I have had sports cars of all descriptions over the years and stepped into a Defender TD5 3 years ago, which has been great, although I cannot bring myself to drive it further than 30 miles due tot eh lack of comfort, never really properly;y off road it any more and miss a V8.

A V8 L322 seems a logical compromise and I have seen a very nice 2002 with less than 80k miles in good shape and seemingly everything works.

So, a good decision or am I planning to get 2.5t+ of FFRR to try and be a sports car??

Thanks for any advice guys

Just get it bought - you know it makes sense

Read this first though

Do it, don't think, you will be hooked and suffer a life on the forum

Thanks guys - the forum already seems to be leading me down some tempting, albeit expensive, upgrade options for a FFRR I have not even bought yet!

So - I understand that an HSE is deemed poverty spec, although with the one I am looking at having heated front and rear seats and steering wheel, am I only missing a very dated nab unit and a sunroof??

The head unit in this one does need changing due to pixels dying and it looks as if there are some sensible options now to replace with nab / bluetooth?

Also, a rattle on start up only on the 4.4 V8 is apparently nothing to worry about?

Not all HSEs are the same. On this side of the pond, they're really a Vogue or VogueSE spec as JLR only sell the most expensive ones here. But, unless you're looking at a left hooker, I doubt you care. ANY spec will be a big jump up from a Defender. I'm sure you can find a V8 Defender with some looking. If you have an aftermarket NAV solution you're happy with, go for it. The 2002 nav has a very old look to it but is still quite serviceable.

HSE isn't pov spec, that would be an SE with the non leather interior

TBH the best thing you could do is take it to a local indy before buying and ask them for a report on it. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

A valid point versus the Defender They stopped V8s though quite a few years back, and I fancy a change.

Good advice - I am not sure I can convince my local indy to travel down with me.

Anyone know any decent indy's around Rochester in Kent??

What ever you decide you'll definitely appreciate the comfort of a Range Rover

I have bought one now and I cannot believe that both vehicles come from the same manufacturer and are built to serve a similar purpose! Delighted with the change... 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE

Td5 Deafener to a FFRR SC is a bit of a change, mate! Enjoy!

Mind you, considering a similar vehicle myself, as an upgrade from my D3 TdV6 ... Regards,
Mick

'Bertha' - 2014 SDV8 Autobigraphy
'Vincent' - 2010 TdV8 Vogue SE
- 'Molly' - 2005 HSE Auto
'Dixie' - 2000 D2 Td5 ES

Mick - do it and do not look back!

I considered a D3, but go and drive an FFRR  4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE

I'm glad you are enjoying the comfort  2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo Hybrid (V FAST)
2017 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 V8
2018 JCW Mini Cooper
2018 Skoda VRS

I made the jump last Sept from a 200Tdi 90 to a V8 Vogue .........

I'm still in love , the difference is out of this world

Have fun mate and enjoy it !!!!!!!!

The biggest difference between the HSE and Vogue models is the style of seats.

The Vogue seats are amazing, the HSE seats are IMHO not so good. Once you have seen the difference you will understand.

Also, you will have less toys like Sat Nav etc and also less wood interior. There are so many Vogues, Vogue SE's now it would be daft to get an HSE

These are the HSE seats:




These are the Vogue Seats.

Click image to enlarge

Thank you for the detailed reply - I did see sense in the end and managed to convince myself that the Supercharged was the way forward rather than an early 4.4 HSE. Man maths is alive and well!

The seats were a massive sway, as was the facelift (oh and 400hp!) 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE