Advice: Defender 90 - TD5 vs. Puma vs. Petrol
Discussion
Hi all,
I am looking for a Defender 90 XS. It will be used between country (35%), motorway (30%) and around town (35%). Requirements are that it must be manual and have six seats. The last LR I had was an S2 4 cylinder manual which was a fantastic work horse and I am looking to return to LR.
I am still pretty early on in my research and have not driven the different models yet but any help on the following questions would be great to focus my search:
1) I have heard of companies offering a 6 seat conversion for the new 08MY Defender - does anyone have any good / bad experience or recommended companies (I am located near London end of M4) for this?
2) Are the various petrol conversions available (Overfinch, TVR, specials) reliable / better on the motorway?
3) Is the TD5 'too' noisy on the motorway (e.g. can you listen the radio easily)
4) The new model year has apparently lost the traditional vent flaps below the front wind screen, is that this correct?
5) Are the front seats in the new MY different / more comfortable?
Any help / views would be really appreciated.
Cheers
Toby
I am looking for a Defender 90 XS. It will be used between country (35%), motorway (30%) and around town (35%). Requirements are that it must be manual and have six seats. The last LR I had was an S2 4 cylinder manual which was a fantastic work horse and I am looking to return to LR.
I am still pretty early on in my research and have not driven the different models yet but any help on the following questions would be great to focus my search:
1) I have heard of companies offering a 6 seat conversion for the new 08MY Defender - does anyone have any good / bad experience or recommended companies (I am located near London end of M4) for this?
2) Are the various petrol conversions available (Overfinch, TVR, specials) reliable / better on the motorway?
3) Is the TD5 'too' noisy on the motorway (e.g. can you listen the radio easily)
4) The new model year has apparently lost the traditional vent flaps below the front wind screen, is that this correct?
5) Are the front seats in the new MY different / more comfortable?
Any help / views would be really appreciated.
Cheers
Toby
I have a TD5 90XS which I have driven between London and Switzerland numerous times. If you accept that the journey is going to be an "event" or an "expedition" then it's great, it will cruise at about 85 all day, and yes you can hear the radio
No problems around town either; good view ahead, and surprisingly small and easy to park (particularly if you adjust the steering stops a little to allow more lock to be applied - an easy diy job).
IMHO the lack of opening front vents on the latest one is a shame, sometimes it's nice to have the "ram air" into the cabin!
That said, I test drove an 08 and it's definitely a more refined vehicle but I wouldn't rule the old TD5 out, can't say I really noticed any difference in the comfort of the seats.
Enjoy it, like your Vantage it has bags of character, albeit a different character!
No problems around town either; good view ahead, and surprisingly small and easy to park (particularly if you adjust the steering stops a little to allow more lock to be applied - an easy diy job).
IMHO the lack of opening front vents on the latest one is a shame, sometimes it's nice to have the "ram air" into the cabin!
That said, I test drove an 08 and it's definitely a more refined vehicle but I wouldn't rule the old TD5 out, can't say I really noticed any difference in the comfort of the seats.
Enjoy it, like your Vantage it has bags of character, albeit a different character!
Hi Toby,
1) I have heard of companies offering a 6 seat conversion for the new 08MY Defender - does anyone have any good / bad experience or recommended companies (I am located near London end of M4) for this?
No idea on this one, but you would want to make sure it is legal.
2) Are the various petrol conversions available (Overfinch, TVR, specials) reliable / better on the motorway?
Gearing will be basically the same so probably not. There arent many petrol conversions any more
3) Is the TD5 'too' noisy on the motorway (e.g. can you listen the radio easily)
Mine is frustratingly noisy, but I could fit an overdrive, or Disco transfer gears which may improve it. I am also running 255/85 tyres so much bigger than normal. You can hear the raido but hearing your passenger in mine can be tricky!
4) The new model year has apparently lost the traditional vent flaps below the front wind screen, is that this correct?
Yes, there is still an outline but they have gone.
5) Are the front seats in the new MY different / more comfortable?
Not sure
1) I have heard of companies offering a 6 seat conversion for the new 08MY Defender - does anyone have any good / bad experience or recommended companies (I am located near London end of M4) for this?
No idea on this one, but you would want to make sure it is legal.
2) Are the various petrol conversions available (Overfinch, TVR, specials) reliable / better on the motorway?
Gearing will be basically the same so probably not. There arent many petrol conversions any more
3) Is the TD5 'too' noisy on the motorway (e.g. can you listen the radio easily)
Mine is frustratingly noisy, but I could fit an overdrive, or Disco transfer gears which may improve it. I am also running 255/85 tyres so much bigger than normal. You can hear the raido but hearing your passenger in mine can be tricky!
4) The new model year has apparently lost the traditional vent flaps below the front wind screen, is that this correct?
Yes, there is still an outline but they have gone.
5) Are the front seats in the new MY different / more comfortable?
Not sure
Edited by Psimpson7 on Friday 26th September 00:50
Edited by Psimpson7 on Friday 26th September 00:52
I think it highly unlikely that anyone does a 6 seat conversion for an 08 90,as I remember it new legislation makes it illegal to have side facing seats on new vehicles.
The new model has lost the 'ram air' flaps which is a shame but the new heating system is much better the flaps could squeak a lot on some vehicles.
The new model is much more refined on the motorway mostly due to the 6th gear and pulls very well up the 85mph cruise control!
The seats are very similar to the td5,although LR say they have been redesigned.
I have a new XS and have driven it nearly 10k miles now.Im happy with it and it is a step forward over the older models(all of which Ive had the use of over the years)
The new model has lost the 'ram air' flaps which is a shame but the new heating system is much better the flaps could squeak a lot on some vehicles.
The new model is much more refined on the motorway mostly due to the 6th gear and pulls very well up the 85mph cruise control!
The seats are very similar to the td5,although LR say they have been redesigned.
I have a new XS and have driven it nearly 10k miles now.Im happy with it and it is a step forward over the older models(all of which Ive had the use of over the years)
Hi Toby,
I haven't tried a Puma, so can't help on that but I've been running a TD5 110CSW for a year now, inc journeys up to 800 miles and am impressed. I usually cruise at 65-70 on m'ways as over that the stereo (and conversation come to think of it) is pretty pointless. However, I've heard there are some good sound deadening kits on the market which add to the comfort levels. I can't imagine being without the front vents either.
An added bonus (sheer luck in my case) is I've got a 2000 model, so it won't get clobbered with the new back-dated tax hike.
Also as mentioned earlier, if you're not towing heavy loads, a set of higher Disco transfer gears is apparently an easy and effective mod to improve cruising speeds. I'd have thought an ecu remap would also be beneficial to higher speed journeys, and I'm planning a Stage 1 as I'm told it will if anything enhance towing (big boat trailers in my case). Al
I haven't tried a Puma, so can't help on that but I've been running a TD5 110CSW for a year now, inc journeys up to 800 miles and am impressed. I usually cruise at 65-70 on m'ways as over that the stereo (and conversation come to think of it) is pretty pointless. However, I've heard there are some good sound deadening kits on the market which add to the comfort levels. I can't imagine being without the front vents either.
An added bonus (sheer luck in my case) is I've got a 2000 model, so it won't get clobbered with the new back-dated tax hike.
Also as mentioned earlier, if you're not towing heavy loads, a set of higher Disco transfer gears is apparently an easy and effective mod to improve cruising speeds. I'd have thought an ecu remap would also be beneficial to higher speed journeys, and I'm planning a Stage 1 as I'm told it will if anything enhance towing (big boat trailers in my case). Al
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