I have a pottentially strange question.....

Aside from the options between a 2013 SE/XS and a HSE, are there any real mechanical or other differences between them?

Before you say.. What is this guy on . I live in Australia, and I can option an SE to almost exact specifications to a HSE Lux. The only real difference is that I can't get the Windsor leather which I can live without. My point is that the SE prices a bit cheaper with options I want that almost matches a HSE lux.

My concern however, is that the HSE Lux be a slightly different beast? I am sure I read somewhere that the older HSE had better soundproofing over the lesser models. Can anyone confirm this on the new model. Are there any other differences you can think of?

Good point. I am not sure that there are different levels of sound insulation but I doubt it. I think HSE Lux also has unique wheels but they work just the same!

Another factor will be the resale value; when you come to dispose of a top spec XS, it will still be an XS and therefore worth less than an HSE of the same age. Options and accessories will make your car more saleable than a (competitive) base XS but proabably won't get you the full return on your extras. Gone... 2013 XS TD4 Manual Firenze Red
Gone... 2008 (09MY) XS Td4 Manual Stornaway Grey
Prior... 2003 G4 Discovery 2, 1998 Disco 1 and 1997 Disco 1 Company car before that
Also gone in Nov'13, after 7.5 yrs, to new owners with time for more TLC - 1980 Series III 88
Current 2015 Discovery Sport HSE 2.0

Cheers Chris , over here our SE model can have every same option as the HSE lux model including the 2 tone 19" wheels. the only difference is the absence of Windsor leather, though I hear what you say about resale value HSE Lux

if you can afford it just go for the hse lux depends on whether you want to keep it for more than 3 years, personally if i was buying new and intending to keep it i'd get top spec and run it into the ground after 10 years or so it wouldn't owe you anything

Mechanically and structurally they are the same its just the mod cons inside When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car

chrisdeeming wrote:

if you can afford it just go for the hse lux depends on whether you want to keep it for more than 3 years, personally if i was buying new and intending to keep it i'd get top spec and run it into the ground after 10 years or so it wouldn't owe you anything

Mechanically and structurally they are the same its just the mod cons inside

I think you have talked me into the HSE... No doubt you all work for Land Rover

i wish then i could have a company car  When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car

iain cooper wrote:

chrisdeeming wrote:

if you can afford it just go for the hse lux depends on whether you want to keep it for more than 3 years, personally if i was buying new and intending to keep it i'd get top spec and run it into the ground after 10 years or so it wouldn't owe you anything

Mechanically and structurally they are the same its just the mod cons inside

I would agree, can't beat the HSE for comfort and has everything you will ever need.

Iain