Any problems with the L405 SDV8 2013 model that I should know about if were were to be looking at one to buy please? 43k on the clock FMDSH in really lovely condition lots of extras needs deployable side steps can these be retro fitted but apart from that its gorgeous!! Dealer £39,975 two owners, black 22's what do we think?

I have the same MY L405 which I bought used to replace a L322 TD6 I bought new. The SDV8 L405 is certainly an improvement in terms of performance, creature comforts etc. however it's not been without issue such as suspension, annoying dash messages, oil level mysteriously rising and mis aligned relationship between drivers door and bonnet. Having bought the L322 new I never really thought about any issues and it was first class throughout my 14 years of ownership. The L405 takes me back to a P38 I owned which was ahead of it's time, but was generally a PITA. Indeed, if the L405 was perfect I probably wouldn't be on this great forum !

I agree that the suspension “knock” is something to be dealt with - I got JLR to change the single damper valve chest on mine to the later twin damper version (at their cost) and I changed the anti roll bar bushes and the lower wishbones on my 2014 car and I can verify it now drives just like my friends 2016 model year car - and it didn’t drive the same beforehand!

Both ARB bushes and lower wishbones are changeable by a competent diy mechanic - my wishbones were actually done by the dealership but my ARB bushes were done in my presence by an independent who is a friend and I reckon we even drank coffee in the 1/2 hour it took him.

I presume the Hunter wheel alignment also helped the handling after the wishbone change but I just wanted to confirm you can get an early car to drive like a late one with a little bit of effort, so if that’s what your budget runs to, or the cars had the work done - relax (and no - mines not for sale at the moment )

On pretty much every measure I prefer the SDV8 L405 to my previous and very nice 2011 L322 4.4 TDV8 and I thought the 322 was brilliant when I had it.

David 2016 (L405) Autobiography in Black with Ivory - for ULEZ
2014 (L405) VSE in Black with Ivory
2011 (L322) VSE in Black with Ivory
2005 (3.2 V6) Porsche Cayenne in Black with Savanna
1999 (P38) VSE in Burgundy (?) with Sand

That’s very disappointing to hear I thought it would be a lovely refined beast but thinking about JLR build quality its not totally surprising. Think I may as well stick with my sport its one of the last in lovely condition with lots of extra’s, problem free I’m not going to spend thousands of pounds on something that could possibly cost me thousand more to get right. Shame but at the end of the day my sport will get me from A to B in comfort without issue. The L405’s are dropping in price quite quickly I’ll wait maybe get a newer one in a few years I guess its never a good idea to get the runout model of any model especially something from JLR. Now where did I see the details of that SVA...........

Mines a 2013 - had no problems at all in 90k miles

Hope saying that isn’t the kiss of death......

2 owners and MD history probably also means it’s been under warranty most of its life, assuming the second owner bought approved used..... so any issues should have been taken care of already

I think there's so much variation on these vehicles with some relatively trouble free and others with "niggles" that should really have been picked up by supplying dealers if their PDI process was worth a dime.

I'm in a similar position to you looking to take the plunge but from an L322 I've owned for nearly ten years which has been a joy.

Prices do seem to be falling and maybe with more to go especially with the news of internal combustion engine production to be ceased by JLR next year!

I'm thinking paying. A little more for a main dealer approved used would be a better option for me, despite tales of them trying to wriggle out of warranty work and long waiting time to book cars in for work. The knowledge and experience on this forum are invaluable. Of course we only tend to hear about things going wrong in here whereas there will no doubt be thousands of L405's thundering around without any major problems............maybe !!! Current
2016 MY L405 SDV8
2018 VW Golf GT EVO
2001 BMW Z3 2.2
Previous
2002 L322 TD6
2004 Mercedes R230 SL350
1994 993 Carrera
Range Rover P38 x3
Range Rover 3.9 EFI

I took the plunge last year, from a 09 facelift L322 into a 2014 MY SDV8 . I surrendered to the fact the suspension will be slightly more knocky, don’t regret one minute, managed to get a great warranty deal as it was around Black Friday which save a small fortune. Sorry Alistair, not managed a thread yet , trapped nerve in back precludes cleaning cars just now...

ouch - sounds painful - hope you feel better soon

Don’t get me wrong. None of what I did was expensive and the L405 is significantly advanced versus my late model L332 which I replaced the drop links on too, I was just trying to be helpful. If I had to make the choice again I would take the 405 in a heartbeat. 2016 (L405) Autobiography in Black with Ivory - for ULEZ
2014 (L405) VSE in Black with Ivory
2011 (L322) VSE in Black with Ivory
2005 (3.2 V6) Porsche Cayenne in Black with Savanna
1999 (P38) VSE in Burgundy (?) with Sand