Thread: Defender Purchasing Dilemma

Im no expert , but drove a LC ute with the V8 diesel ( was a hire ute so would be latest model ) 4500ks basically non stop with the wife as a co driver, and they would be the most uncomfortable car I have ever driven.


We had to stop every 2 hrs as I couldn't feel my but cheeks. Can only compare it with my D2 & D3 for fuel and tell you what its thirsty, very thirsty.


Cant say about a comparision to a defender as I have only just recently driven a defender around a couple of streets.


Can tell you the disco is worth a look .


Cheers Ean

Are the LCs really that bad with fuel, and chewing through tyres and expensive services. I would have thought a LandRover would be more expensive for servicing being a premium brand...

If you are serious I would think the best bet would be to call up your local dealer and ask for servicing prices / schedules. You can compare them directly then.

A mate of mine has switched from a TD5 defer to a 76 series tray back single cab thingy.............apart from fuel towing his camper he says he wished he had done it years ago........he just got back from a trip to the Kimberley's.......not one issue at all, including no burning of oil. He also says the narrow rear track is only an issue on the black stuff, I issues off road.

The newer 76 series now have ABS, I think it came in 2012...

I have a 2009 76 Series for work and a 2009 110 defender as my personal car.

Offroad the Defender is far better. Defender has a far better ride and much better wheel travel and with the combination of traction control and anti stall it can simply walk thru deep ruts with ease where my 76 over the same ground ran out of wheel travel and was very close to being bogged. Corrugations and dirt road touring are much nicer in the defer.


Onroad - The 76 series is great on the highway, that V8 is a ripper. At high speed the stability of the 76 is better. I have seen 160km/h in a 76 no probs, this was passing a roadtrain. The NT has 130 speed limits (well most of it apart from a 200km stretch nth of Alice which is back to being unlimited) The defer you have the speed limiter at 140 and beyond approx 120 they do not feel the most stable of machines. I do not push mine above 120 generally

Fuel consumption - the 76 is probably about 3-6L per 100km thirstier, obviously depends upon how you drive them.

The 76 has approx 100K on the clock and not one thing has gone wrong. The defender has 82K on the clock and has had numerous oil leaks fixed under warranty the gearbox was taken out to fix leaks, rear Transfer case seal, hub seal, vacuum pump. 2 egr valves (one just outside of warranty at a cost of $1200) and the ac system blew a few hoses and needed work. The reliability of the defer seems to have stabilised now. It seems that the defer come out of the factory 95% finished and the rest is done under warranty.

Now this is from a sample of 2 and there are some design faults known within the 76 as well such as starter motor, injectors, and high oil consumption,

You are obviously aware that the LC70 is being discontinued as well…?

All new vehicles being sold from the beginning of 2016 (unconfirmed date) will need to have fully integrated "Automatic Stability Control" or whatever its known as with different manufacturers as well as the airbag issue which will come in about the same time. Both Defender and LC70 falls under that hammer.

The big construction and mining company's fleet managers have already started phasing LC70's out of their long term plans.

So whatever you decide to buy, the Defender's imminent discontinuation should not really be a feature in a decision versus a LC70

Surely it cant be that hard to modify the car to fit ASC?

Anyways, I am pretty keen on the Defender. I am looking into getting a novated lease through the company I work for. The online simple quote is telling me that it will cost me $1700 a month for 5 years, equalling $100k roughly. Does that seem right to you? Obviously that also includes fuel (est 30000km a year), servicing, tyres, rego, insurance, roadside assistance - over that 5 years.

Sound right to you - $50k to run the car for 5 years...

Originally Posted by specwarop

Surely it cant be that hard to modify the car to fit ASC?

Anyways, I am pretty keen on the Defender. I am looking into getting a novated lease through the company I work for. The online simple quote is telling me that it will cost me $1700 a month for 5 years, equalling $100k roughly. Does that seem right to you? Obviously that also includes fuel (est 30000km a year), servicing, tyres, rego, insurance, roadside assistance - over that 5 years.

Sound right to you - $50k to run the car for 5 years...

not sure but break it down,
Fuel: about 280l a month so $1,60=$448 retail, often they will give you a fleet card and get bulk fuel discount.
Pay off a certain percentage over 5 years, so say 50%(you insert correct figures): =$10,000 a year=$833/month
Interest on remaining residual , could be anything from ZERO to $2-300 a month. Often they have low or no interest specials.
Servicing, now a independent may charge you but LR used to offer free servicing instead of a fleet discount , if that's still the case get it factored in.
Depending on your residual and other factors, you could be on anything from close to $1000- your quoted $1700.
Also the cost of the lease will increase if you get extras added like a bulbar, winch, rock sliders, muddies, interior kit, led's etc. But is also a 50:50 good idea as you don't have to save for them later when you may not have the cash.