I've narrowed my search down to a 2018 onwards L405, but unless a real bargain pops up I'll need to spend a few more months saving to increase the available budget a little.

I've owned enough discoveries to understand that LR trim levels are a bit of a moveable feast at the factory, often determined by what did or didn't turn up from their JIT suppliers that day.
But ignoring that, and the fact that many ordered new could have had a few extras ticked on the order sheet, what should be the difference between a 2018 Vogue SE and Autobiography?

I'm sure it will come down to what cars are actually available at the time, their history, mileage etc, but it would help me search if there is something included on one or the other that I feel strongly about.

Last edited by Nasher on 18th Nov 2023 6:07pm. Edited 1 time in total

The specs seem to change from fatty to fatty, so, as you say, see what's around at the time...

I can say, a lot more cows died to make an AB.....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I particularly wanted cooled seats which for my price range/year meant an AB. Chris

2014 FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Barolo Black
2012 RRS SDV6 HSE Baltic Blue
and before I saw the light:
2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara SZ5
1998 Ford Mondeo V6 Ghia X
1990 Citroen BX GTi
1973 Triumph GT6

My 2018 SE had cooled and heated seats.

At the time of launch, one of the main reviewers said that the 3.0L SE was the "Sweetspot" of the range. It's what I bought and never regretted it. The SE had all the things on it I needed, and a lot I never used and still don't on my 2021 SE. HUD is the only extra I would have that's not standard spec on the SE.  All LR cars from 1984
2021.5 Vogue SE D300 Carpathian Grey
2018 Vogue SE British Racing Green GONE

I think all VSE's have cooled seats - and the mid level (725w) music system as standard. They were my 2 must haves and whilst some Vogues may be spec'd with them, it made searching much easier just to go VSE/AB.

It's easier to make a list of what you feel strongly about first IMHO

I could never do without HUD again after buying my 2018SE, and the retractable steps of course.
It also has hot/cool seats and the steering wheel heated
The thing that never fails to amaze me is the adaptive headlights when it first lights up, and adaptive cruise etc Reverse traffic detection has saved me a few times at the supermarket and blind spot assist all good toys.

But I often wonder what life would be like with a 5L petrol  2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

I looked at both and the key equipment that was standard on the Autobiography were;

Fuel burning heater, Pixel Headlights, Sliding Roof, Surround Cameras and Adaptive Cruise.

That’s not everything and some of it can be found on a VSE, but with an AB you know you’re getting it. I also liked the Suedecloth headliner, but the clincher when I sat in both was the full leather dashboard. The VSE has the nicer leather on the seats, but a vinyl dash. It looks fine in isolation but when you jump from one to the other it’s quite noticeable. MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

Kot wrote:

I could never do without HUD again after buying my 2018SE, and the retractable steps of course.
It also has hot/cool seats and the steering wheel heated
The thing that never fails to amaze me is the adaptive headlights when it first lights up, and adaptive cruise etc Reverse traffic detection has saved me a few times at the supermarket and blind spot assist all good toys.

But I often wonder what life would be like with a 5L petrol

Some of the things you mention were optional  MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

Yeh great very happy with that deal. It just shows you there are few standard SE about most have several options.

Also mine has got a FBH but cant use it as my system is the type that remotely starts the engine in the IC app but cant use it as I have a Ghost fitted which inhibits Engine start. But you cant have it both ways better safe than sorry. 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

the FBH isnt the same as the engine start preheater Kot, mine has both but I'm same as you, ghost stops the use of the engine start preheater. The timed FBH works on mine but I cant seem to get a remote to work.

I did contact ghost about this and they did mention I should have been offered the option to have the ghost work not he gearbox not the engine, first I'd heard about that option but that would have allowed the engine start pre heater to work First time FFRR owner

I was offered same, but it’s a no brainer to opt for immobilise start in my view. 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

Thanks all, I appreciate your comments.

My current D4 HSELux has the nice leather dashboard with Cricket ball stitching etc, and it does make the cabin a nice place to be.

The FBH is an interesting one, I'm assuming all Diesel L405s will have one but hadn't thought about the remote aspect.
My D4 has timed etc as standard which I don't use, but I have an Altox unit plugged in whiich allows me full remote control via the App on my phone with the added bonus of it also acting as a tracker.
That's without starting the engine by the way, using the FBH pump to circulate the coolant to preheat the engine without running the engine itself.
I suppose I'd assumed I could swap the Altox to an L405, but perhaps not.
Sending the car a text to warm up on a cold morning whilst I eat my breakfast before going to work is a luxury I think I've got to used to now and would miss.

I'm really not bothered about steps as I wouldn't use them.

However Lady Nasher and myself are both quite into our music, and would really miss the very top of the range system we have in the D4 if it wasn't as good in an L405.

Last edited by Nasher on 18th Nov 2023 6:08pm. Edited 1 time in total

What's an L406 please?

Really not sure why I put 406, sorry, obviously I meant 405