2.2 Defender Day to Day

[bob1179]

Hello, I was wondering if anybody can offer an insight into running the 2.2 Defender 110 as a daily vehicle.

I've driven one and was surprised to see it isn't as noisy, slow and difficult as everybody makes out, it was pretty similar (if a little slower) than my old GMC truck. To my surprise, the missus absolutely loves them and is happy for me to buy something based on 60 odd year old design that is terribly old fashioned and unrefined!

I really love the Defender and for me they make good sense, I need a good tow car that is good in scrabbly conditions, has a bit a character, can take all my junk, is easy to clean and can be used for the weekly shopping run. I know they are bouncy, have varied build quality, no elbow room and the handbrake is in an annoying place (I think all of that comes under 'character').

However, what are the 'real world' consumption figures like? What does servicing tend to cost and are there any 'tweaks' yet available for the 2.2 Diesel engine?

Also, how 'rust proof' are the new ones? Would it be a good idea to get the bulk head, chassis box sections and doors inners waxoyled on a new one (I rebuilt a Series 3 with a mate many years ago and it was rotten)?

I'm sorry if this has been covered before, but I would love to get a bit more 'user' information.

[billywhizzzzzz]

don't know about the 2.2 per se - but I use a 110 (300tdi) as a daily driver (along with various other things) and love it. I've looked at new ones and UNDOUBTABLY the first thing i would do is get the chassis professionally treated / coated... I've used before & after in warwickshire for mine and they give a 5 year guarantee. There's minimal rust proofing on new land rovers... look at every cross member on a 2 or 3 year old LR and you'll be appalled!

[stu harris]

Ask over at Defender2.net . Mind you, if you restored and old one you know the answer already to the rust proofing question as not much has changed

Stu

[bob1179]

Cheers for the replies gents.

I'm based in Aberdeen and with the amount of salt used on the roads up here during winter, a full chassis treatment would definitely be on the cards.

I didn't think the construction process had changed a great deal over the years, I wonder why they have never improved on it, especially the rust proofing.

[stu harris]

bob1179 said:

Cheers for the replies gents.

I'm based in Aberdeen and with the amount of salt used on the roads up here during winter, a full chassis treatment would definitely be on the cards.

I didn't think the construction process had changed a great deal over the years, I wonder why they have never improved on it, especially the rust proofing.

Well funny you say that but a group of us had a great day at the factory looking at the Defender line. While standing next to a stack of new chassis with only paint as protection and red stains weeping from around the welds, we asked the same question. 'We have to make some money out of you lot at some time' half joked the guide...Anyway some (like myself) get a decent waxoyl/dinitrol treatment for £300-500...or accept it'll rust away in x years and then rebuild on a galvanised chassis.

Stu

[bob1179]

stu harris said:

Well funny you say that but a group of us had a great day at the factory looking at the Defender line. While standing next to a stack of new chassis with only paint as protection and red stains weeping from around the welds, we asked the same question. 'We have to make some money out of you lot at some time' half joked the guide...Anyway some (like myself) get a decent waxoyl/dinitrol treatment for £300-500...or accept it'll rust away in x years and then rebuild on a galvanised chassis.

Stu

Interesting comment from the Landie chap! I would love to have a look at the Defender production line though, I bet it was really interesting. I wonder if you can pick a new one up from the factory and get a tour?

I have just had a look at the 'Before 'n After' website and it's around £1700 for full treatment of a new 110, which seems quite a lot. I suppose I could do it myself but previous experience has shown it to be a messy job that is a real pain! Plus a general lack of time to actually do these things doesn't help.

[stu harris]

bob1179 said:

Interesting comment from the Landie chap! I would love to have a look at the Defender production line though, I bet it was really interesting. I wonder if you can pick a new one up from the factory and get a tour?

I have just had a look at the 'Before 'n After' website and it's around £1700 for full treatment of a new 110, which seems quite a lot. I suppose I could do it myself but previous experience has shown it to be a messy job that is a real pain! Plus a general lack of time to actually do these things doesn't help.

Erm...google them (him) first. Then go onto any Land Rover forum. Then make your mind up.

There are more experts on the forums than I....Ones with a good reputation I've heard about in the 'North' are JR Classics in Doncaster. I used Rustmaster who've a place in Knutsford now.

Ask on D2 , Landyzone , LRO.com etc for any local places.

Stu

edit...more importantly I see you've an HP2 Sport...only just got mine in July

Edited by stu harris on Wednesday 8th August 15:55

[billywhizzzzzz]

Surprised it's £1700 from B&A for waxoyl - I paid £600 inc VAT for a 110 recently. Either way - essential! Wouldn't recommend you dod it yourself. There's a place in Doncaster that did mine for teh previousl owner - JR Classics I think that did a good job

[bob1179]

stu harris said:

Erm...google them (him) first. Then go onto any Land Rover forum. Then make your mind up.

There are more experts on the forums than I....Ones with a good reputation I've heard about in the 'North' are JR Classics in Doncaster. I used Rustmaster who've a place in Knutsford now.

Ask on D2 , Landyzone , LRO.com etc for any local places.

Stu

edit...more importantly I see you've an HP2 Sport...only just got mine in July

Edited by stu harris on Wednesday 8th August 15:55

Ahhh, I shall do a little more research into it then, thanks for the links. I shall also take a look at JR Classics.

Good news on the HP2! Fantastic bike and a real work of art, I just don't get much time to ride mine that often. Still, it has pride of place in the front room!

[bob1179]

billywhizzzzzz said:

Surprised it's £1700 from B&A for waxoyl - I paid £600 inc VAT for a 110 recently. Either way - essential! Wouldn't recommend you dod it yourself. There's a place in Doncaster that did mine for teh previousl owner - JR Classics I think that did a good job

A second recommendation for JR Classics! I shall definitely look them up.

Cheers for the advice.

[jeremyc]

These guys will Waxoyl a 110 for £400

[bob1179]

jeremyc said:

These guys will Waxoyl a 110 for £400

That seems like a cracking price. Thanks for the link.

[camel_landy]

Defenders are great but they are like 'Marmite'... Take one for a test drive before you go too far into your research.

FWIW - Have you have a look at the Discovery 4 yet? As a daily drive, it is more comfortable, practical and a much better tow vehicle.

M

[vpr]

I've just borrowed a new 110 for a couple of days and was pleasantly surprised.

I am in no doubt that a discovery is more comfortable than a Defender but then so is my VW bus but as with me if you fancy a Defender a Discovery just isn't the ticket....misses the point

[billywhizzzzzz]

vpr said:

I've just borrowed a new 110 for a couple of days and was pleasantly surprised.

I am in no doubt that a discovery is more comfortable than a Defender but then so is my VW bus but as with me if you fancy a Defender a Discovery just isn't the ticket....misses the point

Me too - had quite a few Defenders but would never consider a Discovery - the point of the Defender is its design, charm and quirks... for me, the Disco is just anotehr (badly built) SUV... Sorry!

[billywhizzzzzz]

stu harris said:

bob1179 said:

Interesting comment from the Landie chap! I would love to have a look at the Defender production line though, I bet it was really interesting. I wonder if you can pick a new one up from the factory and get a tour?

I have just had a look at the 'Before 'n After' website and it's around £1700 for full treatment of a new 110, which seems quite a lot. I suppose I could do it myself but previous experience has shown it to be a messy job that is a real pain! Plus a general lack of time to actually do these things doesn't help.

Erm...google them (him) first. Then go onto any Land Rover forum. Then make your mind up.

There are more experts on the forums than I....Ones with a good reputation I've heard about in the 'North' are JR Classics in Doncaster. I used Rustmaster who've a place in Knutsford now.

Ask on D2 , Landyzone , LRO.com etc for any local places.

Stu

edit...more importantly I see you've an HP2 Sport...only just got mine in July

Edited by stu harris on Wednesday 8th August 15:55

Gosh - just googled them and seems that someone's got it in for him although nothing bad about his work. He's a very odd guy with weird set up, but he does a great job and somehow would trust him more than the £400 guys...

[bob1179]

camel_landy said:

Defenders are great but they are like 'Marmite'... Take one for a test drive before you go too far into your research.

FWIW - Have you have a look at the Discovery 4 yet? As a daily drive, it is more comfortable, practical and a much better tow vehicle.

M

I've driven an S2, S3, a TD5 and took a new one out for a test drive last weekend, they are definitely 'Marmite'! The Disco is a lovely motor but I have to admit, I have a real soft spot for the Defender!

[bob1179]

billywhizzzzzz said:

vpr said:

I've just borrowed a new 110 for a couple of days and was pleasantly surprised.

I am in no doubt that a discovery is more comfortable than a Defender but then so is my VW bus but as with me if you fancy a Defender a Discovery just isn't the ticket....misses the point

Me too - had quite a few Defenders but would never consider a Discovery - the point of the Defender is its design, charm and quirks... for me, the Disco is just anotehr (badly built) SUV... Sorry!

The Defender definitely has charm, that is why I like them!

[bob1179]

billywhizzzzzz said:

stu harris said:

bob1179 said:

Interesting comment from the Landie chap! I would love to have a look at the Defender production line though, I bet it was really interesting. I wonder if you can pick a new one up from the factory and get a tour?

I have just had a look at the 'Before 'n After' website and it's around £1700 for full treatment of a new 110, which seems quite a lot. I suppose I could do it myself but previous experience has shown it to be a messy job that is a real pain! Plus a general lack of time to actually do these things doesn't help.

Erm...google them (him) first. Then go onto any Land Rover forum. Then make your mind up.

There are more experts on the forums than I....Ones with a good reputation I've heard about in the 'North' are JR Classics in Doncaster. I used Rustmaster who've a place in Knutsford now.

Ask on D2 , Landyzone , LRO.com etc for any local places.

Stu

edit...more importantly I see you've an HP2 Sport...only just got mine in July

Edited by stu harris on Wednesday 8th August 15:55

Gosh - just googled them and seems that someone's got it in for him although nothing bad about his work. He's a very odd guy with weird set up, but he does a great job and somehow would trust him more than the £400 guys...

I've just had a Google too and I'm amazed to see what has been written about this guy and his business. I suppose it is one of the downsides of the internet, anybody can write what they want with no fear of it coming back to them in the real world. I can't make out if it is a spiteful customer or a competitor trying to bad mouth him. If it is a competitor it would make me cautious to use anybody as how can you trust anybody if they are willing to use 'underhand' sales tactics?

[camel_landy]

bob1179 said:

camel_landy said:

Defenders are great but they are like 'Marmite'... Take one for a test drive before you go too far into your research.

FWIW - Have you have a look at the Discovery 4 yet? As a daily drive, it is more comfortable, practical and a much better tow vehicle.

M

I've driven an S2, S3, a TD5 and took a new one out for a test drive last weekend, they are definitely 'Marmite'! The Disco is a lovely motor but I have to admit, I have a real soft spot for the Defender!

I know what you mean... I've been around the World in my Defender, it's part of the family and I wouldn't be without it. However, as a daily driver, once the novelty factor has worn off, you'll be wanting more.

For me, my RRSport (same chassis as the Disco) is far more comfortable, relaxing and has a much much better turning circle (I've seen 40' trucks with tighter turning circles than my 110!!). Also, when it comes to towing, the Defender doesn't even come close to the capabilities of the Disco4.

Obviously, it's your money, your choice, etc... but I'd probably go for the Disco and get a TD5 90 to 'Scratch that itch'.

M