Having procured a 2006MY 4.2 S/C in 2012 and having had a few years of Fullfat ownership experiencing some ‘interesting’ issues, the natural next step was to migrate to a L322 5.0 S/C, which proved to be a great choice. Other than a few minor niggles (Adaptive Dynamics fault, rear camera failure, front brake hose recall etc) I have had a great 4 years motoring and some fun along the way with that fantastic V8.

So having got to the stage where I didn’t want to add too many more miles to the car, I decided to start looking around for a replacement. My head was turned by the 2017 Car of the Year, namely the BMW 5 series in 540 M Sport X-Drive guise. The tech on these cars is amazing and streets ahead of many other marques and the performance and fuel economy incredible. Brochures obtained, online build completed, a couple of visits to the showroom and a test drive undertaken, I was totally smitten……well almost.

I then had a bit of a reality check in my thinking. Always really enjoyed the RR experience, the driving position, the elegance and poise of the L322. I wasn’t convinced that the L405 would be right and in certain colours with some wheel options it didn’t look as good as the L322 (In My Humble Opionion). Then I looked at the Velar…and quickly looked away again. Another dilution of the RR brand and very few I have seen appealed to me. The latest Discovery was discounted because someone gave up on the styling before adding the back door and although I like the shape of the RR Sport (wash my mouth out), it does not have the presence of a FullFat.

Back to BMW then…..no, I made the mistake of trawling the ads for a low mileage, non-black, 4.4 SDV8 SE or AB. Found one at a non-franchised Dealer. 2015 MY with only 22500k on the clock and in Corris Grey. Pan roof, deployable towbar, tracker, fridge(!), powered tailgate and all the bits I needed on it. Next mistake, went to see it in the flesh and xx,xxxk later the same day I had secured a new RR (well second hand anyway!).

Now it hasn’t been plain sailing. It’s a Range Rover after all. Picked it up weekend before last and drove it home, but it soon became evident there was a significant problem with vibration between 55-70mph. Took it back over the Bank Holiday weekend requesting a fix or full refund. Garage was brilliant (Beck Evans in Sidcup) and the Salesman agreed it was not fit for purpose. So, front ball joints replaced, new brakes all round, balancing, tracking and new rear tyres fitted (one tyre was misshapen and could not be salvaged).

Am I pleased with the purchase? What a car! I have read peoples varying experiences with a move from an L322 to an L405. From a personal perspective, I think there is a profound difference and the refinement is several steps forward, the biggest differences being the handling, the quietness and that astounding 850w Meridian sound system. And the 4.4TDV8 as opposed to the 5.0S/C? Totally sold on this diesel engine, getting 32MPG pottering around town and it has so much torque I am sure it is responsible for ripping up the newly laid tarmac where I live!

So I am hoping for a few ‘bong free’ years with this amazing machine. Here it is:-

Very nice machine. I was in a 1 year old 7 series today and while a lovley car , getting back into my L322 was a pleasure and not even a thought about the BM. I was in the UK feb 17 and Hertz upgraded me to a new E class and afyer the week i decided to buy a new one , i got back to my 07 3.6 tdv8 in dublin airport cark park and within 100 feet of driving i fogot all about the Merc. 2015 4.4 AB
GSXR 1000 K5
R1 1998

Cheers Mate, can only agree Nothing quite compares to that Fatty experience! SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

SDV8 VSE

 SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

Belter mate!! And nice write up!!

Nice to hear a decent garage still exists!! all smug in my new plug!

2021 Westminster Black D300
2013 Vogue SE - gone
Some Porsche Cayenne guff pretending to be a 4x4!!
2006 Vogue
2004 Vogue
2001 Vogue

Thanks Mr 99T! Really enjoying the L405 experience

Can't really fault the dealer, they were genuinely concerned that the car had issues and went out of their way to get it fixed pronto. Smallish family run business with a reputation to uphold I suppose. Interestingly they said most of their secondhand LR stock comes from Beadles Main Agent in Sidcup, who don't seem that interested in dealing with secondhand cars these days! SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

Very wise choice. It looks great. 5 series is just too ordinary a saloon (a superb one, but ordinary compared to the L405). I think i’d prefer an AMG E43 wagon 4matic to the 540.

Cheers ilard, saw the Merc AMG E43 at Goodwood FOS and liked the look of it, but once you have had a Fullfat you are doomed! You are spot on, I would have regretted getting a 5, despite them being great cars (and I don’t think that model catches fire......yet)  SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

Hey Andy,

Just for the record, I was seriously considering buying a 12mnth old Audi S8 (after 20 yrs of 535d and X5/6 40ds) prior to buying my fatty. The A8 is awesome but residuals/running costs are awful!
Your right - the RR beats all the Germans for style, comfort and presence.

C.

Cheers C,

Glad I am not the only one around that thinks the same! I was a bit apprehensive about going from a 5.0 S/C to a 4.4 SDV8, but having lived with the car for a few months I would not go back (I am getting 35 MPG on a long run, which is amazing). The torque is astounding and you are right, nothing from German cousins can match or beat the RR experience. Kiss of death saying that, it is going to break down tomorrow

Cheers,

Andy SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

Recently done a similar move into an L405, huge difference all round. Only thing I’ve taken bad with are the bloody doors, far too light, always swinging them open too much

Andy B wrote:

the Salesman agreed it was not fit for purpose. So, front ball joints replaced, new brakes all round, balancing, tracking and new rear tyres fitted (one tyre was misshapen and could not be salvaged)...

Comprehensive effort by the selling garage to make good.

Cracking looking car and wears those 22" wheels well

Mr Tee wrote:

Recently done a similar move into an L405

You can't just casually drop in a statement like that - where's the photo's ?

Yeah I know mate, it’s dirty AF at the moment, it’s a good story too. Will have a wee thread just for you