Fruit Added to My RRV

[BobD]

I just got Osborne Park Autospark to fit out my new to me 2013 TDV6 Vogue for touring. They added a dual battery system with 105AH AGM behind the left side cover in the boot, Anderson plug with direct feed from the battery under the spare wheel, Tow Pro Elite trailer brake unit and UHF radio with a custom stainless steel antenna bracket under the front grill.

For those interested there are some photos on their Facebook page of my car.

I now just need to sort out some extra fuel capacity. I will probably go for a 40l Boab double jerry can arrangement for those times when I am towing on remote trips. I want to keep this car light, unlike my D4 which is very heavy and uses way more fuel than the L405.

[peter g]

Hi Bob, Saw the pics, looks like a very professional installation. I tried to buy a battery kit from the same outfit about 18 months ago, but they didn't respond to my messages. Fortunately they posted some very good pics of their first installation in WA and I was able to copy, it all fits and works well, just have to take care when removing and refitting the side panels.
You chose the same spot to mount the UHF as I did, it was the only spot I could come up with that didn't mess up the appearance of the car. I mounted the aerial higher than you, fitted to the top front frame under the bonnet, a bracket comes out thru one of the top holes in the grille. This lets me use a stub aerial which seems to do everything I want. Like you I need a bit more fuel capacity, dropping the 100l tank was a mistake. I find the economy great when not towing, however as soon as you hook up to a trailer, economy heads back towards the old TD6 figures. The 8 speed box is a good fit for the car only but doesn't work as well when towing, spends a lot more time in 6 & 7. Like you, I will make do with a couple of Jerry cans.
Cheers, Peter

[BobD]

Peter,

I towed my 2.3t Kimberley Karavan to Hamelin Bay over the weekend and I was very pleasantly surprised with the good fuel consumption. The car has been doing around 9 to 10 l/100km driving around Perth since I bought it a couple of weeks ago and averaged about 12.7 l/100km towing, compared with 16 for my D4 with the same engine. The only issue was that I needed to fill up in Karridale whereas with my huge tanks in the D4 I don't need to. However, it only took 57l for the 450km I did getting there and driving around for half a day.

[CSBrisie]

Is the 105l tank used in SDV8 only?

[BobD]

Is the 105l tank used in SDV8 only?

Yes on the 2013 model. Currently only on the Petrol engines I think.

[BobD]

I added Llams to my car over the weekend using the kit for the L494 Sport which also suits the L405.

It all works well so far. For ease of fitment and to minimize any drilling into expensive parts I installed the switch in the small plastic panel just in front of the drivers door with the cable running under the sills from the control unit behind the rear right panel in the boot. I can see it, it is out of the way and I can just reach it at a stretch, if I need to, while driving in a safe place.

I also ordered a set of Nitto Grappler 275 55R20 tyres from TyreSales.

When I pulled the panel off I also found the UHF radio mounted on the pillar behind it by Osborne AutoSpark. What a great place to hide it away. The only item visible is a cat5 connector to plug the mike/speaker into located on the centre console next to the seat. I just store the mike in the centre bin and plug it in when I need to use it.

[CSBrisie]

Sounds fantastic BobD - you are building the ultimate L405!

[peter g]

Hi Bob,
When you get the new rubber, I would be interested to know the increase in "Rim to Road" height you get. When I fitted the 275/55/20's I got an increase of 10 mm as best as I could measure. Also being interested in Llams myself I would be interested to know how the body/suspension clearances work out with the larger tyres and lower low positions.
Cheers, Peter

[BobD]

Based on the size it would increase radius by just over 10 mm. I haven’t measured before or after. Nothing rubbing at any height that Llams will get to and the spare fits perfectly as well.

So far they are also very quiet as well. There is a very slight whine but you have to listen hard to hear it. They are just as I had hoped but will no doubt get louder as they wear.

[Graeme]

Not that 275/55R20 is much larger then standard, at least with the L405/L494/L462 auto lowering to access height for an ABS-reported fault can be over-ridden by the driver.

[CSBrisie]

Bob, I’ve sold my L322 2012 and will look to buy a MY17 SDV8 with ediff etc. I will set it up like yours I suspect perhaps adding the Riva under body protection plates too. Any issues so far with your car and the mods done by OP Auto? Cheers

[Gregz]

Bob, I’ve sold my L322 2012 and will look to buy a MY17 SDV8 with ediff etc. I will set it up like yours I suspect perhaps adding the Riva under body protection plates too. Any issues so far with your car and the mods done by OP Auto? Cheers

Hi CSBrisie, if I was going for L405 sdv8 I would also look at MY16 . MY17 has add-blue in Australia and also smaller fuel tank, 86l as opposed to 105l . But MY17 does have the upgraded screen in its favour. Happy hunting [bigsmile1]

[CSBrisie]

Thanks mate - I thought MY17 had the larger tank and it was dropped for 18 - appreciate the update on this; bloody Carsales letting me down again.

Is that the same with L494 - 105l now only in the SCV8?

cheers

[rar110]

Bob, I’ve sold my L322 2012 and will look to buy a MY17 SDV8 with ediff etc. I will set it up like yours I suspect perhaps adding the Riva under body protection plates too. Any issues so far with your car and the mods done by OP Auto? Cheers

Maybe I could buy the L405 off you in 5 years.
I like your specs. No adblue would be good. [emoji1]

[CSBrisie]

😂 that’s exactly what the Buyer said to me

[BobD]

Bob, I’ve sold my L322 2012 and will look to buy a MY17 SDV8 with ediff etc. I will set it up like yours I suspect perhaps adding the Riva under body protection plates too. Any issues so far with your car and the mods done by OP Auto? Cheers

No issues with the mods. They have been perfect and I love the larger and tougher tyres.

I have had three issues, two of which should have been fixed under warranty by the previous owner. The dealer laughed when I suggested that they fix the known problems now, nearly five years after it was built!

I had a leaking O Ring on the coolant pipe connection to the block under the left side EGR valve. There was a drip of coolant every day on the diff but no loss of level over several months. The used car warranty fixed that, thank goodness, because it was not cheap!

I had the juddering transfer case issue, which is listed in Topix with a fix. I showed the local Indi the Topix information and they fixed it for me. The calibration can be out from the factory which prematurely ages the oil. A TC oil change and recalibration and it is perfect now.

I also had the leaking front shocks issue, which is also on Topix and was affecting the 2013 model in the UK after about 10,000 miles. The car won't lower due to too much restriction and starts to raise to a higher level. You have to really coax it to go down driving forwards and backwards and definitely no handbrake. It is also much more bouncy at the front end. According to Topix this is caused by leaking front shocks, which was the case with mine. They tipped a lot of oil out of the RH front shock when they had a look at it!

The Indi got new shocks for me and the bounciness has gone and the car lowers properly. The good thing is that they are only $800 each plus GST, even from LR Australia, which is not bad for the whole air strut assembly and CVD shocks, especially when compared to the non CVD D4 strut assemblies.

The car is fantastic now, even though it was great before!

I got the TDV6 which is incredibly powerful compared with the SDV6 D4. It is by far the lightest version of the Vogue (200kg lighter than the TDV8) and has fantastic fuel consumption as well. I wanted the absolute lightest Range Rover after owning the way too heavy D4 that I still have and the lightest version is the TDV6. The only negative for me was the lack of an ediff. However, I have found it is actually better than the D4 with ediff in every situation I have put it through, so it doesn't matter in the least in the real world!

I get around 8l/100km (measured), even around town, which is slightly better than my Ingenium Discovery Sport doing the same sort of driving. I was getting 13 or 14 in the D4 6 speed. Towing my 2.4 t Kimberley Karavan I get around 12 to 13 l/100km, compared with the D4 at 16 to 17. I don't even need a larger tank due the reduced fuel consumption.

I couldn't be happier now that I have fixed the problems that should have been fixed before anyway, if the previous owner had any sense at all. Maybe they were the reason that he sold it so cheaply at very low km, to my benefit!

[CSBrisie]

Thanks heaps Bob - I will look seriously at the 190kw SDV6 too. Especially now the SDV8 gets an 86l fuel tank from MY17 onwards.

[rar110]

Great thread Bob. I know what you mean about the TR algorithms on later models. I drove through a rutted section on Fraser 1st with my 2008 L322 then my sister’s 2015 D4 both with open diffs, she has the 8 speed. The D4 did it with even more ease and less hesitation. The lighter alloy line up would be better again.

The prices of the L405 are certainly coming down to an affordable level. An MY14 TDV6 with 110,000km just sold for about $85k, which was a great buy for someone. The TDV6 L405 certainly sounds like nice vehicle.

[CSBrisie]

New stuff added:

Redarc DCDC
Redarc dual battery guage
LED module (on off switch on steering column schroud)
TowPro elite
Switch button on steering wheel shroud for "momentary" battery link in case of flat battery
GME UHF
Anderson plugs to rear; 12 PIN plug
Custom DBS with custom leather trim to hide battery
12V plug in rear hard wired to 2nd battery
2 a 12V in rear cargo (opposite side - 1 x Engel plus)

All by Autospark Osborne Park WA.





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[BobD]

Good to see he put the vent back into the panel. I was a bit worried about it because he told me he wasn't going to put it in the new trim panel. I told him he should get it fitted because they don't put a vent that size into the side panels for nothing and it could affect ventilation as well as cooling of the electronic gear in that area. What he has done looks good.

[CSBrisie]

Thanks Bob, much appreciated mate!! I'm over your way 2-4 November if you have time to say Hi.
cheers
Chris

[Graeme]

Good to see he put the vent back into the panel. I was a bit worried about it because he told me he wasn't going to put it in the new trim panel. I told him he should get it fitted because they don't put a vent that size into the side panels for nothing and it could affect ventilation as well as cooling of the electronic gear in that area. What he has done looks good.Isn't that vent used to get air out of the cabin, 1 each side and through to the external vents and therefore very necessary?

[CSBrisie]

Thanks Graeme, Now Doubly happy Bob visited and suggested Autospark incorporate the vent into the new custom trim!!!
cheers

[BobD]

Yes, that's what I thought and what I told Tim. He was doubtful since the rear air con is on the other side but I reckoned it was not for the rear air but for normal ventilation. Anyway, he has put the original vent back in, although the cloth will reduce the air flow. Easy to remove the cloth though if there are any problems.

[BobD]

Thanks Bob, much appreciated mate!! I'm over your way 2-4 November if you have time to say Hi.
cheers
Chris

It was pure luck that I was there trying to see how they could fit driving lights, so my timing was spot on! In the end the driving lights are too hard so I will keep the standard ones. They are good enough for most driving but not as good as LED driving lights.

Happy to catch up with you. I will send you a PM. Are you planning on driving back on a permit or just coming to inspect the car before taking delivery?

[CSBrisie]

Just visiting (work) - car will be on a truck by then (I hope!)
cheers

[BobD]

Chris,

Is the car meeting your expectations or do you wish you had stuck with the L322?

Mine is lovely to drive compared with my D4. My son's V8 Petrol D3 gets close, however, with its smooth and quiet engine, although they do always want to travel in my L405 rather than their D3!

[CSBrisie]

Yes, awesome. Everything the 4.4SDV8 L322 was - and more; Love the quietness - double glazed windows! Incredibly comfortable despite 22's (20's will be on the list soon); Economical - 7.5l/100 touring, around 10.5 in stop start traffic. Lots of fancy features like lane departure warning and assist; autonomous emergency braking etc Heads up display; In Control Apps, the list is endless - some I'll never use, others I really like. Overall, a magnificent cruising car. Off to Adelaide / Victor Harbor with the family (BNE-ADL) on the 20th so that will be a good test over 5000kms or so.
cheers

[Graeme]

I assume therefore that your L322 didn't have double-glazed windows, which my AB has and is also very quiet, initially seeming strange not hearing other vehicles but now taken for granted.

[BobD]

I don't think my basic spec Vogue has double glazed windows, or at least they look the same as any other window. How does a double glazed window work in a car? I assume that they must be extra thick.

[rar110]

Air gap between panes?

[CSBrisie]

My L322 MY12 Luxury didn't have them. Glass-air-glass; VERY thick.
BTW, very happy with Autospark's work on the car - everything "factory look"; neat and tidy.
cheers

[rar110]

Chris, what year and spec is the L405?

[Graeme]

Mine's glass doesn't appear to have an air gap, only laminated with a tint layer between the 2 glass layers which may be standard for at least MY11/12.

[CSBrisie]

Mine is a MY17 Vogue SE; ex Land Rover Executive vehicle, so huge option list fitted. Pretty much everything the Autobiography has, plus e-diff.

Today's challenge has been to get HomeLink (auto garage door opener in rear view mirror) to work - no go so far despite even watching US YouTube instructions.
regards

[rar110]

I can’t read it but it’s a bloody long list.

Is the L405 SE like the L322 Luxury, just in terms of differentiation of spec levels? It seems to be the spec sought after.

The L405 new car owners take a big depreciation hit. A 2 year old L405 in carsales looks like its depreciated about $80k. Which is great for us used Lux car buyers.

[Geedublya]

Mine is a MY17 Vogue SE; ex Land Rover Executive vehicle, so huge option list fitted. Pretty much everything the Autobiography has, plus e-diff.

Today's challenge has been to get HomeLink (auto garage door opener in rear view mirror) to work - no go so far despite even watching US YouTube instructions.
regards

As far as I can tell homelink can’t work in Australia as our garage doors use completely different frequencies. I don’t know why it is an option.
Mine has it as well and I spent a fair bit of time following the instructions and then did some research.

[Graeme]

Its now legal to use both 315 MHz and 433 MHz low power in Australia so perhaps you can replace your garage door receiver to use the same frequency as the car uses, assuming the different frequency is the cause and that it is more difficult to replace the car's transmitter. I chose 315 Mhz for a wirelsss transmitter/receiver for use at my house in the vicinity of where the car is parked to avoid any possibility of conflicts with the car's 433 Mhz central locking.

[CSBrisie]

Ok that’s interesting- frequencies- thanks All!

Re price - agree entirely; mine (yes, SE is like old Luxury) was $250k plus in mid 2017 - I paid $170k with 8k on the clock and 12 months old
Cheers

[rar110]

Wow.

8,000km is a new car. Still to have a proper oil change.