Living with a Defender
Discussion
andyxxx said:
I am on my third Defender. It has the 2.2 Puma engine.
The vehicle is a massive improvement over the earlier model in every way (the only thing I kind of miss is the primitive vents in the bulkhead which are now not possible)
My car has had the engine remapped and had loads of options fitted including soundproofing. The car is not loud on the motorway and unlike my previous models it can and is comfortably used as a daily vehicle.
The heater now does work well and the xs has heated seats and aircon.
I really can’t comment on the safety aspect of a rolled Defender compared to a rolled family hatch, but I would think in other safety comparisons (for the inhabitants not pedestrians or other road users)I would have thought it is a far safer place to be?
There are indeed bad points – very poor turning circle, rusting underside, some awful main dealers (but that is even more galling on a £85K Range Rover!)
It’s rather a shame it’s taking early retirement.
I recon you are good for a front or rear impact on a Defender, but forget any kind of side protection and roll over is terrible. Fair few pics and videos on the net to support that The vehicle is a massive improvement over the earlier model in every way (the only thing I kind of miss is the primitive vents in the bulkhead which are now not possible)
My car has had the engine remapped and had loads of options fitted including soundproofing. The car is not loud on the motorway and unlike my previous models it can and is comfortably used as a daily vehicle.
The heater now does work well and the xs has heated seats and aircon.
I really can’t comment on the safety aspect of a rolled Defender compared to a rolled family hatch, but I would think in other safety comparisons (for the inhabitants not pedestrians or other road users)I would have thought it is a far safer place to be?
There are indeed bad points – very poor turning circle, rusting underside, some awful main dealers (but that is even more galling on a £85K Range Rover!)
It’s rather a shame it’s taking early retirement.
I quite fancied a Defender, but the prices have risen so much, I think I will just have to live with my series for now
I've had a 90XS from new for a year this week as my daily driver and I love it.
Yes it's not quick and its noisy-ish (Quiter than the older models though!), but what its lacking it makes up in practicality, (well the ability to hose it down inside), character and heritage.
Mine doesn't leak and hasn't broken that much over the past year, only a few pieces of trim that detached themselves. The heater does volcanic to arctic, although not with much in-between.
If you're the sort of person that would rather take a Caterham or Morgan 3 Wheeler for a blast out in the country over a Nissan GTR then you'd probably enjoy it. If you'd rather take the Nissan then maybe its not for you.
Appreciate it for what it is and not what it isn't.
Yes it's not quick and its noisy-ish (Quiter than the older models though!), but what its lacking it makes up in practicality, (well the ability to hose it down inside), character and heritage.
Mine doesn't leak and hasn't broken that much over the past year, only a few pieces of trim that detached themselves. The heater does volcanic to arctic, although not with much in-between.
If you're the sort of person that would rather take a Caterham or Morgan 3 Wheeler for a blast out in the country over a Nissan GTR then you'd probably enjoy it. If you'd rather take the Nissan then maybe its not for you.
Appreciate it for what it is and not what it isn't.
Davel said:
And other cars avoid you because a scratch on your bumper would probably mean significant damage on their car
I actually drove in to a gobs
te neighbour of mine once, after he came charging down the road towards me, assuming I'd yield to his Focus ST (innit?)After much ranting, swearing and threats of "legal action" I asked him to explain how it could've been me......I mean after all, there wasn't a mark on my truck.
glynny said:
I've enquired about getting a new Defender 90 Station Wagon XS as my new daily, purely due to how much I love the look of them (and because I kind of live in the countryside )
Was just wondering how they are to live with day to day?
Its the only thing that is putting me off...I have test driven one and I am aware of the poor mpg and the fact it's not exactly a fun car to drive.
But I am smitten with the look of it and always desperately wanted one.
Therefore, is there anyone on here who uses theirs as a daily or can shed any personal honest opinions on the matter?
I really enjoy using mine daily. It's fun to drive - not fast, but a laugh, very different to a normal car and it goes anywhere. It's a rough, tough 4x4 that can go ANYWHERE, and has been taken EVERYWHERE. You're buying history, and it'll last forever, just waxoyl the chassis and you'll have a great car that'll go forever and take you anywhere. )Was just wondering how they are to live with day to day?
Its the only thing that is putting me off...I have test driven one and I am aware of the poor mpg and the fact it's not exactly a fun car to drive.
But I am smitten with the look of it and always desperately wanted one.
Therefore, is there anyone on here who uses theirs as a daily or can shed any personal honest opinions on the matter?
bakerstreet said:
Yes, MPG will be crap, but what do you expect?? They will leak, be noisy and the heater is a bit weak. You can add heated seats though. Seating position is quite upright and comfort will depend on how tall you are. People will come on here and say 'they are really comfortable.
I bought a new one - it's the 2.2 Puma, and I'm getting 23mpg doing mostly city driving. Its comfortable and no leaks. Not sure what old TD5's etc. are like but the new ones are golden.
Just get it, it'll make you smile.
And you'll do the all important 'look back' every time you walk away from it.
I had the new shape Range Rover Vogue, a new F-Type, a Discovery 3 and a new 110. And my wife always took the 110!!
PS... owners do a wave at each other here in Oz, it's great.
And you'll do the all important 'look back' every time you walk away from it.
I had the new shape Range Rover Vogue, a new F-Type, a Discovery 3 and a new 110. And my wife always took the 110!!
PS... owners do a wave at each other here in Oz, it's great.
douglasgdmw said:
Congratulatuons, which options did you go for? If you are not carrying anything in the back then would advise the Station Wagon rather than the Hardtop (if your budget allows) as it makes seeing out of junctions a whole load easier.
George
Went for front carpets, bulkhead deletion, Premium leather seats, and the sawtooth alloys...George
But the sawtooth alloys have run out ! So have opted for the dual finish with the Goodyear Wrangler MTR.
See you point about the SW, but will be carrying dog and gun etc...
First "full tank" fill-up on the 110 Station Wagon last night (300 TDi @ 245000 miles)
377 miles
57.62 litres
29.7 MPG
That was a mix of 50% Motorway and 50% urban
Not bad for a 2000kg truck.
Tyres are 235 R 16 General TRs, no roof rack or other extras.
The fuel gauge needle was at the start of the orange "E" bit of the gauge which I reckon works out around 20 litres useable fuel remaining.
I'd post photos but it isn't anything spectacular like an 80" or Disco Sport.
377 miles
57.62 litres
29.7 MPG
That was a mix of 50% Motorway and 50% urban
Not bad for a 2000kg truck.
Tyres are 235 R 16 General TRs, no roof rack or other extras.
The fuel gauge needle was at the start of the orange "E" bit of the gauge which I reckon works out around 20 litres useable fuel remaining.
I'd post photos but it isn't anything spectacular like an 80" or Disco Sport.
Edited by 100SRV on Thursday 30th April 11:32
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