I know people normally say to steer clear of first year production runs, but just wondering what peoples general experiences have been?

Ive read about Carlos saying his 15 MY felt a lot better than his 13MY and Scott4197 who says his 16MY is miles ahead of his 13MY. Not too bothered about a slower infotainment system etc, but the fact that they (Carlos and scott4197) mentioned the suspension was much less wallowy in the bends was of particular interest to me.

Therefore I am wondering if this is the norm or if their particular cars were an exception, or if this is pretty much the way it is across the board?

I have had some short test drives, but can't really tell as Im unable to arrange anything long enough to form a proper opinion

Any input much appreciated

Thanks

Mines great - no problems at all

Mine is a fairly late '13 one though - registered in November.

Also note that Carl has driven a 'like for like' car and it didn't have the issues that his does.....

Last edited by Alistair on 23rd Jan 2016 9:54pm. Edited 2 times in total

Cheers Alistair thats good to hear!

Actually, technically, mine is a MY14

I have had three so far starting with a car built in Jan13. Yes it had some remedial updates, there were loads of bulletins, and it took a long time before the famous knock was finally banished. However, there has been no noticeable difference in the ride between it and the later cars (it had the active ARB as it was an SDV8).

Drive at least a couple preferably back to back over the same piece of road would be the best advice but I don't think the ride quality is endemic. He the dealer to check and prove all the updates and tech bulletins have been dealt with and I'm sure you'll be as satisfied as anyone who's first L405 is a current build.

Good hunting.

Nick

PS. I read an article in CAR magazine which reported that their road test Golf R had a fault in the software for the electronic dampers that had locked it into one mode only. 2019 D5 HSE Lux SDV6 Indus
55 D3 SE
98 MX5 1.8 RS
gone 17 older variants of FFRR

Hello Nick

Thats great hearing something from someone who has personally owned three L405's including a Jan 13 build.

I am patiently searching for the right car and have my eye on stock lists and classifieds around the country.

Cant wait.

On a separate note I believe you now have a 5.0 SC. I did find I noticed the lag in the SDV8 on the short test drive, so am trying to stay away from test driving a 5.0 in case it makes me really want one!

You are welcome.

Good plan, the SC is very different, hilarious performance, big appetite when indulging in hilarity. Very quiet and less NVH.

It is also not as relaxing to drive. There is another post topic somewhere on here discussing the SC's desire to drop two gears at the merest hint of throttle to disguise the lower torque. That means you do need to work at driving smoothly if you have passengers on board rather than surfing the wall of torque on the diesel.

Nick 2019 D5 HSE Lux SDV6 Indus
55 D3 SE
98 MX5 1.8 RS
gone 17 older variants of FFRR

Thanks Nick I'll have a search for that thread. Thought Id read every relevant (to me) post on here but obviously not!

PS apart from the noisier tyres on your MY13 (vs same size wheels and tyres on your 14), were there any other noticeable differences?

Cheers
JKay

Hmmmmmm interesting, so much like the early 4.4 petrol 322 then Nick? More like a jerky on off switch than a progressive throttle

Mine is a *proppa* 2013 from May - i had had only the front suspensions changed so far and the trunk lid.

Beside that - a fantastic car !!  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2021 AM new Vantage

What was up with the front suspension XXXAngelXXX ? the dreaded knocking ?

Yes the usually knocking - they also added a thing (i don't know the english word for it) to the front suspension for very sensible drivers - recommended by LR if you have the issue several times ....

My 16 year old son was LOL......  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2021 AM new Vantage

Glad to hear your 2013 has been great apart from that!

And now you've got me wondering what this device for sensible drivers is lol

Perhaps for OLD drivers ? But i am only 56  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2021 AM new Vantage

The tyres were noisier on my second car which had the 22" wheels. The first on 20's were comfortable and quiet and long lasting too. Traded in at 34k miles and had plenty of tread left. By contrast same the 22" Continental tyres on my current car are much quieter, I'm running my 20's at the moment and really didn't notice a noise difference.

There were many iterations of the ARB valve block (active roll bar) and the bushes to cure the knock. I'm not certain if us youngsters (57 - Angel) are sensible if we are driving the sc. My 14MY SDV8 also needed the suspension mods to get it silent. I live about 0.75 miles down a very potholed unmade lane so I really notice it. The 5.0 has been fine.

Craig, the throttle is ok but the gearbox is a little too eager. If you use the paddle shift and select the gears manually you can leave roundabouts etc in a gear higher and gather speed with the traffic as normal. Left to its own devices the box will go for a lower gear still. The mapping seems to assume you are always on the attack. As an aside I'm surprised how much torque steer there is from a 4wd, 22" better than the narrower 20" but still noticeable.

Nick 2019 D5 HSE Lux SDV6 Indus
55 D3 SE
98 MX5 1.8 RS
gone 17 older variants of FFRR