Thread: Defender 130 - Is this the right decision?

Geez I thought the cruise liner turning circle on our 110 was bad enough, let alone a 130.
Just drive it like a truck, is my theory.

MY10 130 owner. If this is your first defender: turning circle has been covered. Fit a reversing camera. Easy to loose the Yaris from your mirrors and touch park the bonnet. 100kph is the compromise between getting to your destination in reasonable time and excessive fuel burn. The wind resistance of the frontal area at 110 kph is exponential from 100. I spent a small fortune on sound deadening and Exmoor trim HD vinyl covers and i still wear ear plugs on the hwy. If i don't my ears ring after a reasonable period in the cabin. Wife says i am yelling. to me i'm whispering. Stick with the 235/85 tyres. There is a temptation to go bigger but unless you find yourself hung up on the diff each occasion you are in low range, bigger tyres are not necessary. Bigger tyres burn more fuel and if you are doing big kms it will reflect at the bowser. I run 35" rubber and seriously considering going back to 33's (can't go back to 235/85's unless i change my diff ratios back to 3.54). Same with lift kits, keep it factory. The 130 came from factory +1" bump stop clearance compared to a 110. Most lift kits assume 110 factory height and use firmer coils to get lift. You could buy a +2" kit and find it is same free length as 130 factory coils and firmer coil rate (the 130 is already firm). I ran 35's with factory coils and only rubbed on the leading edge of the inner wheel guard behind the headlights. A rear locker goes a long way to get you to your favourite fishing spot.

The long and short of my message (having spent more on mods than the purchase price) keep it stock or if you must, keep mods modest. Best bang for buck and you won't spend weekends replacing bushes from worn out suspension components.

welcome to the 130 club. best LR made and anyone tell you otherwise is motivated by jealousy.

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