Range Rover l405 4.4SDV8

[mattlovescars93]

Hi all, off to look at a 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4SDV8 tomorrow, it’s only done 51k and last service has had suspension pumps replaced and a rear diff service.

I’ve been through the buyers guide but just wanted to know from real life owners anything I should be checking? With all the toys would you check every individual function works? Ie all heated/cooled seats?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[shiversaint]

I would suggest checking everything until your patience runs out, in order of stuff you are most likely to use to least likely to use. Anything that doesn't work is likely to not be cheap. Stuff you may not think to check are soft close doors, electric towbar if it has one, cooled seats, heated steering wheel, all the various cameras the car has...stuff like that. AKA options you may not have experienced before but will be expensive to fix. Is it approved used? If so you can probably be a bit less diligent although Landrover aren't exactly known for their customer service.

The SDV8 lump is pretty good, it's quite a low mileage for the age so assuming services are up to date you should be fine. It should probably have had a transfer case fluid change by now. Rear diff only is fine, I don't believe the service schedule demands the front diff fluid being done as it's under much less strain, but it's still an option.

At this stage a transmission fluid change is probably a good preventative idea, FYI.

Their reputation is deserved though. I love mine.

edit: given the suspension pumps have been changed (this is not a maintenance item, it would have been a fault), make sure the car moves up and down properly using the switches by the gear knob. Also put it into low range mode using the "Lo" button near the off-road controller knob.

Edited by shiversaint on Monday 17th January 15:17

[Walter Sobchak]

Also just to let you know that they weren’t Euro 6 compliant and thus ULEZ free until a 65 reg, something to bear in mind if it’s a 15.

[Brett748]

Walter Sobchak said:

Also just to let you know that they weren’t Euro 6 compliant and thus ULEZ free until a 65 reg, something to bear in mind if it’s a 15.

I wouldn’t touch an expensive car that wasn’t ULEZ with the clean air zones popping up everywhere. The non-ULEZ models will depreciate much faster I strongly suspect.

[shiversaint]

Brett748 said:

I wouldn’t touch an expensive car that wasn’t ULEZ with the clean air zones popping up everywhere. The non-ULEZ models will depreciate much faster I strongly suspect.

I think you are scaremongering a bit, there isn't a ULEZ/Euro 6 emissions restriction outside of london yet is there?

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-1...

Some cities are just charging cars to exist, like the congestion charge. Not the same thing.

[Walter Sobchak]

Brett748 said:

I wouldn’t touch an expensive car that wasn’t ULEZ with the clean air zones popping up everywhere. The non-ULEZ models will depreciate much faster I strongly suspect.

Same, I’d not be spending £35k plus on a car that wasn’t ULEZ complaint.
If the non ULEZ ones were a lot cheaper I’d definitely buy one instead because I hate going to London anyway so it’s just another excuse to at least not have to drive there.

[lost in espace]

Having bought an L322 in the freezing cold, I would make sure it is inside or out of the weather. And take about 2 hours to crawl and test everything, there is so much to check because they are so complicated and big.

[samoht]

Personally if I was spending that sort of money on a complex, reputedly unreliable car at six years old, I'd probably try and see if there was a Land Rover specialist nearby who could do a pre-purchase inspection for you.

shiversaint said:

I think you are scaremongering a bit, there isn't a ULEZ/Euro 6 emissions restriction outside of london yet is there?

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-1...

That's the problem though - if you buy an expensive Euro 5 diesel now when it's just London and Birmingham, and sell it in three to five years' time when most big cities have them, then there's the risk of disproportionate depreciation. Albeit predictions are hard, especially about the future.
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-1...

[cayman-black]

Lovely car let us know how you get on. As another poster says the later 15 cars have the low road tax.
More info here. fullfatrr.com

[Stick Legs]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

My own experience.

Delighted with mine even with a little cooling leak which is due to be sorted soon!

[mattlovescars93]

Thanks all for your input! Spent a good 30 minutes just pressing every button and checking every single electrical component today, everything worked flawlessly! Checked all suspension modes, rose quickly and dropped perfectly. Took it for 30 min test drive on a variety of roads, and I’ve fallen for the FFRR charm I’m afraid! Deposit left, a few bits for the dealer to address, brake pads and disks all round, not worn but have a slight lip.

Regards to ULEZ completely understand but I would never drive into London for a trip so makes no difference to my life whatsoever and I’m pretty sure the vast majority of people feel the same, not once had a conversation with someone who’s talked about the ulez zone.

Fingers crossed for delivery on Saturday, off on a country walk and lunch with some friends in the afternoon so it should be quite fitting haha. Will do a readers car post next week

[samoht]

^ great stuff, sounds like you've given it a good once over, if everything you can see / touch / try is perfect then that's generally a pretty good indication the rest of it is in ok condition too. Enjoy!