Thread: I need advice. Defender or dico?

I WISH I had not sold my disco 2a td5 and replaced it with a ****ty bt50. Also don't knock d2's for safety. My son lent his d2 v8 to a friend who slammed headlong into a line of trees, snapping the first one off at the base and coming to rest after knocking the second one over. The recently fitted new arb bull bar with 12000 lb winch formed a perfect V into the front off the car, the engine slid downs underneath as designed and the airbags deployed. The front, forward of the broken windscreen, was a complete mess but the rest was fine. the driver and passenger where extremely shaken but not injured. My already high opinion of these vehicles was further enhanced.
John

My concern with the 110 I have is the level of security it offers in case of an accident, having installed three child seats in the back I was looking to install a full external roll cage, unfortunately they are not available for a 1989 model because of the rear seat box is stepped in the rear corner.

With all three becoming teenagers, they find it difficult to sit on the back seat for long periods, they don't have enough legroom and the seating position is so high that their angle of vision is higher than the window.

Even though we all love the 110 that has been our outdoors companion for more than 20 years and is still our favorite mean of transportation but I believe a Discovery is a better option for hauling a family.

This will sound a bit spiritual but then again some say owning a Defender is a spiritual experience.

Follow your heart and get the Defender. You will always be thinking, maybe I should have just bitten the bullet and got one. If its your dream car, just do it. It was, and still is mine but they were a bit cheaper back then. When you see it in the shed/driveway/carpark there are few cars that invoke wanderlust like a Defender.

That's if you can financially, a TD5 Defender is a bit more expensive than a TD5 Discovery at the moment.

I have had a 2006 Defender 130 for 9 years or so now, there are definately times I wanted something more comfortable, better air conditioning etc etc. I have even considered selling for something more comfortable it but my wife and kids wont let me.

To address some of your concerns:

• We have 3 kids that have grown up in it, and they have traveled up and down the east coast in it from Cape York to the Victorian High country, and its a great base for touring and camping.
• They do not have anchor points, but there are ways to add some in. There are a few threads on here showing what some people have done. I made my own, it was very strong but I dont know about the legalities of it. I think its possible to get it engineered if your concerned about it. Our kids dont need the anchor points now, so we are out of that phase
• A well maintained A/C system is sort of kind of OK but really struggles in the summer. Its just a poorly designed evaporator and ducting system. I am working currently installing a ev2208 evaporator behind the rear seats which should be much better. Several others have done the conversion on here, and have seen good results
• Road noise can be reduced with a sound dampng kit from someone like car builders.

• A Discovery will definately do what you want, at a cheaper price and in more comfort. If you like them just as much, just get one of them.
• The Freelander would not be a good choice. I would go for a Discovery over a Freelander
• There will always be an upgrade or part you want to swap out on the Defender but thats the price you pay for the cars you love.
• I have found the TD5 to be very reliable so far.

If your dream car is a Defender, and you can afford it, follow your heart and do it. If you follow your head (and bank account), a Discovery is probably the sensible way to go.

But then again theres not much fun in sensible thinking

We've had a 1996 Discovery 1 300Tdi and now a 2009 Defender 110 2.4.
The D1 was civilised, a nice drive, tough, crossed The Simpson and other places and the wife enjoyed driving it, but it was cramped inside and we couldn't get a fridge-freezer in the back.
The Defender is much roomier, a fridge fits easily, the 2.4 and 6-speed manual are excellent, the air-con is good after being serviced and it tows our van well. We incorporated child seat mounts into the rear drawers, along with a 2nd battery.
It's cruder than the Disco, the seats are harder, huge turning circle and certainly not flash, but it is durable.
People, particularly wives, either love or hate Defenders.
Discos are certainly cheaper, for a reason. Our Defender has almost doubled in value since we bought it.
I suggest you and your wife drive both. The Defender is an acquired taste, but Discos impress at first glance.
Hope that helps.

If you're the right shape a defender is much more comfortable over long distances

I can easily drive 17 hours in the defender and then exit without pulling stupid faces

Never been able to do that in any of the discovery I have owned

Wife loved here discovery but if we doing a big drive she would pick the defender every time

Have had a D4 since 2014 as family bus with three kids then teenagers. My D90 is more comfortable to drive but even if it was a 110 I would take the D4 for any family trip. Safe and versatile. Our one is the SDV6 and it is great on road trips...never been allowed off road except ski field access roads...very good in icy conditions.

Originally Posted by incisor

If you're the right shape a defender is much more comfortable over long distances

I can easily drive 17 hours in the defender and then exit without pulling stupid faces

Never been able to do that in any of the discovery I have owned

Wife loved here discovery but if we doing a big drive she would pick the defender every time

Agree 100%

Did an 18,500km trip back in 1997 and had choice of Defender or Disco - took the Defender. Put in some long days and some very rough tracks and was always fresh when we arrived at our campsite.

Another long trip (23,500kms) in 2002 and once again had the choice of Defender or Disco - took the Disco & Camper, gave in to SWMBO plus travelling companion also had Disco. A few long days again but not as remote as previous long trip (although a few days of corrugations along the 'Gunbarrel Track') but did suffer occassional back pain and fatigue - five years older though! Just couldn't seem to get the seat adjusted to give same comfort as the Defender. OK for shorter trips but first choice would always be the Defender ............ and wife now agrees!

Come to think of it, I only have the Defender now so the choice is easy.

You guys thinking defenders are more comfortable than discos are either short, smoking something funny or masochists. I've had two defers and three discos. The discos are miles more comfortable in my book. So much so that in my old defender I paid thousands for recaros which still weren't as comfortable as my disco 2 standard cloth seats. Each to their own and all that but there's no way in hell I found the defender more comfortable. Particularly with a hand brake jabbing me in the left leg, a clutch spring harder than a cats head and doors that I had to duck to see out of