A Owners Perspective of a Defender 90 XS (2005 model)
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m really rather bored this evening so I just thought I would write something about the Defender. Here goes.
Well we have had the car a little while now (since the beginning of September 2006) so I thought I would make some kind of attempt at making a few comments about it so far.
First of - this car is iconic, it didn’t win the Top Gear ‘greatest car of all time’ accolade for nothing. It’s my Dads vehicle I’m just lucky enough to get insured on it during Uni holidays. But whenever I’m in it people look at – the best bit though is that fellow Defender owners always seem to flash or give an approving nod – great stuff!
We bought the car from a VW Dealership of all places – its first owner, an actor who stars in Heartbeat, had owned it for less than a year and decided to trade it in for a VW Touraeg. His loss. The deal we got was amazing – my Dad wasn’t looking at buying another Land Rover (we also have a Disco) but it would seem that the garage did not know how desirable XS Defenders are, as even after the 1.5k of extras we had fitted at a later date, it could be sold tomorrow for around £750 profit. (Not that we would though!) So it was almost rude not to buy it!
Shortly after buying it we had a few options added at the local Land Rover dealership. Things were a little pricey but we wanted to stick to OEM stuff. We had an A-Bar fitted and two ‘Safari’ driving lamps fitted to go with it. We also added a Snorkel and towing kit – complete with twin electrics. It’s not going to see the dirt just yet though – but I’m trying to convince my Dad otherwise, he seems quite keen. But understandably he it worried about damaging it. Says he prefers driving Land Rovers own cars on the Experience days!
So, what’s the car like? Well as you may tell I love it. Sure its noisy, steams up and the ride is stiff but its designed for a purpose and on road poise was probably at the bottom of the design criteria! The Td5 engine is a good all rounder, we have a Td5 Disco but the Defenders gearing is much different – the acceleration is much better and 1st gear is pretty much redundant except when setting off on steep hills. Top end in comparison to the Discovery is reduced but its still capable at sitting at 70 on the M/Way – admittedly its quite a noisy 70 but hey! Recently we towed our twin axel caravan back from a coachbuilders and it set off in 1st on the clutch – incredible. According to my Dad it was also a lot more stable on the road than the Disco and we were able to sit at the legal towing limit with no problems – unlike the Disco where things get a little wobbly at the limit.
Since we have had it we have had no major problems, although we have had some annoying niggles fixed under warranty costing Land Rover in the region of £2k. This list is below:
1) All external bolts replaced – galvanized? Bolts used instead (rusting)
2) Side steps replaced (rust)
3) Rear step replaced (rust)
4) Rear work light replaced (rust on fixing bracket, but the fixing bracket can only be ordered with a complete light)
5) Snorkel washers replaced (rust, again!)
6) Damaged speaker replaced (front passenger side)
7) Steam cleaned and wax oiled to hopefully prevent rust on chassis.
8) Passenger side headlight realigned (it looked dull compared to the other)
9) Cold start problem - the car would just turn over the starter motor but not fire, taking a few attempts to get going, it only happened when cold. Now fixed
10) Various leaks – now rectified
11) New velour mats to replace those, which had become sodden from the leaks – smelt of damp.
All the above at no cost - dealer stumped up for everything. All credit to them. (Kentdale Land Rover)
So I think I’ve rambled on for too long now and probably bored most people!
Just a quick pic of the beast:
James.
Edit - picture wasnt working. Also - should be An instead on A in the thread title, can someone change it please? Thanks!
I’m really rather bored this evening so I just thought I would write something about the Defender. Here goes.
Well we have had the car a little while now (since the beginning of September 2006) so I thought I would make some kind of attempt at making a few comments about it so far.
First of - this car is iconic, it didn’t win the Top Gear ‘greatest car of all time’ accolade for nothing. It’s my Dads vehicle I’m just lucky enough to get insured on it during Uni holidays. But whenever I’m in it people look at – the best bit though is that fellow Defender owners always seem to flash or give an approving nod – great stuff!
We bought the car from a VW Dealership of all places – its first owner, an actor who stars in Heartbeat, had owned it for less than a year and decided to trade it in for a VW Touraeg. His loss. The deal we got was amazing – my Dad wasn’t looking at buying another Land Rover (we also have a Disco) but it would seem that the garage did not know how desirable XS Defenders are, as even after the 1.5k of extras we had fitted at a later date, it could be sold tomorrow for around £750 profit. (Not that we would though!) So it was almost rude not to buy it!
Shortly after buying it we had a few options added at the local Land Rover dealership. Things were a little pricey but we wanted to stick to OEM stuff. We had an A-Bar fitted and two ‘Safari’ driving lamps fitted to go with it. We also added a Snorkel and towing kit – complete with twin electrics. It’s not going to see the dirt just yet though – but I’m trying to convince my Dad otherwise, he seems quite keen. But understandably he it worried about damaging it. Says he prefers driving Land Rovers own cars on the Experience days!
So, what’s the car like? Well as you may tell I love it. Sure its noisy, steams up and the ride is stiff but its designed for a purpose and on road poise was probably at the bottom of the design criteria! The Td5 engine is a good all rounder, we have a Td5 Disco but the Defenders gearing is much different – the acceleration is much better and 1st gear is pretty much redundant except when setting off on steep hills. Top end in comparison to the Discovery is reduced but its still capable at sitting at 70 on the M/Way – admittedly its quite a noisy 70 but hey! Recently we towed our twin axel caravan back from a coachbuilders and it set off in 1st on the clutch – incredible. According to my Dad it was also a lot more stable on the road than the Disco and we were able to sit at the legal towing limit with no problems – unlike the Disco where things get a little wobbly at the limit.
Since we have had it we have had no major problems, although we have had some annoying niggles fixed under warranty costing Land Rover in the region of £2k. This list is below:
1) All external bolts replaced – galvanized? Bolts used instead (rusting)
2) Side steps replaced (rust)
3) Rear step replaced (rust)
4) Rear work light replaced (rust on fixing bracket, but the fixing bracket can only be ordered with a complete light)
5) Snorkel washers replaced (rust, again!)
6) Damaged speaker replaced (front passenger side)
7) Steam cleaned and wax oiled to hopefully prevent rust on chassis.
8) Passenger side headlight realigned (it looked dull compared to the other)
9) Cold start problem - the car would just turn over the starter motor but not fire, taking a few attempts to get going, it only happened when cold. Now fixed
10) Various leaks – now rectified
11) New velour mats to replace those, which had become sodden from the leaks – smelt of damp.
All the above at no cost - dealer stumped up for everything. All credit to them. (Kentdale Land Rover)
So I think I’ve rambled on for too long now and probably bored most people!
Just a quick pic of the beast:
James.
Edit - picture wasnt working. Also - should be An instead on A in the thread title, can someone change it please? Thanks!
Edited by jolly on Monday 26th March 22:38
They are indeed one of the best towing vehicles around but as an ex-Xtech owner (same as XS but no rear trim I grew to loathe mine.
Heaviest clutch known to man, very tiring in traffic and you get a lot of that around Horse trials. Heater and air-con both rubbish, took an age to warm up and as you say mists all the time. No room for your right arm and aircon takes most of legroom. Not much room in the back (trimmed mine to match XS) and less in the front!
Why should you have to repalce all those items for rusting? shouldn't happen.
I now have a Disco 3 and that is miles better on and off road and it tows in such a relaxed matter you forget you have a trailer. It's one of the best cars I've had except:- it has been at the dealers for nearly four months and Land Rover cannot fix an engine problem despite replacing nearly the whole engine! so I await a refund and will not be buying another Land Rover.
Great designs, poor execution.
Yours still looks great though
Nick
Heaviest clutch known to man, very tiring in traffic and you get a lot of that around Horse trials. Heater and air-con both rubbish, took an age to warm up and as you say mists all the time. No room for your right arm and aircon takes most of legroom. Not much room in the back (trimmed mine to match XS) and less in the front!
Why should you have to repalce all those items for rusting? shouldn't happen.
I now have a Disco 3 and that is miles better on and off road and it tows in such a relaxed matter you forget you have a trailer. It's one of the best cars I've had except:- it has been at the dealers for nearly four months and Land Rover cannot fix an engine problem despite replacing nearly the whole engine! so I await a refund and will not be buying another Land Rover.
Great designs, poor execution.
Yours still looks great though
Nick
Nice write up. I sold my last Defender a couple of years ago and some of your problems seem familiar. However I find they are strangely addictive and despite running about in a Rangie now, I suspect I may well get another Defender soon :-) Wish they would re-introduce a V8 with an autobox again like the 50th anniversary one.
camel said:
Nice write up. I sold my last Defender a couple of years ago and some of your problems seem familiar. However I find they are strangely addictive and despite running about in a Rangie now, I suspect I may well get another Defender soon :-) Wish they would re-introduce a V8 with an autobox again like the 50th anniversary one.
Thanks,
Yeh when it went in the guy from Land Rover kind of suggested all of them leak at some point. Fingers crossed its sorted for the time being, seems fine at the moment. The 50th Anniversary model was abit of a brute - but they have held their value so well that its a very expesnive second hand purchase! Still a great car though!
Aprisa said:
They are indeed one of the best towing vehicles around but as an ex-Xtech owner (same as XS but no rear trim I grew to loathe mine.
Heaviest clutch known to man, very tiring in traffic and you get a lot of that around Horse trials. Heater and air-con both rubbish, took an age to warm up and as you say mists all the time. No room for your right arm and aircon takes most of legroom. Not much room in the back (trimmed mine to match XS) and less in the front!
Why should you have to repalce all those items for rusting? shouldn't happen.
I now have a Disco 3 and that is miles better on and off road and it tows in such a relaxed matter you forget you have a trailer. It's one of the best cars I've had except:- it has been at the dealers for nearly four months and Land Rover cannot fix an engine problem despite replacing nearly the whole engine! so I await a refund and will not be buying another Land Rover.
Great designs, poor execution.
Yours still looks great though
Nick
Heaviest clutch known to man, very tiring in traffic and you get a lot of that around Horse trials. Heater and air-con both rubbish, took an age to warm up and as you say mists all the time. No room for your right arm and aircon takes most of legroom. Not much room in the back (trimmed mine to match XS) and less in the front!
Why should you have to repalce all those items for rusting? shouldn't happen.
I now have a Disco 3 and that is miles better on and off road and it tows in such a relaxed matter you forget you have a trailer. It's one of the best cars I've had except:- it has been at the dealers for nearly four months and Land Rover cannot fix an engine problem despite replacing nearly the whole engine! so I await a refund and will not be buying another Land Rover.
Great designs, poor execution.
Yours still looks great though
Nick
Cheers,
Yes the clutch is rather heavy - get back in my MINI and nearly put my foot through the floor!
I know what you mean about all the little niggles with the Defender but people still buy them so I suppose from their point of view why change it? I know Land Rovers have a rather dubious repuatation but my Dad had owned quite a few and fingers crossed none of them have had any major breakdowns - the worst was a broken fuel pump on the previous Disco.
Sorry to hear about your Disco 3 - I have driven one of those and it was very nice to drive, the TDV6 is somewhat more gutsy than the Td5. I'd love to have a bash in a TdV8 I bet its a monester if the V6 is anything to go by.
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff