Considering a Defender 110 - whats it like to live with?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm considering a Defender 110 (7 seat variant) as the next family wagon. Looking online, it looks like a 2011 (2.2 / 2.4) model is within budget (£20 - £25K).
I currently drive a VW Caravelle for family / work duties, and that includes a fair amount of motorway miles.
My main concern is how the Defender will handle motorway cruising. I've got a works fuel card, so MPG isn't a primary issue, however noise / comfort and overtaking speeds are.
So what are they like to live with day to day, doing infrequent motorway trips? Also, how much is the annual road tax on the 2.2/2.4 Defender now (i've read some confusing posts about LR changing the V5 to utility etc)?
Thanks!
I'm considering a Defender 110 (7 seat variant) as the next family wagon. Looking online, it looks like a 2011 (2.2 / 2.4) model is within budget (£20 - £25K).
I currently drive a VW Caravelle for family / work duties, and that includes a fair amount of motorway miles.
My main concern is how the Defender will handle motorway cruising. I've got a works fuel card, so MPG isn't a primary issue, however noise / comfort and overtaking speeds are.
So what are they like to live with day to day, doing infrequent motorway trips? Also, how much is the annual road tax on the 2.2/2.4 Defender now (i've read some confusing posts about LR changing the V5 to utility etc)?
Thanks!
Slow, noisy, thirsty, uncomfortable, compromised in several areas. The final version of Defender was slightly improved in terms of interior but that was simply a case of smoothing the corners off a sixty year old farm vehicle.
If you've always really really really really really wanted a Defender then get one,
If you're looking for a genuine replacement for the VW I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
Whatever you do, please don't make the mistake of thinking it'll be a green wellied version of an X5 or Q7. It just isn't.p
That said, I've got a 90 and will never, ever part with it. They are extraordinarily useful and adaptable in a way that you won't fully understand until you own one.
On those rare Monday mornings when the UK wakes up to a foot of snow you'll suddenly have lots of friends.
If you've always really really really really really wanted a Defender then get one,
If you're looking for a genuine replacement for the VW I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
Whatever you do, please don't make the mistake of thinking it'll be a green wellied version of an X5 or Q7. It just isn't.p
That said, I've got a 90 and will never, ever part with it. They are extraordinarily useful and adaptable in a way that you won't fully understand until you own one.
On those rare Monday mornings when the UK wakes up to a foot of snow you'll suddenly have lots of friends.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 18th February 11:54
Blim_bug said:
...MPG isn't a primary issue, however noise / comfort and overtaking speeds are.
So what are they like to live with day to day...
You need to ask yourself "Why?". You don't buy a Defender for comfort OR speed but it does have loads of character. Sit back and enjoy the drive. Honestly, the best thing to do is go for a test drive as they're a 'Marmite' car.So what are they like to live with day to day...
If you want a more practical suggestion, get yourself a Disco or RRS (especially coming from a VW).
M
Crossflow Kid said:
Slow, noisy, thirsty, uncomfortable, compromised in several areas. The final version of Defender was slightly improved in terms of interior but that was simply a case of smoothing the corners off a sixty year old farm vehicle.
If you've always really really really really really wanted a Defender then get one,
If you're looking for a genuine replacement for the VW I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
Whatever you do, please don't make the mistake of thinking it'll be a green wellied version of an X5 or Q7. It just isn't.p
That said, I've got a 90 and will never, ever part with it. They are extraordinarily useful and adaptable in a way that you won't fully understand until you own one.
On those rare Monday mornings when the UK wakes up to a foot of snow you'll suddenly have lots of friends.
You can't deny that the outgoing model's dashboard was a vast improvement to the previous version. 6th gear also made cruising better too. If you've always really really really really really wanted a Defender then get one,
If you're looking for a genuine replacement for the VW I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
Whatever you do, please don't make the mistake of thinking it'll be a green wellied version of an X5 or Q7. It just isn't.p
That said, I've got a 90 and will never, ever part with it. They are extraordinarily useful and adaptable in a way that you won't fully understand until you own one.
On those rare Monday mornings when the UK wakes up to a foot of snow you'll suddenly have lots of friends.
Edited by Crossflow Kid on Thursday 18th February 11:54
Other than that, I agree with everything else you said. However, there will be posts saying 'they are fine for everyday' I'm sure the OP will be happy driving along with no space for his right elbow and a heater that feels like its broken. There is a reason why more owners are starting to fit heated seats
I'll start with the 'it is fine for every day driving then!' :-)
Like the OP my last drive was a Caravelle T5 which I sold for a Defender 110 this year (with heated seats!).
After a few days of 'what have I done', 2500 miles in and I absolutely love the Defender.
I've just come back from a 400+ mile run from Cornwall with the 3 children and it sits nicely at 70 cruising.
Coming from the T5:
The ratios of the gears are close, your in 4th gear before you know it.
Turning circle.
Turning circle (you do get used to it).
Storage space for me (us) is better all 3 of mine sit in the middle, rear has shed loads of storage with the seats folded. I still get the 7 seats if required.
The heaters are HOT, but in fairness mine has air conditioning which works well.
The heated seats are not as warm as the Caravelle ;-)
It is the best vehicle I have owned, love the waves too!
VED is £225.00 on mine
Also no problem with my right elbow space, I do not miss the captain chairs, although it is a complaint I have heard quite a lot, so worth checking.
Like the OP my last drive was a Caravelle T5 which I sold for a Defender 110 this year (with heated seats!).
After a few days of 'what have I done', 2500 miles in and I absolutely love the Defender.
I've just come back from a 400+ mile run from Cornwall with the 3 children and it sits nicely at 70 cruising.
Coming from the T5:
The ratios of the gears are close, your in 4th gear before you know it.
Turning circle.
Turning circle (you do get used to it).
Storage space for me (us) is better all 3 of mine sit in the middle, rear has shed loads of storage with the seats folded. I still get the 7 seats if required.
The heaters are HOT, but in fairness mine has air conditioning which works well.
The heated seats are not as warm as the Caravelle ;-)
It is the best vehicle I have owned, love the waves too!
VED is £225.00 on mine
Also no problem with my right elbow space, I do not miss the captain chairs, although it is a complaint I have heard quite a lot, so worth checking.
Edited by sma on Thursday 18th February 17:37
The simple answer is .....
Do you want a Defender or not ?
I have driven Land Rovers since 1980 from the old series 3 with sliding windows up to the one I have now a 61 plate Defender (supplied by work each time )
They can be noisy ,draughty , leak like a sieve have a cramped driving position ,vinyl seats , handbrake that digs in your leg when driving ,heavy clutch and a few more bits that annoy you
BUT
the newer ones are quite quick for what it is
the current one I have is the most reliable so far after 55,000 miles no problems at all
mine runs fully loaded all the time looks like this one but cleaner
http://www.onetonlandrover.co.uk/electricityboard/...
Would I buy my own one if I could afford it ?
YES YES YES
As the saying goes
Marmite vehicles
Love it or hate it
Don't expect it to be anything like a vw
Do you want a Defender or not ?
I have driven Land Rovers since 1980 from the old series 3 with sliding windows up to the one I have now a 61 plate Defender (supplied by work each time )
They can be noisy ,draughty , leak like a sieve have a cramped driving position ,vinyl seats , handbrake that digs in your leg when driving ,heavy clutch and a few more bits that annoy you
BUT
the newer ones are quite quick for what it is
the current one I have is the most reliable so far after 55,000 miles no problems at all
mine runs fully loaded all the time looks like this one but cleaner
http://www.onetonlandrover.co.uk/electricityboard/...
Would I buy my own one if I could afford it ?
YES YES YES
As the saying goes
Marmite vehicles
Love it or hate it
Don't expect it to be anything like a vw
Thanks for the feedback thus far!
I've had agricultural cars previously (albeit when I was a young 'en), a Jago Jeep (shudder) and Mahindra Jeep (bigger shudder) to name a couple.
I'm definitely after character, though not at the expense of a few creature comforts (AC and heated seats are a must).
It's a little smaller than the Caravelle, but I think Id really miss the parking sensors (theres always after market).
My main concern is being unbearable at motorway speeds -i guess the only solution is to take one out for a spin!
I've had agricultural cars previously (albeit when I was a young 'en), a Jago Jeep (shudder) and Mahindra Jeep (bigger shudder) to name a couple.
I'm definitely after character, though not at the expense of a few creature comforts (AC and heated seats are a must).
It's a little smaller than the Caravelle, but I think Id really miss the parking sensors (theres always after market).
My main concern is being unbearable at motorway speeds -i guess the only solution is to take one out for a spin!
Blim_bug said:
Thanks for the feedback thus far!
I'm definitely after character, though not at the expense of a few creature comforts (AC and heated seats are a must).
i guess the only solution is to take one out for a spin!
Air con .... open the now electric window to let air in I'm definitely after character, though not at the expense of a few creature comforts (AC and heated seats are a must).
i guess the only solution is to take one out for a spin!
Heated seat ...... sit on a woolly blanket or cushion
Posh Defenders may have those options .. works vehicles don't !!
Yep take one out for a spin
Mine is reasonably quiet at legal speed limit on motorways .
Wacky Racer said:
In 1985 I bought a 1964 Petrol SWB Station Wagon for £850 in decent nick.
It did about 8mpg,.... when you steered left it went right but I loved it.
Sold it a year later for £1000.
Which prompts my next question...It did about 8mpg,.... when you steered left it went right but I loved it.
Sold it a year later for £1000.
I'm planning to purchase in August time frame. Are the prices for a low(ish) mileage 2010/11 car likely to drop or rise in a 6 month time period?
I cant imagine they would be that much movement? There seems to be a fair few about for sale on Autotrader at the moment (buyers market?)
king spanner to do that Blim_bug said:
Which prompts my next question...
I'm planning to purchase in August time frame. Are the prices for a low(ish) mileage 2010/11 car likely to drop or rise in a 6 month time period?
I cant imagine they would be that much movement? There seems to be a fair few about for sale on Autotrader at the moment (buyers market?)
With the end of Defender production earlier in the month prices at the moment are going a bit mental, especially for later cars. Saw one of what was alleged to be one of the last ten off the line advertised for a plucky £45k last week.....I'm planning to purchase in August time frame. Are the prices for a low(ish) mileage 2010/11 car likely to drop or rise in a 6 month time period?
I cant imagine they would be that much movement? There seems to be a fair few about for sale on Autotrader at the moment (buyers market?)
And can we all stop with them negative waves about the heater.....once warmed up my Td5 is one of the toastiest cars I've ever driven.
Prices definitely on the up. I only looked earlier today.
Someone today also told me, and I don't know whether this is true or not, that an acquaintance of his had managed to buy 10 of the runout models and has stuck them in those dehumidified bubble things where they will stay until he retires and needs a pension. Whether there is any truth, or indeed any value, in that, who knows.
Someone today also told me, and I don't know whether this is true or not, that an acquaintance of his had managed to buy 10 of the runout models and has stuck them in those dehumidified bubble things where they will stay until he retires and needs a pension. Whether there is any truth, or indeed any value, in that, who knows.
Take one/hire one for an extended test drive; they're objectively awful at motorway speed, noisy, drafty, depending on the tyres they follow tramlines like a bloodhound, cramped driving position, ridiculous ergonomics, rubbish seats by the standard of anything post 1985, post-production hipster factor, etc. Anything with a Tdi or later can maintain motorway speeds readily so it's just down to your budget and personal preference/tolerance of noise. I've done a lot of motorway miles recently in mine, the biggest problem aside from steaming up from the crap ventilation is getting my feet rained on.
CAPP0 said:
Prices definitely on the up. I only looked earlier today.
Someone today also told me, and I don't know whether this is true or not, that an acquaintance of his had managed to buy 10 of the runout models and has stuck them in those dehumidified bubble things where they will stay until he retires and needs a pension. Whether there is any truth, or indeed any value, in that, who knows.
Ten Defenders would cost circa £350k. Pension enough, surely?Someone today also told me, and I don't know whether this is true or not, that an acquaintance of his had managed to buy 10 of the runout models and has stuck them in those dehumidified bubble things where they will stay until he retires and needs a pension. Whether there is any truth, or indeed any value, in that, who knows.
Crossflow Kid said:
CAPP0 said:
Prices definitely on the up. I only looked earlier today.
Someone today also told me, and I don't know whether this is true or not, that an acquaintance of his had managed to buy 10 of the runout models and has stuck them in those dehumidified bubble things where they will stay until he retires and needs a pension. Whether there is any truth, or indeed any value, in that, who knows.
Ten Defenders would cost circa £350k. Pension enough, surely?Someone today also told me, and I don't know whether this is true or not, that an acquaintance of his had managed to buy 10 of the runout models and has stuck them in those dehumidified bubble things where they will stay until he retires and needs a pension. Whether there is any truth, or indeed any value, in that, who knows.
I just wonder how easy it would have been to snag 10 new Defenders in the mad trample for the last ones?
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