TDCi Defender Appreciation Thread

[snowbound]

Now I know you only ever read bad stuff on these forums, and I know that we all come here to air our problems in the hope that we find a solution or at least some company in our misery.....

....but I thought it might be worth starting a Puma Appreciation thread! (I've noticed these type of threads pop up on some geeky - sci-fi forums, not that I frequent them mind you...) So here are the rules - no mention of issues or problems other than endearing idiosynchracies and the like. I want this to be a thread where we can simply say what we love about our new Defenders in the hope that we can restore the balance of good vs bad representation on the forum.
so here goes...

I BLOODY LOVE MY PUMA TDCi DEFENDER!!!!

Even with the ridiculous price of diesel I find I am still making excuses to get in it and drive across town or wherever just so I can be in it. The other day I did THREE trips to the SAME SUBURB just because it was a nice day for a drive in the Defender. And one of those trips was to another owner's place just to look at his all dirty from an epic trip around Australia.

Now, having seen his all covered in red dust, I just look at mine in the car port and have fantasies about where it can take me. But even just driving into town is fun enough.

The seats are comfortable, and I love the driving position. Yes, it's true, I get a warm feeling of superiority sitting up there looking over the roofs of most of the other "soft" SUVs in traffic. And not just because I'm higher up, it's because the very manual nature of the controls makes me feel that I'm somehow a more worthy, more capable driver than those people with automatic everything and air-bags all around.

I love the low down torque and the way I can leave it in third around most corners. I also love the way I can pootle around in sixth gear at 60kph with the engine just idling. Then I love the way I can slowly wind it all the way up to 110kph on the motorway (again in sixth gear) and cruise along without my ears bleeding.

I love the way the dog can ride in the back and stick his head out the windows so all I see are his ears flapping in the rear vision mirrors. And I love the way I don't have to care how dirty he is when he gets in because the rubber mats just wipe clean.

Off-road I love the fact that over just about any terrain it makes me feel so totally in control. I love that when I see ruts of any size I don't immediately feel nervous that I am going to rip the transmission out if I fall in one. I love that on steep pinches up the track to our property I can just let the gearing and engine do their thing while I enjoy the smells and the scenery. And I love just seeing it sitting out somewhere in the bush all covered in dirt and mud.

I love the way it still feels like every other Defender I've owned, but just a little bit better in every way. And most of all, I love the way that each time I get in I don't care where I'm going, just the fact that I get to spend some more time in my new Defender.

Don't worry mate, I'm sure it will grow on you!

[one_iota]

My Defender Day:

Off to work and a big wave (returned) from a 130

Provided taxi service for colleagues to a meeting on the other side of the harbour. Noticed a recent model Volvo sports giving the Defender the eye...he made a point of getting past me to have a good look at the front.

My interested passengers talked about it positively all the way there and back.
Prefaced by "do you use this off road (if not you are a ******)".

One, an Audi TT owner, could only speak positively about her..."great ground clearance"..."looks like the old ones just like Porsches do"..."this is a great car!"...

They needn't have said a word so I guess they had their first Land Rover experience? It might not have been what they would choose but they could see why I did.

I don't need affirmation but it is great to get positive feedback from non Land Rover people as well.

[spudfan]

Have my new Defender about one month now.Thought long and hard before buying it.The electronics frightened me as I have driven a 200 Tdi for the last 12 years.I remembered all the doom and gloom about the Td5 and its electronics when it came out.Like an idiot I believed them.The Td5 turned out to be a fine vehicle.
There is about 2,000 kms on my new Land Rover so far.Last week we were away for our Summer holidays and covered about 800 kms.Fuel consumption has yet to stabilise.My first full fill up returned 26.26 mpg.My second full fill up returned 28.78 mpg while my last full fill up was 29.88mpg.Top speed was 100kms(62.50 mph).
Today I noticed a drip from the fuel tank when full.Could be just a loose hose at the top of the tank.Have spoken to the dealer and will get it checked probably at the first service.
My version is the 7 seat station wagon version.Though the rear seats fold to one side they do take up valuable luggage space when folded. The rear seats are really good for anyone up to mid teens.
Having driven the 200 Tdi for so long it took some time to settle into the new Defender.
The following are some differences between the TDCi and the Tdi(1992 version).
The TDCi is noticeably taller.Unless you very athletic get side steps.Rear one is standard as it would be impossible to get into it without it.
Front under shields on front wheelarches are plastic where as the older ones were metal.
Fuel tank is plastic and has a smaller capacity-1.5 gallons less than the Tdi.
So far it seems to have no obvious leaks (apart from the fuel tank)
Tyre noise when driving rather than engine noise-fitted with General Grabbers.
Very good speakers installed-good sound.
Middle row of seats are a big improvement on the old middle row.
Heating system is completely different.Looks like any other car.It does deliver warmth when needed.
The doors are completely different and seem to be all one piece and not sections welded together.Also close with a nice solid clunk.Could be made of steel.
Ditto for the bonnet.Obviously higher and judging by the weight of it is of steel construction too.
Very well finished through out both inside and outside.
Bigger intercooler than the Tdi.
Storage space in new dash is negligible compared to the old one.
The handbook is lacking in info regarding self servicing.Does not give instructions even on how to change the oil or the airfilter.
The clutch is a completely different feel to the old one.Very light in comparison.I stalled it twice when I picked it up.Still do when going immediately from the Tdi to the TDCi.-and vice versa.
Very good to drive.The only other car my wife has driven is the 200 Tdi.She learned how to drive in it and passed her test in it first time.She has never driven a normal car.She took to the TDCi like a duck to water.
So far not as good on fuel as the Tdi which will do 32mpg.
Only had the TDCi -christened ZULU- two days when I decided to up the protection on the chassis.I put two coats of thick metal paint on it and all the outriggers brackets etc I could reach.I then squirted Waxoil inside the chassis.Then I taped over the access holes with ducktape and applied another coat of paint over the chassis and tape.
As a chassis rust from the inside I hope to stop water getting in .Then I unblocked the drain holes in the bottom of the chassis.
It was a little disconcerting to be lying underneath a Defender and see Ford stamped into the sump.Hope to get the dealer to remove the door trim at the first service and waxoil inside using the holes for the plastic clips.They told me to bring my gear and they will let me work away.Will also replace any damaged clips when refitting the door trim for me.And they will not charge me for the help.
All in all it is a fine machine.A little more technical than I am used to.Then again owing to emissions legislation that is how things have gone, same for the rear benches-killed by legislation.
I miss the flaps-they were great especially on a long journey with the wife and kids.With the Tdi when the cold weather arrived I put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator-approximately one third of it was covered.This gave us great heat in Winter.It was simply removed when warmer weather arrived.It was painted black with duck tape around the edges.Lasts for years!
In the TDCi the coolant is not to be changed for 10 years.Must be great stuff.Unfortunately try as I might I cannot get any for topping up purposes.It's Texaco coolant.
The TDCi uses synthetic oil with a service interval of 10,000 miles(12,000kms).I was always told that an engine should only be run in on mineral oil.Then after first service use synthetic.My point being that I do not know whether Land Rover have synthetic oil in from new.If so they are wrong.Good as synthetic is it is so fine and slick that is does not leave a coating on the engine surface.It does travel to all engine parts like greased lightning when the engine is starting up though which is great for preventing wear.However mineral oil does give that initial all important coating.
It is always strange getting a new vehicle but this on is a fine machine.The Tdi is in getting a facelift -new crossmember etc.When she returns it will be a two Land Rover family again.
Our second car was a series 111.Two days before ZULU arrived it started jumping out of reverse gear.She is now retired until sometime in the future-distant future!The new Defender has many changes but it is still a Defender through and through.Hopes this is of interest.
Will now try to put up a photo of ZULU.

[dullbird]

how come you got stickers all over it did you put them on yourself??

[spudboy]

Spudfan - That was an epic first post!!

Welcome from another Spud. I am presuming you are the same SpudFan from Landrover.Net in the UK seeing as you are mixing your metric and imperial. If you fill in your location details in your profile we'll know where you're from.

Cheers
David

[one_iota]

how come you got stickers all over it did you put them on yourself??

Also interesting are the amber coloured front and side indicator lenses as opposed to the clear. Is that black rather than grey light surrounds and grille?

[spudfan]

Hello I am in Ireland.I had the graphics done myself.Silver,black with white Defender on the door and ZULU towards the rear.TDCi with ZULU beneath this.Defender on the front.If anyone wants closeups I'll do my best to oblige.
The light surrounds are black with orange and white lenses.
The vehicle is Tonga green so the stripes look awesome on it.The photo does not do it justice.

[Naks]

Had our new Puma for 2 weeks now (only 501km), and loving every minute in it. Bar the f****up with the radio: between LRUK, LRSA and the dealer, the radio code is invalid so it's getting a new radio this week under warranty.

Had a Mantec snorkel and a Madman EMS fitted yesterday:

[Allan]

This is my Rocket. Best vehicle I ever had

Allan

[Brid]

Geez!! You fellas have got it bad!!

....me too!