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Thread: Defender 130 - Is this the right decision?

  1. 23rd April 2020, 09:30 AM #1
    Onners Guest

    Defender 130 - Is this the right decision?

    Hi All,

    Looks like I am lined up to get a nice dual cab 130 soon. I am going for a test drive tomorrow to see how it goes.
    I just had a few more questions. Basically getting the car as my primary driver. I spend a fair bit of time in Jindabyne in both summer and winter, so most of my driving is between Sydney and Jindabyne and the surrounds down there. Have some friends with fire trail access to the Snowy River so will be getting into that for sure.

    The other driving I do will be around the northern beaches, to Freshwater/Curl Curl specifically for surfing, and the odd trip up and down the coast to camp and surf.

    I know and am expecting the big turning circle (is it really that much of a hassle?) and know there is probably a bit of a learning curve going into owning one of these. I'm looking at a 2012 Puma with the 2.2 L engine with 126k kms.

    Expecting a bit of bias here, but whats your opinions on this use case? Currently driving a subaru forester, but grew up on a farm driving old LC cruisers and the like.

    Cheers guys!
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  2. 23rd April 2020, 08:07 PM #2
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    Bazzle218
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    Mate

    I have a 300 tdi 130 so cant comment on motor. Turning circle is a bigger , but once you work out how much room you need its not a problem. i have no issues with carparks. Saying that U turns you need to pick your streets otherwise at a minimum they turn into 2 point turn.
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  3. 23rd April 2020, 08:19 PM #3
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    My 130 improved greatly with the addition of some sound deadening material. I switched to the Defender from a Disco 3 so I noticed the additional noise which I have made worse by running Mud Terrain tyres.
    I honestly don't notice the turning circle, occasionally in a carpark I might need to back and fill but it isn't an issue. The 130 will happily sit on 110 but I find that at 120 you are pushing the limits of comfort.
    I found a Mulgo Ex-Box improved the driving position by giving me an elbow rest on the LHS which was at a similar height to where my right arm sat. An aftermarket Moto-Lita steering wheel also improved the experience for me.

    Defenders are like very few other vehicles, you essentially buy a blank canvas and then mould it to suit your preferences, enjoy yours.

    Regards,
    Tote
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  4. 24th April 2020, 03:07 AM #4
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    rick130
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    And with turning and parking you reverse park everything and reverse U turn too!
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  5. 24th April 2020, 06:35 AM #5
    Onners Guest
    thanks for the info guys. Might be going for a test drive today with any luck!
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  6. 24th April 2020, 11:42 PM #6
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    I have a 130 Td5 2001, I can do a very easy turn around in any cul-de-sac that I have come across and if it can do that, then that is all you need. The rest is as has been stated above, reverse is your friend.
    What I find mostly wrong with the 130's when you buy one is that the wheel stops are not set correctly. The left side is the right wheel stop and the right side is the left wheel stop, so as soon as you can, get the spanners out (17mm IIRC) and get that steering wheel into a hard turn left and right and make sure that between the tire and your radius arms you can just squeeze all of your fingers (& hand if your of a small stature) in the gap, just remember that the adjustment is done on the opposite side to the turn.
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  7. 26th April 2020, 08:19 AM #7
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    The turning circle and extra length (I have a 1.8m tray) is my main frustration when parking and turning. You just learn to plan ahead, choose your spots, always reverse in and smile politely at the waiting traffic! The plus side is that with a tray, bull-bar and the standard wide mirrors it’s super-easy to tell where the edge of the vehicle is, unlike most vehicles with rounded corners.
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  8. 26th April 2020, 08:51 AM #8
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    forward planning is an integral part of 130 ownership...
    great vehicles imho and the pinnacle of land rover ownership
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  9. 26th April 2020, 08:57 AM #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by incisor View Post
    forward planning is an integral part of 130 ownership...
    great vehicles imho and the pinnacle of land rover ownership
    I do miss mine.....
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  10. 3rd May 2020, 05:04 PM #10
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    I have a 2008 130 2.4 Puma. Great vehicle. Once you get used to where you can turn around it is fine. I cruise at 110 easy. You won't regret getting a 130
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