I'm looking to buy an svr. Looking at models around the 17/18 plate, what pros and cons.
Is the 18 plate all pros, and mabe worth spending that little extra ?

The earlier car is definitely less refined.. it is more rough and ready, louder exhaust, slightly less smooth etc.
The 18 plate cars gained more power 575 instead of 550, quieter exhaust , and are equipped with better headlights, and definitely smoother and a more refined drive. The interior got an update with better dash and central console.
Spend the money to buy a later car! But before you do anything get an insurance quote! They are a madly expensive car to insure at present !

Did they fix timing chains on a certain year ?

Farmer Chalk wrote:

The earlier car is definitely less refined.. it is more rough and ready, louder exhaust, slightly less smooth etc.
The 18 plate cars gained more power 575 instead of 550, quieter exhaust , and are equipped with better headlights, and definitely smoother and a more refined drive. The interior got an update with better dash and central console.
Spend the money to buy a later car! But before you do anything get an insurance quote! They are a madly expensive car to insure at present !

I was quite surprised, the general feel of the interior of pre 18 never gave me that wow feeling, the seats looked low quality leather compared to my 06 model. The 18 plate definatly looked and felt higher quality.

I’m now on my 4th L494 having had a 3.0 diesel, 5.0 Autobiography, a 17 plate SVR and now a 20 plate SVR.. all have been superb in their own right.. I use mine for work and thus do high mileages.. each car was only replaced due to 70,000+ miles each…
My current 20 plate is the rare British Racing Green and I can honestly say I have never had so many people stop and tell me how gorgeous it looks.. currently in a dilemma as I don’t know what next car is going to be..
Cannot justify the £160k price of the new SV or come to think of it the insurance.. this car has been totally reliable and without doubt the best car I have ever owned.. they are superb!

Taken ours to Italy on holiday twice and at the end of the 2 weeks just wanted to turn around and do it all again! Beautiful car, stunning performance… a big tear in my eye when it finally has to go!

Do it.. you won’t regret it…

Another question, been looking at 18/19 models, I've noticed on some of the blue ones, in and around the inside of the doors,some are blue,some are black, is this normal.
Also, whats the spec on the cold climate pack, is it just heated seats. What pack are the air conditioned seats in ?
Can the centre cooler be easily retro fitted ?

I don’t know for sure, but cold climate pack may include:

Heated windscreen
Heated steering wheel.
Heated washer jets

On the 21 model, the cold climate pack wasn't available on the SVR.
https://www.landrover.co.uk/content/dam/lr...829367.pdf

I would guess that people advertising SVRs in the second hand market don't really know the difference between the various packs. But if it does have a cold climate pack, it's probably stuff like extra large washer bottle, cabin pre-conditioning, i.e. stuff that's normally an option on other models. Heated windscreen, heated seats, etc., are all standard stuff on RRS anyway. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I recommend Driver Assist Pack and upgraded sound system  2020 SVR / R.I.P. 2019 SVR / 2016 D4 Landmark / 2005 D3 HSE

1700w definatly on my list

If you're worried about the hifi, you probably don't need to worry about the LR stuff. Concentrate on the BMW/Audi spec and you'll be fine.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed