RRS late L320 vs early L494
Discussion
Evening All
Owned a 2005 2.7 many years ago and considering returning to the fold
I still like the look of the original shape and was wondering from people that have run both is the newer model a significant step change vs a very late 2012/13 with the 8 speed gearbox
If I was buying an L320 I’d be looking for one with a great service history and mileage not much greater than 100k,
Sim still around thw 60/70k
Budget from 10 to 15k
If I were to step up to the new model for something with the Same mileage they appear to be 20 to 24
How is the new model better than the old ? And in your opinion worth plus £10k ?
Owned a 2005 2.7 many years ago and considering returning to the fold
I still like the look of the original shape and was wondering from people that have run both is the newer model a significant step change vs a very late 2012/13 with the 8 speed gearbox
If I was buying an L320 I’d be looking for one with a great service history and mileage not much greater than 100k,
Sim still around thw 60/70k
Budget from 10 to 15k
If I were to step up to the new model for something with the Same mileage they appear to be 20 to 24
How is the new model better than the old ? And in your opinion worth plus £10k ?
I've been looking on and off for the past few years at these, prices went a little silly through lockdown and the chip shortage. Although prices seem to be heading back to their pre 2020 levels now.
I fancy a supercharged RR. The late L320 has the 5.0 litre engine and over 500bhp.
To get into an L494 you need another £10-15k just to go a model year or so newer. Which seems a big step up IMO.
Visually I think the L320 looks better.
I've not really done any seat time in the L494 yet. But I've done quite a lot of miles in the L405 RR (with the 4.4 TDV8). Dynamically the newer model might be an improvement in some areas. But I'm not fully convinced. The L405 feels like a large, tall heavy estate car. I imagine the L494 must be similar as it uses about 98% the same major parts and platform. I really must make some effort and go and test drive one properly.
I fancy a supercharged RR. The late L320 has the 5.0 litre engine and over 500bhp.
To get into an L494 you need another £10-15k just to go a model year or so newer. Which seems a big step up IMO.
Visually I think the L320 looks better.
I've not really done any seat time in the L494 yet. But I've done quite a lot of miles in the L405 RR (with the 4.4 TDV8). Dynamically the newer model might be an improvement in some areas. But I'm not fully convinced. The L405 feels like a large, tall heavy estate car. I imagine the L494 must be similar as it uses about 98% the same major parts and platform. I really must make some effort and go and test drive one properly.
I'm currently in an early L494 Supercharged AB Dynamic after a number of years with a 2006 L320 Supercharged.
The L494 is a better car than the L320 in pretty much every single metric you can think of. It's lighter, it's quieter, it's faster, it's more dynamic, it's more economical, it's more comfortable, it's (dare I say it) more reliable.
The only downside that annoys me is that it is wider than the L320 and that can be a pain sometimes. Narrow lanes, smaller parking spots and busy city driving require more concentration than the L320 simply because of the extra width.
A few months after I bought my L494, my friend's wife purchased a 2013 SDV6 eight speed L320 in black with mag interior. It's a smart looking thing and drives beautifully with no clonks or creaks. We did have to replace the ACE front anti-roll bar bushes early on due to the common affliction of noisy squeaking, but it's been a good purchase.
However, on the road it's a dinosaur compared with my L494. Even though the cars were registered only about eight months apart you can tell it's from a different era within a short drive - and my car is an early L494.
It's definitely worth trying examples of both to determine your preference but from here the newer car is worth the outlay.
The L494 is a better car than the L320 in pretty much every single metric you can think of. It's lighter, it's quieter, it's faster, it's more dynamic, it's more economical, it's more comfortable, it's (dare I say it) more reliable.
The only downside that annoys me is that it is wider than the L320 and that can be a pain sometimes. Narrow lanes, smaller parking spots and busy city driving require more concentration than the L320 simply because of the extra width.
A few months after I bought my L494, my friend's wife purchased a 2013 SDV6 eight speed L320 in black with mag interior. It's a smart looking thing and drives beautifully with no clonks or creaks. We did have to replace the ACE front anti-roll bar bushes early on due to the common affliction of noisy squeaking, but it's been a good purchase.
However, on the road it's a dinosaur compared with my L494. Even though the cars were registered only about eight months apart you can tell it's from a different era within a short drive - and my car is an early L494.
It's definitely worth trying examples of both to determine your preference but from here the newer car is worth the outlay.
Personally I wouldn't touch the 3.0 diesel V6 in either Sport variant. 4.4TDV8 or of course the supercharged V8.
However, you need at least £23k for the 4.4TDV8 in the post 2013 versions. Most are around £25k.
As others have said, the later car is different animal. lighter, bigger and much more modern cabin. I've only driven the later L320 Sports, so can't comment on the drive of the following model.
£10-15k puts you well out of the L494. You should get the last versions though with the 8Sp gearbox and the 8Sp is known to be much more reliable than the 6Sp! Better economy too.
However, its a Land Rover, so just proceed with extreme caution in terms of running costs and reliability.
However, you need at least £23k for the 4.4TDV8 in the post 2013 versions. Most are around £25k.
As others have said, the later car is different animal. lighter, bigger and much more modern cabin. I've only driven the later L320 Sports, so can't comment on the drive of the following model.
£10-15k puts you well out of the L494. You should get the last versions though with the 8Sp gearbox and the 8Sp is known to be much more reliable than the 6Sp! Better economy too.
However, its a Land Rover, so just proceed with extreme caution in terms of running costs and reliability.
I'm in exactly the same quandary, looking for the 5.0 petrol though. I would love the L494 as lighter and less dated looking, but an extra £10k for an early car that is reputed to have very flaky electronics vs the late and theoretically honed to perfection L320...
Only thing that i'm not sure of is the boot capacity - is the L494 that much smaller that then L320? Difficult to see consistent figures in litres so guess difference in measuring style, but boot capacity is a big deal for me and needs to be at least the same as my current BMW X5 e70.
Only thing that i'm not sure of is the boot capacity - is the L494 that much smaller that then L320? Difficult to see consistent figures in litres so guess difference in measuring style, but boot capacity is a big deal for me and needs to be at least the same as my current BMW X5 e70.
drmotorsport said:
I'm in exactly the same quandary, looking for the 5.0 petrol though. I would love the L494 as lighter and less dated looking, but an extra £10k for an early car that is reputed to have very flaky electronics vs the late and theoretically honed to perfection L320...
Only thing that i'm not sure of is the boot capacity - is the L494 that much smaller that then L320? Difficult to see consistent figures in litres so guess difference in measuring style, but boot capacity is a big deal for me and needs to be at least the same as my current BMW X5 e70.
I'm pleased you added the word 'theoretically' to the sentence 'honed to perfection' regarding a Land Rover product. Only thing that i'm not sure of is the boot capacity - is the L494 that much smaller that then L320? Difficult to see consistent figures in litres so guess difference in measuring style, but boot capacity is a big deal for me and needs to be at least the same as my current BMW X5 e70.
Generally speaking I would always prefer to go for a car that is late oin in the car's model life rather than the first few years and that view is extended across all cars and not just Land Rovers.
L494 has a bigger boot than the L320 and its generally speaking a bigger car in all dimensions. The L320 is the cheapest of the 'big' RRs and tehre is a reason for that. Things evened a bit more when they launched the L494.
All comes down to money though. As previously said you need another £10-15k for a L494.
I have looked at L320s in the past but it just doesn't ticke enough boxes for me. Looks really dated in pre 09 models, especially the interior.
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff