Thread: Seek advice on Defender purchase

I think if you were disappointed by the test drive - and I would recommend you drive a new model MY13 just in case you find that differnt - but if you are still disappointed - it won't get any better with ownership. Instead you will be disappointed and poor.

Backlash is best detected by a clunk when you change gears. All defenders can clunk. How badly they clunk depends on how badly you change gears. The older they get the greater the slop in the gears - that's what causes backlash. Ideally a new Defender will have very little slop - but they all have some. And by the time they get to 300,000 k's they will have even more. But even with tons of slop - 3/4 of a turn on the prop shaft (on my worn out 2003 Defender) it's still possible to drive with no clunks at all.

If you buy a new Defender the last thing you will want to do is void the warranty with an aftermarket ECU, perhaps even an aftermarket map - especially if the only reason is to avoid the throttle response. I'm used to my MY13 now and the throttle response does not cause me any problems.

I think you need to go on a long drive in a Defender to get the feel of it. They seem very cramped on first inspection, the handbrake lever digs into your left leg, your right leg is hard up against the door, your right shoulder is hard up against the B pillar but after a while you don't notice it anymore and you will find the driving position quite comfortable. I do quite a few long trips in my Defender, and find I feel more comfortable at the end of the day then I have with any of my previous vehicles. I am 6' 3'' and weigh around 120kg so am not a small person.

Cheers, Mick.

Thanks for the advice, everytime I tell myself I give up hope on the defender after a test drive then after one week , I give myself excuse to research again on the defender.
I think I remember must last drove on a MY13 90 is worse than a 12 110 I did in BNE.
The 110 is actually better than my previous experience we took a rather longer drive and I misss the gear only once.
The 90 is sometimes difficult to engage a gear several times.
And now I remember the reving in between the gears ( I did not start reading on this forum before that)
I am not a driver hurrying on the road, as I like to cruise slowly in my MGB (1979 daily driver for 11 yrs going to do that for future many yrs I predict)
So I think with practice I can train myself to adapt to the driving habit.
I an small 5' 5" so the sitting is no problem, beside I ghave lived with my classic mini fro 11yrs!
So I am getting my confidence back Thanks all Guys here!

Now I am focusing on the reliability issues .

Thanks for all feedback as I am keeping all in my head every experience you guys express.

Originally Posted by MGBman

Thanks for the advice, everytime I tell myself I give up hope on the defender after a test drive then after one week , I give myself excuse to research again on the defender.
I think I remember must last drove on a MY13 90 is worse than a 12 110 I did in BNE.
The 110 is actually better than my previous experience we took a rather longer drive and I misss the gear only once.
The 90 is sometimes difficult to engage a gear several times.
And now I remember the reving in between the gears ( I did not start reading on this forum before that)
I am not a driver hurrying on the road, as I like to cruise slowly in my MGB (1979 daily driver for 11 yrs going to do that for future many yrs I predict)
So I think with practice I can train myself to adapt to the driving habit.
I an small 5' 5" so the sitting is no problem, beside I ghave lived with my classic mini fro 11yrs!
So I am getting my confidence back Thanks all Guys here!

Now I am focusing on the reliability issues .

Thanks for all feedback as I am keeping all in my head every experience you guys express.

"Mini", "MGB"?....A friend of mine bought one of the original "Factory" BLMC Mini Cooper S Rally cars that came out to Aus. He restored it, and he still has it.
I had a Mk 1 Austin Lancer (same as a Wolseley 1500)in my youth, into which I inserted an MGB motor....52bHP to 98bhp.....made quite a difference.
C'Mon, you're gonna love your Defender, we haven't got our "90" yet, & Wifey can't wait....'cause it's going to be hers!
Cheers, Pickles.

I would think very carefully if looking a a puma model defender--mine is off the road again for the second time with a non running engine caused by a faulty sensor--first a fuel one now a temperature one. Car just stops and will not go --needing towing--try that in Syd Harbour tunnel, or trying to overtake or in the Simpson! Seems that instead of just going into limp mode but still letting you drive home it just stops--so much for a LR as an offroad vehicle. I have had over 15 LR's over the years but this electronically controlled one will be my last LR--I am completely over them now as no longer fit for purpose. Seems this one happened after a wash but surely LR's can be washed--what happens if I hit some water in the Simpson--expensive tow--so would not risk such a trip again in a LR--sorry.

I can't understand why some people seem to be able to drive their Puma to the remotest parts of the country with no problems while others can't drive down to the shop?

Good question., I wish there is a statistics on the number of pumas sold with little problems , medium problems , big big problems.
Seems that there must be quite a portion without problems and happy owners. ( Judging from the look on their face while they are driving past)

May be a minority with problems usually have big problems!

I have a feeling that if one test drive a new def if it feels good it's going to be good. i.e. problematic ones will show themselves at very earlier stage???

Cheers all.

Originally Posted by alan48

I would think very carefully if looking a a puma model defender--mine is off the road again for the second time with a non running engine caused by a faulty sensor--first a fuel one now a temperature one. Car just stops and will not go --needing towing--try that in Syd Harbour tunnel, or trying to overtake or in the Simpson! Seems that instead of just going into limp mode but still letting you drive home it just stops--so much for a LR as an offroad vehicle. I have had over 15 LR's over the years but this electronically controlled one will be my last LR--I am completely over them now as no longer fit for purpose. Seems this one happened after a wash but surely LR's can be washed--what happens if I hit some water in the Simpson--expensive tow--so would not risk such a trip again in a LR--sorry.

Thanks alan for the information hope yr defender won't halt you on the road again