Appreciate there appear to be many similar questions from folk a bit like me regarding investment in precious metals.

A bit about me, had many LR products, inc Disco 3 & 2 x L322 Vogues (other than very sad & depressed suspension and a suicidal gearbox, served me well). Been with Porsche for the last few years (911's & Lastly a Macan GTS).

Thinking in the next 6 months of a Sdv8 Vogue SE or AB. Now the interweb is filled with horror stories for most cars and in my humble experience most can be taken with a pinch of salt - for example not all porsche 997's blow up. The L405 appears to have the same reputation, as indeed do the dealer network.

From what i have read from this excellent site & others is that perhaps i should look for a post 2016 MY in order to have the later heated seat button operation and some of the early bugs ironed out - please confirm if thats the case?

I would also like the HUD but im unsure if that was standard from there (optional in 2015?).

Please dont think me too lazy, i have read the Wiki, & most other "i need buying advice" threads but really would appreciate any pointers in what i can expect, what is likely to go wrong & what to avoid from those who know. Is using the dealer network essential or are specialists as good/aftermarket warranties etc.

Thank you for reading my ramble!

P.S. Cam Tech Craig - Wow!

Personally I've had a few issues with my MY16 SDV8 VSE but the LR warranty has not quibbled on any of the costs in resolving the issues. Although the dealer service network are pretty appalling to work with after the 'treat the customer like a king sales process', I don't think I'd run one of these with anything other than an LR warranty.

With regards spec, there are a few differences between MY16 and MY17

MY16 got the Euro 6 engines (adblue) better infotainment and the better heated seats switch arrangement
MY17 got the newer infotainment screen
MY18 then got the revised touch heating controls, facelift, seat controls on the door and the newer seat style along with a host of other things.

With regards spec, the HUD was a cost option for all models MY16 and MY17
For MY16 adaptive cruise was standard on the VSE but it was an expensive option on MY17 (Driver Pro Pack) - personally I would not be without adaptive cruise - was standard on the AB for both years.
MY17 VSE got the blindspot monitoring and traffic sign recognition as standard - option on MY16 VSE - standard on AB both years

Thats just a starter really - sure there will be more comments on the way! Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

Last edited by nicksaab on 13th Oct 2020 3:00pm. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks Nick,

Very helpful & a number of spec highlights i didnt know.

Thank you.

As per the comments above i would go for a MY2017 and above, a fair few updates and a much better connected infotainment system, with things like applecar play, android auto etc...

Thank you for the reply

I have got a 15 plate MY16 4.4 Autobiography with 38k on it, and absolutely love it.

Few faults that LR Warranty have covered, but looking at them the part numbers are the same for all MY's so year doesn't really play a part in it. I test drove the MY14,15,16,17 and 18 and ultimately it came down to just finding the right car for us, little things like auto access mode, heated seats and improved front suspension pushed us towards a MY16.

Our local dealer is generally good, but you have to keep a close eye on them and we have certainly had a few heated arguments. Its sad they don't value existing customers with old (in their eyes) cars despite the car being under a service plan & LR Warranty.

If I had to choose a couple of favourite features they would be:

HUD - Wouldn't have chosen it, but now we have it I think its amazing!
Signature Reference Audio has to be heard!

Thanks for the heads up Sorry

My MY17 (not diesel though) has generally been OK. It has needed several software updates under warranty, but it is hard to identify if that is required unless you are using the car day to day. I prefer the pre 18MY interior, even if the later seats are more comfortable, I don't like the door mounted seat controls or the shiny switchgear (I find matt surfaces more restful to look at) and the second (lower) touchscreen looks smart only when perfectly clean.

One issue I have not seen in buying guides is galvanic corrosion on the bolts on and around the top front of the wings, near the back of the lights. Mine has that and I was told by the dealer that it is quite a common problem (this in Scotland where there is lots of road salt). The bolts are to be replaced under warranty, with some treatment applied to insulate them better. On out of warranty cars that would be costly as it is apparently a five hour job, the front bumper needs to come off for access to some of the bolts.

My other warranty items were a new gear change knob (the existing one was squeaking as it emerged) and an oil leak from the transmission oil cooler pipe connector. A defect not accepted for a warranty claim was condensation in the light housings, my pictures were not enough for LR, it has to show an unacceptably high level of condensation at the dealer, and as it does it only on cold damp days it happened not to do so when it was there.

The main dealer I use has been fine, so I stick with them, they are not all bad, family type ones in smaller places being better than big chains in cities in my experience.

Good luck with finding the right car. Try the 5.0Sc unless you do lots of towing, it's not so much less economical, there is not the faff of AdBlue and it is a pleasure to drive, albeit one has to keep an eye on speed as picks up quite effortlessly. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Thanks CS some great information there.
Although i wont be doing any real mileage annually it may be used to plod down through france a few times a year so i was thinking the Derv might be better for that.