Was going to trade my late 62 reg sdv6 Autobiography in the other day for a newer L494 or L405 with the 2018 later infotainment system but the salesman talked me out of a L405 saying I'm to young for that and should stick with a sport. Next thing they suggested as I only do max of 5k miles a year I should look at a v8 petrol over a diesel which soon turned in to a lovely 17 plate SVR in blue but it's still on the older infotainment system and a 2018 svr model is a big jump in price and more than I could afford.

My car is immaculate and only 43k miles with fsh but I got bored and wanted something newer and was originally looking at a 2018 on 4.4 SDV8 diesel in Autobiography trim which was obtainable just within max budget.
With all the crank snapping scare monggering over the Sdv6 I thought this would be a safer bet.

I don't need a SVR but would love one but worry the novelty of the power and noise would soon wear off and then I've got a older car with the old spec interior compared to staying with a diesel to the point is it worth holding on for prices to drop for a svr with Touchpro Duo infotainment and later spec interior ?

Is the 2018 spec Touchpro Duo a big improvement other than looks as it's a very tidy looking interior, would a 2017 infotainment system and interior of a svr feel dated quickly to the point a 2018 4.4 SDV8 autobiography would be a better purchase ? 2017 SVR. SVO Scafell grey Ebony interior
2012 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography santorini black with ebony/cirrus interior. Gone

I’ve owned the 2014/2015 FFRR 3 tdv6 and then 2017, 2018 and 2019 Svrs.

Interms of the infotainment the duo screen is worlds apart from the older system, although the 2017 system wasn’t terrible it was certainly full of bugs . I don’t use the new system Entirely other then Apple car play , but it’s a definite step up.

Obviously the Svr is lots of fun and it’s addictive noise wise , whether you d tire of the theatre of it all no one say ,

As for a Toss up between a my17 svr and a my18 sdv6 - I d always go for the newer car , it will be more desirable to the mass market when the time comes to move it on, if you consider the svr has a very niche audience already, that number will be even smaller for an older model .

Best of luck whatever you decide and let us know!

Regards

James 2019 Svr and 2019 R35 GTR

If the duo is the climate touch display I wouldn’t get too excited

I’ve heard of slow response and the controls crashing

I have heard the same thing with people saying it takes ages to load up and screens going blank while driving and having to switch the car off to re-boot the system but never had anything like that when test driving so didn't know if it was a software issue on early cars.

I'm starting to think keeping my L320 might be the wise choice as it may look dated now but don't have any issues with screens and no finance to pay each month which I would have if I upgrade it now rather than waiting 12 months. 2017 SVR. SVO Scafell grey Ebony interior
2012 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography santorini black with ebony/cirrus interior. Gone

Andy K wrote:

If the duo is the climate touch display I wouldn’t get too excited

I’ve heard of slow response and the controls crashing

To my mind.... the updated InControl Duo was worth the upgrade. It's a significant improvement over all the previous versions and in my mind, is much more visibly striking in a car of this value. It certainly makes my wife's 2017 car seem poor by comparison.

I'm on my second RRS with Duo, and never had an issue. it's not the fastest on start up, but to be fair, by the time I am ready to move off, it's all good to go.

As for the SVR, as other comments, i'd go for the newer car, but if it's an itch you need to scratch...Don't let anyone stop you.
I love mine, it's an amazing car, but there is no real justification for it if you are driven by the numbers. But, personally, i'd buy the diesel and wait for a MY2019 car to drop into budget. Now
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2022 SVR
2021 Bentley Continental GT
2020 Defender 110
2022 Defender 90 V8
Plus 16 other toys!

If you don’t fancy the Risks from running an SVR how about the very rare 3.0lt V6 S/C or an ex demo/ later plate P400E HSE D or Autobiography - the V6 was discontinued in MY2018 IIRC. Plenty of P400E’s on the approved used website as ex demo cars. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

My current RRS is a sdv6 mapped by Alive tuning and goes really well so might consider another sdv6 but with all the possibilities of snapped crank think if sticking with diesel would prefer a sdv8 but these don't seem very common In the newer 18 plate onwards cars.

P400e is of no interest as I live in a flat with no means of charging so think it will end up being a choice of sdv8 or 5.0 supercharged in svr trim or autobiography trim. 2017 SVR. SVO Scafell grey Ebony interior
2012 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography santorini black with ebony/cirrus interior. Gone

No screen issues on my 19 SVR  2020 SVR / R.I.P. 2019 SVR / 2016 D4 Landmark / 2005 D3 HSE