Thread: Newbie - booking a 110 Test Drive

Welcome. Just remember its not a typical vehicle and you will notice differences, which can be off putting at first. For example, don't hurry the gearshift or it will clunk. The steering lock is abysmal. The interior seems hard at first, but then you realise how easily it cleans up when dirty. Defenders are work trucks. Approach it as a work truck and you can find it grows on you. Then think about how to personalise it and the fun begins.

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Completely agree with DiscoMick. I grew up with Defenders and was used to the ones on my parents' farm which are old and fairly rough.

However I was a little surprised at first with my first test drive of a new 110 as it's turning circle was worse than our old ones and my test was on a day with driving rain and the noise from the water hitting the rear wheel arches was amazing!

Anyway, I still loved it and lucky for me my wife wasn't with me that first drive and I ended up doing some tips from this forum to reduce the noise which worked well for relatively minor cost.

Also you get used to it pretty quick and the quirks are part of what makes the Defender special.

Fitting drawers has quietened down the wheel arch noise. I'm not game to try fiddling with the steering lock, as I did on our D1, as I'm not sure if it can safely be altered and I'm trying to keep it mechanically as standard as possible. So I just plan for more three-point turns.
Definitely recommend sidesteps to make it easier for the wife to get in and out. Also, order extended seat rails from The Expedition Centre to replace the standard rails so the seats go further back. A rear wheel carrier (Mantec or Ridjidij) will save your rear door from warping from the weight of the spare and the door won't rattle.
Have fun.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

We did a test drive in 2010 but weren't in a position to buy one. But it was the most fun I'd ever had driving a car. Four years later we got our 110. We didn't do another test run as the memory of that drive in 2010 was still fresh.

Thanks people - I am going for a drive to a dealer next weekend that has one in stock - will take a look and have a test drive.

Thanks for the advice re setting my expectations for what I will be driving.

I am certain that I will buy it! It will depend on the vehicle sounding right - and my ability to be able to drive it around in a calm manner without any obvious issues.

Looking forward to next Saturday!

Cheers,
Col.

I didn't enjoy the test drive at the dealers at all..noisy clunky truck..the sales man drove it out for a few klms , and I drove it back..my 2nd landy and I drove it properly..no clunks and thuds. 3 years ago since I got my new 110 and no regrets .great truck