TDCi Defender Appreciation Thread

[one_iota]

As an old Defender owner I would like to see in this thread review posts of the Puma like driving position and seats, is the body sealed or like the Tdi300? and so on.
For sure there are 90% of positive points and only the common 10% of problems like in any new model regardless of the brand.

I love to have an used 130 one day but I would like to see if the owners of the new Pumas can maintaining the vehicle in the same way that a Tdi300 is maintained now.

You know.......the Tdi and the County are Defes for the senior and pension card holders budget

There is no way that I could fiddle with the Defender engine the same way I did with the Tdi.

It was basic and easy to get my feeble brain around.

I can't do that with the latest setup.

The rest is just a Defender.

However a Defender is stiil a bit like living in a cave regardless of the engine...most sensible people would like to live in a penthouse apartment with views of the Sydney Opera House.

But no Defender owner is sensible

[Allan]

I love my Puma, have a TD5 90 also (wifes car) but would not swap my Puma for any car - yes it has had its faults, as any vehicle does, but it is still the best car I have ever owned.

Allan

[Naks]

I have had my Puma for only 3 weeks and I love it. But when I hear things like this when my new Puma drift to the left... eish:

LR sent my car to an approved panel-beater to find out what the problem is. They found that the bracket to which the left-front steering control rod is attached is 3.5 millimeters too far back. This bracket is welded directly onto the chassis. The result of this is that the front left wheel is slightly behind the front right wheel. The effect of this is that the vehicle then drives to the left.

This is a manufacturing defect. It was built like this.

[TwoUp]

"LR sent my car to an approved panel-beater to find out what the problem is. They found that the bracket to which the left-front steering control rod is attached is 3.5 millimeters too far back. This bracket is welded directly onto the chassis. The result of this is that the front left wheel is slightly behind the front right wheel. The effect of this is that the vehicle then drives to the left.

This is a manufacturing defect. It was built like this."

Good thing you found the problem, now have it removed, prepare the site for replacement, re-fit and coat the area and get on with enjoying the vehicle.

Whether L/R does the job or you commision some other, it would pay to fix the problem strait away.

Regards,
PeterW

[Gav110]

I tried REALLLLLY hard to find common faults with 78/78 series with 1HT-FTE and there is very little at all on the interweb, plenty about every other make, model, variation though

I haven't driven a puma yet, must do one day

I think Toyota's quality is generally a lot higher than LR, but somehow they keep the bad press hosed down (bar the ... ahem... little matter of the er, sticking accelerator 'issue' - viz: fronting the US Senate to explain...), and to be fair to them their faults as a % of units shipped is probably low, but I can still feel my ar_e shaking from the leaf sprung shudder from my recent test drive...

See my earlier post: Journey to the Dark Side - LC70 GXL Test Drive...

[MacFamily]

Well I dont own a new defender but I have a appreciation for the new one and have talked to the missus about selling the 300tdi for a TD5 or a Puma.

But the funds are not there at the moment and Ive nearly got the 300tdi how I want it.Besides Iam scarred that if I test drove a new one I wouldnt want to get back in the old 300tdi or just not return the puma and drive it home .

Would also like to see the owners of Puma's have a pic thread of there defenders.Would help potencial puma owners decide on which colour,new accessories and show us old fender driver's what we are missing out on but dont get me wrong I LOVE my old fender and all landys .

Yes I know we have a Sticky: Show us your Deefers thread but would just like to see a Puma thread and as I dont own one cannot start it

[PBob]

Now that I have my new crew cab 110 that replaces my HSE TDV6 D3, these are my loves and hates:
I love:
I love to drive it.
I love the torque of the motor - very impressive.
I love the solid build and the looks you get (envy), when driving it about.
I like the sound of the doors when they shut.
I like its towing capacity (2.5 tonne 23' boat, double horse float, Kimberley Kamper trailer).
I love the seats (but mud rails on the way).
I like the GG tyres.

I hate:
The turning circle is a disgrace. My D3 is a similar wheelbase and would turn in half the length of this thing. I almost leave Mudgee when turning it around.
I hate the cramped door.
I hate the clunks and noisy joints when changing up through the gears from a standing start.

[Dave128]

Coming from a 2005 TD5 110 SW to a Puma 2010MY there are some interesting refinements and some similarities from my perspective...

Sealing:
Rear doors have thicker rubber seals, especially bottom 6 inches (the old trick of sliding another rubber tube up the inside does not work anymore - and is not required).
For all doors, the rubber wall on seals is thicker.
Very bottom corner of rear door requires some sealant once you pull away rubber. Very little dust in through back door even before sealant.
No dust entry behind speakers.
Fuel filler recess into interior had a couple of small holes where metal folded back.
Same dust entry slot in floor next to the seat belt mounting of the outside middle row seats, better seen from under car.
No dust through B posts.
Battery seat box requires some sealing.
Driver seat box sealed.

Other:
Bonnet hinge tighter, does not rattle in the rough.
Rear body, side window frames - new design.
2nd row seats not affected by body flex because they are not attached to C post.
Seats all round are better particularly headrests.
Rear cargo space shorter at top of seat.

Would I go back?......................no..........

[isuzutoo-eh]

Yesterday on Scouse's AULRO daytrip, the two least experienced drivers were myself in an Isuzu County 110, and Pumice in his fresh off the boat 110 TDCi.
We have similar tyres fitted, though mine is 2" bigger I mean larger diameter
We did exactly the same tracks.
We had difficulties in the same spots.
If we had difficulties, it was driver error not vehicle limitations.
I think traction control and all the electronic 'gimmickry' gave Pumice more control and made things just that little bit easier and successful. It really isn't a gimmick.
On the highway on the way home, there was no way I could keep up
Pumice's aircon works, and the seats aren't collapsed by 25 years of bums. Doesn't sound as good though.

The modern Defender is a great vehicle

[Naks]

Our Puma during the Land Rover Experience course on Saturday: