So...I had the opportunity to have a Range Rover LWB 4.4 SDV8 for a few days last week and I thought I'd do a quick sum up of my thoughts over the 'standard model.' Both vehicles I am comparing are 4.4 SDV8 in Autobiography trim.

- No noticeable difference in handling at all - it only adds 80kg so I doubt you would really notice it anyway. The vehicle is flat round the corners and acceleration etc is excellent.
- The car still looks in proportion and if it wasn't for the longer rear doors and the 'L' badging, you wouldn't know the difference at all. I don't think the untrained eye will notice.
- Build quality is simply not good enough. The vehicle had covered under 100 miles and the suspension knock was dreadful. They obviously still haven't fixed this. One of the Range Rover graphic scripts on the B pillar had fallen off and seemed just to have been stuck on with a small amount of glue in the first place!
- Leather quality is not as good as the L322 Autobiography semi-analine leather.
- The airbag graphics heat sealed onto the passenger sun visors (on both sides!) look unsightly and are unnecessary. Other UK manufactured cars I own (and are as new) do not have these so I don't know why LR put them on there.
- 10.2" RSE is standard but doesn't look as 'integrated' as the headrest screens. Picture quality is great though but I'm not sure about the look of them over the 8".
- The main head unit is a joke - resolution is shockingly poor and it is sluggish and poorly designed. The new Mini has an 8.8" HD screen with far better features! LR really need to sort this out.

Overall, LR build quality still has a long way to go on a vehicle that starts at £102k. A SWB Autobiography SDV8 spec'd up to the level of a LWB Autobiography SDV8 is only approx £2k apart. To me, this is a no brainer so I will be placing an order for a 15MY LWB L405 SDV8. However, I will want to have seen a better entertainment system and redesigned front suspension before I do!

Build quality not good enough - you are right. They have the right ingredients but the quality control is shocking and will ultimately be very damaging for the brand if they don't step it up soon.

Leather quality not as good as L322. Agree when comparing AB to AB but I do think the L405 leather will wear better than my L322 5.0 SC did.

The main benefit of the 10.2" screens is that they allow for a split back rest on the seat which I have missed ever since my 06 S/C and I am really pleased to have it back as it makes it so much more comfortable.

The head unit is a total joke compared to BMWs system.

Airbag graphics are on all new BMW sun visors as well. I thought this was the latest silly HSE law .

Suspension knocking is still an issue for all cars rolling off the line today. I hear they may have a new ARC valve block in test which solves the problem but it is not available yet.

I would not get an LWB because A) I never sit in the back, B) it makes it even more of a pain to find somewhere to park than it is already.

I didn't actually mind the parking - it didn't seem that much longer and handled very well.

I agree re: the leather, it does seem harder wearing. My L322 AB had both passenger seat bases replaced at 8,000 miles due to premature wear. This I guess is the sacrifice of nicer quality leather.

I think the 10.2" screens are also to allow them to increase them in size very easily in comparison to having to redesign headrests etc. I agree the upper backrest adjustment is a really nice feature.

Interesting re: airbag graphics. I do not have these on a 14MY Bentley GTC so maybe it is something really really new?

5.0 wrote:

Suspension knocking is still an issue for all cars rolling off the line today

Absolute joke they are knowingly delivered a defective vehicle.

Also just checked the vehicle on Topix. Under 'outstanding campaigns' we have:

Q395 - POTENTIAL DETACHMENT OF FILTER BOX FROM OIL PAN

Sounds reassuring.

i've had mine for about 6 weeks now, been in dealer for two of these for suspension issues and bits and pieces. I'm not impressed as the knocking still there. i agree leather not up to scratch, front screen not the quality u would expect. camera system failed, nav failed. What will land rover do?

As far as I can tell there is no fix that will last for the knocking at this time. Therefore one has the choice to wait for a fix to become available or reject the car. The thing I am wrestling with at the moment is what do I do if I reject it? There is no alternative that I would like to buy and there is no point in ordering a new one as the ones rolling off the line are the same. Therefore I am just holding out a little longer in the hope that a fix is available soon that lasts more then a couple of hundred miles. It's such a shame because otherwise the car is great.

I assume the knocking is only on the SDV8 and Supercharged with the fancy suspension? This would steer me towards the TDV6 if this was the case  Now: BMW 640d M Sport, Alpine White
Gone: Range Rover 4.4 V8 Vogue, Zambezi Silver, Charcoal Oxford Leather
Also: Mk1 Audi TT 1.8T Quattro, Brilliant Black
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Click image to enlarge

Not available in Autobiography L trim unfortunately!