Hi everyone, not been on here for quite some time!, I’m looking at getting an L405 V8 diesel and just wondered if they have any well known weak points or things to look out for.
I text drove it earlier and it drove perfectly and seemed so smooth!.
It’s done 90k with full and up to date history (all LR except the last one which was a specialist) no clonks or nastiness, gearbox seemed smooth, it pulled well but I didn’t floor it.
Only thing I’m slightly worried about is it’s Euro 5 not 6, I do occasionally have to go into the ULEZ zone but once a month or less so my thinking is to just pay the £12.50 as it’s a lot cheaper than getting a 65 plate one.

A few people have told me not to get one and that they’re still super unreliable and I will be constantly off the road?, I’m also looking at a GL350 Bluetec which is Euro 6 and looks nice enough but the interior just doesn’t do it for me compared to the FFRR, I’m also coming from an 07 GL320 so fancy more of a change!, any pointers would be welcomed!.
Running cost wise I will be claiming some business mileage through the company at 45p a mile which surely will help!.

It is a good idea to floor these to get past the 2,500rpm 2nd turbo cut in, to see it pulls well with no smoke. You might want to pull the front pipe off the throttle body to peer in and see how bad the coke build up is on the plate and beyond. If the coke build up is too much around the edge of the throttle plate then it can lead to uneven or rough idle.

I'd be asking when was the gearbox oil changed, it is recommended at 60 - 80k miles so should have been done at least once by now.

Did you check all the offroad settings like low range, diff lock and hill descent? Probably not something you'll have to use in and around London but you never know. I did hear London SUV's are having tyres slashed so ULEZ charges might be the least of your worries.

The other usual RR thing worth looking at is the rate of fall and rise on the air suspension. If it is fitted with the ACE system then look at the fluid colour, that should have been changed at some point so shouldn't be too dark.

I'd plug in my own code reader to see what the readouts are on the engine, gearbox and AC module plus any historical codes stored. If you haven't got a decent code reader then borrow one or buy one, you'll need it at some point anyway.

EU5+dpf is a better option, Merc. have a lot of issues with SCR, LR do but less so... No autostop so no starter/battery issues to worry about - have a look underneath for oil leaks around the front (Oil cooler) and corrosion of ACE pipework (if fitted) at the back, also look at the alignment of the rear liftgate - not always an easy fix. Check the aircon and heated/cooled seats, cameras (where fitted). As already mentioned, get it above 2500rpm at least once and try and find a rough road to check for suspension knocks / overly stiff or loose damping.

The Mercs you mention are quite 'agricultural' and an ageing design compared to the L405 IMO.

Thanks for your advice, I’m going to have another more in depth look round it today, especially the suspension and check low box and that the cooled/heated seats work!, the AC is definitely ok as I had it on yesterday.
Is the 4.4 engine and gearbox usually relatively robust if looked after?, I’ve heard the 8 speed generally doesn’t suffer as many issues as the older 6 speed and turbos etc aren’t prone to failure like the 3.6 in the L322.
I’ve had a few people telling me that I shouldn’t get one and that they’re more unreliable than the L322, which is worrying but they can’t be terrible considering how many you see around!, I’ve also specifically only looked at the 4.4 engines as I’ve heard the 3 litres can suffer crankshaft issues.
In honesty the car is going to get used, I will be doing roughly 8-10k a year in it so plan to service it properly and look after it, plus get a warranty on it after the dealers one runs out (any recommendations of who to get one with would be appreciated) and if it does need some time off the road I suppose it’s a good job I’ve got an 80 Series Landcruiser as a backup .

I don’t mind the look of the bluetec GL but the interior just feels cheap and more dated than the RR, think if I got one I’d be settling for it when really I want an L405.

I must change the location on my profile too, I’m based in Hampshire now not London so not too worried about anti SUV people out here!.

You will hear many reliability comments, mostly from people who have never owned a FFRR....

So, for balance, I've had a 2013 SDV8 VSE for 9 years, I bought it a year old. Nothing much has needed doing beyond basic maintenance & service items. I'm up to 145k miles now. It's been so reliable that I just keep saying 'one more year' as I can't figure out what I'd buy instead - I hadn't planned to keep it this long.

It sounds like the one you are looking at has been well looked after so shouldn't be too concerning, but as with any vehicle, you just never know......

Right, second test drive complete, I did put my foot down and took it over 2.5k rpm and it did kick out a little smoke so assuming it needs a turbo pipe or cleaning by the sound of it?.
There was also a bit of a knock from the rear on a tighter turn so have asked for both to be investigated and sorted but other than that am happy with the car and am going to go for it.

If it’s only been pootled about for a bit, I’d say a bit of smoke is normal. Might do it a couple of times whilst it clears but then shouldn’t do it. I’d not worry about it unless it does it all the time. Just my 2p….

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Ah that’s good to hear, I don’t know how it was driven before but it did do it a couple of times when I floored it then didn’t on the 3rd time a few mins later, not sure what knocking noise from rear is in tighter lock but they’re going to get it looked at, I have a few days before I can collect it anyway as finance getting sorted etc.
Being picky it could do with a mop and 1 alloy being refurbed but otherwise in good condition, it’s in the slightly darker grey than usual think it’s Carpathian?.

I did check the heated and cooled seats worked etc and all the other toys, one thing I wasn’t sure about was how to find the timed climate option, be handy for when I leave my house in those winters mornings.
Is it a standard feature on the Vogue SE?.

Timed climate was an option on the VSE.

If you can get the chassis number, you will be able to get a build sheet that will list the options fitted.

Oh, I think it might not have it then .

Was it a software thing that could possibly be added on?, fingers crossed.

I'm not an expert as I don't really need it - mine lives in a garage all winter (albeit in a ski resort)

However, there are 2 parts - hardware & software. This thread is the go to - first of all you need to establish whether there is a Fuel Burning Heater installed.

Did you buy it in the end? Purely being nosy as I’m about to sell an identical age/mileage AB can I ask what it’s being sold for?