New Defender? After thoughts and ownership details

[davidexige]

PurpleFox said:

That looks nice. I am trying to work out why some look fairly average and some look stunning. Even when the colour is the same.

Yours has the wheel arch extenders in gloss black right? Are these factory fit or aftermarket?

The wheel arch extensions are supplied unpainted and are sort of mat black plastic, which I though would look a bit out of place considering everything else is gloss black, however the supplying dealer arranged for their body shop to paint them for me.

Edited by davidexige on Tuesday 6th June 18:39

[Mikebentley]

The ability to personalise is in some ways the appeal to me. I do get bored with cars and fancy something different quite quickly. The plan with ours is when that happens just buy something for it. It will eventually look like the automotive equivalent of the Ass from the Buckaroo game.

[Joscal]

I’ve gone the other way, white steels and only the winter pack and middle seat for my 90 Commercial.

[ReformedPistonhead]

That looks lovely.

My ideal spec would have been the V8, all the toys/gadgets in Pangea green with the Matt wrap, a white roof, brown leather and steelies.

Sadly they don’t offer that as a config unless you pay them a fortune on top, like a proper fortune and wait 12 months+.

So the pre-configured carpathian edition was the closest I could get, albeit in road grey!

[LooneyTunes]

We have a 110 demonstrator sat on the driveway at present so interesting to read through this.

Admittedly it's a Monday but I was surprised to get a demonstrator the same day as asking for one and to hear that the lead-times are now as low as 3-6 months for some versions. In spite of that, some dealers still seem to be trying to sell used stock close to/above list. If lead-times are coming down, its hard to see the prices asked being maintained?

I've yet to go out in it yet but MrsLT seems to like it so far.

[Al_Ra]

Had my D300 SE for two years now. Bought before the supply chain issues so it has most of the toys (big screen, digital dash etc). Only issue was an annoying rattle which turned out to be the cover for the warning triangle in the rear door (fixed with felt tape). Just completed a drive down to the Sahara where it has been faultless and a comfortable way to munch miles. It also did ok on the dunes. (Although it did get stuck a couple of times requiring sand boards to get out but with the very loose summer sand I think that is excusable).

[Mark V GTD]

Just cancelled my order for a D250 HSE (X-D). No certainty over the spec that will be delivered (probably end up with the old school physical clocks dash), virtually no discount (£185), rising prices (and not price protected) and not the easiest car to shift any more, once you are done with it.

[Rufus Stone]

Al_Ra said:

They don't do that on the tv advert.

[Mikebentley]

Rufus Stone said:

Al_Ra said:

They don't do that on the tv advert.

What a great picture though. The trip must have been fantastic.

[Al_Ra]

Mikebentley said:

What a great picture though. The trip must have been fantastic.

Still ongoing: only just came off ferry from Tangier to Tarifa, but yes it’s been a great trip and part of the rationale was about using this amazing off road vehicle as it was designed to be used: properly off road. I live in a very rural setting which is prone to flooding but even then I feel I only ever use 40% of what this car can actually do. It’s been great to properly push it to the limit, and it hasn’t let us down. I’m rather fond of it.

[Mikebentley]

Al_Ra said:

Mikebentley said:

What a great picture though. The trip must have been fantastic.

Still ongoing: only just came off ferry from Tangier to Tarifa, but yes it’s been a great trip and part of the rationale was about using this amazing off road vehicle as it was designed to be used: properly off road. I live in a very rural setting which is prone to flooding but even then I feel I only ever use 40% of what this car can actually do. It’s been great to properly push it to the limit, and it hasn’t let us down. I’m rather fond of it.

Me too with ours. Great cars.

[Joscal]

Happy here too, two year service next month with zero issues.

[NITO]

davidexige said:

Picked mine up a couple of weeks ago and love it, has to go back in a few weeks to get the raised air intake fitted as that was unavailable before I got it, obviously need this before I can go on safari down the high street .

Very nice David, very similar spec to ours!! We’re just waiting for the black factory side steps to arrive, and may fit the side boxes yet as they too are also now available in black from LR.



Which roof spoiler did you go with?

[davidexige]

NITO said:

Very nice David, very similar spec to ours!! We’re just waiting for the black factory side steps to arrive, and may fit the side boxes yet as they too are also now available in black from LR.



Which roof spoiler did you go with?

I went with Project Rebel's V2 spoiler, very happy with it.
https://www.projectrebel.co.uk/products/defender-l...

[NITO]

Thanks for the link, it was the Rebel ones we were looking at but couldn’t decide between V1 and V2, I see some that look great but can never tell if its v1 or v2 from the angles posted. I guess they don’t look that different apart from the two flutes in the middle. Do they match up with the ribs on the roof?

Thanks
Nito

[davidexige]

NITO said:

Thanks for the link, it was the Rebel ones we were looking at but couldn’t decide between V1 and V2, I see some that look great but can never tell if its v1 or v2 from the angles posted. I guess they don’t look that different apart from the two flutes in the middle. Do they match up with the ribs on the roof?

Thanks
Nito

Here's a couple of pictures that Project Rebel supplied, the first is of the V2 from above showing how it lines up with the roof ribs, the second has what might be described as two Ribs/supports on the underside of the spoiler. It's a personal choice but I thought the V2 just looked a bit cleaner.

[NITO]

davidexige said:

Here's a couple of pictures that Project Rebel supplied, the first is of the V2 from above showing how it lines up with the roof ribs, the second has what might be described as two Ribs/supports on the underside of the spoiler. It's a personal choice but I thought the V2 just looked a bit cleaner.

Thanks David, much appreciated you taking the time to explain and host those pics. So the second pic is the V1, I hadn’t noticed those drop downs on the underside before but I saw in some pics what looked like an integrated brake light so I guess those clumpy bits underside the spoiler frame the high level brake light. I agree, it spoils the look from the angle most will see it from. V2 looks like the one to pick, thanks for your help.

One more question…did you go with rebel side boxes and if so, are they any good?

Thanks
Nito

[davidexige]

NITO said:

One more question…did you go with rebel side boxes and if so, are they any good?

Thanks
Nito

Hi, the side box on my car is the Land Rover supplied one, the dealer arranged for it to be painted black for me, so sorry I've no experience of the Project Rebel ones.

If you join GB New defenders group over on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/3255739434741840 and do a search for Project Rebel you should find a 5% discount code for purchases from them.

[NITO]

davidexige said:

NITO said:

One more question…did you go with rebel side boxes and if so, are they any good?

Thanks
Nito

Hi, the side box on my car is the Land Rover supplied one, the dealer arranged for it to be painted black for me, so sorry I've no experience of the Project Rebel ones.

If you join GB New defenders group over on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/3255739434741840 and do a search for Project Rebel you should find a 5% discount code for purchases from them.

Thanks again David, have joined and will look for the discount code. To the op, I apologise for the thread diversion, one thing you’ll notice is the sheer amount of customisation available for the Defender if that’s of any interest. We haven’t had ours long enough to give any meaningful feedback to you, coming from a 20 year old Landcruiser with 255k, I just hope the Defender can hold a candle to the LC’s reliability!

[zebraman]

l've got a 2022 90 D250 Commercial and over the 12 months l've owned it l've had no issues at all.

Mine's on coil springs with the steel wheels, and l love it. l've since fitted side steps, which are a necessity on this vehicle in my opinion.

l also specified the leather steering wheel (which is part of the Winter Pack), centre console, front fog lamps and tow bar.

Edited by zebraman on Thursday 7th December 21:40