Thread: Defender Owners with 3+kids who go touring.....

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Sorry, but I'm not up on all the different models, so what model is the L322....

It's the first model RR with fully independent suspension and BMW engines.

OK depends on what you actually buy. I have a 2000 110 TD5. The back seats are ok for younger kids, but as they get older become a lot less suitable. My daughter now detests long trips in it as there is just not enough leg room and this is even after I have raised the front seats to give a bit more room in the back. Then the air con is nothing short of a joke for anyone in the back.
If you have 3 teenagers they will get cranky very quickly.
The puma is a little better but still not great. The newer 130 is not much better.
I would still consider a new 110 or 130 but we are getting to the stage where it will generally just be the 2 of us.
If you are travelling with kids you will need to test one with your kids, but I would say look at a D3/4 or even 2.
The Land Crusiers are no better and very tight in their twin cab.

1. Comfort for the 2nd row passengers, especially when there's a least 3 kids onboard.... Shocking for 3 passengers unless they are very young, not tall and very skinny. We struggle with 2 and a dog.
2. Leg room for the 2nd row passengers As above, the puma slightly better. My 18yo has a lot of trouble with sore and cramped legs.
3. Room between each child in the 2nd row (ie: Their not squeeshed together touching each other) 3 will be squashed together, the seats in the back are not that comfortable. The seats sit higher and are great for young kids, but as they get taller can be hard for them to see.
4. Overall room when touring into remote areas... I'm assuming there is enough room for all your gear + spare parts, etc Generally there will never be enough room with 3 kids, but a 110 is great a 130 better, put in roller drawers and a roof rack and it will be enough. You may want to consider a small off road trailer with 3 kids.
5. When not touring - how is the Defender being used as a daily driver to/from work? The 110 is fine for day to day, the 130 a bit more difficult but fine.

Your kids will grow out of it very quickly. Having said that my kids still love the 110, just my daughter now detests long trips. My boy wants it.
Your budget will be important. Defenders hold their price.
You could look at a D2 diesel and spend some money on storage, roof racks and even a camper trailer.
A diesel Range Rover though these cans till command big dollars. But with 3 kids room will be an issue for gear.
A V8 D3 there are a lot around now for around $20k or even a diesel can be picked up for $25. But with 3 kids room will be an issue for gear.

I had 6 kids , they have all flown the nest now , we traveled quite a bit in a S3 soft top & later a 98 130 . I found the best addition to both vehicles was a 1M length of 1" poly pipe , solved any problems we came across . not only that , but everybody was happy , including the kids .

I'd say it would depend on the kids - their size/age, and their attitude.

Our kids (currently 11, 11 and 7) have been very happily road tripping and camping in our 110 (together with our 3 dogs) for the years that we've had her. They all love it.

Confort-wise, they all have no problems with the amount of room and the comfort of the seating. Our kids are of average height/build for their ages.

On the longer driving days, especially in the more "boring" areas, the electronic devices come out (3 phones/tablets), linked to a wireless HDD that can stream (at least) 3 movies at the same time. Each can watch what they want, without the inevitable arguing that occurs when they have to decide on a movie together.

The 3 dogs share the load area with the new fridge (used to be an esky until recently, woo hoo!), and as much other stuff as we can fit in there.

We have a full-length roof rack, which gets the largest roof bag we could find popped on it and filled up, for most of our road trips or camping. There are many here that would never do that, but it's either that or take two cars, or tow a trailer.

Originally Posted by dero

I had 6 kids , they have all flown the nest now , we traveled quite a bit in a S3 soft top & later a 98 130 . I found the best addition to both vehicles was a 1M length of 1" poly pipe , solved any problems we came across . not only that , but everybody was happy , including the kids .

The beatings will continue until moral improves

Originally Posted by dero

I had 6 kids , they have all flown the nest now , we traveled quite a bit in a S3 soft top & later a 98 130 . I found the best addition to both vehicles was a 1M length of 1" poly pipe , solved any problems we came across . not only that , but everybody was happy , including the kids .

Ah if only that was legal today... I've often thought of wiring up an electric fence to the rear seats much less obvious. ;-)

Well, had the opportunity yesterday to take a '95 Defender for a drive for the 1st time..... My observations of the INTERIOR (only) from a person who is 6" in height are:

> Very different seating position with the Drivers seat appearing to be off-centre to the steering wheel - Did get use to it so not a real biggie I guess

> Sitting VERY close to the Drivers Door and now know why most times u see the window down so your arm can hang out the window. With the Window up, I felt a little cramped, but I guess this is something u get use to ??

> When I tried to sit in the 2nd row seats, I found my hair brushing against the roof + I had to lean downwards to see out the side windows + my legs/feet felt a little restricted, especially not being able to stretch them forward a little by sliding my feet under the front seats - Probably not a big deal for kids, but Teenagers & older ??

> The 2nd row seating doesn't come with any headrests which would be a problem on long runs when the kids fall asleep..... (I've read having a cargo barrier and some padding can solve this ??)

> Front Legroom was OK, but u can't stretch your legs out like I can in my other cars but it's a different seating position and therefore not as important..... Only on a long drive would this be a problem ??

> Visibility is less than I have now, but again, something u probably get use to.....

> No Tacho (not a biggy)

> No Glovebox - No a bigger either as there is areas where u can store stuff

> A/C - well, it's well known that it's not that good, especially for passengers in the 2nd row.....

> Insulation from Engine Heat - The one I drove had aftermarket insulation, so I don't know if this is definitely req'd or whether the OEM matting is good enough

> Rattles; noises, etc - Big surprise in the one I drove - there was none that I could hear and the gear changing was smooth and quiet with little to nil backlash

> Rooflining left a little to be desired - It seemed as though it was sagging a bit but the owner had put some extra insulation above the lining....

> Comfort of seats - felt OK but might be a different story after 8+hrs of driving ??

I took the tape measure with me as I wanted to measure the interior dimensions of the front & 2nd row seating and then the cargo area diemensions as well and then compare these with our current touring vehicle (150's) and also wanted to compare the measurements with the measurements I've got of the Toyota 100's and what I found was a bit of a eye opener for me at least......

1. The width of the Defender was narrower than the TDi and our 150's. (comparing Defender to TDi; Prado 150's & LC 100's).
2. Less room (width) in Front and 2nd row seating. (comparing Defender to TDi; Prado 150's & LC 100's).
3. The cargo area is where the Defender was definitely larger but not by as much as I was expecting. The Box shape is definitely a winner though.


These are only my observations and will differ to others and their varying situations, etc.....

Hi Rob,
I'm also 6ft and you do get used to the drivers seating position.But to make it a tad more comfortable I lifted the seats by 25mm. The longest I've driven in a day was from home, sth eastern burbs of Melbourne to Hawker in Sth Australia. I was tired but not sore.
Also when 4wding, I find being up against the door stops you being thrown around too much.
Cheers