Hi all, I am new here and currently looking for my firsr FF after owning a RRS and realising that it was true and I had indeed "bought the wrong car"

its a great site you have here and I've found it really helpful so far

my dilema is this, the older pre-facelift ff's seem to be incredible value right now and I have seen some with only 40-50k miles on them for less than 12k. Some for 10k with less than 100k on them.
However the facelift cars seem to be rarer and go for a lot more cash and have more miles on them within my price bracket (15k max) so my question is really are the AJV8's worth the extra money and is it sensible to consider a higher mileage facelift over a lover mileage pre-facelift vehicle?
I only want an ff with full history and have read the buying advice threads re the purchase checks and the prop recalls on the earlier cars.
My head says to go for an early facelift car if I can find one and make sure that it is in the cheap tax bracket

thank you very much in advance

Personally I wouldn't get hung-up on mileage too much until they are plugging on for 200k+. As long as it's been serviced and maintained well, and the condition is good then it'll keep going for a while. Gearboxes are always a lottery, and mileage isn't always a factor either ...

Gary Elliot (site sponsor) raves about the AJV8, and he drives a LOT of FFRR's so I'd probably be inclined to follow his advice. In terms of pre/post facelift it depends if you want Terrain Response, newer sat nav/audio and comfy seats or no terrain response, older sat nag/audio and comfier seats. Otherwise I think it's much of a muchness apart from a change to suspension travel/stiffness I think. Earlier cars had more travel but lower departure angles and were soft, the newer ones were more taught, less travel and better departure angled ... 
07 Supercharged - Still breaking her in!

Boot soundproofing part 1 - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15612.html
Custom exhaust - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15296.html
18" wheels for Brembo equipped cars - http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15052.html

Im also curious about the difference between the two 4.4 V8 engines, particularly like you say mr badger that you can get so much car for very little money for the bmw engine.
I am in the dilemma of petrol vs diesel, ie price vs economy.

This might help you ….

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic14339.html ====================================

"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

Thanks joker, i have read that thread and thats what got me seriously thinking about it, the difference in purchase price costs can make up for the lack of economy, plus you get the extra noise and performance.

Do you get any extra spec too with the petrols??

The AJV8 has the 6 speed ZF versus the 5 speed ZF with the BMW engine. The 6 speed is pretty nice to drive, combined with the better AJV8, apart from Gary, there are others claiming the same on the AJV8 that it is a very good well developed engine with no weak points in it anymore. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Another big advantage of a Jag engined car are different and more reliable electronics. They also have a different suspension air compressor, which appears to be less problematic than the earlier ones.
The Jag engine is a more modern design and alot more efficient than the BMW cars . . . . but they're not too bad !
For your budget, you'll get a cracking AJV8 - I'm considering one as I don't do many miles.

You'll hear of "facelift" cars from various people, when some mean one thing, and others another - just to confuse matters . . .
I'd call a facelift car one after 06 MY (so 05 / 55 etc) ie a car with the facelift front. There are later variants which had Terrain Response, electric handbrake, different interior trim etc which others also call "facelift", but they look the same !
Make sure you get a cheap tax car, however - 05 / 55 / a few 06 cars

It's a buyers market - go for it

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Ill definately be getting a low tax bracket car, i just refuse to pay the extra road tax on principle!
A facelift (ie looks) would be ideal but i really dont mind, i just want a range rover. I suppose the older ones will be even cheaper too which is always good to save a few squids for the repars/maintenance, so i can enjoy the car instead of worrying about those costs!!

Early facelift range rovers had the interior facelift, them came the exterior facelift.
Go for one with the vin starting 6A.
There is a lot different with a 2005 onwards model like Bluetooth as standard, most system etc
Have a drive in an early one v a facelift and see how you get on.

Just go the whole hog and join the supercharged club  2011 4.4tdv8 vogue black with black
2005 autobiography supercharged in Auckland blue!
2005 supercharged now sold
2011evoque now sold
2007 tdv8 vogue se gone but not forgotten
rrsport 2.7 hse gone
4.4 autobiography 2004

Best Value = Any AJV8

Supercharged are more expensive and thirstier than the AJV8 and don't sound as nice when pushing the pedal. AJV8 is smoother/quieter when cruising too due to lack of supercharger noise.

All models are great just saying AJV8 is best value IMHO.

PS: I love (and own) the SC too but have a thing for naturally aspirated V8's....

Last edited by Gazellio @ Prestige Cars on 8th Jan 2013 8:06pm. Edited 3 times in total

Guys, thank you. I will certainly drive both and see how they feel, I did try the td6 ff prior to picking up my rrs and the td6 wasn't for me.
There are some really nice scs for sale at the moment which tempt me but reliability wise, does anyone here have any experience of owning both?

A little cheeky this but... Does anyone have a dark coloured ff they are looking to give a new home?

So what year would the AJV8's come under might go that road rather than SC ====================================

"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

Any from Late 2005 reg but only 2006 Facelift Model.

Have a look around, Mick is looking for an SC (several threads on here) and there are few that are on sale by forum members (don't know about dark ones, definitely silver ones).

I bet Gary can help you if you have a bit of patience for him to find a really good one, either NA or SC. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!