Thread: defender and 110 extreme difference

Originally Posted by solmanic

That's weird. Were they importing from both factories then or did they switch back and forth?

I believe they were importing from both as I've come across UK and SA built 2004 models. I think there was a period where they were only building them in SA but with plans to close down the SA assembly plant they started to supply the AU market from both sources until closure.

Originally Posted by solmanic

My 02MY was definitely UK built - it was one of the reasons I got it.

Funny how perceptions are formed depending on our backgrounds. I made sure mine is South-African built when I ordered it. Manufacturing, engineering and especially vehicle assembly have always been of a very high standard in SA. I would bet most of the "leaky" Defenders going around are pommie built

Hey my 2001 does not have tc or ABS .. so not all 2000 onwards has these features

Originally Posted by solmanic

That's weird. Were they importing from both factories then or did they switch back and forth? My 02MY was definitely UK built - it was one of the reasons I got it.

I can't comment on the earlier ones, but as Greylandy points out the 2004 models were definitely SA build.

I forgot about the other stuff too. The Elglish 05's like ours missed out on bullbars, sidesteps, and those little rear steps too

Originally Posted by Greylandy

Funny how perceptions are formed depending on our backgrounds. I made sure mine is South-African built when I ordered it. Manufacturing, engineering and especially vehicle assembly have always been of a very high standard in SA. I would bet most of the "leaky" Defenders going around are pommie built

That's interesting. When getting mine I was advised by people within LR to avoid them and at the time I was buying the SA ones were available and better value than the English ones.

Most manufacturers that sell cars from SA have troubles with them. VW make all the Golfs sold locally there except for the German built R32 and 3door golf GTI (Polish?). The SA build cars are generally acknowledged to have more niggles.

Audi Australia imported one boat load of cars from their SA plant a few years ago and decided it was more trouble than it was worth. They are all imported from Germany now.

Ford build their Focus there and the SA built ones (not the German built XR5) are some of the worst finished cars on the market these days. You can put a pinky between the panel gaps, and the paint is atrocious.

I could go on but I think you get the picture. Let me say I'm not really convinced that it would make much difference with Defenders though...

My 2004 Extreme is South African build and came with the following,

Bullbar, side steps, alarm with remote, cd player, wing top checker plate, front mud flaps, alloy wheels, abs, tc, electric windows and cloth seats.



The side steps have been removed as they are made from tissue paper

The front mudflaps have been removed because they just got in the way

Originally Posted by Greylandy

My 2004 TD5 was South African built. I believe they stopped assembly in South Africa at the end of 2004.

So is mine (2004 td5).

Cheers,

Lionel

Does anyone know the UK & SA country codes so we can check the compliance plate?

Regards
Max P

Originally Posted by Tusker

Does anyone know the UK & SA country codes so we can check the compliance plate?

The 11th digit in the VIN is the assembly location
A = Solihull
P = Rosslyn, Pretoria, South Africa (BMW plant 1995 - 2001)
Y = Silverton, Pretoria, South Africa (Ford plant 2001 on)