Hi guys, I'm looking to buy a high mileage TDV8 on the continent that I can take to Spain with me. Probably from Germany.

The standard spec seem to be different depending on country so it's hard to know what the car will come with. It's not obvious what some of the Vogues are missing vs the Autobiography!

What are the absolute must haves?

Assuming the descriptions will be incorrect what things can be seen from photos?

Be careful what you wish for!

The Vogue has a number of advantages over the Autobiography and SE, when the years are ticking by………

That sounds strange, doesn’t it?

But, as these cars age, “less becomes more”, -let me explain:

The more complex the vehicle, simply the more there is to go wrong, and some of the features can literally write off the older, higher spec cars, whilst the simpler Vogue spec cars go soldiering on.

A few examples: AB & SE models have opening sunroof with the corroding drain tubes issue, which has resulted in many vehicles being written off due to drowning various electronic modules under the seats and an ensuing 5-figure bill. They also have the Dynamic active suspension feature with complex corroding pipework intertwined under hard to access parts of the underbody, again a very expensive fix.

My advice is when looking for an older vehicle, pick a nice Vogue model with the engine and options you really think important to you which you will really use frequently or really appreciate, and ignore those you consider gimmicks or less important. If you really must have one of the higher-spec vehicles, be wary of what you may inadvertently inherit.

It all depends on what you want, and the depth of your pockets, Caveat Emptor! “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Well said Gremlin500,
They really are very complex vehicles and a lot of the "must haves"
such as a sliding roof can really come back to bite you.
I am in the club that says you must use all available options on a fairly
regular basis to keep them active to the point that when washing the car,
I often run a piece of streamer wire down the fuel filler drain pipe.
I'm not anal about it but a bit of minor maintenance often helps.

The most significant items that were standard on AB but not on Vogue in 2013 were:

- pano roof
-adaptive headlights with DRL
- semi aniline and more adjustable seats
- adaptive cruise control
- blind spot monitor, closing vehicle sensing and reverse traffic detection
- 825 W (mid-level)audio
-21" wheels (Vogue had 20" as standard)

The only one of these that I would say is "must" is the blind spot monitor etc as the 405 has much wider pillars and hence does have a blind spot. After that I think the better seats in the higher grade are nicer and the base audio (380W) was not that great, though I think for that reason many Vogues were spec'd with the 825 W one. AB gave the option to upgrade to the top system costing £4,000, one could not do that with Vogue. There are pros and cons as between ordinary and adaptive CC, where/how you drive will determine preference. It was very unusual to find a 405 with a metal roof, almost all were spec'd with a pano roof.

If you are looking at 2013 then you will be Euro 5 (ie no Adblue), good for durability, but Q if there are ULEZ schemes or bans where you will be driving that might be a problem? Only Range Rovers since 1988

You got me scared there with the Euro 5 thing! London, (my hometown typical) seems to be the only place I'll have to pay extra for. It'll only be going around the Balearics so should be ok otherwise.

Pano roof seems to be on every car so far. I want that for sure as well as the 825w audio.

Is there any way to tell from pictures whether it has

- adaptive headlights with DRL
- semi aniline and more adjustable seats
- adaptive cruise control
- blind spot monitor, closing vehicle sensing and reverse traffic detection
- 825 W (mid-level)audio

I won't really be able to do any viewing in person so really appreciate the help!

Here a few I like the look of -

https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details...&s=Car

https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details...&s=Car


https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details...&s=Car

These features are not that immediately visible, but:

ACC has up and down arrows with a line between them (the distance setting) on the round instrument cluster on the right hand side of the steering wheel.

The higher end seats have electric recline on the back seats so you might see the switches for that, also AB ones are cooled so there would be the controls for that between the front seats.

BSM etc would show through a different shade on a small area of the wing mirrors, top outer corner, where the yellow icon would appear when something was in the blind spot.

I'm not sure how you would tell re lights and audio.

Vogue SE have ACC and 825 W as standard, also semi aniline seats, but the standard Vogue SE rear seats are just heated, not heated and cooled and there is slightly less adjustment. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Assuming it's the same on the pre facelift cars, the Autobiography has leather dashboard and door tops.

The Vogue SE, which has the same nice leather on the seats has what is known these days as 'vegan leather'....or leather look vinyl. It makes quite a difference when you look at them side by side, at least it does to me. MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

Thanks guys, I think I'm gonna go for an Autobiography just to guarantee the audio isn't .

Good decision  MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

Check the roof drains before you buy!  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?