DEFENDER HAS BEEN A REAL PLEASURE

Voltron, I know what you mean about the weight; when I packed Monty up for the recent Simpson trip, he actually felt smoother and more comfortable with the extra weight.

MLD - get a Mulgo ExBox. It puts the top of the cubby box at the same height as the driver door so you get even armrests. it also frees up space under the driver's seat for a compressor for example, and moves the electrics inward and higher in the vehicle. Win-win!

I think I'm used to the noise now but I might explore a thin carpet on the ceiling now that I have the pop-top.

Being a passenger in my mates' cars (Ranger, Hi-Lux, Land Cruiser), they seem to handle the corrugations better than the Defender. Maybe it's just my suspension set-up....but I'm pretty sure that when it was stock they were noisy and very rattly too and seem less so in their cars.

But then, as mentioned, their cars have no soul or character which is important for me.

Bobby

I'm still running stock suspension and drivetrain - except for wheels/tyres - whilst I save for the next round of upgrades. The only ride related complaint I have is insufficient dampening on the rear end when heavily loaded or towing upwards of 2 tonnes.

Drivability is worlds apart from what my 200tdi was under similar loads/conditions. Like everyone, I hunger for more power when climbing/overtaking/towing/any combination of the aforementioned.

I myself am in a better state after a long trip in the defender compared to anything else. Comfort for me is not a problem, but my wife gets a sore lower back after about six hours. A mulgo exbox is on the list to bring the cubbybox up to the height it should've been at from factory.

Despite its few shortcomings and quirks by the score, I can't think of another vehicle I'd rather have. Mine only has 34 500 kms on it, and they haven't been completely trouble free, but it has enabled us to see some spectacular sights and destinations already.

Defender. Awesome.

Note: not completely against the idea of a dual cab 6x6 perentie with decent sound deadening, heating, cooling, sound system decked out with a camper body on the back...... but too invested in this one at this stage....

When you are in a defender you know your in a good 4wd and yes it may lack some a few mod cons but all the common models are so similiar and just like a car. I owned defender for years, kitted it out with suspension upgrade dual batteries, rear draws etc and it rides a lot better. The defender is like the old series models which I owned a few. No matter what the load they drive the same. Yeah lack a bit of power up steep hills but economical and reliable. Took ours 14,000km across the country with 3 kids and camper trailer an no drama at all.

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I had a high spec Audi for work and a 2012MY 90 for the weekends. Sold both two weeks ago to get a Range Rover Sport. Regret selling the 90 already even though I love the RRS. While a lot noisier, the 90 was still very comfortable to drive and had that X factor you all know.

Voltron, time for a remap.... no more issues on hills, its a puma right?

and Yes, i love my defender 130, my county 110, my RRS tdv8, small collection of discoverys and other rovers, etc etc etc etc... its a sickness.

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Originally Posted by cal415

Voltron, time for a remap.... no more issues on hills, its a puma right?

and Yes, i love my defender 130, my county 110, my RRS tdv8, small collection of discoverys and other rovers, etc etc etc etc... its a sickness.

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Already looking into it mate. A workshop that used to tune my GTR who now tunes Deisels also because they said that market has boomed. They use the same software most euro companies use to reflash so I'm going to suss them out. I know there are others who do it but I have dealt with these guys for a long time and trust their ability in tuning especially for performance. And they may just have some other ideas that may not have been thought of. I will admit he laughed when I told him what I am driving now. ;)

After driving Citroens for many years, I have to say the Defender is the best, most fun car I've ever had. I am enjoying my 90 so much that I will be looking for a LWB Series just for the sheer fun of it...

Been said many a time,, so much so that a few close ones on here joke about it :D

I find mine comfy and easy to drive, but there are issues with power, but nothing a chip cant fix.

Took another ute for a spin over in SA at Easter that was chipped,, wow what a difference. Just a simple plug in job that just transforms the car completely.

Have had a couple of warranty issues, but I still love my baby :D

Who is the tuning shop? i noticed the guys at streamline who did my 6L calais tune now do deisels, they quoted me 2k to do the TDV8 RRS, had to pass on that considering a mail order tune from the UK will probably be better and about a 1/4 of the costs

Puma tuning?...I think that whoever does it should know what they're doing, & REALLY be totally familiar with the Puma, otherwise massive problems can occur.
Plus, if anything goes wrong, I reckon local back up is a must.
In the UK, there's heaps of guys, I guess BAS is the most well known, but there's others who also do a good job,...a bit more hard to find in Aus?
Pickles.