Thread: Please share your Defender 130 problems

Cheaper to buy. Cheaper to register. Cheaper to run. More enjoyable to drive. Better load carrying. Better off road. Buy the Toyota if you have trouble fitting in the LR (it's a bit cramped for large bodies), but I honestly can't think of too many other reasons why you would. Land Rover dealerships are a bit thin on the ground, however, and Toyota ones are everywhere. That's probably a factor for many people.

Originally Posted by Sparkys

I am certainly beginning to lean heavily towards the cruiser.

After hanging out on the Landcruiser forums and the Defender forum for a few months I am seeing a massive trend here with posts saying "Aargh, my Defender is doing this and this and this wrong" and very, very few posts on the Landcruiser forum saying "My Landcruiser is doing this wrong".

Never seen a LC/Nissan/Other owner talk about faults. Have seen them with faults, have seen then with issues no different to ours. Have helped LC/Nissan/Other with break down recovery and had them sit in the passenger seat of my 130 telling me all about Land Rover Faults while their car is on my trailer.

Had my TD5 130 since new in 04, 90% of my faults have been stupidity and self inflected. (i.e. "probably can't get up that", diff locks, lets go... "hey we got up! lets do it again..." Axle and CV go bang).

My 2cents, do some test drives and make a decision.

Regards Easo

P.S. 130s RULE!

And an image for sex appeal demonstration....
Mt Terrible, VIC

Durrack, NT

I have a 1998 so 300 tdi130,totally mechanical but I guess you would be looking for goodies, either way keep em serviced and no dramas.
They are great straight from the factory but you can chuck money at it to make it shiny if you wish.
If you are above 6ft buy seat rails from mud uk or similar.
I don't have air con on mine and I live in the pilbara and is totally do-able.
Great off road and not bad to drive to Perth and back, which I have done heaps of times.
I would go a pootrol before going a Tojo if I was into supporting the Japs

Originally Posted by Sparkys

Sasha, yes there seems to be numerous problems with the 200 series V8 (as per your links), especially with the twin turbo system. However, since I'm asking about the 130 compared to the 79 dual cab, using the 200 series is like comparing a Disco and a Defender, they are two completely different cars.

RE Toyota drivers 'honesty'. Interesting thought but not really something that can be justified as a reason against buying one over a 130. It's kinda reads as though you are saying "Well we can't list problems with them so we will just say that the drivers won't tell us the problems". Again, not trying to stir trouble just stating how it appears.

JC, you state when you drive a Landie you 'just get it'. THIS makes sense! That is one of the strongest I can have it for 2500 if I'm he first one there it financially not just emotionally.

I think this thread has probably run its course as there don't seem to be any new faults/problems from Defender owners that I can include in my list for comparison. Thanks all for your input, it's been very valuable. Now to make a decision.

Ol mate did drive a 79 series. If the bloke is too embarrassed to tell what problems he has had with his all mighty land cruiser, I'm not pressing him.

I also had a chat with a NSW high country parks guy. They reverse park their 79's off the track when on a service roads. He was saying how gutless the V8 was under 3000rpm. They were finding they could not crawl back onto the road with out giving it heaps. They could in there previous LC's with the 6 packs. Again just another driver story. I don't know, never driven one.

Again NSW NP have 2 79's, and one 130 at Girraween, or did have. A ranger told me one day when they have serious off road maintanence or work to do thay take the 130. But drive into town they like the 79's. Again just diver conversations. Ring Toyota or Land Rover if you want paper proven facts. Let us know how you go.

Hi Adam,

Could you please post a link to the corresponding "Please share your LC79 problems" thread that you would have posted on the land cruiser forum? I've been following this thread with interest and I' very keen to hear what the LC owners had to say about LC79 problems.

Cheers,
John

Originally Posted by newhue

Ol mate did drive a 79 series. If the bloke is too embarrassed to tell what problems he has had with his all mighty land cruiser, I'm not pressing him.

I also had a chat with a NSW high country parks guy. They reverse park their 79's off the track when on a service roads. He was saying how gutless the V8 was under 3000rpm. They were finding they could not crawl back onto the road with out giving it heaps. They could in there previous LC's with the 6 packs. Again just another driver story. I don't know, never driven one.

Again NSW NP have 2 79's, and one 130 at Girraween, or did have. A ranger told me one day when they have serious off road maintanence or work to do thay take the 130. But drive into town they like the 79's. Again just diver conversations. Ring Toyota or Land Rover if you want paper proven facts. Let us know how you go.

It's interesting about the lack of torque,last weekend I drove up one of the local lookouts here with another group in a cruiser,the cruiser with 4 adults on board never looked like getting up until low range was selected,my TDCi never looked like stopping with five adults on board in high.There's more to vehicle's than big power figures. Pat

Originally Posted by RVR110

Hi Adam,

Could you please post a link to the corresponding "Please share your LC79 problems" thread that you would have posted on the land cruiser forum? I've been following this thread with interest and I' very keen to hear what the LC owners had to say about LC79 problems.

Cheers,
John

Hi John.

My name is actually Sam. Here is the link to the corresponding thread I started on LCOOL. LCOOL.org :: Log in

I'm pretty sure you have to be logged in to read it though.

To my knowledge, act forests are looking at the defenders at the moment because a kitted out lc 79 needs all new suspension and gvm upgrade to handle the fire fighting equipment required... The defender is legal as standard with the same kit... Will keep you posted