Advice on my new 90

Thanks to everyone for the considered opinions. I can see what camel_landy means bout the winch being a can of worms here, I have been 4wdín for years and am in the army, so do a hell of a lot of touring driving in vehicles from rovers (not very often) to unimogs, hino's, cruisers, prados and pajeros. I have hit many roo's, i was on the range in pukka in victoria and got mobbed by a mob of roo's wrote the dual cab courier off, also dented every panel and put the car to sleep, so for me so far a bullbar is absoloutly essential. that being said i have a winch on my other 2 cars, so maybe its not an important issue, but for a few hundred bucks it is in my opinion cheap insurance.

The thing that has struck me most deeply is KarlB's comment .. for years i have heard the KISS principle and that has resonated with me .. I agree with what you have said about warranty, this will be the first 4wd i have ever bought brand new and i never even thought about the warranty aspect. I got my quotes back from my local dealer today and i am just about to read through them, but it looks like everything on that list genuine is about $60,000 or $55,000 if i swap in some ARB parts. If i can get some of the bits from Rijidij and mulgo then i think it may come out even cheaper. I am gonna read through it all and post up the prices i was quoted.

Cheers guys

Wade

[table]
Item Supplier Total

Defender 90 series MY2013 Blacklocks $42,800.00
Bullbar - Rovercraft Defender Tubular Winch Bar Mulgo $960.00
Bullbar - 2x Swivel Recovery Points Mulgo $150.00
Winch - Warn 9.5Ti Electric Winch Blacklocks (arb) $1,912.00
Towbar - Hayman Reece Style Hitch Blacklocks (arb) $600.00
Protection Item - Wing top Protectors, Mammouth Black Mulgo $203.50
Protection Item - Rock Sliders, Black with steps, no chequer plate Mulgo $675.00
Protection Item - Front Runner Steering Guard Mulgo $345.00
Protection Item - Devon 4x4 Transmission Guard Mulgo $145.00 $14.50 $159.50
Protection Item - QT Services Diff Guard Front Mulgo $165.00
Protection Item - QT Services Diff Guard Rear Mulgo $198.00
Sunroof - Genuine Factory Fitted Blacklocks $590.00
Front Footwell Rubber Mats Blacklocks $172.28
Front Mud Flaps Blacklocks $100.00
Audio Connectivity System - Genuine Factory Fitted Blacklocks $0.00
Rear Bar - Twin Swing Away Wheel Carrier Rijidij $2,200.00
2nd Spare Wheel Blacklocks $0.00
Raised Air Intake (Snorkel) - Factory Fitted Blacklocks (arb) $525.00
Ex Box w/12v Sockets Mulgo $350.00
Glove Box w/Grab Handle Mulgo $245.00
UHF -GME TX3510W $0.00
Roof Console Department of the Interior $0.00
Rear Drawer Setup Department of the Interior $0.00
Cruise Control $0.00

Total $52,350.27
[/table]

So this is my interim list from what everyone has suggested, a few items i will prob ditch, the items with $0 next to them i haven't sourced a price on yet .. sorry the format looks better in the spread sheet :)

is there anything on this list that guys have used and think are ****? or vice versa anything that guys think is really good ..

cheers guys

Wade

Hi Wade,

I'm waiting at the moment to pick up my new 110 wagon. Should have it in the garage on the 20th of this month. I looked into the genuine A bar and winch combo for the car I purchased. I was shocked to find that it is made from some sort of polyurethane or plastic crap. I then nearly fell over when the dealer told me they wanted something like 6 grand for the bar and winch.

Have fun with the 90.

Cheers,

Danial.

Has anyone taken the 'after-market' packages, specifically the ones the include the additional paint and rust protection and sound proofing?

I'm not saying: "Don't have a winch"...

...I'm suggesting you carry a hand winch.

If you just want a winch "For insurance", a Tirfor is perfect. ;)

M

Cheers Camel, i actually have a tirfor 35, use it more often than you would think .. u r 100% right that a recovery in reverse is usually much more common and easier.

wade

Rear recovery point? The Dixon-Bate 5t pin is my weapon of choice, dunno if it would be compatible with a tow-bar though.

M

I'm usually a fan of the rear hitch receiver .. hence why i like the hayman reece style towbar with the square hole :) rated to a bit over 5t and yet to break one ..

Hi Wade,

Unfortunately these vehicles are gaining "lemon" status mate and if you have a look through the forum there are many threads that document consistent recurring problems with Puma Defenders and poor service from many of the Land Rover dealerships around Australia.

Have a read through the thread's titled "New Defender reliability?", "Life of Puma Rear Diff's" and more recently "Some Puma 90 Niggles and Frustrations (Warranty)". They are all on this forum and are accounts of the frustrations and problems experienced by Puma Defender owners.

My advice to you is to look for a dealer who has been recommended by a Defender Puma owner before you even think about the accessories to fit to it because you will get to know your dealer very well by all accounts. Diffs, gearboxes, fuel pumps, injectors are the tip of the iceberg unfortunately and from many of the accounts on this forum, some Land Rover dealerships will slow track the fix time claiming they are waiting for parts or specialised tools from the UK before they can repair the vehicle.

Good luck with your new purchase.

Regards Warrick.

I have a 2011 90 and got a Hayman Reece tow bar fitted by the Opposite Lock fellas. From memory around $600.