Defender - Useful Build Quality

My 2 cents

Think perception is an issue when talking about comfort: seat height, heat in cabin, etc

As well as expectations.

Living in Mackay, quite warm, dark colored defender and have no issues with 'hot' cabin. Mind you I rarely use the air con either- just windows down.

Am 190cm tall but shortish legs and find driving position great. Yep, handbrake feels like it could be better placed but doesn't worry me.

Really think each person needs to drive one themselves to see how they react to it. Clearly less options in Defender but for some , less is more.


---
I am here: [ame="http://maps.google.com/maps'll=-21.038646,149.175792"]Google Maps[/ame]

[QUOTE=rick130;1608833]I'm 6'1,3/4" and fit ???



You should be able to turn the headlights on with your knee cap, Lol:D
I still love mine but, and Jimb summed it up I think saying "Less is more"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VK3UTE

6"3' you wont fit:( You either fit in a defender or you don't.

---

I'm 6'3" and I fit :mad:

I even fit into my IIA ute, which has fer less room.


some points:
My better half recently commented that our county has the least comfortable seats of all our vehicles (other vehicles are a Disco 1 and a IIA with (1979) mitsubishi lancer seats. That has made me decide to replace the seats rather than refurb them.
After owning a disco, I hate the tiny back door on a 110 (wagon/hardtop).

Back to the OP's questions. We have travelled west-east or east-west (coast-coast) 5 times in the last 5 years in our 110 wagon. It has also been our sole vehicle for extended periods.

Do a search as you can get different refurb kits for LR seats making them into anything you want.As for the defender I've just done 15K in 4 weeks in my Puma and I could not be happier but I'm a defender person,I don't see the point in the soccer mom cars that sell as 4wd's these days. Pat

The Defender is like Vegemite... You'll either love it or hate it!!!

From what you say, you might find that the Defender will really hack you off... Have you thought about something like a Disco3 or 4? The Disco is far more useable as a car.

The only way of telling if you'll like/fit the Defender is to get in one and go for a drive.

Build quality... You want to get yourself a 2007MY or later i.e. With the 2.4 TDCi Ford donk.

M

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PAT303

Do a search as you can get different refurb kits for LR seats making them into anything you want.

---

Umm, not quite. You can get retrim kits, OE shape foam kits, Puma/TD4 retrim kits that are covers/fabric only for crazy prices (GBP247 per seat). You can also get complete "premium" seats, at even scarier prices...

http://www.johncraddock-trim.co.uk/i...emart&Itemid=3

I cannot find any "refurb" kits which permit any significant upgrade of the foam. Unless you have found some other supplier than Exmoor Pat???

Hi All,

Thanks for the feedback. Off to have a look at one today at a dealer and just see what sort of options it offers. Will get back to you all in the future.

Cheers

Okay, so had a sit in one and I suspect I could live with it. Pretty squeezy especially on the right shoulder, elbow and left knee, but there you go.

So my next thoughts:

1. Can you get some decent oomph out of the 2.4 or 2.2? (chasing around 130-150kw and 450Nm@2000)

2. Can you do anything about the horrendous turning circle?

3. Now that Maxi-Drive engineering are dead, can you still get quality parts for the Landies?
(The mechanic down the road does a lot of work on Landies and races an extensively modified Range Rover, his thoughts where that the diff and axles were crap compared to the Patrol).

The competition now is a 2007 or newer Patrol ute (3L CRD) fitted with air suspension all round. The only thing I don't like about the Patrol is the short wheelbase and massive overhang on the rear end.

MD is made at MR automotive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simple_One

...The only thing I don't like about the Patrol is the short wheelbase and massive overhang on the rear end.

---

The Patrol is 117" WB. A Defender 130 is 127". If you really want the extra 10" then there are places who will extend the chassis for you for a few $k, fully approved.

As for your points about the landie.
You can buy a kit to move the handbrake out of the way.
1. Upgrade chips are available
2. No option apart from fitting rear steer ($$$$)
3. Ashcroft Transmissions is probably your best option for upgrade bits these days (owners are on this site). As mentioned MD were bought out by MR Auto, except for Barry at Hi-Tough, who was 2IC at MDE, and bought the axle making business.