Thanks Screenwipe. I was hoping to see all 3 today on cars but only ended up seeing Carpathian. I have to say it was not the same as I thought I had seen at another dealership last week leading me to think it must have been Causeway after all (it was on a customers car with private plate). So I am in a real quandary as not sure I like Carpathian after all as it seemed a bit 'flat' for a metallic. Admittedly it was overcast (the car was in their pound) but initially I didn't believe it was Carpathian and thought it was a non metallic grey I was not aware of. It still looked nice, I am just not sure now and really need to see Mariana for real. I am encouraged by your comments about it appearing more blue than black but I have heard enough comments about Barolo being 'brown' to put me off. So off to LR Newport Pagnell on Tuesday...

Thanks also for the views on Meridian.

jim4244 wrote:

I must admit I am starting to worry about the little niggles on the L494 and am seriously looking at jumping ship to another manufacturer.......

Parish, the poor quality control issues are not helped by Land Rovers blinkered view and their denial whenever a concern is identified by an owner.

When you purchase a car for £70,000 or £80,000 you need to know that anything you highlight needs to be dealt with immediately and that customers concerns are taken seriously!

I could not agree more with those words. I often wonder if manufacturers read these forums as if LR did they would see how many customers are p****d off and that a lot of them are being unbelievably stoical and loyal about it.

For now I am trying to put all the concerns to the back of my mind while I nail the spec. But before I hand a penny over as a deposit I will be giving the dealer who ends up offering me the best deal (I am playing 3 off against each other) and the least BS, the opportunity to reassure me about the marque. If I don't get the reassurance I need I will be jumping.

Parish, I have pics of Mariana in my gallery which might help. It's def better in the flesh though. If you are ever in south Kent please pm me and I will show you mine  2014.5 Mariana Black 5.0 Supercharged V8 Autobiography

Thanks JSR that's very kind of you.