Your fleet running reports

[Maurice]

So - as it turns out - I'll likely be in a position to clear off the residual loan on the 911 a year in advance. On that basis another auto-mo-bile may be on the cards in the near future...

I'd only be interested in upgrading the 911 for a manual 991.1 GTS and basically they're as rare as hens teeth, are commanding 70-80k and I can't bring myself to pay 991.1 GT3 prices for one. So the likely choice is something more practical for lugging bikes (and maybe, one day, a dog) and dawdling around in 20mph zones. It also has the benefit of a much higher "WAF" than, say, buying a Gallardo.

Growing up in a Land Rover/Porsche family I'm realistically only considering a Range Rover. I like the current generation Sport much much more than the previous version but they're still ten a penny compared to the much rarer full fat rangeys and have an inescapable whiff of chav about them. If you're going to do something do it properly, etc.

It also has to be petrol as I'm a committed diesel-phobe. The question (and point of this rambling post) is that for my intended budget it then comes down to a 7 year old 5.0 supercharged Autobiography or a 3ish year old 3.0 supercharged V6 Vogue SE. As I'm pretty certain you do not need faster than mid 7 seconds to 62 in a a 2.5 tonne barge I'm strongly leaning towards the latter given it has the newer tech and should be noticeably fresher and in better condition.

Does anyone have experience of the V6s to be able to offer an opinion?

They’re asthmatic. Buy the 5.0 Autobiography.

[Mito Man]

So - as it turns out - I'll likely be in a position to clear off the residual loan on the 911 a year in advance. On that basis another auto-mo-bile may be on the cards in the near future...

I'd only be interested in upgrading the 911 for a manual 991.1 GTS and basically they're as rare as hens teeth, are commanding 70-80k and I can't bring myself to pay 991.1 GT3 prices for one. So the likely choice is something more practical for lugging bikes (and maybe, one day, a dog) and dawdling around in 20mph zones. It also has the benefit of a much higher "WAF" than, say, buying a Gallardo.

Growing up in a Land Rover/Porsche family I'm realistically only considering a Range Rover. I like the current generation Sport much much more than the previous version but they're still ten a penny compared to the much rarer full fat rangeys and have an inescapable whiff of chav about them. If you're going to do something do it properly, etc.

It also has to be petrol as I'm a committed diesel-phobe. The question (and point of this rambling post) is that for my intended budget it then comes down to a 7 year old 5.0 supercharged Autobiography or a 3ish year old 3.0 supercharged V6 Vogue SE. As I'm pretty certain you do not need faster than mid 7 seconds to 62 in a a 2.5 tonne barge I'm strongly leaning towards the latter given it has the newer tech and should be noticeably fresher and in better condition.

Does anyone have experience of the V6s to be able to offer an opinion?

You’re a masochist.

[GG.]

They’re asthmatic. Buy the 5.0 Autobiography.

I really don't think it would ever matter for my purposes though - it will always be either doing 20mph round town or sat on a motorway. With that usage would you really have the 7 year old car instead of the 3 year old one?

[GG.]

You’re a masochist.

Tell me something I don't know

I presume you're refering to fuel economy. No difference to the 911 so to all intents and purposes irrelevant. I also do 5k miles a year so doubly so if you take that into consideration.

[Maurice]

They’re asthmatic. Buy the 5.0 Autobiography.

I really don't think it would ever matter for my purposes though - it will always be either doing 20mph round town or sat on a motorway. With that usage would you really have the 7 year old car instead of the 3 year old one?

To be honest, I wouldn’t be buying a petrol one at all as you’ll take a bath on it regardless of engine. My old man has a 4.4 LWB Autobiography and it’s a wonderful place to be. Surprisingly frugal in the circumstances and utterly relaxing to drive or to be driven in.

[GG.]

Truth be told the modern diesels are very refined. My dad has a new Disco SDV6 and they're much less offputting that the prior derv engines. I think I'd probably be more likely to go for a 2017 (i.e. interior facelifted) diesel than a 2013 5.0.

Maybe I just need to drive them back to back to really come to a conclusion.

[McSwede]

and have an inescapable whiff of chav about them.

Bang on the money there!!

[Maurice]

Think that’s completely fair, the 2017MY seemed to be quite a step up from the prior model, particularly in relation to reliability and the infotainment system was quite a leap on too.

I do keep toying with the idea of them myself, but might just try and lowball offer my old man when he gets bored with his.

[16vCento]

Surely buy a Macan Turbo and have the best of both worlds?

3.0 SC I'd be looking at an F Pace rather than a Range Rover or even a Velar. FFRR is OK with the 3.0, but you don't go anywhere even slightly quickly unless in full flight mode.

My 16 year old S60 is significantly quicker than one in a straight line with 300+ hp and a dim witted Autobox, so it will feel asthmatic coming out of a 911 I imagine!

0-60 is a very unrealistic indicator of performance in these, its quick due to grip from a standing start and short gear ratios, 60-100 the weight and drag really starts showing, and over 100 they're not great at all.

If you're happy to meander about at low revs then get a diesel, feel much quicker due to the torque, loads better on fuel and you don't have to see 6000 RPM every time you want to get past something.

[Jobbo]

I’d say go for a Cayenne, personally. At least test drive one.

Not sure a FFRR parked on the street in South London gives off the old money vibes you have in mind, GG

Every now and again I consider a Velar but then I remember I wouldn’t buy a JLR product.

[Mito Man]

If you’re buying a 3 year old Range Rover with a proper warranty that you keep up then it would be alright I guess.
The trouble is there’s no alternative to a FFRR unless you go for a Cullinan.

[ZedLeg]

I’d be more tempted by the TDV8 than the supercharged V8 tbh. The latter always seemed like the one you picked for top trumps bragging rights rather than what works in the car best.

The diesel has enough power and loads of torque right where you want it for smoking around in a big comfy car.

[V8Granite]

They’re rather big so if parking can be a pain then think carefully.

We had one as a hire car while ours was in and it was a huge step up in quality over the previous shape, you really could
Feel the huge weight drop.

Macon, F pace etc is in a totally different size range. Also Macans seem to have their fare share of problems too.

So buy a classic Range Rover, smaller, cooler, old money charm.

Dave!

[McSwede]

You’re a masochist.

Tell me something I don't know

I presume you're refering to fuel economy. No difference to the 911 so to all intents and purposes irrelevant. I also do 5k miles a year so doubly so if you take that into consideration.

How about Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT??

[Beany]

You’re a masochist.

Tell me something I don't know

I presume you're refering to fuel economy. No difference to the 911 so to all intents and purposes irrelevant. I also do 5k miles a year so doubly so if you take that into consideration.

How about Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT??

Why not pour bleach into your eyes and pull your own fingernails out with pliers?

[McSwede]

Tell me something I don't know

I presume you're refering to fuel economy. No difference to the 911 so to all intents and purposes irrelevant. I also do 5k miles a year so doubly so if you take that into consideration.

How about Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT??

Why not pour bleach into your eyes and pull your own fingernails out with pliers?

That's a little extreme old chap! They appeal to my inner hooligan

[Beany]

You inner hooligan is a tasteless monster.

Good work

[mik]

A few weeks back we fitted a new exhaust to eldest miklet’s vehicle. Unfortunately the main pipe was fused to the cat - removal caused the sealing face on the cat side (a metal annulus to provide a seat) to partially rip off. After a top bodge attempt, we bought a new cat....

Fitted today.

Images of the contents of the new cat vs the old below.

He got this a year ago with a fresh MOT. Looking at the history, it originally failed for emissions amongst other things....

I am sure that no dodgy deals were done at that time...

New cat



Old cat

[Mito Man]

How the feck does that happen

[Beany]

Ah, reminds of when the cat imploded on the Puma and basically meant anything above 3000rpm was a fantasy

Felt like a rocketship after it was replaced