LandRovers are still a bit of a lifestyle choice unless you use it properly. Nothing wrong with it as they are practical, depreciation proof, UK built, have a 'good' image (not X5 territory anyway). Just expect niggly faults, corrosion, people wanting to borrow it etc... .
I dont think your missus will enjoy driving it but it seems like you may have already decided. Buy as late as you can, the later 2.4s had a few teething problems.
Oh, and dont get a 'One Life Live It' sticker and travel around at 50mph on motorways in a vehicle that has never left tarmac.
If you want ugly and slow you really should have one of these,
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Its a Pinzgauer, not usually seen stuck but it does happen occasionally.
land rover owners international, mat
there all ****s there 😉
by the way; you will find a difference between your BM and the defender - the later has a stalk on the right hand side of the steering column for "indicators".
i understand that they are seldom chosen optional extras on a BM.
Nice book by the way; i think an early xmas pressie for mini FG
Off to get myself banned.
How about:
STEP ASIDE EVERYONE SURF MATT IS HERE WITH THE MOST AWESOME DEFENDER EVER! OH AND I HAVE A 335D TOO!
As an opening thread?
Farmer - indicators? Care to explain what they are for? 😉
Ivan - the missus took her test in a 90 and was the one that wanted one most. She did the negotiating and it will be in her name. The BM is officially "my" car but we share them equally. She loves Landies!
To get the most awesome Defender ever a good start would be the 335 engine........
Have you chopped in the Jimny for the Defender?
ivan - yep.
Ivantate - the most awesome defender ever would start with a 5 litre supercharged v8 - that what j e engineering did to get a 460 bhp toy!
if i was in that territory i would have a bowler/qt wildcat personally
nice pitz. btw.
any unimog pictures anyone?
Cant fit a Mog in the garage, we got the Pinz after starting with Haflingers.
Have a look on Youtube for Mogs, I cant remember what it is called (ultimate Unimog or similar) but there is a 404 in the states fitted with a massive V8 and thraped mercilessly for the video camera.
i would have a bowler/qt wildcat personally
[blows trumpet] I delivered the rolling chassis to Drew Bowler for the 2nd comp-safari conversion he did and used to race in comp safaris against Dave [QT] when he was still a fireman 😀 [/blows trumpet]
ivan - are the flingers all 6x6?
there all ****s there
So *that's* why I feel so at home there.
Mol - you basically called most Defender drivers ****s...
Prius drivers get called far worse. Don't dish it out if you can't take it.
Mol -hang on, you moaned saying I insult other car drivers (which I don't) having just called Defender drivers ****s.
Look up the word "hypocrite" and return with your findings.
Bowlers are soooo cool but maybe a bit impractical?!
You randomly insult people's actual cars and them by implication, but it seems to be based on just the fact that you don't like the cars concerned.
Defenders are environmentally damaging and should not be used where they are not needed. So there's an actual reason there.
Perhaps **** was too strong, but I struggle to see the appeal of wanting to show everyone what a polluting car you drive?
[b]Defenders are environmentally damaging [/b]and should not be used where they are not needed. So there's an actual reason there.
So is any car/bike/person/rabbit/coffee maker.
I shall let the millions of Defender owners know how naughty they are. I shall then suggest they all buy a Pious and suggest they sod off when question what happens if they get stuck.
Mol - you really give your cars a bad name on here as well as other Forums... 😉
Now this is the thing. Your points make no sense.
Some cars are more environmentally damaging than others. Is this not obvious?
Some Defender drivers need them as a tool, so a Prius would not work. Obviously I'm not suggesting any farmer trade in their defender.
Buying a defender and driving it around instead of a normal car is not responsible, and has negative consequences. More so than a normal car.
Mol if my points make no sense to you then you are not only all too often a sanctimonious, bleating PITA, you are also rather thick.
I'm not thick and you know it.
Calling someone sanctimonious is what people do when they don't like being called up on their irresponsibility.
And with that I'm out of this thread so save it.
Now that you two have finished lets get back to Land Rovers shall we:
Leaf Spingtastic
Landys are noisy, uncomfortable, basic, cramp, cold, damp, leaking, draughty, but are great work vehicles.
Though I'm stuck with a shite L200 😥
Mat - Buryas Bridge were good for what Riders couldn't warranty for my old employer, Mid Cornwall 4x4 keep the Imerys LR's moving, my mate works in the pits, their LR's do little mileage, but it is tough miles with some very brave/stupid drivers
Found this on the phone of my work one;
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Always had Land Rovers as work vehicles, best way really as it meant I didn't have to concur the costs. Nothing else would've done what they did for as long as they did. L200 was scrap 3 months after it was registered.
Including, but not limited to;
90 300tdi
Disco diesels, series 1-3, generally re-mapped for towing power, Riders (dealership) very understanding but dreaded seeing them for service, some very big hard miles.
130 TD5
130 TDCi
I found that the lag wasn't as bad on later TD5's either, early ones were glacial to respond towing out of junctions though.
the OP has totally disappeared?
i think the general STW consensus is that LR are very acceptable (apart from Molgrips) even though he does not appreciate that approx 70% of all Land Rovers built since 1948 are still running, and as the biggest environmental impact of vehicles is their actual production then in reality they are probably one of the most greenest vehicles on (or off) the road today.
Timber - brilliant info. Thanks! Checked Riders. They have a 54k mile 56 reg 110 xs there in pretty shoddy condition for over £22k. Having searched the UK for ours, that is the most overpriced one I have seen. Puts me right off using them!
Not enough photos here... Get yer bloody photos up and give me some inspiration. 🙄
A 9 seater 110 is something I'm considering for the future, if this is a thread about aesthetics, I think they look wonderful. I don't know if you have these in the UK, but a cheaper alternative is the
Santana Anibal
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[url= http://www.segundamano.es/cordoba/santana-anibal-superlujo-7-plazas-doble-aa-5p/a21683427/?c=4 ]Linky.[/url]
Small world - I know Veronica's daughters - did my PhD with her eldest and worked with her youngest...
(And when I had to do some work at IGER she very kindly let me stay there)
Zokes - no way! She's my mum's closest friend and has been for quite some time.
Small World! Assume you are Cornwall based?
Nope, not in the slightest - did my PhD with Meg at Bangor, then Gen started working there. Now I'm a lot further down south than you - I'm in Adelaide. Which sort of makes it seem all the more bizarre really!
don - you can get santanas in the uk and they are cheaper than land rovers. original santana used to assemble land rovers from kit form in spain with a few local ammendments in the seventies - not sure what the relationship is between them and LR now?
i think santanas have independant leaf suspension like the series vehicles rather than coils of land rovers.
timber - nice picture of the back end of a high cap
Zokes - LOL! That's a fair way away!
Santana don't have a good reputation here, and that is from our SHB service fitters who see a lot of 4x4 vehicles.
FG - that is of our current 130 after 8 months
Loads if info, thanks. I need at least 7 seats though so most of the 4x4 estates are out. People carriers are out as the rear passengers are too close to the rear window. I have looked at everything, E class', peugeot 307's, Vitos', Viano's, etc, etc, etc.
Any other ideas?
Landrovers 'proper' are classless.
You never know who's behind the wheel of one, from bricky to Lord of the Manor.
Here's ours, arrived Saturday - it's a big old thing but we love it!
Terrible mobile phone pics:
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Had lots of fun in it already - XS gets a few goodies which make it comfier - heated seats, aircon, electric windows (!), remote locking, half leather seats, blah blah blah. DREADFUL turning circle (think large yacht but worse) but apart from that, it's brilliant! Moves well too - not quick but maintains speed fine up long road hills.
AWESOME!
Looks good Matt - I'd risk the death of a few polar bears to have that.
whats the crack with these, unless you need to go on greenlanes or around fields and across mooreland all day they are whack, i drove a brand new one 2000 miles across france and the only fun bit was 30 minutes razzing up a snow capped french volcano.. other than that the drafts of air coming in via the door and the crap brakes and industrial gearbox get a bit thin for the cost.
id rather have a 5k off road machine and a nice warm vehicle like a volvo
We have a nice warm vehicle called a BMW.
And this has heated seats too 😉
Cheers Dave and Don!
Several years ago I was lucky enough to take a Range Rover around the RR test track (Solihull, I think), if you want (truly AWESOME) off road capability, comfort, warmth and on road ability. Range Rover is the way to go. 😉
Nice 110 Mat - hope you have lots of fun with it.
Alexxx - they are wonderfully imperfect - you either "get" them or you don't. That said, the newer ones are far more comfortable/quieter.
Just a shame that they no longer have the vents on the front - taking them away is just not right*.
* makes mental note to get the vent seals replaced before winter really kicks in as a constant cool draught whilst fine in summer can grate a bit when its snowing. 🙂
tidy truck matt!.
if you use the rear door often for passengers have a look for a NAS (north american spec) rear step - lot safer and can still mount tow ball on it.
cranberry - 😆
Don - Rangies are great but I just can't see us chucking muddy MTBs, wet clobber, wet dogs, etc in one and although genuinely good off road (the non Sport ones), I'd be a bit worried greenlaning one! Greenlaned a brand new LC Amazon with all the luxury goodies once and it just felt wrong! Coped very well though.
Automotive perfection? 😆
This was a few years ago before the poncy sport and fashionistas got hold of them.
I wouldn't have worried about slinging the bikes in the back opf this.
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Inlaws had one from new in that shape - great in many ways but broke down constantly!
Once had to endure a trip from Leeds to Glencoe in one. Never again! The guy voluntered to drive as some thing to do with snow and how fantastic it was.
I imagine off road they are brilliant but on road it was just terrible. If you want one for off road then great but for on road they are just a joke.
FD - some people revel in how crap things can be. Bear that in mind next time you are on a wet muddy MTB ride.. I think it's a similar feeling that draws people to crap old cars, VW campers and these things 🙂
So then Mol with your well formed opinions from owning a Passat and a Prius, you think a Defender is crap then? What would the lord of moaning choose to tow a boat off a slippery, rocky beach? What would the king of style use for serious off roading?
In fact why are you even reading this thread? Just to have a pop at those who life Defenders? Have you even driven one? Shall I muscle in on every thread about something I'm not keen on too and bleat utter nonsense?
A few don't like them having driven them or been passengered in them - fair enough. But more like them very much indeed.
It's pretty civilised on the road now with the new engine and a few luxuries - far far better than the stripped out, ply lined td5s I used to drive when a Geotec Engineer.
Mat.. calm down.
Several times on here people've acknowledged that some Landies are crap on long road journeys, but they still love them. That's what I was alluding to, and comparing it to the 'pleasure' of a long wet bike ride, something we all appreciate.
I wasn't denigrating the vehicles, for a change.
Plus it was a light hearted quip in any case to another poster who shares my viewpoint more or less.
I know, I was overreacting on purpose 😉
I think you would have pi55ed yourself laughing on our first attempt at trying to get out of our driveway (very steep, very hard turn) - the 110 simply doesn't make it with it's huge turning circle so we have to do a bit of a mid road "shuffle" to get out. For getting back up (very hard left) we now turn it around 20 yards down the road. They have the turning circle of a large yacht.
The early design Landrover is a great utility vehicle and is superb offroad. However, in comparison to any modern car, they are extremely dated and downright dangerous. Have a crash in one of those and you'll be more likely to die as the chassis won't absorb impact. They don't handle and are about as aerodynamic as a shed. I'd still have one if I had land though.
Surely a good turning circle would be a prerequisite for good off-road performance? I mean I know it's one of the best, but seems weird that it can't turn well.
I think it's something to do with the massive suspension travel/wheel articulation - think it gets in the way of the steering arms so can't go far. Never had a situation in a Landy off road before where I've wanted more lock but on the road it can be a bit of a challenge.
molgrips - and the problem is?
With what?
Best looking cars ever made. From a series 1 all the way up to the new TDCi. Like others have said, you either get them or you dont.
Neither ugly or elegant but I think they have a utilitarian aesthetic that I rather like.
Mind you, I rather like the look of my 2005 Orange 5 for similar reasons.
FWIW - I'd have a 90 (I enjoyably drove one for work some years ago) but for the fact that I really couldn't justify the expense to me or the planet on just aesthetic grounds. Now if I had a farm or, indeed, a smallholding...
molgrips - the turning circle? when you are the duchy of cornwall you have all the land you need to turn round in 😉
Lol 🙂
Just seemed to me that a good turning circle would be useful, many lanes and tracks I end up riding along seem to have sharp bends in.
Ah yes, and I thought it was just cr@p driving up it took about 15 attempts to turn the thing around in the Glencoe Ski Centre Car Park.
My mate uses a Volvo XC70 to pull his boat out of the water...
Vans ftw, when it comes to turning circles.
dickydutch - Member
Best looking cars ever made. From a series 1 all the way up to the new TDCi. Like others have said, you either get them or you dont.
They're not even the best looking 4x4 with badly fitting panels and shonky electrics.
FG, haflingers were 1962-1972 and 4x4 only. Swb and Lwb.
Pinzgauers 1972-2009, 4x4 or 6x6, petrol or diesel.
I know we are talking LR here but did you consider a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 5door. Less seats (for the OP but not Matt) but just as much of a legend and now with a decent diesel and coils. They can handle a decent lift kit and as the engine is set further back than LR supposedly better balanced in the rough.
if you need wheel articulation then you will compromise on steering lock.
if i won the lottery i would still drive one (but i would have lots of them).
you pay your money - you take your choice
Being on only my 6th LR, a S3 88, two 90's , a Disco and early RR and my current 110 I fail to see the issues. Can't genuinely remember an electrical fault. After all if it isn't there it can't break. Sure the chassis will rust but you can mend it. They are not crap on the road, just not as cosseting as posh cars. After all in the Uk 70mph is all you need. On country roads 40. To those brought up on modern cars they are not great but I much prefer my '86 110 to the wifes Jap eco box. having said all that I had as much fun out of my Lada Niva and when my Jimny gets older that as well. Oh yeah what other cars has 12 seats and isn't a mini bus. great for pub crawls and uplifts.
youve gotta be mad to spend much money on a late defender, i can understand buying a nice clean older one for 5k perhaps but no more. I was after a new offroader (tree surgeon) to replace my old hilux, long story 17k spent on a swb defender, main agent, leaky roof, door locks falling out, noisey diff, the list goes on and on, main agent proposed the leaks were fixed with sealant (read bathroom sealant)...do they look nice...yeah they do, they are cool, but they are so homemade that there isnt really any justifiable reason to buy one compared to the jap stuff thats about, even comparing off road ability...
On country roads 40
Maybe that's all you dare in a Landy, but I like to make quicker progress than that and I'm a long way from a boy racer.
I think we can safely say that the Defender is a marmite car!
Matt - just sold our Jimny (pxed for the 110) - great little vehicle and very good off road. Was genuinely sad to see it go. Ours was 55 reg with only 23k miles but it never missed a beat. And had a tiny turning circle! Just a bit small and has far too low a towing weight for our boat.
Just a shame that they no longer have the vents on the front - taking them away is just not right*.
Why for did they do that? Air-con I suppose.Didn't even realise until you pointed that out. Driving across Morocco will never be the same. They were also handy if you were a smoker.
Maybe that's all you dare in a Landy, but I like to make quicker progress than that and I'm a long way from a boy racer.
So a 335d is pointlessly fast and a Defender is too slow...
Hmmm...
So a 335d is pointlessly fast and a Defender is too slow...
Er, yeah, I'd say so 🙂
IF you could only do 40mph on country roads as the poster mentioned. It may or may not be possible to do more in a modern one I dunno. Actually, I do know, I've seen them going fairly quickly plenty of times. It sounds as if it might be hard work tho!
Ours keeps up with traffic fine and maintains normal speeds fine. Certainly not going to outdrag much but its not for chavving! Certainly seems to get treated more courteously than most cars!
I meant when it's twisty - I'm thinking body roll and general insecurity..?
My old 90...
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Thing about a landie like a defender is that it'll lean way more than a normal car ... but once its leaned over, its pretty stable in the corner. I found the trick was to load up the suspension on the run up to the corner with a gentle turn in to set the lean, then turn in fully. Once you're used to the feel, you can press on in a defender pretty smartly.
The classic RR was similar in its manners on the road. The Mk2 RR was a little light on the rear and the Mk3 RR a bit the same.
Oldgit- the vents went with the introduction by Ford of the Puma engine and a new fangled dashboard.
Philistines. 🙁
Fisha - that looks very capable!
Weirdly the mould "holes" for the vents are still there but blanked off on the Puma Defenders!
Have to say that although it's not quite as "purist," having proper ventilation, a heated windscreen and aircon (and butt warmers) really does make the Defender a lot more comfy!
Just towed the boat back from Penryn - hardly noticed it was on the back!
Major surprise in ours - the stereo is actually quite good. Whatever next!?
Just been into the local LR dealer - i am seriously considering placing the deposit to secure a 110 utility XS for delivery in january. Just need to conince the wife / accountant its as sound business 'investment'.
we just bought a 2002 110 last week so still very new to us.
we went thru the exact same choice.
We (or should that be I) decided on the 110 on the basis of depreciation.
I might be wrong but we thought if we got the Mitsubishi & did not like it & sold it a year later we would loose out big time.
If we do not like the 110 we can sell it very easily as they are highly sought after and it will loose little value if we look after it.
Go on, get it and have a laugh.
If your mileage is not too great you have little to loose.
& here is the little darling
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madbill - very tidy (but don't let the fashion police see that you have anything chrome on your landy - you'll be marked as a towny or a pikey!).
fisha - very nice 300tdi county station wagon in epson green! have you got wheel spacers on it? it looks well planted.
marcus - if you go for a new landy then join the NFU (about £175 ish); after 3 months membership you get a 5% discount on any new landy (i saved £1350)
Bill - nice!
Marcus - DO IT!!