A friend of mine is struggling to decide whether to go for a 2013 L405 V8 Autobiography with 225k km or a 2007 G500 with about 180k km. They’re about the same asking price.

The former has a full dealer history and just had about 8k of work done to it. Looks and drives well and seems to be in better nick than it’s age/mileage. No warranty.

The G wagon has a decent service history and is clearly a simpler car with less to go wrong. No warranty.

He’s quite happy with how both drive and appreciates the luxury of the RR and the ruggedness of the G.

He’s got a few quid held back for repairs and won’t be doing huge miles so fuel economy isn’t too much of a concern, although I certainly couldn’t stomach the 12 mph the G will deliver!

Opinions? 2018 P400e AB LWB

Well, you're on a RR forum, so I'd be surprised if anyone would favour an older G

I know Alistair but hoping you’re an objective bunch and some may have even owned a G before 2018 P400e AB LWB

Alistair wrote:

Well, you're on a RR forum, so I'd be surprised if anyone would favour an older G

IMHO you don't make a decision like that based on comments on a forum....

The two cars are so far apart it's pointless comparing them...

Personally I find the G's to be very agricultural compared to a 405 and at my age I want comfort and somewhere nice to sit while I wait for the breakdown truck...

Just go with whichever "feels" right...  Pete

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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks for all the comments, I’ll pass them along. Currently I think the G is slightly in the lead due to it being rather smaller and easier to park etc. He’s coming out of a Golf 2018 P400e AB LWB

Having only ever seen and read reviews on the G-Wagen, it's always come across as a rough, tough all-rounder, not unlike the Defender but similarly "agricultural" and nowhere as near luxurious as a RR.
I would have the 405 all day long and twice on a Sunday  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

My neighbour has a G Wagon we use the same local garage for servicing he often says to me its my l322 that should be in for repair and not his G Wagon - he also has an older style Defender his preference is for the ruggedness mine is comfort with off road capability My RR is more reliable but then it is used everyday not left sitting around
Your friend may need to work out use first perhaps

I've had both. The G will no doubt be more reliable but they are a very old design now, even with the facelifts over the years. The L405 is far superior from a driving experience point of view. I'm not sure I'd choose an earlier one with big miles though given a choice.

It depends if he values the luxury of a RR I suppose, or does he prefer the rugged bullet proof qualities a G has? They are quite different animals. 2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography in black
2018 D300 SE Velar in champagne
Spiffing wheel centre caps, L322 sill repair panels, etc