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[STEMO]

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/14299/range-rover-vs-gl450

A slightly conflicting article/test which suggests that the last L322 is better all round than the Merc GL...

This is in spite on the only two things that the RR does better being slightly more economical and subjectively being a nicer place to be... Turn to the facts and figures, the GL wins hands down in spite of the depreciation being given as straight numbers rather than as a percentage

Both percentage and numbers are there.

[aaronjb]

If anyone thinks there is a more capable road going luxury SUV, they misunderstand the capabilities of a FF RR.

That said, I would love one, as cars go, they are about as "me" as cars get, but I just don't think I could live with one.

I know where there's a lovely black L320 - much more practical than an L322 as it's about three feet* shorter so you can actually park it places... well looked after, no mechanical issues.

Not mine, obviously

Must admit, the 3.6 TDV8 is a lovely engine - a wall of grunt - but I'd probably still have preferred the supercharged petrol V8 of the same vintage if it didn't command a £5-7k price premium! I could see an L322 in my future, too.. then again, I can see so many cars in my future I'll need a lottery jackpot and an aircraft hangar to store them all in

[Viral_Jim]

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/14299/range-rover-vs-gl450

A slightly conflicting article/test which suggests that the last L322 is better all round than the Merc GL...

This is in spite on the only two things that the RR does better being slightly more economical and subjectively being a nicer place to be... Turn to the facts and figures, the GL wins hands down in spite of the depreciation being given as straight numbers rather than as a percentage

Both percentage and numbers are there.

As far as I can tell, RR gets the same treatment by the auto press as any new golf. "Its the new golf, 5 stars" in some cases, before the car has even turned a wheel 

[aaronjb]

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/14299/range-rover-vs-gl450

A slightly conflicting article/test which suggests that the last L322 is better all round than the Merc GL..

You just reminded me what I saw driving home from work on the M40 yesterday .. a very old, battered, Merc ML (first generation) with two LPG fillers in the bumper (one appeared to have been ripped out), wing mirrors held on with duct tape.. towing a car trailer topped with a LWB Transit.. at speed

[henryd]

It'll take years to lose that stigma though. I suspect a lot of that "perception" is from the BMW/Ford era...

Did I mention that the alternator just packed up on my L320 RRS..

I believe access to said part is a little tight

[Viral_Jim]

I believe access to said part is a little tight

Tight as in inconvenient, or tight as in find me a left handed proctologist? 

[aaronjb]

It's not that bad compared to, say, the water pump on the Mini You have to go in via the wheel arch, remove air hoses, water hoses, avoid slicing yourself open on some sharp bits and then jiggle it out through a gap only just larger than the alternator. I might give in and pay the local specialist the 2.5hrs labour.

Actually, that process sounds remarkably like doing the water pump on the Mini, too

[Doctor Gollum]

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/14299/range-rover-vs-gl450

A slightly conflicting article/test which suggests that the last L322 is better all round than the Merc GL...

This is in spite on the only two things that the RR does better being slightly more economical and subjectively being a nicer place to be... Turn to the facts and figures, the GL wins hands down in spite of the depreciation being given as straight numbers rather than as a percentage

Both percentage and numbers are there.

You're right, I was thinking it should reflect the lost value as a percentage of the original price

[Andy B]

you want to try changing all 6 plugs on a Smart Roadster .....  or a water pump. But both are a piece of cake compared to swapping a starter motor ..... what a **t of a job, it took me about 5hrs to remove the old one & the same to fit the new one

[Doctor Gollum]

Not a job I fancy doing on the Trolley either

[relluf]

I believe access to said part is a little tight

Tight as in inconvenient, or tight as in find me a left handed proctologist? 

Well you might try it on the omega 2.5td now that is interesting 😊

[TheBoy]

I believe access to said part is a little tight

Tight as in inconvenient, or tight as in find me a left handed proctologist? 

Well you might try it on the omega 2.5td now that is interesting 😊

Alternator on an Omega TD?  30-45 mins if you slightly bend battery tray, including a break for tea and biccies .  The TD is remarkably easy to work on once you accept that he intake has to come off every time

[TheBoy]

If anyone thinks there is a more capable road going luxury SUV, they misunderstand the capabilities of a FF RR.

No direct ownership experience of a 405, or 322. But our family certainly but two P38s through their paces in the 12years or so they owned them. Towed up to, and in excess of the 3.5t limit and tested the off road ability as much as anyone who doesn't do it for sport.

My criticisms of that car would be two-fold. Firstly no suitable engine - the 2.5d and 4.0 we had were both arthritic (4.0 was better but still not adequate), going to the 4.6 only traded a few bhp for an engine made of chocolate. 

The second was reliability, not the drivetrain as such, this had faults, but was worked hard. The issue was electronics, air suspension and general poor design (failed door lock meant that the LR advice was to cut the door off).

I have first hand experience of L322s - fixing countless faults that shouldn't have been there in the first place. The 405 is getting no better reports than the 322 did, so I've no reason to believe it's any better. That said, I would love one, as cars go, they are about as "me" as cars get, but I just don't think I could live with one.

My point? Focussing on off-road ability and other attributes that are used by 0.1- 0.01%.of buyers rather than designing and screwinf together cars properly seems rather counter intuitive.

P38 and the early L322 (pre 2005 FL) are BMW era, running BMW electrics and systems, mostly from the 7 series of the time, and aren't great reliability wise. Later L322 are a huge improvement in that area, and the 2nd FL around 2009 improves it still further.

[TheBoy]

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/14299/range-rover-vs-gl450

A slightly conflicting article/test which suggests that the last L322 is better all round than the Merc GL...

This is in spite on the only two things that the RR does better being slightly more economical and subjectively being a nicer place to be... Turn to the facts and figures, the GL wins hands down in spite of the depreciation being given as straight numbers rather than as a percentage

It would be a brave (or corrupt) journo that puts any Mercedes badged car above its rivals in the last 25 yrs. Very brave/corrupt.

And, yes, I have hoofed around in a V8 GL, and it might match a RR on straight line speed, but is a step below in every other regard...   ...not that a FF RR exactly "handles" IMHO.  The lack of design attention to detail can also be forgiven on the cheaper stuff, but not at this level, and is evident.

[Viral_Jim]

P38 and the early L322 (pre 2005 FL) are BMW era, running BMW electrics and systems, mostly from the 7 series of the time, and aren't great reliability wise. Later L322 are a huge improvement in that area, and the 2nd FL around 2009 improves it still further.

True, hence the wheezy arthritic 2.5 diseasal lump. Although LR were also kind enough to liberally sprinkle bits of Lucas electronics about the place. Because, y'know, that's always a sure fire route to reliability
 

The thing is, I say all of this in the full.knowledge I am going to buy one. Some day. Because it's an itch I'll have to scratch.