[mavg1986]

Thanks, need to work out whether it is worth it paying an extra £6k to upgrade from my build S D180 to a SE R-Dynamic P300....

Spec wise the D180 will have all the toys I want and the style 5047 alloys I like (I have spec'd the optional sliding pan roof, driver display, better sound system), so basically a SE spec.

To jump to SE it will cost me an extra £4k which I am struggling to justify to get the same spec almost (bar the driver assistance). The dynamic on P300 is nice because of the exhaust tips...but that's £6k...

Which gets it close to the HSE which is another £8.5k or so on top of my S.

Sensibly I get all I need on the S...i could stretch to the other ones but not sure it will add much hence being a difficult decision.

Finally, I am most likely changing my colour scheme from corris grey with black roof to carpathian grey with body coloured roof, it seems that it fits the Velar very nicely the colour and it looks stunning (in pictures)...good idea?

My current spec below:

Velar S
21 5047 alloys
Pan roof
Surround sound 825w
Privacy glass
Interactive driver display
Configurable ambient light
Iphone and charge dock
Side window sunshade
Colour: corris grey with black roof (but changing to carpathian grey)

I haven't seen a carpathian non rdynamic with the 5047 wheels hence the decision being tricky at the moment

Any comments on the above?? Every little helps...

 

[Arianne]

Hello mavg1986'

These things are deeply personal but here's my contribution, since you ask.

It seems to me that there are two different issues that need resolution here. The first is the engine and the second are the options. They are linked but I think they are best initially split out (if you're going to eat an elephant best do it in bite sized chunks).

Engine. Those are two very different engines you are considering. I always think the engine is one of the most important things. Long after the initial joy of the toys with their flashing lights, ringtones and buttons has faded, you are left with the fundamental truth about all cars - the core driving experience of which a wise choice of engine is paramount. So my advice is to start with being sure about the engine. Are you happy with either engine or is one more compelling than the other?

Options. Of course, few people enjoy sitting in a base car - even if it has a fabulous engine under the bonnet. I chose the S trim as my starting point and then custom built my car up from there. The SE and HSE came with lots of things that I didn't want or need, except the badge! So I ticked the box to have the badge removed instead, saved myself money on the wrong package for me and spent my pennies on building the car I really wanted.

Now a word of caution on this approach. Residuals on PCP write off almost 100% of the cost of all options and so this can be a pretty expensive indulgence. However, if like me you buy your cars, then it's not so painful. When the time comes to sell Holly on (that's her name), I will do so privately and the options list will pull people in. I have done this before and it works well for me.

So now I have the engine I want (D300) and the toys I want (lots of things that I really value every day) at a price I could afford because I started with the S trim. I did lots of cross comparison on the configurator with the SE and HSE as a base car and then adding my essential options. But it still emerged as more expensive and then I wouldn't get the car I truly wanted either. Just the badge!

I hope that helps? Oh, just one thing...... don't forget the essential cup holder cover! Follow this link and you will see images of it, my car in Corris Grey with your preferred 21" wheels (I think) and details of how to order your cover from the guy that makes them. At £28 it's the cheapest option you can choose.

https://www.velarforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=445

Best wishes,

Arianne

 

[Joe]

The S, SE, HSE give you a discount on their included options of ≈10%. If you choose the options you want and find the same price as the next package, it is worth to take the next higher package and enjoy the options that come as a discount. If your options stay below the next higher package you skip it.

D180 and P300 are so extremely different engines that you got me wondering how you compare them. Are you sure you didn't mean D300? You want a diesel or petrol? You care for consumption? You care for the price obviously. You care for acceleration? You care for engine sound? You care for the environment and health? If you answer these questions to yourself, you should end up with the engine you need.

 

[velofixed]

Agree with Arianne - SE/ HSE only make sense if it includes the options you want and your on a PCP or lease. Otherwise better speccing it out from S. Seems a lot of the options you want aren't included even in HSE (eg pan roof) so prob better with that route.

 

[mavg1986]

Thanks all very informative and helpful.

Basically On the day to day I dont use the car much, I have an electric car for commuting hence this is a weekend car + for long journeys.... with this in mind it is difficult to decide on the engine (at least I find that).

My weekend use is about 10-15 miles per day, about 2000 miles per year.

My long journeys tend to be "long" by all standards, over 600-800 miles each way, about once/twice a year.

This is basically the use I will have. I will not PCP but do care for residuals as the amount left will pit me in the next car in the future.

I am sold on the panoramic roof, ambient light and thhe 21 alloys (thanks Arianne) and I think Carpathian will be the colour with standard roof.

Now it is just the case of deciding the engine...I agree it is a big part of the car, but it is a difficult one due to the very mixed use I have for the car....

 

[Batman]

carpathian grey, black roof, black pack and 21 inch wheels - very happy - Batmobile receives favourable comments when out - enjoy

 

[theblob]

carpathian grey, black roof, black pack and 21 inch wheels - very happy - Batmobile receives favourable comments when out - enjoy

Are those the glossy black finish rims?

 

[Batman]

Yes they are gloss black wheels to match roof and black detailing

 

[theblob]

Yes they are gloss black wheels to match roof and black detailing

I was debating between the 20" 7 spokes gloss back wheels and this one. They look great in these pics. I think I'm going with these 21" wheels now. I am just a bit concerned with the ride quality because it's bigger.

 

[mavg1986]

Crazily enough, I think I've finalised the spec, any comments noting my use?

Velar SE P250
Sliding Panoramic roof
Colour: Carpathian Grey
Interior: Light Oyster Perforated Grained Leather and Ebony Suedecloth
Privacy Glass
Wheels: 21" 5 split spoke "Style 5047"
Heated steering wheel
Configurable Ambient Internal Light
Side windows sunshade

Mavg1986

 

[Milky400]

I'm personally not a fan of the gloss black wheels, looks great with new shiney tyres, but once they start getting old grey and dull they look in my opinion bloody awful. I'd have anthracite on the TVR which I think is a far better option and the satin grey coming on the Velar.

All personal opinion of course, and luckily we are all different. Either way a stunning looking car.

 

[KRG]

I'm personally not a fan of the gloss black wheels, looks great with new shiney tyres, but once they start getting old grey and dull they look in my opinion bloody awful. I'd have anthracite on the TVR which I think is a far better option and the satin grey coming on the Velar.

All personal opinion of course, and luckily we are all different. Either way a stunning looking car.

Can't you just use tyre shine or conditioner? Mine never get dull. I use Ammo Mud out of NYC and love it. Keeps them looking new. I have the satin grey wheels as well though and love them. It's my third car with them.

https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-mud-tire-gel/

OP...the P250 is a good place to end up. It's a good in-between engine. The P300 would've been my ideal choice if t was available (I didnt want the V6), but I'm very happy with the P250.

 

[Batman]

Looked at a Velar with grey 21 inch aero wheels and then same spec Velar with black - car looked so much better with black wheels - that's why l chose black - my 25 year old TVR has polished OZ alloys and at the time many thought a mistake but they look near just as good today as when supplied in 1992!! - we all have different preferences and that's what makes life so interesting

 

[mavg1986]

Thanks, I thought really hard and didn't think I could justify the price difference between the P250 and P300...£2-3k for 0.7 seconds (0-62) seems quite steep...might regret but thought it was a sensible "in between"...6.4s seems plenty quick enough

 

[andrewhargreaves]

Regarding body colored roof -- I wouldn't go for that especially if you are having the glass sunroof. With Carpathian it might be ok, but with the lighter colors you end up with a sort of stripe of color around the roof because the glass sunroof is tinted dark, there are black side pillars, and it looks like the spoiler is partially black (might be wrong about that part). But there isn't much actual roof. Even with the darkness of Capathian in my opinion it would still look better completely black for that contrast effect. Again, if you order the glass panoramic sunroof. But still, I think there is a reason that almost every single press photo and video has the contrast roof option.

 

[theblob]

Looked at a Velar with grey 21 inch aero wheels and then same spec Velar with black - car looked so much better with black wheels - that's why l chose black - my 25 year old TVR has polished OZ alloys and at the time many thought a mistake but they look near just as good today as when supplied in 1992!! - we all have different preferences and that's what makes life so interesting

I'm not a fan of the grey/matte wheels either. I've seen them on the velars in person and they look super dull. It doesn't do the Velar any justice at all. Not only that, I think it actually ruins the beautiful design of the Velar. They have this certain unfinished look to them that just doesn't look good.