Suggestions - for what 4x4 if not a Defender...
Discussion
alock said:
Statistics can often be abused. Is the average Defender crash comparable to the average Jaguar S Type crash? What if most Defender crashes are at 5mph and most Jag crashes are at 60mph? The table needs more information before you can draw conclusions from it across such different vehicles.
MT is mud terrain. These usually have larger lugs, AT is all terrain, which is much more road biased.In deep fresh snow MT's work very well. However on packed snow and ice you need a tyre with sipes in (small cuts in the lugs) to work well. Normally AT's have these, but you can get MT's with them too.
The real benefit to an MT is, if you need to venture off the road, they are much better in the mud. These could even be simply climbing the verge when covered in snow to pass by an obstacle such as a stuck car.
I like the look of the Maxxis MT762 and MT764 as a proper all purpose go anywhere tyre.
http://www.maxxis.co.uk/tyres/car/4x4-suv
The Cooper STT also works well in the snow:
http://www.coopertire.co.uk/tyres/off-road-4x4/sum...
Yup am worried about rot, but I guess I"m taking a punt here. At least there are plenty of Y60 spares on eBay so worst case I can get replacement panels relatively cheaply. I already know it need a new passenger side rear window, but with 6 months MOT remaining I'd hope that the chassis is in reasonable condition. If it ends up needing some welding then my old neighbour runs a great independent garage which will do me a good deal on sorting it out.
I'll post some pics of it once I've got it home Saturday.
I'll post some pics of it once I've got it home Saturday.
Patrol made it home. It's a long old drive but everything seems to work, and only one small rust bubble on the paint on the rear arch. Chassis looks good and engine has clean oil, no coolant leaks and pulls like a train. Even the air con works (could use a re gas though). The only thing missing are the final row of seats though weirdly I have the headrests. Still - easily available on eBay from breakers. Even got all the manuals, every mot and 2 keys and the original rubber floor mats throughout...
She does need a damn good clean and tyres that match on all 4 corners and I'll treat it to new oil in the engine and new auto box fluid and coolant too next week...
She does need a damn good clean and tyres that match on all 4 corners and I'll treat it to new oil in the engine and new auto box fluid and coolant too next week...
Given it a good clean inside, and happy to discover that even the CD changer is fully functional 
Carpets in the rear are a bit threadbare, but the rest of the trim is looking pretty good, the headlining is spotless!
Next job is to remove the front / rear towbars, and work out how to remove the trailer electricity couplings so they don't dangle in the wind.
New set of Cooper ST MAX tyres arrived this morning, so once they're on I'll post up some pics.
Carpets in the rear are a bit threadbare, but the rest of the trim is looking pretty good, the headlining is spotless!
Next job is to remove the front / rear towbars, and work out how to remove the trailer electricity couplings so they don't dangle in the wind.
New set of Cooper ST MAX tyres arrived this morning, so once they're on I'll post up some pics.
mr_tony said:
I'm not saying ALL defenders are unpleasant - as I opened the thread I pointed out I rather like them. The issue for me is at the price point I want to buy (less than 5k and ideally as little as possible), I cannot find one thats comparably as nice / safe / rust free / not smelling of sheep p1ss / lacking holes in the floor / a piece of bailer twine for a door handle as I can other things, like Shoguns, Discoverys, Landcruisers etc. I suspect this is because the defender is highly prized for the image it's built up by being a great vehicle.
You hate this attitude? Its just my opinion that they are absolutely frightful cars to spend any time in. The OP said he wanted a general utility car with a decent heater and it looks like he's got one. I've used army defenders for 19 years and I'll never drive another if I can help it. Soldiers will chose anything else they can get their hands on. This is car that was outdated a long time ago. I'll agree the series 1 and 2 has a certain charm, but if I want something retro I'll go with a classic land cruiser. Defender ends production.. thank goodness, rust in pieces!
yellowstreak said:
mr_tony said:
I'm not saying ALL defenders are unpleasant - as I opened the thread I pointed out I rather like them. The issue for me is at the price point I want to buy (less than 5k and ideally as little as possible), I cannot find one thats comparably as nice / safe / rust free / not smelling of sheep p1ss / lacking holes in the floor / a piece of bailer twine for a door handle as I can other things, like Shoguns, Discoverys, Landcruisers etc. I suspect this is because the defender is highly prized for the image it's built up by being a great vehicle.
You hate this attitude? Its just my opinion that they are absolutely frightful cars to spend any time in. The OP said he wanted a general utility car with a decent heater and it looks like he's got one. I've used army defenders for 19 years and I'll never drive another if I can help it. Soldiers will chose anything else they can get their hands on. This is car that was outdated a long time ago. I'll agree the series 1 and 2 has a certain charm, but if I want something retro I'll go with a classic land cruiser. Defender ends production.. thank goodness, rust in pieces!
300bhp/ton said:
You see, I rather hate this attitude and opinion. And rather feel it's the source of why LR have ditched the Defender and gone all blingy fashion icon.
Basically you bought the wrong vehicle - period.
In a Defender you sit close to the window for two key reasons:
-to allow 3 seats across but retain a narrow body. Narrow is good off road.
-to sit you close to the window, so that when off road it is very easy to lean out and look at what the wheels are doing.
If you made it bigger to give more elbow room it would ruin what the vehicle is. Now here is the critical bit - Land Rover did listen. They did build a vehicle with more elbow room, but retain the Defenders off road ability. They called it a Discovery. Now if you want more room, buy one of these rather than moaning about the Defender.
Very sorry Mr_Tony - this is what I meant to quote! Basically you bought the wrong vehicle - period.
In a Defender you sit close to the window for two key reasons:
-to allow 3 seats across but retain a narrow body. Narrow is good off road.
-to sit you close to the window, so that when off road it is very easy to lean out and look at what the wheels are doing.
If you made it bigger to give more elbow room it would ruin what the vehicle is. Now here is the critical bit - Land Rover did listen. They did build a vehicle with more elbow room, but retain the Defenders off road ability. They called it a Discovery. Now if you want more room, buy one of these rather than moaning about the Defender.
yellowstreak said:
You hate this attitude? Its just my opinion that they are absolutely frightful cars to spend any time in. The OP said he wanted a general utility car with a decent heater and it looks like he's got one. I've used army defenders for 19 years and I'll never drive another if I can help it. Soldiers will chose anything else they can get their hands on.
This is car that was outdated a long time ago. I'll agree the series 1 and 2 has a certain charm, but if I want something retro I'll go with a classic land cruiser. Defender ends production.. thank goodness, rust in pieces!
Are you a bit dim? Just asking, because if you don't like something, it's far easier to not buy it, rather than be a baby about it throwing all your toys out of the pram.This is car that was outdated a long time ago. I'll agree the series 1 and 2 has a certain charm, but if I want something retro I'll go with a classic land cruiser. Defender ends production.. thank goodness, rust in pieces!
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