Velar P380 HSE
Discussion
New thread as perhaps the vagueness of another SUV titled post didn't warrant any interest... Maybe an indication to the 3.0 supercharged V6 might get a little more curiosity...?
This had to stop!
A serial car swapper, I'm sure (I hope) like many of you, every time I decide upon the next car I convince myself this will be a keeper. Although when I say keeper I mean at least a couple of years.
At 44 years old and having kept my 5th car (at 25yrs old), a lovely E46 325Ci for 7 years, this is my (I think) 34th car.
God only knows how much money I've lost (not going to work it out), and with the missus tiring of the constant hours lost to the classifieds and changing scenery on the drive, which is always accompanied by a host of additional purchases, cleaning equipment, boot liners, new mats etc... Something had to give.
Usually after 6 months or so, the itch starts, and around November '24 after 7 months in my 440i GC it started again. This time around I actually gave some thought as to why this might be happening, and after a good deal of pondering the light bulb moment (I hope) happened. There was a pattern. If we go back over the last 4 years it becomes fairly obvious;
440i Coupe
Touraeg
630i
D300 Velar
G30 540i
G05 X5
440i GC
I want petrol and driver focused, I need bigger, more comfort and family focused. This is boring I want another fast petrol that makes a nice noise. My back is killing me putting the little'n in the back of a coupe, the missus is moaning it's too cramped (she's probably right), I need a family car.
You get the picture. I needed something that had at least half a foot in each camp.
Browsing the classifieds with an understanding that I didn't have an astronomical budget, which meant there would always be a hefty compromise, I looked at all manner of SUV's and fast estates. Despite the fact an estate is more likely to drive better, I do enjoy the higher up position an SUV offers and, again despite the boring yet very competent D300 engine, I really did enjoy the looks and ownership of the Velar.
Wanting to also remove myself from the death loop that is PCP (especially given my tendency to swap), and armed this time with a much larger than usual deposit (Circa 80% of the chosen cars value), I set my sights on the car that I'll hopefully keep a good few years!
At this juncture we'll defer to other side of the driveway and doff my cap to the old faithful. For the last few years and during a time that other cars have been and gone without much of a fuss, this old workhorse has remained as loyally brilliant as it has been completely inappropriate in this modern world.
Introducing my dog and dump truck, a 2001 Grand Cherokee 4.0 Limited
This old girl was primarily used for tip runs and ferrying the dogs about however, such has been its charm that a short while back I treated it to a bit of a mid life spruce up with new brakes and tyres, along with a host of service items under the bonnet (oil, filters, plugs, water pump, thermostat, belt, tensioner etc). Also had a rusty down pipe section on the exhaust (you can't find one for love nor money) cut out and repaired. Doing Circa 20K miles a year, I wanted to split my annual mileage between this and the new chariot so as to not kill the new keeper. There's also the added bonus of complete liberation when parking in supermarket and multi story car parks without fear of damage.
This love and affection has duly been rewarded.
Now back to the main content. Taking it straight off the table, I wanted the SVR, but this would have meant bigger finance and already ruinous economy of the Jeep meant it wouldn't work.
Quite why it's called an Si6 when it's badged a P380 I find odd but, none the less being a particularly rare model the choice available seemed to hover at around 10-15 cars for sale at any one time.
They all appeared pretty well spec'd but this one in particular with only 43K miles covered, a full LR history and host of options stood out. At over 200 miles away up in Preston, a detailed conversation and text exchange with the supplying dealer gave me the confidence to make the trip up.
Starring at a 6 hour train journey and a the thick end of £200 in travel expenses, I deferred to the local Hire Car company who, for half that amount supplied me with a brand new Vauxhall Combo van to drive up to their depot in Preston where said dealer collected me from.
You get an instant feel for these things, especially when you swap cars as much as I do, and within seconds I knew it'd been thoroughly pampered by its 2 previous owners. I wouldn't need alternate transport home.
The journey back to Berkshire was unremarkable due in part to horrendous traffic but mostly the weather, save the odd smile when I got to nudge it a little and listen to my first experience of ownership accompanied by a supercharger whine.
Spec wise it's got a lot. Silicone Silver, Premium Meridian 1600W surround sound, full panoramic, apparently quite rare HUD, heated/cooled massage seats, and for me at least a step away from the usual coal hole interior.
Immediately after purchase I took it to a great bunch of guys at SLR in Hazelmere who along with an Oil service gave it a once over with their 'new owner' inspection service which thankfully came back with an all clear, save 2-3mm tread across all tyres.
A not insignificant amount of pounds later she's shod with 4 new P Zero's and gets down the road lovely.
The internet tells me the media system will pack up, the air suspension will stop working, all of the door handles will stop working and the coolant hoses will explode rendering the engine useless. I've checked the coolant daily and it's holding, door mechanisms all good but will attack hinge mechanisms with lithium grease. Suspension goes up and down as should (lowers when parked/switched off), and while the radio works there's not much I can do!!
We'll see how I get on.
Yes it's had a new boot liner and LR rubber over mats!
This had to stop!
A serial car swapper, I'm sure (I hope) like many of you, every time I decide upon the next car I convince myself this will be a keeper. Although when I say keeper I mean at least a couple of years.
At 44 years old and having kept my 5th car (at 25yrs old), a lovely E46 325Ci for 7 years, this is my (I think) 34th car.
God only knows how much money I've lost (not going to work it out), and with the missus tiring of the constant hours lost to the classifieds and changing scenery on the drive, which is always accompanied by a host of additional purchases, cleaning equipment, boot liners, new mats etc... Something had to give.
Usually after 6 months or so, the itch starts, and around November '24 after 7 months in my 440i GC it started again. This time around I actually gave some thought as to why this might be happening, and after a good deal of pondering the light bulb moment (I hope) happened. There was a pattern. If we go back over the last 4 years it becomes fairly obvious;
440i Coupe
Touraeg
630i
D300 Velar
G30 540i
G05 X5
440i GC
I want petrol and driver focused, I need bigger, more comfort and family focused. This is boring I want another fast petrol that makes a nice noise. My back is killing me putting the little'n in the back of a coupe, the missus is moaning it's too cramped (she's probably right), I need a family car.
You get the picture. I needed something that had at least half a foot in each camp.
Browsing the classifieds with an understanding that I didn't have an astronomical budget, which meant there would always be a hefty compromise, I looked at all manner of SUV's and fast estates. Despite the fact an estate is more likely to drive better, I do enjoy the higher up position an SUV offers and, again despite the boring yet very competent D300 engine, I really did enjoy the looks and ownership of the Velar.
Wanting to also remove myself from the death loop that is PCP (especially given my tendency to swap), and armed this time with a much larger than usual deposit (Circa 80% of the chosen cars value), I set my sights on the car that I'll hopefully keep a good few years!
At this juncture we'll defer to other side of the driveway and doff my cap to the old faithful. For the last few years and during a time that other cars have been and gone without much of a fuss, this old workhorse has remained as loyally brilliant as it has been completely inappropriate in this modern world.
Introducing my dog and dump truck, a 2001 Grand Cherokee 4.0 Limited
This old girl was primarily used for tip runs and ferrying the dogs about however, such has been its charm that a short while back I treated it to a bit of a mid life spruce up with new brakes and tyres, along with a host of service items under the bonnet (oil, filters, plugs, water pump, thermostat, belt, tensioner etc). Also had a rusty down pipe section on the exhaust (you can't find one for love nor money) cut out and repaired. Doing Circa 20K miles a year, I wanted to split my annual mileage between this and the new chariot so as to not kill the new keeper. There's also the added bonus of complete liberation when parking in supermarket and multi story car parks without fear of damage.
This love and affection has duly been rewarded.
Now back to the main content. Taking it straight off the table, I wanted the SVR, but this would have meant bigger finance and already ruinous economy of the Jeep meant it wouldn't work.
Quite why it's called an Si6 when it's badged a P380 I find odd but, none the less being a particularly rare model the choice available seemed to hover at around 10-15 cars for sale at any one time.
They all appeared pretty well spec'd but this one in particular with only 43K miles covered, a full LR history and host of options stood out. At over 200 miles away up in Preston, a detailed conversation and text exchange with the supplying dealer gave me the confidence to make the trip up.
Starring at a 6 hour train journey and a the thick end of £200 in travel expenses, I deferred to the local Hire Car company who, for half that amount supplied me with a brand new Vauxhall Combo van to drive up to their depot in Preston where said dealer collected me from.
You get an instant feel for these things, especially when you swap cars as much as I do, and within seconds I knew it'd been thoroughly pampered by its 2 previous owners. I wouldn't need alternate transport home.
The journey back to Berkshire was unremarkable due in part to horrendous traffic but mostly the weather, save the odd smile when I got to nudge it a little and listen to my first experience of ownership accompanied by a supercharger whine.
Spec wise it's got a lot. Silicone Silver, Premium Meridian 1600W surround sound, full panoramic, apparently quite rare HUD, heated/cooled massage seats, and for me at least a step away from the usual coal hole interior.
Immediately after purchase I took it to a great bunch of guys at SLR in Hazelmere who along with an Oil service gave it a once over with their 'new owner' inspection service which thankfully came back with an all clear, save 2-3mm tread across all tyres.
A not insignificant amount of pounds later she's shod with 4 new P Zero's and gets down the road lovely.
The internet tells me the media system will pack up, the air suspension will stop working, all of the door handles will stop working and the coolant hoses will explode rendering the engine useless. I've checked the coolant daily and it's holding, door mechanisms all good but will attack hinge mechanisms with lithium grease. Suspension goes up and down as should (lowers when parked/switched off), and while the radio works there's not much I can do!!
We'll see how I get on.
Yes it's had a new boot liner and LR rubber over mats!
Lovely cars. I think they are one of the nicest looking SUVs inside and out and they drive very nicely too, while still being able to fit into a regular parking space.
I hope yours behaves better than ours did, and that your local dealers are less
ish than ours. But you presumably are a good distance away from Coventry so you should be safe 
I hope yours behaves better than ours did, and that your local dealers are less
ish than ours. But you presumably are a good distance away from Coventry so you should be safe 
In 2020 I was loaned a Velar P400 whilst the dealer did some cosmetic work on my used RRS I had just purchased. It was brand new and I think list price was £91k. I kept it for 4 weeks and nearly a 1000 miles. It was a fantastic car. Worthy of the Range Rover badge ( I’m looking at you Evoque) and monumentally fast and capable. I think the Velar is a stunning piece of design.
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