Should I move from pre facelift L405 to post facelift L405?

Should I move from pre facelift L405 to post facelift L405?

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Babw

Original Poster:

902 posts

148 months

Friday 27th October 2023
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I have a 50k mile 5.0 L405 Autobiography. It's a late 2017 so last of the pre facelifts. It's been incredibly reliable however I've only done circa 5k miles per year since I purchased it 4 years ago.

My wife is angling for using it as her main car now she's working further afield however I'm concerned that adding 15k miles per year will quickly compound the existing wear & tear. She doesn't like the look or feel of a Cayenne. The insurance is also surprisingly the same as our current Rover.

I'm considering buying a low mileage facelifted L405 with a plan to change in 3 years. I will stick to a petrol, either the 5.0 or plug in hybrid.

Is this a terrible idea? I'm reading reliability of the facelifted trucks are below par.


SmithCorona

635 posts

31 months

Friday 27th October 2023
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Have you got a 2017 with the updated In Control TP Duo with android auto and carplay? Or a 2017 with the previous ICT? That is the only upgrade I can think of that is worth it.

I have had both, multiple times. After my 2019 p400e facelift I went for...a very late pre-facelift 5.0 S/C with ICTP.

Because: the seats are better, the lower control physical switches are better, the rear bench is smaller so there is more leg room, and the rear exhaust valance doesn't get damaged by rocks and grass like it does on the facelift.

Your use case may vary, but to me the facelift felt less range rover and more luxury car. I do think the rear lights are better on the facelift though.

Vsix and Vtec

688 posts

20 months

Friday 27th October 2023
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I found driving my L322 it pretty much (apart from fuel) cost the same irrespective of low or high mileage. Brakes are used at the beginning and end of the journey when you get into town, so not much difference to just local driving. The engine doesn't even acknowledge the existence of things like hills, so again, a cruise along the motorway is nothing to it.

If it's reliable and in good shape, I'd keep it. Much better to have a known quantity than starting again with someone elses castoff

LooneyTunes

6,949 posts

160 months

Friday 27th October 2023
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Babw said:
I'm considering buying a low mileage facelifted L405 with a plan to change in 3 years. I will stick to a petrol, either the 5.0 or plug in hybrid.

Is this a terrible idea? I'm reading reliability of the facelifted trucks are below par.
My 2019 5.0 has never broken down or suffered any notable issue in 45k miles. Currently intend to run it for a good while yet.

Friend had the PHEV. As a country dweller he found it to be total crap as not enough range to do anything useful and a wheezy engine lacked refinement. Probably a good car if you are more urban and can run on battery. The tow bar option (fixed plate) also looked terrible but he needed it for the bike rack. He bought later than me, and has already got rid into an L460.

The L405 facelift is pretty good but the nav/entertainment system start up is really quite poor. You can’t climb in, hit the button, and set your destination or make a call straight away.

ETA: the boot is smaller on the PHEV and the “standard” executive rear seats make it smaller on both. There was a rear seat option with less recline that saves a lot of space if that’s important to you.

Babw

Original Poster:

902 posts

148 months

Friday 27th October 2023
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Good feedback so far.

Mine is the late pre facelift with CarPlay etc I am loathed to get a hybrid so will likely stay with the 5.0 engine but such is life that the old truck is now starting to look dated both interiorly and exteriorly.

The temptation to jump into the post facelift until the L460 becomes established and the prices settle.

I have a Jeep Wrangler for off-road duties so it doesn’t bother me too much about impracticalities of that aspect. However the slow start up would be very frustrating, I remember our old ‘15 RRS having an awful interface.

Best go try one before doing my usual buying sight unseen.

I probably will go for it as I don’t fancy having an 80k mile truck in 2 years which will be a lot less attractive to buyers.

Babw

Original Poster:

902 posts

148 months

Wednesday 15th November 2023
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Managed to get an excellent px value for my AB L405 against an 8k miles facelift.

First impressions are :

The seats are so much more comfortable, the leather is softer and even the massage function is better.

The interior in function works really well, the haptic steering wheel buttons are at least as good as previously.

The pixel LED headlights are a huge improvement on the bi xenon’s.

Door cards look a little cluttered with the buttons but I’m not much more inclined to adjust them, had a tough squash session last night and I’ve made some minor adjustments to compensate where as previously adjusting blindly was frustrating.

The heads up display is infinitely better with things such as radar cruise distance adjustments showing.

Had the Méridian signature previously but not on this one. Not an audiophile and this sounds just as good.

Overall I wish I had done it sooner, it’s a big step up for my use.

cayman-black

12,710 posts

218 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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Congratulations Badw they are lovely cars, enjoy.