I've scoured the internet for this one.
For the owners of the Octa, did you notice a big difference in performance and suspension after reaching the break in mileage for your Octa?
( Approx 700km /435 miles)
Was there a significant change in the engine responsiveness, torque feel, exhaust note?
Thank you.

 

I am at 5000 miles and just noticed a gradual performance/responsiveness as the car has loosened up but never felt a sudden step change in any of the modes as soon as I hit a certain mileage. The exhaust is nicely louder as well now it is fully run in.

 

The difference from new/15 miles, to unrestricted is actually quite significant.

Do you have one and at low miles still or just curious ?

However, the exhaust will never be as nice as the 5.0 SC V8. We also have a, since new, 2008 Audi S4 avant 6mt, which is a naturally aspirated 4.2 V8, with an APR full exhaust system, and the Range Rover sounds almost as good.

The OCTA is nowhere near those unfortunately, but the engine delivery itself does in fact make up for it in actual performance.

Just remember, "octa mode" is NOT for pavement, but off-pavement because it is "looser" in certain dynamics that are beneficial off road but less good on-road than the "white" "Dynamic" mode, or first stage button.

Then, using on road Dynamic, plus "sport shift", really makes it a hoot of a drive.

 

Thank you for the info.
I don't own one yet, but am actively researching the performance of the Octa from real owners with some miles on the vehicle.
When you mentioned the V8, did you mean the P500 or P525?

What is your opinion of your V8 vs the Octa?
Is the Octa worth the 40 or 50 difference? I know there is the engine and 6D suspension, but is there a diminshing rate of return with what the Octa offers?

A little background about my quest.
I sold two Porsches because the roads and congestion where I live is horrible, (Northern Virginia/ DC).

I've had other performance cars with V8s and the VW's VR6.
I'm looking for that type of performance, with a V8, that only LR seems to offer, I'm not interested in the MB brand.

The Octa could fit that bill, but I'm trying to determine if a fully loaded 110 with the V8 will be just as good.

Thank you.

 

I bet a V8 model would be just fine.

As for P500 vs P525, it doesn't really matter in my opinion. The Super charged 5.0 V8 is more or less the same to me in its slightly different variants. Even my Range Rover is not quite the same as say a standard 2017 "SC" because mine is the SV which is tuned a bit differently and has the "Dynamic" suspension stuff.

Within the Defenders, I am not an expert on when they were P525 vs P500 and in which versions or years. For example, I am fairly certain that the 110 gets a slightly higher tuned version than the 130 builds, but they both still growl and go about the same unless you're testing on a timed track.

The OCTA is considerably faster but has less audible growl due to how the turbo engine is set up. For comparison, one of the most amazing sounding V8's in a high end car that I've heard was the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 in the Mercedes sedan around 2008-2012, before the twin turbo "63" came out. I don't know why or how the BMW 4.4 V8 can't sound great because Mercedes sure figured out a glorious note for their G63 engine that is kind of to die for in terms of sounding nice for a turbo engine.

I'm curious why the Defender? Why not a Range Rover ? The Defender is annoying to get up into compared to a RR, the seats are no where near as nice, and same with the interior as a whole, not even a close comparison to even a base spec RR. Then in RR you can spec so many extras if they are important to you. Even little things like double layer 1st and 2nd row side windows and 3 layer windscreen, all of which on mine are the "solar/UV" block type. The seats in mine are the 20+ movement and have a massage function, plus the inner arm rest. The door arm rest at the window edge is nice and wide/comfortable, the entire experience is quieter and more plush.

I love them both but for me the Defender is really just a replacement for my 2007 LR3 that I've had since new and will be used for a camping build-out and off-road exploring.

The RR is for taking friends or family on day trips. I would never ask a relative to sit in the OCTA 2nd row for more than an hour or two but the backseats in the RR recline, ventilation, and generally more comfortable. The newer ones even have massage in the 2nd row and other features.

As for price comparison and "value", a V8 130 the way I spec one vs my OCTA is actually only about a $32k difference. If one is to utilize the OCTA off-road, and would otherwise be inclined to modify the standard V8 for larger tires and other things, then to me the "value" sways toward the OCTA because it is more or less, factory "modified" already. I bolted on 34" tires with 20" factory wheels with zero issues and it could easily handle 35".

From the factory It already sits a bit taller before that, but the combination results in over 3" more ground clearance than a standard Defender 110. The 34" tire alone adds 1". One could still apply an aftermarket electronic lift to gain the same amounts as can be applied to the standard Defenders so that aspect is equal.

The 6D suspension really is a step up off road in how it articulates further than the sway bar models can accommodate. So on the road, the 6D is amazing and fun but off road it loosens up so you get the best for both conditions.

The engine is actually kind of incredible - its too fast but they engineered some very good handling into the system so it doesn't feel like you're going to crash yourself out like in some vehicles with too much power. Some vehicles you put a 100 lb tire and wheel on and you feel the change in the handling, acceleration, and braking but in the OCTA it's almost like nothing changed. The V8 might be similar because it also has the torque and power plus great brakes.

I did not care either way about the engine, in fact, if I could have chosen a V8 130 with 6D, that is absolutely what I'd want, plus 2nd row captains chairs and an Outbound 3rd row - LOL

Lastly, some people actually really, really like the Defender interior and the OCTA seats. I'm extremely picky as well as like things how I like them, so, for ME the RR SV AB seats are better but the next person may find their back is better in the very bolstered sport design type seats in the OCTA.

Long test drives are important in making these decisions !!!

 

This is great, thank you for the comparisons.