My New L405 Autobiography

[Jkay]

Hello All

New member here from Sydney. Recently picked up a brand new L405 Autobiography and thought I'd just share some of my thoughts on the car.

Any other L405 owners here?

Car had around 40 miles/60km on the clock when I picked her up. Will be interesting to see if and how the engine loosens up and feels different after a few thousand

Like DrFox1969, I Had it coated with Opticoat Pro as well and am happy so far with he results. I only wash it myself.

Seats - Still the most comfortable I've ever experienced in any of my cars. Winged headrests are a nice touch and a must in my opinion. So much so I find myself getting sleepy on the motorway. I haven't really used the massage seats much

Heated/Cooled Seats: Heated what? In the pleasant 23-28 degree weather these aren't required. I do however on occasion need the cooled seats which could do with being a tad cooler I think on the odd day it gets above 35 degrees.

Engine - I must admit I find it a bit noisy at idle and at low revs. However once she's up to speed I can't hear anything, and I didn't buy the car to be sat around idling the engine :) The mountain of torque makes it very relaxing to drive, especially when I want to push on a bit. There is some lag present, which again isn't ideal I must say, but its only momentary before the mountain of torque comes kicking in! I really really want to test drive a 5.0 Supercharged, but am not sure if thats a good idea!

Fuel Consumption - I averaged a true 8.55 L/100km or 33 MPG (UK) the other day between fills, measured at the pump. When pushing on today that dropped to 25 but this figure was just off the trip. Not bad for a car this size and weight. I used to average 12MPG in my V8 M3.

Infotainment/SatNav - I hate the interface. I find the system slow and hard to use, and my 2006 E46 BMW Convertible I just sold put the LR system, to shame in this respect. However once the destination is in, directions are good and easy to follow. Its just getting the damn destinations in which take some ages in this car.

Blind Spot Assist and Lane Departure warning - Blind spot assist is really handy, but the way I position my wing mirrors means I don't have a blind spot anyway, but every other person I know doesn't do this so I can see how this option will benefit many.

Surround Cameras - Handy, but don't like the way the interface works. Id like to click on a camera and have it enlarge automatically. Not have to click on it, then find the enlarge button just to make it bigger.

Park Assist - Never use it, but tested it twice. First time it worked like a dream, second time I think my alloys may have suffered had it not been for some intervention by yours truly.

Adaptive Cruise - It gets confused and :censored: its brain sometimes, so best suited to the motorway or motorway type roads only. On these roads it works great! Also a must have in my opinion

General Ride/Handling - Rides and handles like a dream in my opinion. Glides and wafts along. The L405 hides its hefty weight pretty well in my opinion. When pushing on through the twisties, it doesn't rock side to side anywhere near as much as I expect a car of this weight and size to. You still know you're in a heavy car tho.

Rear Seat Entertainment - Keeps my 6 year old daughter very happy. We don't like taking the iPads out with us and this keeps her (and an occasional friend) quiet and occupied, just the way I like it sometimes.

Side Steps - Had Fixed side steps fitted. These in my opinion finish the car off in the looks dept, and allows me to actually step in and out, as opposed to sliding in and off the seat, hopefully doing my leather some favours in the process. Daughter and Missus make use of them all the time as well.

825W Meridian Sound System - All this man could ever want. No complaints. Tested a 1700W system and although great, would be wasted on me

Bottom line is I'm happy wth the waft/glide along, torquey, luxurious feeling, plus love the road presence this car has. Ive never driven anything else from the Land Rover stable so can't really compare it to an L322.

Heres hoping for relative trouble free motoring ahead (famous last words)

Now for some pictures

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/643.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/IMG_5386.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/644.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/IMG_4212.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/645.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/IMG_4225.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/646.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/RR%20Opticoat.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/647.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/rr4.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/648.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/IMG_2518.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/649.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/rr2.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/650.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/rr3.jpg.html)

[Disco-tastic]

*drools*

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Lovely.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the pics :thumbup:

Cheers

Dan

Ps. If you're ever up on the central coast...

[CSBrisie]

Looks sensational - it's a TDV8 right? I bet the guy who owns the L322 and parks across from you is Very jealous! (Or is that a photo at dealership car park??)

[Jkay]

Thanks !

I may have a trip planned up to the central Coast soon Dan :)

Yes that's right it's the V8 diesel (SDV8). Has a good 740nm of torque as quoted by LR. Makes it relaxing to drive and mated to the 8 speed automatic gearbox, it is great! The car park is actually a rented spot in the city (not dealer). The L322 guy never speaks to me for some Reason :D, altho I do find myself looking at his L322 quite often (I think they look great)

[Disco-tastic]

Woohoo! You're welcome anytime (provided im home) :D

Such a good looking car.

Cheers

Dan

[Graeme]

General Ride/Handling - Rides and handles like a dream in my opinion. Glides and wafts along.Some people think the D4 rides well but 6 months on I'm still being impressed with my L322's ride on what used to be bumpy rural back-roads. I wonder how the latest L405 with 2nd gen CVDs compares with the last of the L322s though.

[justinc]

Stunning car!!

Jc

[Bytemrk]

hmmmmm nice!

[rar110]

The motor, transmission and probably other stuff is an evolution of that in the last L322, rather than being completely new. It seems to be what JLR are doing lately. So you shouldn't need to worry about reliability for a very long time.

The L322 is a great vehicle. By all accounts the L405 is even better. Enjoy.

[GregMilner]

You won't ever regret buying the L405. If there's one car a notch up on the L322, it's the 405. However...you might regret the choice of colour:)

They look fantastic in black. But after having a couple of black/dark cars in recent years, never again. Just impossible to keep clean. Which is why my L322 is white:-)

[Jkay]

I too often wonder what an L322 would feel like on the same roads. I've heard from some that the L405 is way ahead in every respect, but then again I'd like to try for myself to see if I agree.

Black certainly won't be easy to keep clean, nor will my light coloured leather but I just love how it looks when clean. My last three cars have been white so I guess it's time I do some work keeping my car looking shiny :)

I'm looking forward to putting more Kay's on the car and the next few months and years hopefullyn

[DrFox1969]

Hello All

New member here from Sydney. Recently picked up a brand new L405 Autobiography and thought I'd just share some of my thoughts on the car.

Any other L405 owners here?

Car had around 40 miles/60km on the clock when I picked her up. Will be interesting to see if and how the engine loosens up and feels different after a few thousand

Like DrFox1969, I Had it coated with Opticoat Pro as well and am happy so far with he results. I only wash it myself.

Seats - Still the most comfortable I've ever experienced in any of my cars. Winged headrests are a nice touch and a must in my opinion. So much so I find myself getting sleepy on the motorway. I haven't really used the massage seats much

Heated/Cooled Seats: Heated what? In the pleasant 23-28 degree weather these aren't required. I do however on occasion need the cooled seats which could do with being a tad cooler I think on the odd day it gets above 35 degrees.

Engine - I must admit I find it a bit noisy at idle and at low revs. However once she's up to speed I can't hear anything, and I didn't buy the car to be sat around idling the engine :) The mountain of torque makes it very relaxing to drive, especially when I want to push on a bit. There is some lag present, which again isn't ideal I must say, but its only momentary before the mountain of torque comes kicking in! I really really want to test drive a 5.0 Supercharged, but am not sure if thats a good idea!

Fuel Consumption - I averaged a true 8.55 L/100km or 33 MPG (UK) the other day between fills, measured at the pump. When pushing on today that dropped to 25 but this figure was just off the trip. Not bad for a car this size and weight. I used to average 12MPG in my V8 M3.

Infotainment/SatNav - I hate the interface. I find the system slow and hard to use, and my 2006 E46 BMW Convertible I just sold put the LR system, to shame in this respect. However once the destination is in, directions are good and easy to follow. Its just getting the damn destinations in which take some ages in this car.

Blind Spot Assist and Lane Departure warning - Blind spot assist is really handy, but the way I position my wing mirrors means I don't have a blind spot anyway, but every other person I know doesn't do this so I can see how this option will benefit many.

Surround Cameras - Handy, but don't like the way the interface works. Id like to click on a camera and have it enlarge automatically. Not have to click on it, then find the enlarge button just to make it bigger.

Park Assist - Never use it, but tested it twice. First time it worked like a dream, second time I think my alloys may have suffered had it not been for some intervention by yours truly.

Adaptive Cruise - It gets confused and :censored: its brain sometimes, so best suited to the motorway or motorway type roads only. On these roads it works great! Also a must have in my opinion

General Ride/Handling - Rides and handles like a dream in my opinion. Glides and wafts along. The L405 hides its hefty weight pretty well in my opinion. When pushing on through the twisties, it doesn't rock side to side anywhere near as much as I expect a car of this weight and size to. You still know you're in a heavy car tho.

Rear Seat Entertainment - Keeps my 6 year old daughter very happy. We don't like taking the iPads out with us and this keeps her (and an occasional friend) quiet and occupied, just the way I like it sometimes.

Side Steps - Had Fixed side steps fitted. These in my opinion finish the car off in the looks dept, and allows me to actually step in and out, as opposed to sliding in and off the seat, hopefully doing my leather some favours in the process. Daughter and Missus make use of them all the time as well.

825W Meridian Sound System - All this man could ever want. No complaints. Tested a 1700W system and although great, would be wasted on me

Bottom line is I'm happy wth the waft/glide along, torquey, luxurious feeling, plus love the road presence this car has. Ive never driven anything else from the Land Rover stable so can't really compare it to an L322.

Heres hoping for relative trouble free motoring ahead (famous last words)

Now for some pictures

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/643.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/IMG_5386.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/644.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/IMG_4212.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/645.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/IMG_4225.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/646.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/RR%20Opticoat.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/647.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/rr4.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/648.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/IMG_2518.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/649.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/rr2.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/650.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/jordan3054/media/rr3.jpg.html)

Great update JKay, she is still looking fantastic. I especially like the shot up on the coast.

[peter g]

Hi JK, good to hear from another L405 owner.
Mine is a white TDV6 Vogue, which I have had for 9 months and 11k so far.
Re the seats, it is all a matter of where you, are my heated seats and steering wheel are brilliant at the snow.
The engine in mine is the June 15 update 199Kw I think, disappointed they don't fit the 225kw to this car, but I guess they wouldn't sell a lot of V8's if they did that. Apart from the cost saving I went for the TDV6 on the basis that I hope to be able to fit 18"wheels for more reliable outback travel. Hopefully Gordon at GOE will be able to come up with the mods needed for this car and the L494.
I am really happy with the performance of this engine, easily tows 1.6 tonne van with good overtaking ability. Economy on trips to Mt Buller between 7.2 and 7.5 L/100k dependent on load in car, and observance of speed limits !
Of course the most outstanding feature of this car is the ride, it is really a significant step up from the L322, I had my L322 for 11 years and major outback trips with it included Ghan track to Alice springs, Gulf road, Cobourg Peninsula, cape York and Kimberley, and we were very happy with the ride. Particularly when compared with my earlier D1. However after just from a few trips on local unsealed roads, I am sure the L405 is significantly better, love the "wafty" ride. Some may think it a little too wafty for European autobahns etc, however we dont have many roads of that standard in Oz,particularly Vic which I think has the lowest roadbuilding standards here. To my mind the RR ride much better suits our conditions here than the BMW etc, particularly if you venture outback.
So to any L322 owners wondering about the difference, I suggest a test drive, could be expensive though !
On the negative side the rear seats do not fold up to extend the rear loadspace, the backs simply fold over on top of the seats, a bit of a pain when you want to transport something bulky.
For the L322 guys I have just listed in marketplace, driveline and suspension sections some spares from my L322, (I had originally planned to keep it for much longer, but obviously no regrets about the changeover).
Cheers, Peter

[simmo1]

Peter and all,

I have a 2014 RRS TDV6, the sort of poverty pack model. I have the stock 19" wheels fitted. I hoped that the GOE 18" compomotive wheels might fit as the brake sizes indicate they might. However I tried some recently and at least on the rear they do not fit. The outer edge of the caliper gently kisses the inner side of the rim. The stock tire size is 235/65R19 which are a slightly taller size than 255/55R19. Only issue is that there is only one available tire in that size, the stock Pirelli. Nothing else. So a potential problem with lack of ready availability of tires. Not the best scenario. Here is hoping that compomotive come up with something that might work.

Cheers, Simmo

[peter g]

Hi Simmo,
Yes I understood that was the case with the Compomotive rims, hopefully a solution can be found. I opted for the 20" wheels with the new car on the basis that there was little choice in 19" tyres and that the distance between the rim and the road on the standard 255/55/20's is at least as much as on the standard 255/60/18's that were standard on my L322, as we used these tyres for quite a bit of our outback travel without incident. If an 18" compomotive can be found to do the job then I would fit the 265/65/18's which almost exactly match the diameter of the standard 20", so no need to go to anything oversize on the new car as in my view these would give plenty of rubber between rim & road.
JKay, another thought, you are right about the side steps, definitely a must on this vehicle due to both seat bolsters and height of car (even in low position).
Cheers
Peter

[Homestar]

Some people think the D4 rides well but 6 months on I'm still being impressed with my L322's ride on what used to be bumpy rural back-roads. I wonder how the latest L405 with 2nd gen CVDs compares with the last of the L322s though.

Yeah, I can only imagine how good it rides - my Ye olde 03 L322 is a dream to drive on crook roads compared to anything else I've driven, would love to see how much further things have come in the last 13 years. :)

Great car. :)

[Graeme]

I replaced a 2010 D4 after fitting new shocks with an almost new, last of the L322s to get CVDs for a better ride and I haven't been disappointed.

[LandyAndy]

Arent they a loverly looking vehicle.
Andrew

[Jkay]

Hi JK, good to hear from another L405 owner.
Mine is a white TDV6 Vogue, which I have had for 9 months and 11k so far.
Re the seats, it is all a matter of where you, are my heated seats and steering wheel are brilliant at the snow.
The engine in mine is the June 15 update 199Kw I think, disappointed they don't fit the 225kw to this car, but I guess they wouldn't sell a lot of V8's if they did that. Apart from the cost saving I went for the TDV6 on the basis that I hope to be able to fit 18"wheels for more reliable outback travel. Hopefully Gordon at GOE will be able to come up with the mods needed for this car and the L494.
I am really happy with the performance of this engine, easily tows 1.6 tonne van with good overtaking ability. Economy on trips to Mt Buller between 7.2 and 7.5 L/100k dependent on load in car, and observance of speed limits !
Of course the most outstanding feature of this car is the ride, it is really a significant step up from the L322, I had my L322 for 11 years and major outback trips with it included Ghan track to Alice springs, Gulf road, Cobourg Peninsula, cape York and Kimberley, and we were very happy with the ride. Particularly when compared with my earlier D1. However after just from a few trips on local unsealed roads, I am sure the L405 is significantly better, love the "wafty" ride. Some may think it a little too wafty for European autobahns etc, however we dont have many roads of that standard in Oz,particularly Vic which I think has the lowest roadbuilding standards here. To my mind the RR ride much better suits our conditions here than the BMW etc, particularly if you venture outback.
So to any L322 owners wondering about the difference, I suggest a test drive, could be expensive though !
On the negative side the rear seats do not fold up to extend the rear loadspace, the backs simply fold over on top of the seats, a bit of a pain when you want to transport something bulky.
For the L322 guys I have just listed in marketplace, driveline and suspension sections some spares from my L322, (I had originally planned to keep it for much longer, but obviously no regrets about the changeover).
Cheers, Peter


I also hear the TDV6 is much more refined than the SDV8, but I've never driven one.
White was my second choice and had it not been for the fact my last 3/4 cars were white, my Range Rover may have been white too

Glad you have no regrets moving over to an L405

[Jkay]

And thanks DrFox1969.

Hope you're enjoying the new Range Rover Sport and all she has to offer!

[harlie]

Jk, That's a fantastic looking car - the side steps finish it off IMO...




....
....

particularly Vic which I think has the lowest roadbuilding standards here.
....

No way Peter - we, up here in QLD know how to patch a road so it so bloody rough it's not funny.

Have to agree on the heated seats, in QLD they don't get used often but they are nice in winter, when we remember they are there

[CSBrisie]

Jkay, is this car now the one for sale on Carsales? Cheers

[CSBrisie]

Jkay, is this car now the one for sale on Carsales? Cheers

[SBD4]

Jkay, is this car now the one for sale on Carsales? Cheers
hmmm... looks like it is, I wonder what has happened.

[Graeme]

He's upgraded to a faster car - a 911 Turbo, according to his post on fullfatrr.

[rar110]

Wow. Nice to have that capacity.

[Graeme]

Better than changed circumstances reducing available capacity, although they are just transport that can be substituted.

[SBD4]

Maybe he should have gone for the SVR if he was after that sort of drive, it might have scratched that itch. Still, not in the league of the Porsche.

[Pickles2]

"911 Turbo"?...Dream car,...more so a "Turbo S", but at $500K it will definitely always be a dream.
Pickles.

[Road Stone]

WOW!

To everything!

[BobD]

I just bought a 2013 L405 Vogue with 42,000km on the clock to use for touring and towing, leaving the D4 for the really rough and scratchy stuff. Mine is a TDV6 but the power delivery is nothing like my D4, which has lag and flat spots etc. The Vogue engine is brilliant and with over 600kg less than my heavy, well optioned D4, it feels heaps more powerful.

Interestingly, it has more road noise than the D4 and more engine exhaust noise. For road noise it seems to be about half way between the D4 and my DS. The suspension and comfort is way better than the D4, even with 20 inch wheels. The 8 speed transmission instead of the 6 speed is fantastic.

It is just getting fitted out with a UHF radio, Tow Pro Elite trailer braking, Anderson plug running off the main battery and a dual battery system in the rear for other electrical loads, at Osborne Autospark today.

[GregMilner]

I just bought a 2013 L405 Vogue with 42,000km on the clock to use for touring and towing, leaving the D4 for the really rough and scratchy stuff. Mine is a TDV6 but the power delivery is nothing like my D4, which has lag and flat spots etc. The Vogue engine is brilliant and with over 600kg less than my heavy, well optioned D4, it feels heaps more powerful.

Interestingly, it has more road noise than the D4 and more engine exhaust noise. For road noise it seems to be about half way between the D4 and my DS. The suspension and comfort is way better than the D4, even with 20 inch wheels. The 8 speed transmission instead of the 6 speed is fantastic.

It is just getting fitted out with a UHF radio, Tow Pro Elite trailer braking, Anderson plug running off the main battery and a dual battery system in the rear for other electrical loads, at Osborne Autospark today.

Strewth Bob, you're certainly coming up in the world:-)

[BobD]

Yeah, I thought you would be interested Greg! I had a bit of a brain fade but still not quite what you would get since it is out of warranty.

My D4 is worth very little now since it has high km and is beaten up, so I will use it occasionally when I'm too scared to damage the RR.

[GregMilner]

Ah Bob, swallow a teaspoon of cement and harden up. Get that new toy out on some gnarly roads and rough it up a little:-)

[rar110]

Wow Bob. [emoji106]
I love the TDV8 but the L405 tdv6 has a lot going for it by all accounts. Is it still a belt change at 165,000?
How about some pics.

[BobD]

Yeah, I still haven't put up pics of my D4 or DS yet. Everyone who sees it reckons it looks great so I will have to work out how to put pics up!

Apparently mine cost $190,000 four years ago with the options it has. Cost me just under $120,000, which is still a fair chunk of money, but it was one of the cheapest in Australia on Carsales. Most are V8s and cost upwards of $20,000 more for higher km. I like the TDV6 because it is 200kg lighter than the V8 and still has more than enough power and refinement. No way its worth the money though!! I'd hate to pay the new price.

Greg, it will get plenty roughed up, don't worry. I just don't want to scratch it too much yet as it has an expensive paint colour and currently looks immaculate, unlike my D4. I just took it for a drive on a rough track in the hills near us to get some dust on it.

I will create another thread and put some photos up soon, I hope.

[Graeme]

Congratulations Bob! Scratching paintwork on such vehicles is hard to accept. I think that my L322 got its first scratches a week ago climbing a goat track to repair a radio repeater tower but I can't really tell because its not been washed, not that I recall anyway.

[rar110]

That’s about a 12% depreciation rate for your L405. Over a longer term the L322 seems to depreciate on average about 15-20% pa in comparison.

Owners talk about the L405 feeling more nimble and lighter. I don’t know if that’s because of the suspension or weight loss.

Is the rear shocks on the L405 outside the air spring like on the L322?

[BobD]

Yes, external shocks with small external reservoirs near the bottom.

[rar110]

CVD type. That would help the ride.

[rar110]

Bob does the L405 tdv6 require a belt change at 160,000km?

[BobD]

Timing belt, yes, (not sure of exact km) but no mention of the fuel pump belt in the service schedule in the manual or Topix that I could find.

It also has thermo fans instead of a belt driven viscous fan, which seems pretty good. The coolant temperature goes down on a steep hill after a small rise at the bottom of the hill whereas my D4 temperature rises all the way up the hill as the fan gradually increases in speed with increased temperature. Should run cooler when towing on that basis. GAP has just given me a special firmware version for the TDV6 because they didn't include it in their compatibility list for the GAPIID and it wouldn't monitor any engine functions. I haven't monitored the temp while towing yet, just on a steep hill near me which is harder than towing on the flat.