This day, 2 years ago, I bought what was possibly the cheapest L405 in the country after GGDR posted a link in the "eBay and Bargain Spots" section. This was followed up with a couple of posts in the "My Range Rover" section about what I had found (see www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic54387.html ). I thought some might be interested in where everything is up to now.

I paid £20k for a trade sale black 4.4 TDV8 Vogue with 104k.

Since then, I've added 18,933 miles and spent £3,858 on fuel (27.8mpg), £401 on servicing, £1,207 on repairs, £840 on insurance, £1,651 on VED (ouch!) and £185 on improvements (actually spent £1,002 and sold £817 - which balances out at the £185).

Repairs & improvements have been:
- Changed the 22" wheels, first for 20" before ending up with 21".
- Replaced the front and rear lettering
- Added rear window tinting
- Replaced the rear bumper
- Changed the side trim pieces for black ones
- Had some paintwork repaired
- Replaced the aircon condenser and been re-gassed
- Flushed the gearbox oil
- Replaced the main battery
- Updated the front grille to a 2019 look
- Sorted the EGR-A fault with a replacement sensor
- Tried to add radar cruise control without success (kept getting a handbrake warning)
- Tried to sort the lack of oil level with partial success (can't face spending £1k to change the sensor and now use a dipstick)

Issues have been:
- The oil level sensor was faulty when purchased - and still is now.
- The front seats squeaked - solved with some WD40.
- A restricted performance message, which turned out to be a dirty EGR sensor.
- A very, very occasional air bag warning light, which seems to come and go when the drivers seat is moved.
- A very slow coolant leak, which I can't find the cause.

It is a much nicer car to drive than the old 2004 4.4 L322 - faster, much quieter and more refined. Really glad I saw GGDR's post and went to have a look at it (thank you to the forum). In terms of depreciation, I don't think there has been any and I think the value is still more than I paid for the car, though the timing was great.

Before (although with the 20" wheels):

wow looks great. so you only spent £22,000 on the car (running costs are unavoidable) which is awesome. Bargain.

Awesome  Sold - Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

£840 on insurance? That seems very steep, how old are you 19 lol?

@Barmybrummie: I believe the insurance is the cost for two years, not one…

Awesome zebedee 👍 I do think two years ago exact was about the sweet spot, perhaps a month or two later just before lockdown even slightly better. I bought mine albeit an L322 then as well as we were supposed to remigrate within months but then the world changed and we could travel anymore. So I’ve kept mine much longer than I anticipated but it’s actually been one of the cheapest cars to buy and own.

With hindsight I should have gone for an L405 at the time as the prices have Sky rocketed since 🤣 I just wanted something cheap to tie me over.

Nice report.

Ps. Really like how you removed the shiny parts. Makes it look much better 👍

tb10 wrote:

@Barmybrummie: I believe the insurance is the cost for two years, not one…

What a great success story and what a bargain!

He who dares wins Rodders, he who dare wins 😂

Brilliant. Very classy looking RR 👍🏻

Lol I'm such a div, I should have guessed that. Too much vino me thinks.

Great looking car. Wheels are a massive improvement.  405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

She's looking well sir... Turns out to be a great buy