RE: JLR Classic Defender V8: Driven

[Bladedancer]

150k... you are having a laugh.

[sgtBerbatov]

MRPULLHARD said:

JLR are really losing the run of themselves with pricing and unfortunately it will probably sell out.

There's talk of their Castle Brom plant closing, with some work being shifted to Solihull, which in turn will be shut down in 2022 because they can build them cheaper in Slovakia where they already have a plant.

[Pat H]

I prefer my Land Rovers to be Marine Blue with steel wheels.

This thing just looks like a tart's handbag.

I have a similar opinion of the Mercedes G Spot.

It just stinks of marketing drivel.

Bah humbug.

[TooMany2cvs]

aaron_2000 said:

They not only have no reason to make this, but in a way they have no right to IMO.

Seriously...?

aaron_2000 said:

They killed off a cult car, they killed off THE Land Rover

Because it was losing money hand-over-fist.

This is the ONLY reason they run the company.

[Pintofbest]

sgtBerbatov said:

There's talk of their Castle Brom plant closing, with some work being shifted to Solihull, which in turn will be shut down in 2022 because they can build them cheaper in Slovakia where they already have a plant.

I don't think any of that is right - Solihull can take no more, and the capacity of Nitra fully developed is only the same as Solihull so if they did move it suddenly they would lose 300k out of their build capacity when the aspiration is to move to 1m units. I'm sure there are also agreements in place to protect the volume all moving abroad too.

[hothatchery7]

JLR didn't even develop it! I know this for 100% fact if anybody cares to argue!

[PunterCam]

I'm not sure there's anything on this model I'd actually want. The ride is better? Well that's a minus right there.. What's this obsession with making cars "better"?? The bouncy ride was half the fun - it was an absolute event (Unless it's just a bit better.. I could handle a bit better..). As was the drivetrain - loose, but fantastic. As was the racket at speed, and the rest of it. Regardless of engine, it was a wonderful thing. Putting 400bhp in it, to me, just makes it tacky. As soon as it stops being utilitarian and starts being...comfortable, and road biased, and faster...well, it's just another road car then. Who cares.

Quite what Land Rover are up to regarding the "new" defender is beyond me though. It's very simple Land Rover - make it look the same as it always has done, make the wheel stud pattern unique and only sell it with small steel wheels, hopefully limiting ste aftermarket wheels for a bit, make the doors actually shut, make it water tight and put in an actual heater. Do whatever you have to to make it modern enough to be legal, and watch as you can't make enough for Americans. If Jeep can do it, if Mercedes can do it.. I know you're skint, but come on. The Velar?! What the hell is that horrible looking thing meant to be?!

The worst thing they could do is release some stylised st heap like we've been teased with for years, based on the discover sport or something. Nobody wants a style icon, they want a defender. Just like nobody wants a normal car that pretends to be a sports car, nobody wants a normal car pretending to be a defender.

[sgtBerbatov]

Pintofbest said:

sgtBerbatov said:

There's talk of their Castle Brom plant closing, with some work being shifted to Solihull, which in turn will be shut down in 2022 because they can build them cheaper in Slovakia where they already have a plant.

I don't think any of that is right - Solihull can take no more, and the capacity of Nitra fully developed is only the same as Solihull so if they did move it suddenly they would lose 300k out of their build capacity when the aspiration is to move to 1m units. I'm sure there are also agreements in place to protect the volume all moving abroad too.

It's all true. A friend on the production line told me after his union rep told him. Castle Brom's going to happen regardless as no one is buying the cars.

The plant in Slovakia is big enough to hold Damsonwood, Castle Brom and either half or all of Liverpool's factories. It's huge. And I think the location lends itself to expansion a lot easier and cheaper than UK expansion.

[TooMany2cvs]

PunterCam said:

As soon as it stops being utilitarian and starts being...comfortable, and road biased, and faster...well, it's just another road car then. Who cares.

...make the doors actually shut, make it water tight and put in an actual heater...

<rummages for pitchfork and flaming torch>

[hondansx]

g7jhp said:

There are 150 limited edition V8 defenders with 400hp for £150,000.

Sold to those where money is no object but having the last of an icon is.

The 5.6 dash to 60mph and pityfull 106mph top speed are as irrelevant as this car.

I'm sure you could have more fun creating your own ultimate defender for a fraction of the price!

So funny reading this thread with all the know-it-alls.

I am one of these 'mugs' buying one of these cars. In fact mine is going to be the same as tested - build #4 in Fuji White arriving in April.

I'm also an owner of another unofficial V8, built at a so called 'fraction' of the price. It's been with Overfinch, JE, Nene and other specialists. It has actually cost over £100,000 and still is not right. I've driven many and the reality is none of the aftermarket options are as good as the official product which I have now driven.

Land Rover's version has been driven to the Sahara (in fact two went, towing new RR Hybrids) and back. Mike Cross signed off the ride and handling himself and the rest of the testing I was told about was seriously impressive, and quite simply no aftermarket gets close to this.

And the result? It feels like a complete car; a cohesive car. It's not just 'fun' in a rose-tainted way, it's genuinely good. I think people are incredibly naive to expect a manufacturer to sell a properly tested, warrantied product in small numbers.

The reality is, I couldn't care less what people think. I think it's a shame people would rather moan than celebrate it's existence. I will have the Defender I always wanted, and that's all that matters.

[neil1jnr]

hondansx said:

g7jhp said:

There are 150 limited edition V8 defenders with 400hp for £150,000.

Sold to those where money is no object but having the last of an icon is.

The 5.6 dash to 60mph and pityfull 106mph top speed are as irrelevant as this car.

I'm sure you could have more fun creating your own ultimate defender for a fraction of the price!

So funny reading this thread with all the know-it-alls.

I am one of these 'mugs' buying one of these cars. In fact mine is going to be the same as tested - build #4 in Fuji White arriving in April.

I'm also an owner of another unofficial V8, built at a so called 'fraction' of the price. It's been with Overfinch, JE, Nene and other specialists. It has actually cost over £100,000 and still is not right. I've driven many and the reality is none of the aftermarket options are as good as the official product which I have now driven.

Land Rover's version has been driven to the Sahara (in fact two went, towing new RR Hybrids) and back. Mike Cross signed off the ride and handling himself and the rest of the testing I was told about was seriously impressive, and quite simply no aftermarket gets close to this.

And the result? It feels like a complete car; a cohesive car. It's not just 'fun' in a rose-tainted way, it's genuinely good. I think people are incredibly naive to expect a manufacturer to sell a properly tested, warrantied product in small numbers.

The reality is, I couldn't care less what people think. I think it's a shame people would rather moan than celebrate it's existence. I will have the Defender I always wanted, and that's all that matters.

You won't mind me saying this if you don't care, that I think you have more money than sense! It just blows my mind this is £150K. I wouldn't entertain paying that amount even if I won the Euro millions lottery. Out of principle I wouldn't allow myself to be (IMO) mugged off by JLR.

Hopefully you will enjoy it though if it's something you have always wanted.

[anonymous-user]

seapod said:

I have a TDCi and after a great deal of research and spending time on Defender2.net, I have applied a Bell Auto Services remap.

I am 99% certain that our MY16 Defender is one that escaped from the factory with the AB150 remap installed. It drives so completely differently from the one it replaced.

[anonymous-user]

hondansx said:

g7jhp said:

There are 150 limited edition V8 defenders with 400hp for £150,000.

Sold to those where money is no object but having the last of an icon is.

The 5.6 dash to 60mph and pityfull 106mph top speed are as irrelevant as this car.

I'm sure you could have more fun creating your own ultimate defender for a fraction of the price!

So funny reading this thread with all the know-it-alls.

I am one of these 'mugs' buying one of these cars. In fact mine is going to be the same as tested - build #4 in Fuji White arriving in April.

I'm also an owner of another unofficial V8, built at a so called 'fraction' of the price. It's been with Overfinch, JE, Nene and other specialists. It has actually cost over £100,000 and still is not right. I've driven many and the reality is none of the aftermarket options are as good as the official product which I have now driven.

Land Rover's version has been driven to the Sahara (in fact two went, towing new RR Hybrids) and back. Mike Cross signed off the ride and handling himself and the rest of the testing I was told about was seriously impressive, and quite simply no aftermarket gets close to this.

And the result? It feels like a complete car; a cohesive car. It's not just 'fun' in a rose-tainted way, it's genuinely good. I think people are incredibly naive to expect a manufacturer to sell a properly tested, warrantied product in small numbers.

The reality is, I couldn't care less what people think. I think it's a shame people would rather moan than celebrate it's existence. I will have the Defender I always wanted, and that's all that matters.

Good for you, ignore the handwringers and naysayers, it will be a great machine.

I was about to say somebody will be along soon to say “ I wouldn’t buy one even if I won the lottery” and surprise, surprise ! :]

[ZX10R NIN]

It sounds like JLR have made it a significantly better which is great, but it begs the question of why the hell didn't they do this why it was in production.

[Pintofbest]

sgtBerbatov said:

It's all true. A friend on the production line told me after his union rep told him. Castle Brom's going to happen regardless as no one is buying the cars.

The plant in Slovakia is big enough to hold Damsonwood, Castle Brom and either half or all of Liverpool's factories. It's huge. And I think the location lends itself to expansion a lot easier and cheaper than UK expansion.

Someone on the production line does not know the future of Solihull, it's hearsay. And whilst Nitra is huge, it is not big enough to soak up c600k cars as you suggest - it can do 300 at full development. Castle Brom is something to consider though - it makes the Jags that have low volume so could surely be put to much better use.

[aaron_2000]

TooMany2cvs said:

aaron_2000 said:

They not only have no reason to make this, but in a way they have no right to IMO.

Seriously...?

aaron_2000 said:

They killed off a cult car, they killed off THE Land Rover

Because it was losing money hand-over-fist.

This is the ONLY reason they run the company.

A.) Yes, if they're going to kill it off, keep it dead, don't bring another one out to cash in on the inflated prices.

B.) Because making a brand new model as opposed to updating it is financially waaaaaaay better, correct?

[TooMany2cvs]

aaron_2000 said:

B.) Because making a brand new model as opposed to updating it is financially waaaaaaay better, correct?

If the reason the old one's unprofitable is because it's massively labour-intensive to build, yep.

[aaron_2000]

TooMany2cvs said:

If the reason the old one's unprofitable is because it's massively labour-intensive to build, yep.

Don't recall it being discontinued due to profits, I think you'd find it was discontinued due to emissions, now how do we fix emissions issues? By updating it

[DoubleD]

150k for that?!

[Burwood]

Brooking10 said:

hondansx said:

g7jhp said:

There are 150 limited edition V8 defenders with 400hp for £150,000.

Sold to those where money is no object but having the last of an icon is.

The 5.6 dash to 60mph and pityfull 106mph top speed are as irrelevant as this car.

I'm sure you could have more fun creating your own ultimate defender for a fraction of the price!

So funny reading this thread with all the know-it-alls.

I am one of these 'mugs' buying one of these cars. In fact mine is going to be the same as tested - build #4 in Fuji White arriving in April.

I'm also an owner of another unofficial V8, built at a so called 'fraction' of the price. It's been with Overfinch, JE, Nene and other specialists. It has actually cost over £100,000 and still is not right. I've driven many and the reality is none of the aftermarket options are as good as the official product which I have now driven.

Land Rover's version has been driven to the Sahara (in fact two went, towing new RR Hybrids) and back. Mike Cross signed off the ride and handling himself and the rest of the testing I was told about was seriously impressive, and quite simply no aftermarket gets close to this.

And the result? It feels like a complete car; a cohesive car. It's not just 'fun' in a rose-tainted way, it's genuinely good. I think people are incredibly naive to expect a manufacturer to sell a properly tested, warrantied product in small numbers.

The reality is, I couldn't care less what people think. I think it's a shame people would rather moan than celebrate it's existence. I will have the Defender I always wanted, and that's all that matters.

Good for you, ignore the handwringers and naysayers, it will be a great machine.

I was about to say somebody will be along soon to say “ I wouldn’t buy one even if I won the lottery” and surprise, surprise ! :]

Hardly hand wringing is it.