Defender for daily drive?
Discussion
I have a 300tdi I use most days (to keep mileage down on my thirsty V8 S4 - and adore it. Do some long journeys in it too. If I haven't used if for a few days, I get cravings. Polybushes make a difference, and on mine the transfer box has been changed to give higher gearing (better consumption too - 30 ish on a long run). Arm ache? Never had it...
Edited by billywhizzzzzz on Monday 6th August 20:05
billywhizzzzzz said:
I have a 300tdi I use most days (to keep mileage down on my thirsty V8 S4 - and adore it. Do some long journeys in it too. If I haven't used if for a few days, I get cravings. Polybushes make a difference, and on mine the transfer box has been changed to give lower gearing (better consumption too - 30 ish on a long run). Arm ache? Never had it...
Higher gearing?What kind of poly bushes did you go for? Fast road?
Lefty said:
billywhizzzzzz said:
I have a 300tdi I use most days (to keep mileage down on my thirsty V8 S4 - and adore it. Do some long journeys in it too. If I haven't used if for a few days, I get cravings. Polybushes make a difference, and on mine the transfer box has been changed to give lower gearing (better consumption too - 30 ish on a long run). Arm ache? Never had it...
Higher gearing?What kind of poly bushes did you go for? Fast road?
and yes fast road - handles amazingly (for a defender)
billywhizzzzzz said:
Sorry yes HIGHER gearing...
and yes fast road - handles amazingly (for a defender)
Having been driven round dartmoor at speed (Well, 40-60 most of the time) in a 110 with 7 people in it, I'm amazed at the level of road holding they have, even on big BFG Allterrains!and yes fast road - handles amazingly (for a defender)
Ran Defenders as daily drivers for around 8 years.
I finally sold my last one (a Td5 110 CSW) last year, as there were certain things I found difficult to live with on a daily basis.
In traffic, the weight of the clutch and the heavy gearbox can get very tiring.
Also, on long runs I found the road and engine noise to be very exhausting.
Overall I realised that having a nice, clean shiny Defender and only using it on the road makes little sense. It was too nice to off-road, and yet its off-road abilities and leanings hindered it on-road.
I've now got an ex-MOD Series 3 109 for weekend fun and a Mk5 VW Golf GT as a daily driver.
Oh and FWIW, if you can live with the fuel consumption, the V8s are incredible, and a totally different kettle of fish. We have a factory V8 90 CSW which we've had in the family for 20 odd years.
Compared to the diesel's it's like night and day. Much easier to drive, lighter clutch, more powerful, quiter. Very easy to live with......IF you can stomach the fuel bills (enjoy it and you'll be seeing 15-16 MPG typically!).
I finally sold my last one (a Td5 110 CSW) last year, as there were certain things I found difficult to live with on a daily basis.
In traffic, the weight of the clutch and the heavy gearbox can get very tiring.
Also, on long runs I found the road and engine noise to be very exhausting.
Overall I realised that having a nice, clean shiny Defender and only using it on the road makes little sense. It was too nice to off-road, and yet its off-road abilities and leanings hindered it on-road.
I've now got an ex-MOD Series 3 109 for weekend fun and a Mk5 VW Golf GT as a daily driver.
Oh and FWIW, if you can live with the fuel consumption, the V8s are incredible, and a totally different kettle of fish. We have a factory V8 90 CSW which we've had in the family for 20 odd years.
Compared to the diesel's it's like night and day. Much easier to drive, lighter clutch, more powerful, quiter. Very easy to live with......IF you can stomach the fuel bills (enjoy it and you'll be seeing 15-16 MPG typically!).
voltage_maxx said:
Ran Defenders as daily drivers for around 8 years.
Much easier to drive, lighter clutch, more powerful, quiter. Very easy to live with......IF you can stomach the fuel bills (enjoy it and you'll be seeing 15-16 MPG typically!).
And the heaters are actually quite efficient, unlike TD5's.Much easier to drive, lighter clutch, more powerful, quiter. Very easy to live with......IF you can stomach the fuel bills (enjoy it and you'll be seeing 15-16 MPG typically!).
You obviously didn't push yours if you got as much as 16mpg. Mine used to average around 9 but it went like stink and "roared" everywhere.
Denis O said:
voltage_maxx said:
Ran Defenders as daily drivers for around 8 years.
Much easier to drive, lighter clutch, more powerful, quiter. Very easy to live with......IF you can stomach the fuel bills (enjoy it and you'll be seeing 15-16 MPG typically!).
And the heaters are actually quite efficient, unlike TD5's.Much easier to drive, lighter clutch, more powerful, quiter. Very easy to live with......IF you can stomach the fuel bills (enjoy it and you'll be seeing 15-16 MPG typically!).
You obviously didn't push yours if you got as much as 16mpg. Mine used to average around 9 but it went like stink and "roared" everywhere.
It's 'just' the baby 3.5 on carbs, but it's well set up and in good health.
I did once get a 4.0 auto P38 range rover averageing 9MPG around London though!
voltage_maxx said:
Denis O said:
voltage_maxx said:
Ran Defenders as daily drivers for around 8 years.
Much easier to drive, lighter clutch, more powerful, quiter. Very easy to live with......IF you can stomach the fuel bills (enjoy it and you'll be seeing 15-16 MPG typically!).
And the heaters are actually quite efficient, unlike TD5's.Much easier to drive, lighter clutch, more powerful, quiter. Very easy to live with......IF you can stomach the fuel bills (enjoy it and you'll be seeing 15-16 MPG typically!).
You obviously didn't push yours if you got as much as 16mpg. Mine used to average around 9 but it went like stink and "roared" everywhere.
It's 'just' the baby 3.5 on carbs, but it's well set up and in good health.
I did once get a 4.0 auto P38 range rover averageing 9MPG around London though!
Well it all started off pretty badly really.
Collected her and the very next day, on my way to the Classic Car Show at Tatton Park, the engine warning light came on.
Called at the dealer, who was nearby anyway. Nothing we can do as it's the weekend - call LR Assist. Rang them and they said limp home and we'll be there in three hours, so missed the show and went home.
Three hours later, they came out and said that it need to go to the dealer - where it was just three hours earlier.
Anyway, after three days at the dealer, engine sorted and an annoying rattle was also sorted, which has now come back. It's a high pitced squeak sound around the door pillar on the driver side.
It drives really well but the ratle is driving me insane, so back she'll have to go for a second attempt.
Collected her and the very next day, on my way to the Classic Car Show at Tatton Park, the engine warning light came on.
Called at the dealer, who was nearby anyway. Nothing we can do as it's the weekend - call LR Assist. Rang them and they said limp home and we'll be there in three hours, so missed the show and went home.
Three hours later, they came out and said that it need to go to the dealer - where it was just three hours earlier.
Anyway, after three days at the dealer, engine sorted and an annoying rattle was also sorted, which has now come back. It's a high pitced squeak sound around the door pillar on the driver side.
It drives really well but the ratle is driving me insane, so back she'll have to go for a second attempt.
Davel said:
Well it all started off pretty badly really.
Collected her and the very next day, on my way to the Classic Car Show at Tatton Park, the engine warning light came on.
Called at the dealer, who was nearby anyway. Nothing we can do as it's the weekend - call LR Assist. Rang them and they said limp home and we'll be there in three hours, so missed the show and went home.
Three hours later, they came out and said that it need to go to the dealer - where it was just three hours earlier.
Anyway, after three days at the dealer, engine sorted and an annoying rattle was also sorted, which has now come back. It's a high pitced squeak sound around the door pillar on the driver side.
It drives really well but the ratle is driving me insane, so back she'll have to go for a second attempt.
.Collected her and the very next day, on my way to the Classic Car Show at Tatton Park, the engine warning light came on.
Called at the dealer, who was nearby anyway. Nothing we can do as it's the weekend - call LR Assist. Rang them and they said limp home and we'll be there in three hours, so missed the show and went home.
Three hours later, they came out and said that it need to go to the dealer - where it was just three hours earlier.
Anyway, after three days at the dealer, engine sorted and an annoying rattle was also sorted, which has now come back. It's a high pitced squeak sound around the door pillar on the driver side.
It drives really well but the ratle is driving me insane, so back she'll have to go for a second attempt.
Hi Davel,
May be yours is just having teething problems.
But 3 hours isn't really a good sign of things to come.
Incidentally, why did you opt for a Land Rover?
There seems to be many other more reliable 4x4 vehicles, ie Land Cruisers?
vette
I had one about 25 years ago and loved it.
I've had various Discoverys, Range Rovers and now seem to be going backwards from a Range Rover Vogue (08), a Discovery 4 HSE (61) to this.
I bought my wife a Freelander as the family car and bought this as an inexpensive winter hack / commuter, so that I can buy a toy for the better weather.
I loved the Vogue but never really fell for the Discovery - great and sensible vehicle as it is.
I do like the Defender as it's a much less cosseted ride and basic drive - but this bloody rattle / sqeak is right close to my bloody ear!
I've had various Discoverys, Range Rovers and now seem to be going backwards from a Range Rover Vogue (08), a Discovery 4 HSE (61) to this.
I bought my wife a Freelander as the family car and bought this as an inexpensive winter hack / commuter, so that I can buy a toy for the better weather.
I loved the Vogue but never really fell for the Discovery - great and sensible vehicle as it is.
I do like the Defender as it's a much less cosseted ride and basic drive - but this bloody rattle / sqeak is right close to my bloody ear!
Hi Davel,
I hope you find in the new Defender, the same affection you had for your old one.
However, it takes miles, and miles, and miles for the trust to build up, to the point that you know you can just jump into the Defender, and drive, without the background niggle thoughts, of "will it break down again"
Sadly, Land Rover have good days and bad days.
I really like the looks of a Defender, but would I buy one? well I had 2 of them.
They both broke down on occassions, nothing serious, unless you call needing a new injection pump serious, kinda' did blow a hole in my pocket at the time, but thats time gone by.
Now I drive Toyota Land Cruiser, (250,000 miles on an "05" )but let me say, when I had my Defenders, I swore blind, I would never ever, ever be seen dead in a Land Cruiser, I lived and breathed land Rovers.
Any way, a little off your point but any way.
vette
I hope you find in the new Defender, the same affection you had for your old one.
However, it takes miles, and miles, and miles for the trust to build up, to the point that you know you can just jump into the Defender, and drive, without the background niggle thoughts, of "will it break down again"
Sadly, Land Rover have good days and bad days.
I really like the looks of a Defender, but would I buy one? well I had 2 of them.
They both broke down on occassions, nothing serious, unless you call needing a new injection pump serious, kinda' did blow a hole in my pocket at the time, but thats time gone by.
Now I drive Toyota Land Cruiser, (250,000 miles on an "05" )but let me say, when I had my Defenders, I swore blind, I would never ever, ever be seen dead in a Land Cruiser, I lived and breathed land Rovers.
Any way, a little off your point but any way.
vette
Thanks for that.
TBH I have few doubts about reliability. The engine warning light was just a sensor. The car starts and drives fine and the warning light probably didn't need the urgent attention that it got - it's just that the manual says seek urgent attention or something like that.
Driving it does make me smile, so we'll see if she's a keeper or not.
Just back from a 600 mile round trip up to Perth and back and she didn't miss a beat and mostly at 60 - 70'ish.
Really quite impresssed and a much more involving drive than doing it in a Disco. I think that the trip has loosened up the engine quite a bit too.
TBH I have few doubts about reliability. The engine warning light was just a sensor. The car starts and drives fine and the warning light probably didn't need the urgent attention that it got - it's just that the manual says seek urgent attention or something like that.
Driving it does make me smile, so we'll see if she's a keeper or not.
Just back from a 600 mile round trip up to Perth and back and she didn't miss a beat and mostly at 60 - 70'ish.
Really quite impresssed and a much more involving drive than doing it in a Disco. I think that the trip has loosened up the engine quite a bit too.
Edited by Davel on Friday 14th September 10:15
Hi, not sure how I've found myself on this thread (because I know nothing about LDs) but its interesting to hear of defender reliability issues. Is that just generally on all, or are later models better? Ex-MOD? I have this dream of living in the country, with a black lab, defender (poss ex-MOD) with tow-bar, trailer and trackday car on the back. Should I get real and replace Defender for landcruiser?
peatmoor said:
Hi, not sure how I've found myself on this thread (because I know nothing about LDs) but its interesting to hear of defender reliability issues. Is that just generally on all, or are later models better? Ex-MOD? I have this dream of living in the country, with a black lab, defender (poss ex-MOD) with tow-bar, trailer and trackday car on the back. Should I get real and replace Defender for landcruiser?
What reliability issues?Land Rover like this in general are very robust and reliable. The often suffer squeaks and rattles and annoying little niggles. But they'll usually get you home and keep you mobile.
They do like TLC, this is mostly due to their construction and basic design using parts from long ago. But they are easy to work on and bits are cheap.
The newer they get the more electronics they have, so that can cause more potential issues, but in reality they are still pretty simple vehicles.
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