Having had the TDV8 Vogue SE now for 3 months and lived with it, I am very happy with the car and the way it drives etc.

However, I do question what the designers are thinking at times, some changes really don't seem to have any benefit at all, and in most cases are just plain stupid. Here's what I mean.

1. There is no longer a power/lighter socket at the front of the centre console area, making it awkward to plug in the Roadangel, instead there are 4 of them in the cubby box area....

2. The twin cup holders in the front are CRAP. Just like my RR Sport ones they fit NOTHING. Either bottles are too slim and fall over or just won't fit in at all. Remove the pointless insert and once again, too big for a water bottle, too small for a Thermos flask...WHY? I'd love to know what they used to style this bit. Has anyone got a definitive water bottle that fits and won't fall over all the time?

3. The rear cup holders in the folded down centre seat are the same, they don't fit anything at all that useful. You can put a can of pop in, but then they rattle and make so much noise you have to stop the car and take them out.

4. There used to be a very handy hidey hole space under the headlight switch set into the dash, you could hide your wallet in there, it was out of sight and a good size, this has been deleted.

5. The air cooled seats in the front - you can press the centre button to alter where you want to heating/cooling. You can have it on both back & bum or just back, but not just on your bum...why?

However, it's not all bad news: The lower cubby box in front of the passenger is now big enough to put the Roadangel in! (Halleluyah) The previous shape and size would NEVER close with anything normal in it.

Has anyone else got anything they reckon was a step backwards in design? Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

I prefer the original comfort seats - far more adjustable to your own preference, especially if you are quite stocky!

I found a "heavy" stanley rubber insulated mug which fits the cup holders, the only trouble is its bloody uncomfortable to drink out of unless you have rubber lips

and whilst I am at it I prefer the original clock, and the top of the older dashboard, I had somewhere to put my flask and sandwiches or files and laptop.

Changes for the better eh! - lets just call it the FORD influence! Ok if you are called keith from accounts!

Of course!

6. The seats, how did I forget those. yes the upper back adjustment made them SO comfortable, that's now lost thanks to the repositioning of the airbags into the seat sides. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

perhaps a cost cutting exercise to offset the development costs of the TDV8????????

electronic handbrake - FF Sake - why bother?

Cup holders - I found a Thermos cup from Sainsburys that was cheap and cheerful and seems to fit no problem - also discovered today that Smoothie bottles fit perfectly in the smaller gap between the two cup holders

RRUK wrote:

1. There is no longer a power/lighter socket at the front of the centre console area, making it awkward to plug in the Roadangel, instead there are 4 of them in the cubby box area....

RRUK wrote:

Has anyone got a definitive water bottle that fits and won't fall over all the time?

Yep.
The best way to hold something in there is to use the slider as a holding point.

RRUK wrote:

3. The rear cup holders in the folded down centre seat are the same, they don't fit anything at all that useful. You can put a can of pop in, but then they rattle and make so much noise you have to stop the car and take them out.

RRUK wrote:

4. There used to be a very handy hidey hole space under the headlight switch set into the dash, you could hide your wallet in there, it was out of sight and a good size, this has been deleted.

RRUK wrote:

Has anyone else got anything they reckon was a step backwards in design?

The Venture cam was on the passenger side, but yes, same position. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

The most annoying thing with the new layout MY10 is now where (obvious) to put a loose phone (assuming you have two cups of coffee on the go). I have ended removing the innards of the ash tray (where there is a power socket still thankfully) and sticking the dreaded iPhone in there. Not a flat surface anywhere to leave something. Very strange. Currently running FFRR MY10 TDV8 3.6L and a Disco 3 XS Commercial (tank like but very effective as a Company van). Plus one mint condition Track Day Car in the form of an E36 M3 3.2L Evolution circa June 1996 with lots of go faster bits and only 52k miles on the clock! Oh, plus a few bits to make it slow down really quickly as well! Luvverly.

RRUK wrote:

4. There used to be a very handy hidey hole space under the headlight switch set into the dash, you could hide your wallet in there, it was out of sight and a good size, this has been deleted.

sitting on drivers seat right hand side of dash about knee level near the door underneath headlight dial switch

Also here is where the socket is for plugging in a scanner

On a positive note and having had a 2003 and a 2006 V8 Vogue I can say that I think the 2007MY TDV8 interior is miles better than the older model.

Why electronic handbrake? Because it takes up very little space (No huge ugly handle), works perfectly when (and if) you need it and you cannot drive off with the handbrake on . No brainer IMHO.

The new dash vents work much better and quieter and the overall style is a major improvement and the sloping dash makes the car feel roomier with more light.

The key in the dash rather than centre consul is a major improvement if you have other keys attached.

The Centre Consul with sliding drinks covers and terrain response dial looks a million (sorry zillion) times better than the older grey paint and handbrake version.

However I did prefer the luxury seats with top rear adjustment but that it I am afraid.

Good progress overall IMHO.

Adam, if the cup holders are the same your RRS ones you need to get some of the newer 08MY+ D3/RRS cup holders which have rubber inserts:



FWW500160 approx £5 each, less from our sponsors no doubt

MICK wrote:

sitting on drivers seat right hand side of dash about knee level near the door underneath headlight dial switch

Also here is where the socket is for plugging in a scanner

Martin,

I've been hoping that a loan car might have these and I could borrow them.  Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Gazellio wrote:

On a positive note and having had a 2003 and a 2006 V8 Vogue I can say that I think the 2007MY TDV8 interior is miles better than the older model.

Why electronic handbrake? Because it takes up very little space (No huge ugly handle), works perfectly when (and if) you need it and you cannot drive off with the handbrake on . No brainer IMHO.

The new dash vents work much better and quieter and the overall style is a major improvement and the sloping dash makes the car feel roomier with more light.

The key in the dash rather than centre consul is a major improvement if you have other keys attached.

The Centre Consul with sliding drinks covers and terrain response dial looks a million (sorry zillion) times better than the older grey paint and handbrake version.

However I did prefer the luxury seats with top rear adjustment but that it I am afraid.

Good progress overall IMHO.