L405 FFRR V8 Diesel 2014

L405 FFRR V8 Diesel 2014

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Jon-Baker M5

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Tuesday 21st April 2020
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Hi all,

During lockdown I have placed a holding deposit on a 2014 RR V8 Diesel AB.

Just wanted to hear some owners perspectives on running one of these as its been a few years since we have had a RR in the family. Previously owned a 2005 RRS Supercharged for 6 years.

Any guidance on things to look for when collecting the vehicle also welcomed.

Thanks.

Shrimpvende

895 posts

99 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2020
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My dad has had his L405 TDV8 AB since 2016. Overall it's been a good car and fairly reliable, BUT hasn't been without problems.

It's been mainly free from niggles, warning lights and random episodes of stuff not working properly that lots of owners report, however the issues it has had have been big.

1 - Suspension failure about 2 weeks into ownership requiring a new compressor
2 - Turbo actuator - speaking to the LR assist recovery guy and the dealership this seems to be more common than you'd think. It was an engine out job and about a £6k bill (warranty thankfully)
3 - Now the bonnet won't open. Really annoying, feels like the cable may have snapped. No idea why or how this has happened

In addition to the above, it had an expensive service last year at around 35k miles. Suspension bushes and brake parts needed replacing which cost around £2k at the dealer. These cars are very heavy so eat these parts (and tyres!).

His car was bought from a LR dealer with the 2 year warranty, which has been extended every year since. It does seem like it's been a good car compared to some of the horror stories I've seen online (and heard in person) especially as it's not used that often and is often left standing for long periods without a charger.

Jon-Baker M5

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for the heads up.

I've got to interrogate the service history and any warranty work that has been done before I go to drive the car (after lockdown).

Am hoping it all checks out as I cant wait to waft about in one of these.

memzy88

90 posts

96 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2020
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Great car and amazing value for money these days. Done over 60k miles, simply nothing can replace it in the market.

V8 models has dynamic adaptive anti-roll bars which improves handling massively. However pre August 2014 models has design fault. See the below topic.

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

Also had steering rack replaced under warranty.

Both faults occured when I first got it but since then its been faultless.

CornishRob

256 posts

141 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
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All big LRs seem best when they are driven a lot. They don’t like to sit about.

The FFRR is a great looking car

buddyspire

32 posts

148 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
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Had a 2015 since last October been great, only issue is a small water leak. Had the oil cooler changed under warranty but still seems to be leaking a little, waiting on current situation to end before getting it looked at. Best car, love driving it, same spec V8 AB

Jon-Baker M5

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Monday 27th April 2020
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Thanks all - confirmed my thoughts that this is the right path to go down and given me a few things to look out for on collection.

swisstoni

18,125 posts

286 months

Monday 27th April 2020
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I’ve had a 2015 Autobiography from new.
It was perfect for the first 3 years. But around the 30k mark started to develop a judder when manoeuvring a low speed.
To cut a long story short (and it was a long story) it resulted in a replacement transfer box.
This was covered by extended warranty but would have cost about £6k retail.

Investigating this issue was compromised by the foam sound deadening in one of the Continental Contisilent tyres coming loose inside the tyre and unbalancing the tyre at random!
A real pain to get to the bottom of that

Finally the telematics unit obviously didn’t like the car sitting around for weeks doing nothing and decided to pack up. Another £1k retail for the warranty company to suck up.

In summary, a car with a limo-like ride and of course legendary abilities, the surface of which most people will never scratch. Lots to like about it. But I’m afraid the £1k a year extended warranty cost is a bit of a bargain considering what happened last year - about £8k of work on a 35k car.

Owners of other expensive marques will have similar stories, no doubt. But the absolute rock solidity of the first 3 years made the 4th a bit of a shock.