For the money I want to spend and approx 50,000 miles on the clock, I can get either a 2017 Autobiography pre-facelift (so the older infotainment system) or a post face-lift 2018 Vogue.

I'm leaning towards to the pre-facelift autobiography.

I've never owned a RR before - I currently drive a 10 year old BMW 5 series.

I'm only looking at the 3L Diesels - that's plenty enough performance and I don't think the lower fuel economy and tax make the 4.5L or 5L attractive to me.

Any thoughts/advice/recommendations?

Priority for all passengers is luxury all round. Apple car play would be a nice to have.

Thanks!

I’d go for a 2017MY SDV8 Autobiography. 2017MY had a slight update, including better infotainment (including CarPlay). Personally I don’t like the dual touchscreens introduced in 2018 as I think they’re a step back in usability but personal opinion obvs!

I have got 2017 AB and at the time i got mine similar mileage 2018 facelift Vogue with few options was lot more expensive.

At the same money, i would probably not pick up bog standard 2018 Vogue over 2017 AB but if the Vogue has the right options like deployable side steps and sliding pan roof i would then surely pick the 2018. It looks more modern and up to date to my eyes both in and out. 2017 Range Rover SDV6 AB
2021 Aston Martin DBS superleggera
2017 Aston Martin DB11 V12 - Sold
2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range - Sold
2014 Range Rover SDV8 - Sold
2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed - Onyx Black - Sold

I would choose the 17Ab , Saxtons in Chelmsford would be worth a visit as I see you are in Essex. overfinch modified

What is the budget? 2019 SDV8 Autobiography in Byron Blue
2019 BMW Z4 M Sport
2014 SDV8 Autobiography in Corris Grey with black AB leather - Now gone!

Don’t just think AB vs Vogue specs:

For example, I have a 2017 Vogue but in fact it was specified with features not included as standard with either the SE or AB
(but also including some from both).
Crazily, a £100,000 “basic” Vogue, specified by the original purchaser, and now I can see his point.
You really have to decide what’s important for you, and don’t fall victim to “badge engineering”

I have a post on here with detailed specs, but as usual, can I hell find it!  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

It was important for me to have the updated Infotainment system and updated security with ultra wide band technology.

2018+ It looks better externally, it has a better nav system which you can update each month if you subscribe and has traffic etc.
https://www.landrover.here.com/index.php

Pre face lift, I think it may have a terrible terrible Nav system I had it in my old DS hated it!

The touchscreen duo has 2 screens and looks great, some screens were a bit buggy when they first came out, but by now after several updates most should now be bug free.

It has Ultra wide band technology making it more secure -- Google it
The Incontrol app gives you guardian mode which alerts you if alarm goes off or door/window is opened. Not sure if this applies to pre facelift.

Now, I cant do without deployable side steps, adaptive lighting, adaptive cruise, HUD, consider a 18+ SE 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

My MY2017 pre-facelift Vogue has updated Nav system, InControl, and DSS, but not the other stuff.

Personal taste I know, but I like the “clean” look of the rear end with no ugly exhausts poking out, (you hide the plumbing in your home, why not the car?) A decisive feature for me was the 22” wheels specced by the original owner.

The point is that selection by badge alone might result in you dismissing a very nice car with a great spec, such are the almost limitless options available when new, it’s worth digging a little deeper.  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

As others have said, it depends on what extras the 2018 Vogue has.

Whatever you do (and I think the facelift will always have far better residuals), make sure the infotainment system is right up to date and has no bugs! I had a new 2018 VSE and had lots of problems with the infotainment so beware.

Also the AB will have lots of things you will probably never use so a Vogue with extras or an SE is better value, but then people like badges!! Autotrader said at the time of launch the 3L Vogue SE was the sweet spot  All LR cars from 1984
2021.5 Vogue SE D300 Carpathian Grey
2018 Vogue SE British Racing Green GONE

"I'm only looking at the 3L Diesels "
If you haven't already done so, do some research on the crankshaft failure issues with the 3L V6.
Some run faultlessly forever but others fail without warning for no apparent reason at alarmingly low mileages.

Cass
Yes a 4.4 was my priority for that very same reason 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

You might find a Vogue with the kit you want, but it’s not that easy. I looked at some Vogue SE, but there weren’t any with everything I really wanted (22s, sliding roof, 360 cameras, 4 zone climate) let alone nice to have options (Remote Climate, Pixel lights, suedecloth headlining), then when I went to look and I realised only the AB had a leather dash and door tops, I stopped looking at the VSE.

But if you can find a Vogue or SE with everything you want, then better to buy that than paying for something with features you won’t use. MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

peterg1965 wrote:

What is the budget?

You can’t be far off a 2018 AB, the best of both options! My Dec 18, sub 50k mile AB isn’t worth much more than that. MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

Some really good advice above!
I love this forum when folks try and help each other as much as possible, that’s great!
We all differ a bit in our opinions of course, but it’s the willingness to help others that sets this forum apart.
Sometimes there are no rights and no wrongs, it’s just great to get a balance of views.  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?