Description
Green over Green
The L322 marked a complete reset for the model line when it arrived in 2002 – a clean-sheet car developed under BMW ownership, blending traditional Range Rover values with a new level of engineering integrity. And at the heart of those early cars sat the BMW-derived 4. 4-litre M62 V8. Smooth, torquey and inherently robust, it suited the character of the L322 perfectly. Not an engine that needed chasing to the redline, but one that delivered its performance in a calm, effortless sweep — exactly how a Range Rover should move. Properly maintained, it has proven to be one of the more dependable power-plants fitted to the model, and today, it’s a key part of why these early cars are so sought after.
The first generation of L322 has, quietly, become the one to have.
Now recognised within the JLR Classic fold, values and interest have strengthened considerably – and not without reason. As Clarkson once alluded to, the earlier cars feel less “chintzy” than the later facelifts. There’s a solidity and restraint to them. The design is clean, the proportions are right, and crucially, they remain largely free from ant digital clutter – so much so, you can bypass the annoying battery drain the later cars suffer with too. The result is a car with a distinctly analogue charm – upright, honest, and unmistakably Range Rover.
We find colour and specification play the most significant role.
Finished in Giverny Green over Aspen Oxford leather, it sits in that wonderfully niche, deeply appealing “green on green” territory – something you simply don’t see on modern cars, and certainly not on later L322’s. It’s a combination that harks back to older Astons and Bentleys, where confidence in colour wasn’t diluted by trend or resale caution. There’s a charm to it that’s hard to replicate today; cohesive, a little eccentric, and undeniably cool. The exterior’s rich, heritage-led green flows seamlessly into the cabin, creating an atmosphere that feels far more bespoke than its era suggests. Crucially, it remains free from privacy glass, allowing that colour to breathe properly, while the Vogue-spec alloys sit perfectly within the car’s understated, period-correct aesthetic.
The condition is exactly what you would hope to find, and so rarely do. The usual problem areas – arches, tailgate – are clean, with no signs of bad corrosion or neglect. The bodywork presents honestly, without evidence of hard use. Inside, the cabin tells the same story. The Aspen Oxford leather – far more durable than the later semi-aniline hides – has worn beautifully. Aside from the lightest, expected softening on the driver’s bolster, the seats remain in excellent order. No deep staining, no scuffs across the door cards or trim – none of the usual signs of family life or hard use. It looks and feels like a car that has been respected.
As a Vogue, it carries the specification that made these cars such effective all-rounders: heated seats, heated steering wheel, electric sunroof, and all the quiet luxuries that defined Range Rover ownership at the time – features that still feel entirely relevant today.
Ownership history further supports the condition. Recently owned by a local individual since 2021, and prior to that just two keepers, with long-term custodianship of seven and ten years respectively, it has clearly never fallen into careless hands.
Since arriving with us, it has been gone through properly by our in-house JLR master technician. A thorough programme of work has been carried out to bring it up to standard, including a major service with spark plugs, gearbox oil service, suspension arms, and the known M62 rocker cover gasket replacement. Additionally, the auxiliary belts and alternator were replaced at 82, 000 miles – the kind of preventative maintenance that speaks volumes about how this car has been looked after.
The L322 market is evolving. Early cars, particularly those with the right engine, colour and provenance, are becoming increasingly difficult to source in genuinely good order. Many have been used hard, modified, or simply allowed to deteriorate.
Unmolested, correctly specified, and maintained as it should be, it represents a rare opportunity to own an early L322 exactly as it was intended. A car that still feels authentic, still feels special – and increasingly, one that stands apart.
