Toying with the idea of a Denfender 90 - advice please

[tomw2000]

I'm thinking of sacking off my 6month old, Audi A6 avant, 3.0l tdi quatro, s-line le mans. (has done 5k miles). It's a cracking car, I'm genuinely pleased with it but I'm not convinced it suits my needs and was thinking about getting new (or nearly new) Defender 90 which might better suit my needs.

I've been a passenger in them before. But never driven and know v little about them.

I've arranged a test drive for Monday. But was wondering:

1) what ought I expect from it?
2) what options should I spec (or look for if buying nearly new) that would make live easier?

Purely speculative. So advice much appreciated and I'll update with my thoughts after the test drive on Monday.

[ian964]

Go for it - I did something similar in January, changing my '06 BMW 330i touring for a 57 Defender 110 XS, no regrets at all.

I did look at a 90 first, but quickly decided there wasn't enough room inside - I sometimes need to carry a couple of passengers and two dogs. The two rear seats (which fold up to the sides) are quite bulky and don't leave much space.

After the Audi, it'll feel slow, noisy, roll a bit and corners need to be taken at sensible speeds. However it's fun, and I look forward to every journey in it, used as a daily driver.

Go for the XS - you get a/c, electric front windows, heated seats and windscreen and a stereo you can hear.

[tomw2000]

Thanks for the info. I'm also starting to think a 110 might be more suitable space-wise(3 dogs and often take bike all over country mountain biking). But I'm so desperate for a 90 .

Although day-to-day I'll not need passenger space really. Hmmmm.

[heightswitch]

tomw2000 said:

Thanks for the info. I'm also starting to think a 110 might be more suitable space-wise(3 dogs and often take bike all over country mountain biking). But I'm so desperate for a 90 .

Although day-to-day I'll not need passenger space really. Hmmmm.

110 every time.

90's look nice but....

They pitch because of short wheelbase and don't ride as well
You cannot fit anything inside them, not even short lengths of wood

110's are a bit heavier and a bit slower but so much more useable everyday.

Unless you specifically want the agility of an off roader I wouldn't go the 90 route.

[tomw2000]

Interesting re. the comments about the 110. I'll have a serious look at them. But I suspect I'll end up with a 90 *rolls eyes*.

I have a test drive Monday in a 90 and will see how that goes.

I was wondering about things like 'front diff lock' and 'heavy duty suspension' - i.e. things I've seen listed on ones for sale. What are they?

I'm not going to 'off-road' per se. I just want something that everyday usable, versatile, can cope with snow and mud and tow a trailer/horse box occasionally and stuff and something I'm not going to be overly precious about as I am with my current daily (my A6 avant) - which I think is to 'exec' and comfy and 'smart' for my day-to-day ambling around.

I appreciate it's going to be a very different drive to my A6. But I am happy to have something more utilitarian. (I've a 911 for 'fun' and speed and we've a RRS for comfort on longer runs).

[heightswitch]

tomw2000 said:

Interesting re. the comments about the 110. I'll have a serious look at them. But I suspect I'll end up with a 90 *rolls eyes*.

I have a test drive Monday in a 90 and will see how that goes.

I was wondering about things like 'front diff lock' and 'heavy duty suspension' - i.e. things I've seen listed on ones for sale. What are they?

I'm not going to 'off-road' per se. I just want something that everyday usable, versatile, can cope with snow and mud and tow a trailer/horse box occasionally and stuff and something I'm not going to be overly precious about as I am with my current daily (my A6 avant) - which I think is to 'exec' and comfy and 'smart' for my day-to-day ambling around.

I appreciate it's going to be a very different drive to my A6. But I am happy to have something more utilitarian. (I've a 911 for 'fun' and speed and we've a RRS for comfort on longer runs).

I would book an extended test drive of Both back to back.

I would also make sure you drive model for model to have a fair comparison.

The vans are very basic and very noisy

The station wagon XS are much better trimmed and much more quiet.

Regardless of which model you go for you will essentially buy a blank canvas and then not be able to resist the bug of personalising it to your own taste.

A 110 is a more stable towing platform but with landies that is akin to comparing the pulling ability of the esso Tyne Pride v the Northumbria!!

[phib]

We have a 90 and have had 3 previous 90's and 2 previous 110's One heavy duty and one normal.

Our current 90 is a 1996 300tdi sof top, we just use it for local stuff / building work / gardening. It is very small inside really wouldnt recomend it for every day or if you dont have a daily driver

We also had a 90 Td5 when they were new far more car like and useable each day but still too small

The last 110 we had was a heavy duty ( twin rear shocks, different tyres, wheels and springs) great for towing which we bought it for but a bit big for every day use

They are great cars but if you want to use it for a car a drive all over the uk I would buy a discovery

Phib

[tomw2000]

As I say, it's mainly just for me to potter about locally in and possibly pull the odd trailer or horse box (and not all over the country!).

If I need to cover distance in comfort, we're fortunate to have other vehicles to do that in.

This is about scratching an itch and getting a more utilitarian vehicle that I won't be so precious about.

Thanks for all the feedback. I won't rule the 110 out completely!

[budrover]

Just go for the 90.... every man should have one... the 110 can wait for when wife and kids arrive

Station wagons are an easier 'way in' to normal car drivers, just remove the seats and put rubber mats down in the back for the dogs.

[Bish]

Get a 90 XS. If you think its too slow get a a remap and intercooler and it will 'fly'. I am a massssive Defender and always try to have 1 or 2 in stock. You will never look back once getting into one of these......they make you smile from ear to ear. The new TDCi engine is dull but does a good job.........I am still a TD5 man. My one (below) had a LOT of toys on it making it much more usable on s day to day basis. Best one was 'Md Rails'.........they lift the seat by 25mm but allow you to slide it back by another 4" which makes a huge difference if you are of a decent stature.

[Rich S]

I had the TD5 90 XS and loved it (it was stolen!)
Bought an Audi A4 Avant S line quatro , very capable but dull
Bought a Puma 110 XS

so it isn't as much fun to drive as the 90 , but with the new forward facing seats in the back of the 90 , there is too much space wasted for my liking

great fun offroading
Bikes /dogs fit in the back no problem (no need to take wheels off the bikes)
6 speed box is much nicer than the old 5 speed
and if you go off road (lots of fun!) the correct response if you loose traction is to floor it !
the traction controll sorts it all out (in the TD5 you were meant to back off, so counter intuative)

[tomw2000]

If I could get £35k for my Audi, I'd go and buy this 90 tomorrow:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1480629.htm

I think 1-2 years old and lowest mileage as poss appeals most.

Love it.

I'll see how Monday's test drive goes and then if I think my back will survive in a 90, I'll think about advertising the Audi. Has to be worth a try.

At the end of the day, I'm not going to play if I can't get what I want for the Audi and keeping it for years and running it into the ground will hardly be a hardship - it's a good car.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to reply.

[tomw2000]

I test drove a 90 today. It was a new black hardtop. Not quite XS spec, but plenty enough.

It was exactly as I expected. I think a 90 would suit my current needs perfectly.
I mean, it was spartan, and utilitarian, but actually not as bad as I expected in many respects. It will be my ideal everyday workhorse (esp.if I get myself a trailer!).

Going to get my Audi advertised and see what joy I have. And then if that goes well,have a look round for a 90 that ticks the boxes. I think up to 2 years old, lowest miles poss would be spot on. I'm not even convinced I 'need' an XS spec one after the one I drove today. We'll see what's out there.

I'll update again if and when I sell the other car and find the 'right' 90.

Thanks again for all the feedaback.

[300bhp/ton]

tomw2000 said:

I test drove a 90 today. It was a new black hardtop. Not quite XS spec, but plenty enough.

It was exactly as I expected. I think a 90 would suit my current needs perfectly.
I mean, it was spartan, and utilitarian, but actually not as bad as I expected in many respects. It will be my ideal everyday workhorse (esp.if I get myself a trailer!).

Going to get my Audi advertised and see what joy I have. And then if that goes well,have a look round for a 90 that ticks the boxes. I think up to 2 years old, lowest miles poss would be spot on. I'm not even convinced I 'need' an XS spec one after the one I drove today. We'll see what's out there.

I'll update again if and when I sell the other car and find the 'right' 90.

Thanks again for all the feedaback.

Glad you enjoyed the 90.

 

Personally my view is, unless you need a 110, go for a 90. It’s smaller, lighter, faster, more nimble and easier to park, and that’s just the on road stuff.

 

Ok the ride isn’t quite as good, but it’s not really a huge difference. The only things a 110 really offers is hauling space, seats and a more stable towing platform. But the 90 is fully capable.

To answer some of your earlier questions. There really aren’t many options on a Defender, and the ones that there are, are body style and trim level.

All have a centre diff lock and Land Rover do not offer front or rear axle diff lockers.

One option I’d really want myself is the traction control, it makes a huge difference off road and would also be very, very good in the snow.

As for actual spec, depends what you are after. Air con is nice, but not essential and saps a bit of power from the engine and likely knocks the mpg back slightly too.

For me, my ideal spec would be a pick up 90 with traction control and nothing else. Wind up windows and manual locks. Keep it simple and keep it basic. There’s also then less to go wrong.

That said double cap 110’s look good too and a bit rarer.

Hard tops might be cheaper, but they are also darker inside, colder in the winter and more boomy at speed.

If you buy something that is listed as a commercial vehicle it’s also a lot cheaper on road tax, so as nice as an XS is, this might be an important point.

Lastly, and only because I should. If you like what the Landy offers, go and drive the current Jeep Wrangler. It’s almost identical in many respects to the current Defender, 95” wheelbase compared to 92.9” wheelbase. Live axles, ladder chassis, etc, etc. But the Wrangler is made from arguably better components than the current Defender and has a few tricks up its sleeves, such as removable doors, roof and a fold down windscreen. You can also get an automatic if that appeals.

[gavm5]

300bhp/ton said:

Lastly, and only because I should. If you like what the Landy offers, go and drive the current Jeep Wrangler. It’s almost identical in many respects to the current Defender, 95” wheelbase compared to 92.9” wheelbase. Live axles, ladder chassis, etc, etc. But the Wrangler is made from arguably better components than the current Defender and has a few tricks up its sleeves, such as removable doors, roof and a fold down windscreen. You can also get an automatic if that appeals.

Oh God, not again !
lol

[300bhp/ton]

gavm5 said:

300bhp/ton said:

Lastly, and only because I should. If you like what the Landy offers, go and drive the current Jeep Wrangler. It’s almost identical in many respects to the current Defender, 95” wheelbase compared to 92.9” wheelbase. Live axles, ladder chassis, etc, etc. But the Wrangler is made from arguably better components than the current Defender and has a few tricks up its sleeves, such as removable doors, roof and a fold down windscreen. You can also get an automatic if that appeals.

Oh God, not again !
lol

lol

but seriously. I'm happy to leave it as simply a suggestion. I haven't bashed or anything of the sort. And only reply with more info when people repsond with either silly comments or mis-leading info.

I'd much rather keep it civil and let the op decide if they are interested or not.

[Mogburner]

Worth a look, maybe :-)

http://www.jeengineering.co.uk/defender/je-35-ann....