[dkuhn]

Hey folks! New to the forum, been doing a ton of reading and I think I know what I'm getting in to, and I'm excited.

I've had a '91 Mercedes coupe, two '01 BMW 740 sport, an '08 BMW 750Li, and I'm currently in a '16 BMW 435i xDrive Gran Coupe. I loved each of those cars to death, and was conflicted each time I sold them. Obviously so conflicted about the '01 740 that I bought another one when I sold the '08 750.

Here's my dilemma - I love Range Rovers. I've never owned one and I have always wanted to. I am not a huge fan of the newer body style, and I grew up watching the older boxy style in movies and TV. It was the coolest SUV around by far. I'm finally at a point where BMW doesn't have anything that interests me at the price point I'm looking at. I've done a ton of research, read about all the problems, found a reputable warranty company, and I live blocks from a Land Rover/Jaguar dealership. I know what I'm getting in to. But...I need some advice. Having not actually driven one of these cars, which would you go for as a daily driver - the HSE, SC, or Autobiography? I'm heavily leaning towards the SC because....power and noise, but I commute 30 miles each way (all highway) to and from the office daily and while I'm not super concerned about the fuel cost I am concerned about livability. I've listened to reviews and noticed a pronounced whine from the supercharger, if I were to get an SC model, would that whine be noticeable from inside the cabin? How is it with the exhaust tips being exposed? ...that pretty much wraps up my questions. TBH, I'd get the TDV8 if it was available in the states as that is exactly what I want, but sadly it isn't sold here. That ZF 8 speed auto is a peach, the updated V8 diesel is smooth as butter, and with a combined MPG in the 30s it beats most hybrids.

So, if you were in the market for a used 2011-2012 L322, would you opt for the HSE or the Supercharged?

This is the spec I'm looking for -

• Black ext, black int
• HK upgraded sound system
• Surround view cameras
• 10 spoke wheels
• Piano black trim
• Leather/wood steering wheel
• ...and probably a few others i'm forgetting

Excited to join the RR world soon!

 

[Keralis]

Supercharged trim is extremely nice. Most have been optioned out to what you'd like.

If you can get an Autobiography, they are entirely loaded with lots of extra leather, stitching, and some have more tech.

Test drive a few. I'd go for the SC.

 

[doc5339]

Get the SuperCharged; wish I had found one when I was looking.

 

[ttforcefed]

id go supercharged and ideally find one that has has the timing chain and tensioners done

 

[dkuhn]

So I think the consensus is supercharged. I'm also going to be getting a warranty.

 

[CaifanSC]

+1 for supercharged. +10 for autobiography...but I may be biased . Get the best one you can. They're all good, but if you add the supercharger...it's that little bit better. Same with the autobiography package...the extended leather just takes the rover experience to the next level. That leather headliner just takes the cake.

I stumbled upon a nice green autobiography for sale in MD recently. I'll have to dig it out and send it your way, if you're interested. I believe it was a 2010 or 2011.

 

[FujiRRSC]

Can't go wrong with the Supercharged.

Funny back in the day I had two 2008 750's. One was the 750I and the other the 750LI w/ the sport package. Honestly those are higher maintenance than the Rover at least in my experience.

 

[d3k0n]

I'd go SC all the way too. I have a 2011 HSE and while it has plenty of power, i still wish it had more You also get a fancy rear diff w the SC I believe... not sure about the autobiography.

 

[03rangiemark]

Do the Supercharged models really have much more usable power? Do they get better gas mileage with normal driving?
Does the supercharger add more problems?
I'm browsing 2012s right now, there are a few SCs and a couple Autobiographies available.

 

[ttforcefed]

Omg yes. For 2010 to 2012 its a night and day difference. SC has amazing acceleration when overtaking for a massive car.


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[03rangiemark]

I haven't seen anyone reply about the OPs question about SC noise. Is there a noticeable whine or drone other than on acceleration?
Or is the engine as quiet as an HSE would be?

 

[leftlanetruckin]

Do the Supercharged models really have much more usable power? Do they get better gas mileage with normal driving?
Does the supercharger add more problems?

Yes.
How can they compared to a like size NA engine? But who cares anyway, it's a blast to drive.
No.

 

[leftlanetruckin]

I haven't seen anyone reply about the OPs question about SC noise. Is there a noticeable whine or drone other than on acceleration?
Or is the engine as quiet as an HSE would be?

I have yet to notice the supercharger whining when on boost.

 

[ttforcefed]

I have yet to notice the supercharger whining when on boost.

Yeh its not noticeable inside the car. Ive actually never heard anyone say they didn’t want a car because of the noise a supercharger makes


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[brad s1]

Mine makes plenty of SC noise when you're on the gas... normal cruising it shouldn't make any noise.

 

[03rangiemark]

You guys are making it tough. As time and failures have progressed with my '03, I've sworn off getting another RR...well... ever.
But you guys are making the newer model SCs and Autobiographies looking possibly worth what seem to be the unavoidable disappointments of reliability and quality engineering that come with the brand.
And looking at the prices of new pickup trucks, a 2012 SC Autobiography looks downright cheap - at least the entry point. Of course operating costs will be terrible unless the 2012s are much more reliable than what I've seen with the inaugural 2003 BMW-powered model.
I wonder if the newer models are designed and built to handle the years better than the earlier models, or if they too are expected to be disposable vehicles of the frivolously wealthy with only a few years of practical use.

 

[LuisC]

I haven't seen anyone reply about the OPs question about SC noise. Is there a noticeable whine or drone other than on acceleration?
Or is the engine as quiet as an HSE would be?

I wish mine was just a little bit louder. I like the whining.
And for droning ? I’ve been searching for a performance exhaust with a little more rumble but not too loud or raspy.


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[brad s1]

You guys are making it tough. As time and failures have progressed with my '03, I've sworn off getting another RR...well... ever.
But you guys are making the newer model SCs and Autobiographies looking possibly worth what seem to be the unavoidable disappointments of reliability and quality engineering that come with the brand.
And looking at the prices of new pickup trucks, a 2012 SC Autobiography looks downright cheap - at least the entry point. Of course operating costs will be terrible unless the 2012s are much more reliable than what I've seen with the inaugural 2003 BMW-powered model.

First off 2003-2006 are terrible, like absolute garbage so not a great reliability benchmark. 07-09 are the most reliable... 10-12 seem to be slightly less reliable than the 07-09 with more features/new tech to go wrong. Their biggest weak link being a potential timing chain issue has always been a deal breaker for me. I'd have a hard time peeling off 20-30k for a 2010-2012 and be living in constant fear a 8-10k timing chain repair is likely and that's assuming it doesn't fail in a catastrophic way where I'd be sourcing a new engine.

I would buy a 2010-2012, but It'd have to have had the timing chain dealt with by the dealer and the records to prove it.

 

[LuisC]

With you on that one. I’d like the 2010-12 but am quite satisfied with my 2008.


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[Vineyard Dog]

First off 2003-2006 are terrible, like absolute garbage so not a great reliability benchmark. 07-09 are the most reliable... 10-12 seem to be slightly less reliable than the 07-09 with more features/new tech to go wrong. Their biggest weak link being a potential timing chain issue has always been a deal breaker for me. I'd have a hard time peeling off 20-30k for a 2010-2012 and be living in constant fear a 8-10k timing chain repair is likely and that's assuming it doesn't fail in a catastrophic way where I'd be sourcing a new engine.

I would buy a 2010-2012, but It'd have to have had the timing chain dealt with by the dealer and the records to prove it.

But is the timing chain issue more internet folklore than actual, proven issue affecting the entire range? I mean I've heard about it, read a thread, but other than that, doesn't seem like it's well-documented. Maybe that's what I tell myself as my otherwise very reliable 2012 with 92,000 miles has been awesome!