Buying Advice L322 TDV8

[lost in espace]

Can I have some advice please.

I have found an 2009 SE facelift 3.6. New Scorpions, new turbos, new brakes, gearbox "service", 140k, FSH, nice silver. Negotiated price is £7,400. Only 3 months MOT. Owner says the RR has wanted for nothing, looks like SME company car. From photos looks good, grey interior no sign of corrosion. Not seen the car yet. Will look for rust in sills and rear shuts amongst other things if I decide to go ahead.

I have also found a 2011 4.4 localish, black, ivory interior not so keen on. 120k FSH. 9 months MOT. Described as being outstanding. This model has better brakes I think. 2 owners.

Both private sales. My budget was £9/10k and the 3.6 leaves some in the pot for the inevitable. Everyone seems to be saying the 4.4 is the one to go for, but this is only going to do about 4k a year as a second car, maybe a few thousand more if my business restarts but who knows. I am just not sure that the 4.4 justifies the £3k extra for some more power and smoother gearbox.

Any help making a decision would be most welcome.

[Krikkit]

I'd have the 4.4 -better car and easier to sell on. A better gearbox will make itself known on every journey.

[Noogly]

I had a 57 plate 3.6 for a few years and changed it for an 11 plate 4.4 The 3.6 is nice, but the 4.4 engine and 8 spd gearbox are a in different league altogether.

[david mcc]

As per the other posters, the 4.4 is a far better engine

[camel_landy]

It also depends what you're coming from... If this is your first RR, you won't be disappointed with either car.

M

[lost in espace]

camel_landy said:

It also depends what you're coming from... If this is your first RR, you won't be disappointed with either car.

M

I had a 4.6 P38 quite a few years ago which was amazing. I have a Boxster and a Leaf at the moment, so it will just be used 3 days a week at most for local runs. The DPF on a 4.4 might be bothersome, although the mpg of the 3.6 is supposed to be terrible while cold.

[camel_landy]

lost in espace said:

I had a 4.6 P38 quite a few years ago which was amazing. I have a Boxster and a Leaf at the moment, so it will just be used 3 days a week at most for local runs. The DPF on a 4.4 might be bothersome, although the mpg of the 3.6 is supposed to be terrible while cold.

Hmmm... If it's going to be short runs, I'd avoid anything with a DPF.

Have you considered the SC?

M

[Phil Dicky]

camel_landy said:

lost in espace said:

I had a 4.6 P38 quite a few years ago which was amazing. I have a Boxster and a Leaf at the moment, so it will just be used 3 days a week at most for local runs. The DPF on a 4.4 might be bothersome, although the mpg of the 3.6 is supposed to be terrible while cold.

Hmmm... If it's going to be short runs, I'd avoid anything with a DPF.

Have you considered the SC?

M

Id suggest petrol too tbh.

[Deranged Rover]

lost in espace said:

....but this is only going to do about 4k a year as a second car, maybe a few thousand more if my business restarts but who knows.

If you're only doing 4k per year do you really need a diesel? The petrol engines are more reliable (no turbos) and cheaper to maintain, if not to put fuel in!

[witten]

I went through the same thing as you a year ago. Started with a budget of £10k for a RR and ended up spending £12.5k on a 85k mile 4.4 TDV8. The gear box was miles better (although I miss having a lever to rest my arm on) and the engine seemed a significant upgrade. It was worth blowing the budget for.

Not really had any problems with it since. New battery and intake pipes were cracked, that's it. There is an intermittent fault with the air con but you can fix it by switching it on and then off again. Had a warning the other day about water in the diesel but that is a faulty sensor that I will look at (comes up when you go through a puddle).

My L322 4.4 TDV8 is my favourite car I have ever owned and have absolutely zero regrets on the purchase. They are awesome and I would definitely say get the 4.4 (33 mpg on the motor way if that worries you - better than the 3.6 apparently).

[CAPP0]

Deranged Rover said:

lost in espace said:

....but this is only going to do about 4k a year as a second car, maybe a few thousand more if my business restarts but who knows.

If you're only doing 4k per year do you really need a diesel? The petrol engines are more reliable (no turbos) and cheaper to maintain, if not to put fuel in!

My 5.0SC does 22 on a run, obv rather less if I'm trundling around locally. On a 4k pa mileage the cost delta between the fuels is going to be minimal - £300-ish? £25/month? What would you save on the servicing?

OP, test drive a petrol SC, make sure you get the chance to plant your foot at some point, let us know how wide the grin was

[lost in espace]

witten said:

I went through the same thing as you a year ago. Started with a budget of £10k for a RR and ended up spending £12.5k on a 85k mile 4.4 TDV8. The gear box was miles better (although I miss having a lever to rest my arm on) and the engine seemed a significant upgrade. It was worth blowing the budget for.

Not really had any problems with it since. New battery and intake pipes were cracked, that's it. There is an intermittent fault with the air con but you can fix it by switching it on and then off again. Had a warning the other day about water in the diesel but that is a faulty sensor that I will look at (comes up when you go through a puddle).

My L322 4.4 TDV8 is my favourite car I have ever owned and have absolutely zero regrets on the purchase. They are awesome and I would definitely say get the 4.4 (33 mpg on the motor way if that worries you - better than the 3.6 apparently).

Thanks Witten, I might have to sell my Boxster 987 to afford the 4.4. I think it will be a better car for me daily, its lowered and I am getting fed up crawling out of it.

[witten]

lost in espace said:

Thanks Witten, I might have to sell my Boxster 987 to afford the 4.4. I think it will be a better car for me daily, its lowered and I am getting fed up crawling out of it.

I am a 6'4" not particularly small guy. Had a 987, then a 140i then the L322. I am amazed I ever thought I fit in the Boxster (which was an awesome car) but don't regret having moved on. The boxster was awesome but stepping down out of a car will always be more graceful that peeling yourself out a convertible. I have discovered as I near 40 that I like a wafting car not a sports car. Drove the L322 to the highlands and it was awesome, just quiet and comfy and effortless.

[mondeoman]

Goot to ask, as heading in the same direction, apart from old car niggles, are they generally reliable?(ish)

[lost in espace]

mondeoman said:

Goot to ask, as heading in the same direction, apart from old car niggles, are they generally reliable?(ish)

I now have my purchase. The big problem with these cars is that they are huge, to go through them fully will take time or an inspection. I missed a few things, it was full of kids crap for a start sticky sweets in each bin.

However it is an excellent if wallowy drive, far more relaxing than my Boxster. Poor mpg until warm.

Reliable? No. Not on your life. At this age you have to be an enthuasiast or want to send your local garage owner to Disneyland every year. Mine seems to be OK drivetrainwise, but if you are buying one be really careful.

Here is mine. Bit of rust underneath that I can only slow down, they all rust rear door arches and sill rear.

[mondeoman]

lost in espace said:

mondeoman said:

Goot to ask, as heading in the same direction, apart from old car niggles, are they generally reliable?(ish)

I now have my purchase. The big problem with these cars is that they are huge, to go through them fully will take time or an inspection. I missed a few things, it was full of kids crap for a start sticky sweets in each bin.

However it is an excellent if wallowy drive, far more relaxing than my Boxster. Poor mpg until warm.

Reliable? No. Not on your life. At this age you have to be an enthuasiast or want to send your local garage owner to Disneyland every year. Mine seems to be OK drivetrainwise, but if you are buying one be really careful.

Here is mine. Bit of rust underneath that I can only slow down, they all rust rear door arches and sill rear.

nice ride!!

Buy on provenance etc...

Wonder if an 18month warranty is worth the paper its printed on.

[lost in espace]

You are better off getting an IID Gap tool to code read, £400.

[eltax91]

mondeoman said:

nice ride!!

Buy on provenance etc...

Wonder if an 18month warranty is worth the paper its printed on.

I bought a D4 a year ago. I got a motor easy warranty on it shortly after sale. £1035 for 3 years. So far they have paid out on all 3 repairs I asked of them:-

Front suspension arms - £350 contribution
Faulty door motor - £280
Faulty wiring to front heated screen - £150

Nearly got my money back and still have 2 years ‘cover’ left. I’m sure they’d wriggle at a larger bill, but at least of someone to fight with before I roll over and pay

[lost in espace]

eltax91 said:

I bought a D4 a year ago. I got a motor easy warranty on it shortly after sale. £1035 for 3 years. So far they have paid out on all 3 repairs I asked of them:-

Front suspension arms - £350 contribution
Faulty door motor - £280
Faulty wiring to front heated screen - £150

Nearly got my money back and still have 2 years ‘cover’ left. I’m sure they’d wriggle at a larger bill, but at least of someone to fight with before I roll over and pay

I ran a quote and they won't cover me.

[eltax91]

lost in espace said:

I ran a quote and they won't cover me.

Age of the car, presumably? I’ll be honest I locked up the tip on here and just called into the call centre, didn’t bother with an online quote