. The hunt continues for the elusive one owner, low mileage, full dealer service history...

[MisterT]

beancaker said:

Thanks for the replies chaps. Test driven three so far, and very impressed. A couple of them had been around the planet a few times but still felt very solid. Plenty of low down grunt from the 4.4tdv8, and supremely comfortable. The hunt continues for the elusive one owner, low mileage, full dealer service history...

The 4.4tdv8 is the one to have imho, if you’re going to tow it’s brilliant, just make sure you get one which has the turbo charger drain modification. Mine didn’t when I bought it 18 months ago, when the second turbo charger spools up under hard acceleration oil build up in the turbo creates a smoke screen behind you. Basically it seems the second turbo is mostly sitting idle and oil builds up inside it. My dealer was first class and paid for Duckworths LR main dealer to fit the modification, it costs around £1100 or maybe a bit more by now.

Not all 4.4tdv8’s suffer the problem it seems, perhaps it depends on whether you drive like you stole it most of the time or waft along enjoying the ride.

When you test drive floor the throttle from a low speed and watch the mirror, of course this isn’t foolproof as the car may have been given a good work out to clear the oil before you arrive!

Edited by MisterT on Sunday 23 August 22:22

[phazed]

I went from a chim to a Boxster S and bought a low miles, 1 owner P38 Rangie with £6K in change.

Age and other reasons persuaded me to change.

Boxcart is faultless and the P38 gives comfort and a weird TVR feeling! Must be the 4.6 RV8, separate chassis and the chance of a breakdown!!!



BTW, the SaurKrauter Drives superbly so win, win........

[beancaker]

[quote=phazed]and the chance of a breakdown!!!



Yes, it's that frisson of excitement that the TVR gives on every journey - will it, won't it, and then the sense of relief when you arrive!

[beancaker]

MisterT said:

beancaker said:

Thanks for the replies chaps. Test driven three so far, and very impressed. A couple of them had been around the planet a few times but still felt very solid. Plenty of low down grunt from the 4.4tdv8, and supremely comfortable. The hunt continues for the elusive one owner, low mileage, full dealer service history...

The 4.4tdv8 is the one to have imho, if you’re going to tow it’s brilliant, just make sure you get one which has the turbo charger drain modification. Mine didn’t when I bought it 18 months ago, when the second turbo charger spools up under hard acceleration oil build up in the turbo creates a smoke screen behind you. Basically it seems the second turbo is mostly sitting idle and oil builds up inside it. My dealer was first class and paid for Duckworths LR main dealer to fit the modification, it costs around £1100 or maybe a bit more by now.

Not all 4.4tdv8’s suffer the problem it seems, perhaps it depends on whether you drive like you stole it most of the time or waft along enjoying the ride.

When you test drive floor the throttle from a low speed and watch the mirror, of course this isn’t foolproof as the car may have been given a good work out to clear the oil before you arrive!

Edited by MisterT on Sunday 23 August 22:22

Thanks Mister T, very useful info.

[ahpboxster]

I have had several Land Rovers over the last 20 years and currently have a 4 year old Discovery I have had from new. They do have their issues, although the current one has had only very minor one's and is now on 60K miles. The air ride is worth the odd repair as it gets older

The good thing about Land Rover is the amount of information on forums and the specialists that are around. Finding out what the known problems are from forums, saves a huge amount of diagnostic time. The specialists are also pretty reasonable with their labour rates.

In terms of spare parts, there are 100's of suppliers of parts, improved parts, modified parts, used parts. My only experience is to make sure you buy decent quality, if it sounds too cheap it is probably because it is made that way and you will swapping it again soon !

A GAP diagnostic tool is well worth it.

[L1OFF]

Of my 7 TVR's, Cerb, Griff SE, Tuscan, Sag, Griff Pre cat, Chim 4.3 and the L322 3.6 TDV8 there is no comparison, the Tivs were much more reliable.

[Gazzab]

I have no idea why you would compare such cars. They couldn’t be more different. If you want to move to a big fat 4x4 then go for it. If you want a car that replaces the Griff but still gives you some driving pleasure then look elsewhere.

[Englishman]

Have to agree. As a serial TVR owner for over 40 years I have never desired a RR, LR or any other 4x4. So yes, to answer the OP's original question, yes you are deranged