L322 engines

Last updated: 18 June 2012

Over its 2002-2012 life the L322 used seven main engines from three different origins: BMW, Jaguar (petrol) and Ford/Land Rover (diesel). This is a direct result of the car being designed under BMW but built under Ford. The engine fitted is the single biggest factor in how an L322 drives, what it costs to run, and what tends to go wrong, so it is worth understanding the whole line-up.

Full engine comparison

Figures are typical Range Rover (L322) outputs; they vary slightly by market and model year. Power quoted in metric/SAE horsepower as published by Land Rover.

Power at a glance

■ petrol NA   ■ supercharged   ■ diesel   ■ Td6

Full table

Petrol engines in detail

4.4 V8 — BMW M62TUB44 (2002-2005)

The launch petrol engine, supplied complete by BMW after the Ford takeover. An all-aluminium 4,398 cc V8 with single-VANOS?VANOS: BMW's variable valve timing system, which adjusts camshaft phasing for better torque, economy and emissions. variable intake timing, a single-row timing chain and an Alusil block. In the L322 it produced about 286 hp and 440 Nm, with a revised sump for ground clearance. Smooth but not especially powerful in a 2.4-tonne car, and the weakest of the petrols on outright reliability (Nikasil-era concerns aside, the M62 itself is sturdy but the surrounding BMW electronics age less well). Full page »

4.4 V8 — Jaguar AJ41 (2006-2009)

With the 2006 facelift the BMW V8 was replaced by Jaguar's 4,394 cc AJ-V8 (AJ41), making about 305 hp and 440 Nm. It uses variable cam phasing and a torque-based, drive-by-wire management system. This is the engine most owners and specialists rate as the most solid of all L322 units — 200,000 miles is commonly reported with regular oil changes and occasional injector cleaning, and the 2007-2009 cars do not suffer the timing-chain tensioner problems of the later 5.0. Full page »

4.2 V8 Supercharged — Jaguar AJ34S (2006-2009)

The performance petrol: a 4,196 cc Jaguar V8 with an Eaton supercharger?supercharger: A belt-driven air compressor that forces more air into the engine for big extra power, with no turbo lag., producing about 396 hp and 550 Nm. 0-60 mph drops to roughly 7.5 seconds. Strong and refined, but thirstier and more complex than the naturally aspirated 4.4; the supercharger, intercooler system and higher loads add maintenance. Full page »

5.0 V8 & 5.0 V8 Supercharged — Jaguar AJ133 (2010-2012)

The 2010 facelift introduced Jaguar's all-new direct-injection 5.0-litre AJ133. Naturally aspirated it makes 375 hp / 510 Nm; supercharged, a substantial 510 hp / 625 Nm. More powerful and no thirstier than before, but the early (2010-early 2012) engines are known for timing-chain tensioner and guide wear if oil changes were neglected; Land Rover fitted revised parts later in 2012. Direct injection can also lead to carbon build-up over high mileage. Full page »

Diesel engines in detail

3.0 Td6 — BMW M57D30 (2002-2006)

The launch diesel: BMW's well-regarded 3.0-litre inline-six turbodiesel (the 2.9-litre-derived version), making about 177 hp and 390 Nm. Smooth and economical, and the engine itself is robust (chip-tuned to ~210 hp without drama by many owners). The weak points in this car are not really the engine but the GM 5L40-E gearbox and the turbo, both of which can need attention from around 150,000 km, plus the low-pressure fuel pump and injectors at higher mileage. Full page »

3.6 TDV8 — AJD-V8 "Lion" (2007-2010)

For 2007 the six-cylinder diesel was replaced by the 3.6-litre twin-turbo V8 developed by Ford and Land Rover at Dagenham and Gaydon. It makes 272 hp and a hefty 640 Nm at just 2,000 rpm, cutting 0-60 mph to about 8.6 seconds despite a 2.75-tonne kerb weight. Widely praised as one of the most refined diesels of its era. Key things to watch: the plastic coolant crossover pipe under the inlet manifold, the turbos (an engine-out job to replace), timing-chain tensioners and alternators. Full page »

4.4 TDV8 — AJD-V8 "Lion" (2011-2012)

The final and most capable diesel: a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 making 313 hp and a huge 700 Nm from just 1,500 rpm, paired with the eight-speed ZF 8HP70. From 2011 the turbochargers were supplied by Honeywell to address reliability issues seen on the 3.6 setup. The strongest-pulling and most relaxed L322 to drive, and a favourite for towing. Full page »

Which engine should I choose?

Gearbox pairings

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