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JP_

Member Since: 24 Jun 2025
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 8

2014 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Aintree Green

2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 Aintree Green

After a long-standing hankering, the itch has finally been scratched. Here's my newly acquired L405 in Aintree Green with a tan leather interior, which is my personal dream specification. 130k miles, heaps of service history (including original bill of sale) no MOT and predictably - a few issues.

I actually bumped into 4RRS from this forum after an unplanned visit from his Airedale terrier, he and I live an almost literal stone’s throw away from one another. He urged me to join so here we are.

Plan is to dive into the deep end and do a thorough service of all fluids and a front to back refresh of suspension components as it feels loose on the road (no evidence of lower control arms or ACE bushes in its life) to hopefully stand me in good stead for daily duties.

Initial issues in no particular order:

1. There's also no heat in the cabin; however, research suggests there's a valve that isolates the fuel burning heater/heater matrix from the main cooling system that fails and sticks shut.
2. The “soft plastic” coating on the interior buttons has failed and gone sticky to touch which makes my skin crawl so I’ll need to address that. I did try to wipe over with isopropyl alcohol but ended up removing the white button detail.
3. Ride quality. There aren’t codes for anything suspension related, though I am aware of the TSB relating to the dynamic response valve block which I’m hoping will address the harshness of the ride. Over 50mph it appears okay, though waft it does not below 50mph.

It's dirty and in need of a jolly good cleaning (these photos are after some local fields, because why not?)

Click image to enlarge

9th Jul 2025 4:23pm

alanm_3

Member Since: 19 Feb 2011
Location: my House, unless I’m not at home, in which case I’m somewhere else.
Posts: 6839

2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

Nice colour combo! Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

9th Jul 2025 5:39pm

mjdronfield

Member Since: 04 Nov 2011
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 8002

2011 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Buckingham Blue

Welcome.

Nice one. Got the Meridian Signature hifi… that’s like a £4000 odd option if I remember right.

2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

9th Jul 2025 5:48pm

Stuart-

Member Since: 16 Dec 2017
Location: UK and Hong Kong
Posts: 410

Welcome. Very interesting and unusual interior. 2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography in black
2018 D300 SE Velar in champagne
2006 Bentley Flying Spur in silver

9th Jul 2025 5:57pm

Dolphinboy

Member Since: 07 Dec 2009
Location: Bristol
Posts: 3285

2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Baltic Blue

very nice - big fan of green.

Like the wheels. can you confirm what size they are and the type? (am looking to change from my 22" turbines with winter tires)

9th Jul 2025 8:04pm

Mr Tee

Member Since: 13 Dec 2010
Location: Near Wackyjim
Posts: 2724

2019 Range Rover SVAutobiography 5.0 SC V8 Waitomo Grey

Lovely colour , can’t beat a green one 2019 SV AB Dynamic Scafel Grey

9th Jul 2025 8:10pm

Richie N

Member Since: 29 Dec 2023
Location: Kent
Posts: 434

2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Baltic Blue

Very nice 👍😎

9th Jul 2025 8:25pm

JP_

Member Since: 24 Jun 2025
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 8

Appreciate the warm welcome, folks!

alanm_3 wrote:
Nice colour combo!

The sound system is truly excellent. It took me by surprise to be honest.

Dolphinboy wrote:

very nice - big fan of green.

Like the wheels. can you confirm what size they are and the type? (am looking to change from my 22" turbines with winter tires)

They are 21" "Style 5" wheels, i believe.

10th Jul 2025 6:39am

toby1

Member Since: 24 Mar 2024
Location: West Berkshire
Posts: 315

Congratulations. Tints aside that looks great. It is a lovely colour in the sun. 2012 Vogue TDV8 in Aintree green over sand

10th Jul 2025 10:31am

JP_

Member Since: 24 Jun 2025
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 8

toby1 wrote:

Congratulations. Tints aside that looks great. It is a lovely colour in the sun.

Thank you. It certainly needs a good detail to bring it back to life but it's not high on the list of priorities just yet. I agree on the tints, would much prefer factory clear glass but the factory tint will have to suffice on the basis that I don't dislike it enough to source & change to clear glass

10th Jul 2025 10:54am

4RRS

Member Since: 13 Apr 2022
Location: Crudgington
Posts: 462

2016 Range Rover SVAutobiography SDV8 Corris Grey

Re: 2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 Aintree Green

JP_ wrote:

I actually bumped into 4RRS from this forum after an unplanned visit from his Airedale terrier, he and I live an almost literal stone’s throw away from one another. He urged me to join so here we are.

Glad you made it onto the site, hopefully Charlie hasn't visited recently as all his escape routes are now blocked!

With regards to the loss of heating, had that problem and definitely the divertor valve on the bottom of the FBH, easy job, arch liner out, decouple the FBH exhaust and then remove from the top.

When you get to tackle the lower arms etc. give me a shout as I have the genuine JLR ball joint remover, it certainly makes the job easier!!

You'll find this useful (if you haven't got it already): -

https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.com/p...and-rover/

Regards

Mike L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

10th Jul 2025 10:57am

JP_

Member Since: 24 Jun 2025
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 8

First on the list was an oil flush. The 18k schedule on these cars is lunacy – so I’ll be changing every 5k miles for peace of mind.

Click image to enlarge

Drained and refilled the engine oil, ran the engine up to operating temperature, then drained it again. Replaced the oil filter once more and completed the final refill with fresh oil.

Click image to enlarge

Next up were the air filters. Notably, one was significantly dirtier—presumably because one turbo handles most of the workload during normal operation, with the secondary turbo engaging only under higher engine demand.

Click image to enlarge

Cabin filter replacement—complete with a complimentary leaf. The blower motor was clogged with dried foliage, so a thorough vacuum and wipe-down were definitely needed.

Click image to enlarge

Fuel filter replacement—true to tradition, I managed to get diesel just about everywhere

It was definitely due for a change; the fuel that backflushed from it was noticeably dirty.

Click image to enlarge

As 4RRS suggested, it was indeed the diverter valve on the back of the FBH. Sorry for the lack of pictures here, I got a little too focussed and taking pictures completely slipped my mind. Not a terrible job & not really required in this weather, but essential for the winter months.

Click image to enlarge

The state of the undertray before

Click image to enlarge

And after

Click image to enlarge

Along with a picture of the state of the undercarriage (to be addressed!)

10th Jul 2025 11:58am

JP_

Member Since: 24 Jun 2025
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 8

Re: 2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 Aintree Green

4RRS wrote:
JP_ wrote:

I actually bumped into 4RRS from this forum after an unplanned visit from his Airedale terrier, he and I live an almost literal stone’s throw away from one another. He urged me to join so here we are.

Glad you made it onto the site, hopefully Charlie hasn't visited recently as all his escape routes are now blocked!

With regards to the loss of heating, had that problem and definitely the divertor valve on the bottom of the FBH, easy job, arch liner out, decouple the FBH exhaust and then remove from the top.

When you get to tackle the lower arms etc. give me a shout as I have the genuine JLR ball joint remover, it certainly makes the job easier!!

You'll find this useful (if you haven't got it already): -

https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.com/p...and-rover/

Regards

Mike

Thanks for the offer of the equipment, Mike - very kind of you. I actually have a couple more updates that I haven’t written up yet, one of them including the lower arms. Fortunately, I had a hydraulic ball joint splitter that made light work of the job. Also, thank you for the parts diagram, always very handy.

10th Jul 2025 10:22pm

4RRS

Member Since: 13 Apr 2022
Location: Crudgington
Posts: 462

I saw it on axle stands the other week when I passed by and figured you maybe doing them - everyone has to!! L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

10th Jul 2025 10:27pm

JP_

Member Since: 24 Jun 2025
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 8

Evening folks. Had another few hours on the car this week
Found this epic bulge in the sidewall. Dutifully replaced with the same PCNS Pirelli Scorpion

Click image to enlarge

Jacked up & wheel off

Click image to enlarge

Bush condition – you can see the crazing/wear here. I could twist the arm here and see the movement in the bush

Click image to enlarge

Old vs new Lemforder items

Click image to enlarge

Interestingly, the rearmost front arm was the original unit from the car, still sporting the dated sticker that coincides with the vehicle production date

Click image to enlarge

Confirmation of removed OEM cast markings

Click image to enlarge

Helper for the day alongside a boot full of

Click image to enlarge

Down with the ACE bar

Click image to enlarge

Here you can see the rusted mating surface of the ACE bar, followed by the resultant damage to the bush

Click image to enlarge

Hit with some emery cloth to remove the high spots & reassembled with no lubrication, as per the workshop manual. Apologies, forgot to grab an “assembled” picture

Click image to enlarge

Brake discs & pads. Discs have a fair lip on them. Not terrible, but certainly worth doing.

Click image to enlarge

Brembo discs & pads

Click image to enlarge

New Brake pad fitting kit. Can you spot the missing item?

Click image to enlarge

All back together & buttoned up. Not too strenuous & luckily not super seized.

Click image to enlarge

With the front tyre being damaged, I turned my attention to the spare

Click image to enlarge

Cleaned up – not perfect, but a marked improvement

Click image to enlarge

Also gave the wheel well a quick going over with the vacuum

Click image to enlarge

Then had to hit the rear quarters

Click image to enlarge

And with that, we’re in a bit of a better place. It’s certainly much tighter & more precise on the road now – especially after laser alignment. The ride hasn’t improved however, so more investigation needed there. I’m leaning towards the dampers being tired after 130k miles, so will likely get a refresh at some point.
Thanks, JP.

15th Jul 2025 6:29pm

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