Sight unseen L322 Range Rover 4.2SC with faults....

[conor]

So this is mental (Feels mental).

I've agreed to buy a 2005 Range Rover with the 4.2 Supercharged petrol engine.

What's totally mental about this purchase is that I don't have a massive amount of detail on the car. I haven't actually seen the interior at all and only a couple of not great photos of the exterior at odd angles. I have been told it's "very clean"...... It's silver in colour, and I thought maybe black leather, but it turns out it's cream interior.

Some of the issues, I already know about..

• I do know the suspension is bust (on bump stops) due to water ingress during a recent car wash episode. The water has been identified as coming in one of the rear doors (side or tailgate).
• The remote locking had supposedly stopped working but that has been referenced as fixed.
• Also only one key (hate that!)
• According to recent MOTs the rear subframe bushes are outstanding and nearside non-obligatory mirror is damaged (god knows how bad and the price of what I guess is a wing mirror)
• The rear video screens aren't working.
• Rear cameras and parking sensor work 90% of the time.
• It also has "superficial" rust in the usual rear quarters. No idea about the tailgate.

Oh and it has 162k miles on the clock.....

After some initial research here is what I am currently thinking

• Suspension is due to compressor getting shorted/wet. Considering that, the suspension system has shut down and won't raise because it knows the compressor is bust. The compressors needs test/refurb/renew and errors cleared and should work (big a** guess!!) - DIY
• I can get a new spare key programmed for £100
• Rust is a cut/weld/fill/spray job - DIY final spray might end up being a pro job depending on how much needs doing (silver is difficult to match)
• I believe the wires to rear screen were incorrectly routed under seats around 2005ish. I believe those wires are probably sliced and can patched up.
• No idea on rear camera + sensors
• Rear subframe bushes are a brutal job but i'll still DIY them.

I haven't actually received the car yet too...

 

[andybond]

You are mad.

 

[conor]

You are mad.

Yes, yes I am.

 

[DaveL485]

I hope it was CHEAP!

 

[conor]

I hope it was CHEAP!

£2k. Cheap enough I reckon.

 

[conor]

Howdy guys,


Quick update from me..another day and another round of speculation.


Got a few pics from the mechanic today who has been holding the car.


I'm not too familiar with L322 body styling and versions etc. I had been trying to narrow down the front bumper but it looks like it may have been retrofitted with a facelift bumper, possibly grill and front lights. I'm not sure if that is an aftermarket grill or the standard supercharged version.


I also find it strange that one headlamp is clean and the other dulled. I guess the clean one was a renewal at some point.


Overall, a clean looking car up front anyway?

Part of the door card I guess... but what gets me in this photo is the oil. I guess it's burning oil?

Superficial rust, eh!? Good job I have a grinder and mig and know how to use them

Nice black leather.. from this angle it looks very clean considering age and miles. Looks like a bit of wear on the driver, door side. While difficult to say for sure, doesn't look like any collapse of the foam inside.


I'm not going to lie. This photo fills me with a little excitement. Looks clean and looks like a very nice and comfortable place to be.


Seems like i'll need a cigarette lighter anyway.

Brembo and some Overfinch wheels. I wonder do I keep these wheels, are they too big and prone to cracking? What size do you guys reckon?


Looks like smaller than 22inchers so should be good for me.. this won't be no chelsea tractor!

Here's where the speculation begins.. Why is the door car removed?


I had originally believed that the rear door/tailgate had leaked water into rear and caused a suspension fault.... but I don't imagine a suspension fault could be trigged from inside this door, could it? I think that perhaps this photo is closer linked to the central locking fault that had been mentioned by the seller in advert. They did say the locking problem was fixed.


That leads me to the suspension problem..... according to the MOT in October 2020. There was 162k miles. There are still 162k miles on it. Go figure.. it hasn't been driven in 12 months and just sat, understandable due to CV19.


That leads to me to believe that perhaps something gave way in the suspension. It is plausible that perhaps a bag had perished and when they went to drive the car recently the compressor couldn't reach operating pressure and shutdown as a result.

Good ride tyres.... class! (Not!?)

 

[DaveL485]

No idea about any of your questions - never touched one!

In for the thread though, I suspect this is going to be a good laugh

 

[conor]

No idea about any of your questions - never touched one!

In for the thread though, I suspect this is going to be a good laugh

A good laugh in the sense that you can't wait to hear some sound bites of the exhaust, like me!! ...or so you can make fun of me for buying, sight unseen with electrical faults, one of the most notoriously unreliable cars of the modern automotive age!?

I feel like it may be the latter :lmao

 

[DaveL485]

A good laugh in the sense that you can't wait to hear some sound bites of the exhaust, like me!! ...or so you can make fun of me for buying, sight unseen with electrical faults, one of the most notoriously unreliable cars of the modern automotive age!?

I feel like it may be the latter :lmao

All of it!

 

[conor]

Ok.. here we go!! Finally arrived..

Plenty of work to do and a few positive surprises..

The good:

• (surprise) More than half a tank of fuel
  
• (surprise) Venture cam exists
• (surprise) Rear screens work (had to turn on), after being told they didn't
• (surprise) Car seems to have rose up on it's own after the engine running a while. Can't operate the suspension height though as it thinks a door is open.. I guess that is because everything is unplugged on passenger door.
• The interior isn't in awful nick. While currently rough and dirty.. I think it has the potential to come up nice.. The piano black trim seems in good order and should clean up nicely. The leather is good all around. For 162k miles. The driver seat bolster shows a faint bit of wear. But no tears or broken stitching..
• Tyres seem in decent order. Plenty thread on back and a reasonable amount up front. Not the best brand IIRC.
• No lip on rear brakes - a little up front, but still meat in them.
• Apart from the body work, it's not in bad nick to be honest. No dents / dings scratches etc. That I could see. Will need to take a closer look.

From initial inspection - here's what needs doing:

• Rust, obviously
  
• Check engine light....... Waiting on IID to arrive.
• Add the door card back in and get the electrics working and go to town on the suspension.. when the door is back working it may highlight further issues.. because the reason for the firesale from previous owner was a suspension fault. We shall see.
• On the suspension point - car has sat a lot - need to open the spare wheel well and see if there is a swimming pool or what it's like in there.
• No brakes! Need to repair the lines, warning in dash to check fluid - I believe it's leaking somewhere.
• Brake discs are rust after sitting for 12 months. Probably remove and clean with citric acid.
• Mirrors - OS missing glass - NS won't open/close electronically! That could be expensive!!
• Cosmetically, centre console trim needs spraying. The broken button for hill descent needs fixing. Also key is in a sorry state so will see what can be done. One key only, too..

I think first of all it's brakes and suspension so I can drive it.

 

[andybond]

Still think you are mad …

 

[conor]

Still think you are mad …

Still agree

 

[DaveL485]

State of that key!

 

[conor]

State of that key!

State of everything to be honest. The key shell will be getting renewed.

I'm looking forward to sorting this one out.. thankfully I think it will be mainly man hours needed to tart it up with a smattering of parts here and there, but nothing too expensive - touch wood!

 

[conor]

Well lads!!

So i've spread myself thin all over the internet.. i've too many threads going around the place, so if you are interested in how this POS project is coming along, you can head on over here.. fullfatrr.com - View topic - Crazy newbie. Sight unseen with inactive suspension 4.2 SC

In the mean time, I will continue to post updates on my 172 Cup track build on this site

Conor

 

[andybond]

Well lads!!

So i've spread myself thin all over the internet.. i've too many threads going around the place, so if you are interested in how this POS project is coming along, you can head on over here.. fullfatrr.com - View topic - Crazy newbie. Sight unseen with inactive suspension 4.2 SC

In the mean time, I will continue to post updates on my 172 Cup track build on this site

Conor

You can copy / paste from there to here..