Afternoon I have as some will know a 2007 S/c with just over 250k on it - it drives like a dream all suspension has been changed in last couple of years - anyway we are moving to France permanently so will change it after 14 years and just over 200k miles with no breakdowns ever (probably most reliable car I have owned - and there have been few)
I am wondering what the service costs are on a diesel ? I suspect t that the cost of ownership between the 5 S/c and the 4.4 diesel will be the same but I know nothing about diesels and thinking the petrol is cheaper to maintain and has less to go wrong with it - any advice or info welcome

If you have a look on the LR website on the servicing bit, some of the dealers show the cost of a service in the online booking section. I found it useful to make comparisons of petrol v diesel.
Team Valley LR are one of the ones that show the details.

Are you buying your new vehcile in France or importing it from the UK to France. I looked into this to leave a car at our holiday home and was horrified by the import costs and other associated costs depending upon your local department rules.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but thought I'd mention it! L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

I will look at Thames valley

I will buy it in France there is an uplift in cost but it is what it is ( if importing the way to go is get an invoice from a local garage and present it as the value and the duty is calculated on that ( some newish RR as incredibly cheap as low as 7k

The Tax calculators over there mustn’t be as sharp as our beloved HMRC, I recently imported a motorbike and submitted the real invoice. HMRC decided it was too cheap and wanted tax based on £2K more. The import agent advised I just pay up as he reckoned they could increase the value if I argued. Bar Stewards.

As you said I think it depends which department you are in and which prefecture