The complete Range Rover L322 guide

This site aims to document everything about the Range Rover L322, the third generation Range Rover, built at Solihull from 2002 to 2012 (about 293,494 made). It was the first Range Rover with a monocoque?monocoque: A unibody structure where the body shell itself carries the loads, instead of bolting a body onto a separate ladder chassis. Stiffer, quieter, lighter. body and air suspension all round. Designed under BMW but built under Ford, its engines and electronics changed several times, so the year and era matter a lot when buying or repairing one.

About the data on this site: engine specifications and fluid specs are MANUFACTURER figures; service intervals, prices and reliability notes are ESTIMATES from owners, specialists and the motoring press, not official Land Rover data. Always confirm against the handbook / RAVE manual for your exact car. This is an unofficial fan site.

Photo by Sadie-Michaela Harris (WordPress Photo Directory) · CC0

START New here? Read What is the L322? first, then the three eras. Thinking of buying? Go straight to the Buying Guide. Car playing up? See Common Problems.

Browse by section

⚙ Engines

All engines overview Compare engines & picker 4.4 V8 (the sweet spot) 4.4 TDV8 diesel

⚠ Ownership

Common problems Buying guide Running costs & calculator Service intervals

☰ Reference

VIN decoder tool Colours & codes Glossary FAQ

Start here: what are you trying to do?

▸ I'm thinking of buying one

Start with the buying guide and best L322 to buy, take the inspection checklist to viewings, compare engines on the engine picker or read petrol vs diesel, then estimate the running costs and check the VIN.

▸ I already own one

See service intervals, known faults and preventive upgrades. For the common big ones, see air suspension faults and gearbox problems, and keep the diagnostics page handy.

▸ I just want to learn about the L322

Read what the L322 is, its history and three eras, and the technical guide.

▸ I've got a specific question

The L322 FAQ answers the things buyers and owners ask most, which model is most reliable, petrol vs diesel, running costs, towing, the "sealed for life" gearbox and more.

All key pages

Page	What you'll find
What is the L322?	Quick overview and key facts
History & the three eras	BMW, Jaguar and late-model periods explained
Engines	Every petrol and diesel, with a comparison table
Common problems	What goes wrong and how to spot it
Air suspension faults	The L322's number one fault area, with symptoms and costs
Gearbox problems	ZF and GM faults, limp mode and the sealed-for-life myth
Buying guide	What to check before you buy
Best L322 to buy	Which year and engine to choose, and what to avoid
FAQ	Common questions answered, reliability, costs, petrol vs diesel and more
Fault codes	Common warning-light codes (DTCs) explained in plain English
Maintenance guide	Routine jobs and a sensible service schedule to avoid big bills
L322 vs rivals	How it compares with the X5, Cayenne, Q7, ML/GL and more

Key facts at a glance

Built	2002-2012, Solihull, England
Produced	approx. 293,494 units
Body	5-door SUV, monocoque (a first for Range Rover)
Drive	Permanent 4WD with low-range transfer case
Gearboxes	Automatic only (GM 5-speed, ZF 6-speed, ZF 8-speed)
Suspension	Independent, electronic air, height adjustable
Length	4718-4972 mm depending on year/market
Towing	up to 3,500 kg
Predecessor	Range Rover P38A (1994-2001)
Successor	Range Rover L405 (2013-2022)

The three eras: the most important thing to know

Because the L322 changed hands during development and production, a 2003 car and a 2011 car are very different underneath. Always check which era a car belongs to.

Years	Name	Engines	Good to know
2002-2005	BMW years	4.4 V8, 3.0 Td6	BMW engines & electronics. Cheapest, more risk.
2006-2009	Jaguar era	4.4 V8, 4.2 S/C, 3.6 TDV8	Best era for most buyers. Terrain Response?Terrain Response: Land Rover's rotary off-road system: one dial reconfigures throttle, gearbox, ride height, ABS and diffs to suit grass, mud, sand, rock or normal driving. added.
2010-2012	Late models	5.0 V8, 4.4 TDV8	LED lights, virtual dials, 230 kW diesel. Priciest.

» Read the full history

Most common problems

Problem	Sign / symptom	More
Air suspension	"Suspension inactive", one corner drops overnight	Read »
TDV8 coolant pipe	Coolant loss, white smoke (diesel)	Read »
Gearbox	Slow or harsh shifts, fault lights	Read »
Park brake	Rear pads wear fast, caliper sticking	Read »
Turbos (diesel)	Power loss, whistle, P0299 fault code	Read »

TIP Buying tip: Buy on service history, not on price. A cheap neglected L322 will cost far more than a well-kept one. Always have the air suspension and gearbox read on diagnostics before you buy.