Always good to see both sides of the argument. Those who will not trade up to L405 because of all the points made earlier will continue to buy late cars which in turn will keep up the secondhand values on the trade in cars. Win-win?

I, like NormanP, will not go back even though my L405 was the only RR to get stuck out on the Plain last time!

I had the benefit of having a 2012 model L322 before and brilliant as it was it is eclipsed by the new car in many ways. The design will polarise opinions but LR need to move forward (see the dilema they now have with the Defender) and sell cars. The 2010 facelift cars prepared the way for the new FFRR design with the slightly less upright front end and the grille surrounds and there was an outcry at the time about the bling. Now everyone aspires to it. I'll agree that the rear of the L405 does not have the regal impact of a L322 but that only matters if you concerned about making a statement!

It is a bigger car but LR wanted to make it less imposingly big as there is a backlash against the 'non-green 4x4' and they have succeeded if the pics at the start of this post are anything to go by.

Step back and await the flame..... 2019 D5 HSE Lux SDV6 Indus
55 D3 SE
98 MX5 1.8 RS
gone 17 older variants of FFRR

I agree with Nick, JLR are in the market to sell cars and keep doing that and I have the feeling the sales figures are proving them right in the choices they made.

Personally I would love to have the improvements of the L405 on a late L322. I see myself driving another L322 in a few years, a MY2012, followed by a L405 some years later maybe. Then in the mean time I hope we have settled down somewhere so I can start my collection (Classic, P38, my current SC, L322 MY12 5.0 SC and a 405 SC) . Just a few more decades in Nigeria and I can afford it

When the P38 came out, I didn't like it very much but it has grown on me. The L322 (MY2006 Facelift) I loved when I set eyes on it. The 405 I like but more for all the improvements (mind you I haven't had a chance to drive one) than the looks.

To go back to the title, whether it is bigger or smaller is irrelevant to me, the practical use of the space inside and ease of moving around are more important. Smaller boot would not be good for our family as we tend to "not travel light" (the XC60 during our vacation in Europe had the boot stuffed to the brim"), so much we discussed getting a roof box for the next vacation  MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

i'm the same loved my P38s, not instantly in love with L322 and the same really with the L405. But the longer Ihave it the more used to it I am and the more old-fashioned and staid the L322 gets. [Not necessarily a bad thing for the L322]. Evolution continues. What we, as fans, do not want is a complete howler from JLR that means they are unable to continue to compete with all the other premium brands chasing customers. 2019 D5 HSE Lux SDV6 Indus
55 D3 SE
98 MX5 1.8 RS
gone 17 older variants of FFRR

Lets hope they have the quality of the L405 a lot better, that would really help in making the brand better and in the long run the benefits the L322 as well.

By itself I really like the L405, I think it is a great car despite it standing out a lot less than a 322, P38 or Classic. I like the looks of the 322 much better because it stands out so much (in a good way).

I really like the achievement of JLR to take the FFRR and punch it up a few notches on many fronts and make it a more acceptable car to the masses. Hats of to them for that. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Its good to read everybody's own thoughts between the 2 models, however 1 thing is obvious, we all love our ff's very much, no matter what the model.

I was initially surprised at how my L322 looked bigger than the L405 in the flesh, hence reason for the pics / posting, but it wasnt meant to be a loaded title or question, just a mere observation of what was in front of me. If the person who owned the L405 had appeared when I was there I would have commented to them on 'having a nice motor' after all its a ffrr and I am a fan, after all

The command driving position is 1 of my fav things about them and as long as thats present then I'll always have 1

Better parking in tesco's free if you do a mini shop inside

The dinosaur is back

I'll sum it up like this: the L405 is arguably the first FFRR, bar perhaps the very first classics, that has been truly in a class of one. The refinement, driving manners and off road capability blended with new leaps in economy are astonishing. However, it's also the first RR that I haven't warmed to on a personal level. It appeals to me solely as an efficient tool, much in the same way that an S-Class Benz does. It's lost it's upright, dignified, instantly recognisable frame, and the glorious art deco informed interior that we had become used to in the L322. What is certain is this; we all appreciate the L322, otherwise we would never have joined this forum. But the L405 has proved more divisive, perhaps by no fault of it's own, as safety and emissions laws finally truly catch up with it. It remains to be seen if the likes of the L322 and classic will be seen again, however I am doubtful. I am pleased that JLR continues to flourish regardless, but I am acutely aware that an icon, through brand dilution from the Evoque and Sport and through concessions to modern requirements, is being lost to the history books.

Anyway ignore the pedant in the corner and enjoy whatever model you prefer!

Last edited by campaj1 on 5th Sep 2013 10:31am. Edited 1 time in total

GGX wrote:

Better parking in tesco's free if you do a mini shop inside

Yup, but the spaces are even smaller!
Gorse stacks is sh te though, on that we can agree!

worst car park in the world though has to be the one underneath the Meridien in Nice. Cramped, Expensive, impossible to navigate in a large car, and very very hot in the lower levels.

I agree with Campaj that the "stance/presence" of the L322 is no longer present in the L405, it just doesn't stand out in traffic like a L322 or Disco do (hence my remarks on the 2014 D4 facelift post).

I also agree that it is amazing how they designed and built a very very good car (based on what I read about it as I haven't had an opportunity to drive one myself yet).

I also agree that the latest rules and regulations on cars, as well as the need for less use of the earths natural resources (apparently they have made big advances on reducing the environmental impact of building the car as well) in many ways, has necessitated the more sleek/smooth design.

Having said that, it is still a great looking car IMHO and it looks better than a lot of the competition if not all. If there wasn't a L322, I would probably choose the L405 over any other SUV/4WD, well make that highly likely.

The same way the Classic would never meet the current regulations, so will the L322 in a few years time and JLR need to look ahead to keep the company going and they are doing a damned fine job at it.

I also like that this forum has completely accepted the L405 as part of the brotherhood and that the polarization pre-launch and just after the launch has abated. That is the way it should be, although the "old school" types, like myself, prefer the L322 looks, most (if not all) of us realize that the L405 is the future and a pretty good future at that

I just wish JLR would build the C-X75 at least, because that is a true example that environmentally "responsible" can be incredibly distinctive and sexy !!! And they should offer a full electric version of it as well, same as for the L405. I don't want to spend over 100,000 GBP to convert my FFRR to full electric, they should be bold and offer it, I think the market is ready for it !!! MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

For sure, it is the only way forward considering the restrictions of our age. But the law's an ass in this particular case, and there are some ways in which they could have adapted the design to maintain all the things I have spoken about

Oh and the C-X75 Yes please

I don't think the actual look of the L405 has everything to do with aerodynamics or environmental issues - I imagine a more sloping front is pretty much essential for pedestrian safety and obviously better for aerodynamics, but the rest of it has to:

* Appeal to potential (and, hopefully, existing) customers;
* Keep RR design cues; and
* Look like an up-to-date step forward from the previous model.

There's clearly a current tendency in car design toward the flashy, perhaps due to the markets which buy cars like this. McGovern said, "I was accused of glamourising Range Rover when we started introducing jewel-like details but our customers wanted a more overtly luxury execution".

Of course, luxury can be achieved by leaving out the unnecessary, economy of line and better design and materials, but ...

McGovern again: "What I’m looking at is how you can pare the visual robustness right down to get the visual balance, to the point where it doesn’t look overly large, but it doesn’t look anorexic either".

So you end up with a less-dignified, less-imposing design with more twinkly baubles.

Great pics Mustard. Was yours in Offroad height for the pic?
Great thread everyone.

I would love any L405, but even if I got one, i don't think I would sell my L322! L322 4.4 Vogue MY03 - Her name is Bulletproof .... you already know she's not
L322 4.4 Vogue MY05 - Sold to my brother
P38 4.6 HSE MY97 - Regretfully sold

Campaj has basically nailed my opinion including the glorious Art Deco references.



Maybe the 405 will grow on me.

The L322 will always be one of my favourite cars bar none.

The Grosvenor car park will always be a PITA!

CBH25 wrote:

Great pics Mustard. Was yours in Offroad height for the pic?

Nope, it was in standard ride height sitting on 20" rims