After much looking for a Stornoway Grey with Piano Black trim Vogue SETDV8 I finally bought my 2008 TDV8 RR Vogue SE about 3 months ago. As you just read I wasn’t too bothered about the colour of the interior (as long as it wasn’t grey!) but what was essential is that the trim be piano black. My chosen one ended up Java Black with Ivory piped in black and piano black trim. I then wanted to, like many people, put my own stamp on it. Here’s how it went:
Grille and Vents changed to SC style. I did try the copy grille to start with but was simply not happy with the look and feel so ended up opting for a genuine. The Vents also so got changed from the cheaper copies to the more expensive ones (although still copies but more original looking).
I was going to need a couple of new tyres within 6 months so got looking and found an online deal for Pirelli Scorpions. I asked my chosen fitting station if I could get a slightly wider tyre safely onto the rim and was told I could comfortably go for 275s in place of 255s. I didn’t hesitate and ordered 4 new Scorpions and looked forward to a perhaps more chunkier and planted look.
I like nice clean un-unkerbed wheels and already had in my mind to get the alloys refurbished at some stage so when the tyre fitter dude told me he had a set of new original wheels identical to mine (20” – 7 spoke: RRC503050) sitting out back and offered them for “not a lot at all” I accepted. Turns out he had a customer pretty much drive his RR straight from the dealer to him to get a set of 22” Overfinch’s fitted.
With the change of wheels my centre caps, that got moved across from my old set, looked a little tired. I was also not entirely happy with having the black SC badge on the grille and gold on green at the rear. I love the look of the silver on black of the SC badge but wasn’t comfortable trying to make my TDV8 look like a SC, albeit with a TDV8 badge on the rear. I decided to go for the silver on green in line with the on-screen display, I think it looks fresher than the gold (even if less opulent perhaps). With this I had the front grille, rear tailgate and all centre caps for the wheels replaced for the silver on green badges. I think it’s just the little one, that annoyingly I probably see most out of all of them, on the steering wheel that’s gold on green now.
Now I wanted side steps. After a couple of unfortunate attempts with some aftermarket copy steps I decided to go genuine again and had a fitter fit the third and final set of steps on the car since which I’ve been convincing myself they were worth the extra!!
Rear windows then tinted to factory spec by Pentagon.
I own a BMW or two (sorry about that), which get looked after by a great local independent who suggested that I try a little re-map. A download of current mapping, bespoke tuning followed by an upload, a K&N Air Filter and some cash being handed across saw me to a claimed BHP of 305 and NM Torque of 750. I like it, it doesn’t feel quick, in comparison to the cars I’m a little more familiar with, but it does feel more driveable and fun.
Other minor things also followed such as the button to open the lower rear opening replaced for the rubber grommet style.
LED sidelights fitted after much reading of pld118’s thread (2006–2009 Headlights & External LED/'Xenon' bulb upgrade)
Single Point of Entry and Auto Door Locking activated.
Servicing…..

Where am I now?
Still wanting to do a lot more……
I’ve now got the perfect set of wheels on my car and the set it came with sitting pretty taking up space AND what I’ve realised is if I’d have taken my time I’d have seen that the wheels I really want are the 20” 10 spoke BBS wheels (RRC503940MMM) . If anybody has a squeaky clean set of these I’d swap them for both sets of the 20” 7 spoke ones I’ve got (I’d keep my tyres).
I want the tops of the lower door pocket trims finished in piano black. I know Powerful UK do these as a set but I don’t want them enough to warrant the £290…… yet!
I like the clear look of the SC rear lights so if I come across a genuine set of these for less than £250 I’ll probably have them.
The car came with genuine rubber mats and I love the luxurious feel of the genuine carpet mats, so yet again if I come across a set of these for the right money I’ll have them too.
I want to change the rear license-plate lights to can-bus LED bulbs but not sure at the moment which to go for as pld118 didn’t change his. Many of the advertised festoon bulbs claim to give off more light than the traditional bulbs they’re replacing and this is my problem. I don’t want to make a feature of my rear number plate so I’m looking for some that give of no more light than those I’ll be replacing.
I’m wondering if I like the look of the colour coded “a” and “c” pillars. I’m not sure if I’d get much benefit with it being a black car. Has anyone done there’s? Can you post a couple of pics please?
Needless to say I’ll think of more as time goes on or I read that somebody on the forum has done something to theirs that I hadn’t considered.
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epic write up, welcome to the forum...

btw, pics would be nice.  ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Got eye strain now

Welcome to the forum, you have been a busy boy, look forward to seeing pictures  If it dont work.......burn it!

If the IId tool cant fix it.......burn the FF.

If the FF cant be fixed......buy a Land Cruiser!

If the LC cant be fixed..............................................BUY a horse !!

I'll get some pics up as soons as i find someplace to wash all of it rather than bits they reach easiest and rely on me not having the time to inspect thoroughly when I collect.
Stan the wheels I'm after are the ones you took off yours if im not mistaken (10 spoke 20"), although i do want them in silver rather than the polished finish.
Have you still got yours to get rid of? I'm not sure what I'm doing asking this as i don't want to end up with 3 sets of wheels .

no i havent got them now, i passed them on to craig [ctc] ..whether he is going to use them or possibly sell on i dont know but a pm to him might shed some light.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Thanks

I'll try that as soon as I'm allowed to PM

Hi

I had great success with gloss black vinyl wrap from flee bay on the door card trim cap
using a hair dryer and a little patience the material is very compliant

you need to take the door caps off the door card, but on my 2003 this was possible without completely removing the whole door card, just un-popping, reaching up and undoing a couple of 10mm nuts

looks factory, and cost £20 for about 3M of the vinyl

so did the ashtray and other black tim in the back which wasn't too complex in shape

cheers
Ricky

Ricky that sounds nice and simple enough for me to have a go at.

What's the wear like though? Scuffs, Idiots pushing or holding the door open with their feet sort of thing?

Thanks

yup nice and easy, the vinyl is reasonably thick and the door caps don't seem to be in the firing line for shoes. if you make a mess of it then just start again! a hair drier on a low setting really helps, as does an extra pair of hands. Dirt cheap compared with the powerful painted option

the Mrs and I did a bit of a production line, while she was applying the vinyl I was taking the next one off or refitting.

no reason why you can't do pillar trims. I never tried it on anything complex like a switch facia

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1520mm-x-1520mm-...a934313f9.

nice write up - welcome to the madhouse btw  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2021 AM new Vantage

Thank you Angel

Forget pillar trims they should always be original in-line with L322 floating roof concept (Black car or not)

The last thing I want is for it to look silly, so thanks for that Gazellio.

I was looking for a more "enhanced" look, not necessarily original as I know my choice of LR badge colour has seen that off already.
You've sold me the "floating roof" concept so I think I'll be leaving the pillars as they are....... for now

Enhanced could mean a 2012 conversion.....

There's something about that outlay that doesn't sit comfortably with me.

I bought this as a 1 owner car from a company director because I wanted to get RR ownership out of my system. Having had it for a few months now I'm still confident I can probably move it on at the end of a year without taking too much of a hit, if at all.
I'll still probably sell it at the end of a years ownership but may now possibly replace it with a 2010 4.4 TDV8 or even a 5.0SC.

If I go for the conversion on this car I know I won't get that cash back when I sell it , hence little enhancements to add a bit of buyer appeal and make me smile a little more when I look at it or drive it.