buying a new defender

[kbgold]

hi there ppls

im looking into buying a new 2011 110 4 door defender and was hoping for some good advice non biased non bull help..:)
as this will be my first new car and a 4wd one at that:D, i like this style of 4wd the history behind it the looks the tuffness, so im hoping anyone can tell me the pro and copns with this sort of truck. and some input if anyone else has this 4wd model with 2.4 ..
also what mods should i realy invest in to make it better apart from bull bar snorkel, e.g diff locks what type best for defender..and is constant 4wd a big issue in thease down the track.. being new i should have some years and kms of free problems:) well thats the plan lol.. my mate from work bought a 130 used toook it to wonnagatta high country hunting and was a bullet proof according to him.. and what is like to drive long stints in freeway, dirt roads handling etc etc.. since this wil be my evryday driver to work only 25kms there and back and a bit arond town.. but will be taking it away everychance i get.. so once again any input is greatly liked
thanks .....

[PAT303]

I bought a 2011 defender to replace my RR and I'm happy with the deal.The type of extra's you get depends on your hip pocket,I get all my stuff from the UK as the price difference is huge. Pat

[Beckford]

I have a 2010 110 4 door defender. Just hit 20,000km.

I got the OEM tow bar, and the dealer fitted a Haymon Reece electric break controller. I have fitted a Mulgo gas strut to the rear door and Mulgo seat extension rails (good if you are tall). Fitted front recovery points from MR Automtive (Maxi Drive) and a GME UHF radio. Changed the General Grabber tyres to Coopers ST Max. I have a winch bar from Dungog Motors sitting in my shed. Saving up for a winch.

I do not see the need to get lockers at the moment. Comes with traction control and a centre diff lock. I recommend you see what it can do out of the box before investing in lockers. There are plans to invest in more accessories (Mulgo X Box, Snorkel, Various Extra Protection & Water Trap Alarm), but out of the box it is very capable.

The only problem I have had is the AC, which is hopefully fixed after the second attempt.

[jddisco200tdi]

First off,

I would see if you can get a long test drive (maybe overnight ?) to see if you really will like the car. Do some freeway miles.
Defenders are not the same as other cars and are definitely an acquired taste.

It also sounds like the car straight off the showroom floor, will do what you require from it. Maybe add some recovery hooks if you are going to do some real 4wding.

Once you have owned it for a while you will work out the mods YOU require to make it more comfortable/capable.

HTH

John D - Defender 110 2.4

[Scallops]

Many of us have the Defender you are considering and many of us love them - I certainly do. If you don't want to trawl through the vast amount of information about this vehicle, in the Defender section here on AULRO, maybe contact the Sydney LR club and go along to a meeting...talking to people will probably help you make a decision, along with a test drive and some research.

.....but, and I quote, "i (sic) like this style of 4wd the history behind it the looks the tuffness (sic),......what mods should i realy invest in .. my mate from work bought a 130 used toook it to wonnagatta high country hunting and was a (sic) bullet proof according to him.. will be taking it away everychance i get....."

I reckon you're already gone! :D Looking forward to post 2 telling us you bought one!! :cool:

And welcome to the forum.

[33chinacars]

To me your only real problem will be is if you can live with the ergonomics for extended periods. Otherwise great unit. Go anywhere.

Gary

[malsgoing130]

My problem is ever so slightly different, I cant decide wether to go for a 2011 110 or wait for the new 2.2, no one really can my questions as to what has changed on the 2.2 as opposed to the 2.4 beside the change in engine capacity.

I am going from a 130 TDi DC and have only driven the 2.4 110 for short distance but I am sold on the 'power' and the quietness of the thing. you get that from starting at a low base!

I would appreciate any feed back wether rumour or not regarding the 2.2

Cheers
Mal

[Scallops]

I just don't get the ergonomic argument. I'm 6'2", and my Defy is the most comfortable vehicle I've ever used.


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[marko66]

Hi All

My 2010 110 is a great vehicle standard, the long travel suspension that is a bit different on the road is great offroad, I find that i have fluid buildup in the legs after a few hours behind the wheel usually twelve to fifteen hours :):D I just don;t know if its me or the car.

Great vehicle just get one :):D

Regards Mark

[Beckford]

.....maybe contact the Sydney LR club and go along to a meeting...talking to people will probably help you make a decision, along with a test drive and some research.

kbgold, where abouts in Sydney do you live?

[Mudnut]

I have a TD5 110 Defender, and love it. One thing to consider is what do you plan to do with it? I picked my 110 over the 130 dual cab because I was living in inner city Melbourne at the time, and the 130 was just too difficult to navigate the narrow streets, not to mention parking. If you have kids, the back seats for the 110 will be more comfortable than the 130 dual cab. I had a look at the 130 again last year, and could not justify the change over from my now modified, and set up 110. Either way, I love my Defender, and will keep it for a long time.
Cheers,
Ken

[kbgold]

thanks all for the feedback:) yep i will take for test drive later on and get a feel for it thats for sure.. and if im settled on it, then after xmas its my new wheels to explore oz:

[kbgold]

kbgold, where abouts in Sydney do you live?

penrith mate

[kbgold]

I just don't get the ergonomic argument. I'm 6'2", and my Defy is the most comfortable vehicle I've ever used.


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well im 5,11 not a big build so thats nice to hear.. how do go with the handbrake close to the left leg? is it uncomfortble? i hear its annoying from some

[kbgold]

I have a TD5 110 Defender, and love it. One thing to consider is what do you plan to do with it? I picked my 110 over the 130 dual cab because I was living in inner city Melbourne at the time, and the 130 was just too difficult to navigate the narrow streets, not to mention parking. If you have kids, the back seats for the 110 will be more comfortable than the 130 dual cab. I had a look at the 130 again last year, and could not justify the change over from my now modified, and set up 110. Either way, I love my Defender, and will keep it for a long time.
Cheers,
Ken

hey mate i plan to one take it everywere.. im not talking about over the top 4wd stuff just the places top go and see al ove oz short trips and long holidays etc ect or the norm stuff cape york one day.. etc etc

[wouldbeowner]

To me your only real problem will be is if you can live with the ergonomics for extended periods. Otherwise great unit. Go anywhere.

Gary
I too am 6'2" and the Defender is the best long distance driving car I have owned. Yes it is noisy and has vibrations and the driving position is a little strange and I have heard people say that they have to have the window open to be comfortable but despite all this when I step out of the vehicle after any length of time driving I feel as good or better than any other vehicles I have owned (even lounge chairs on wheels). I'm with Scallops on this one.

[ramblingboy42]

youre gonna have to change your beer brand though......cant have fender drivers going around drinking kb gold...........

[Beckford]

penrith mate

I am on the other side of town (central coast), so probably a bit far for a test drive in my Puma.

[ATH]

The Cook and I both agree with those who feel the Defender is a comfortable vehicle. When I get out of the plastic Prado after a few hours drive I really feel stiff, arthritic stiff that is.
I'm 6' 1" and have no trouble at all even with the handbrake position.
Love 'em and you'll soon bend to fit them.:D
AlanH.

[kbgold]

youre gonna have to change your beer brand though......cant have fender drivers going around drinking kb gold...........
first beer i tasted was kb gold large cans age 9 while the olds were out front yard i smashed one down and was hooked for one day lol

[big dave]

gday kbgold

we have a 2010 110 defender, bought new, we have had patrols, bmw's and this is just as good as any of them, the seating position is a little different, but im 6'2" and 112 kgs and have no problem with it, the only slight problem is doing quick turns with the window up with the right arm, i just use the left, once you have this sorted its all good, every time we drive it it is fun.
so far we have got the usual stuff, arb bar, snorkal, dual battery, gme radio, haniball rak, awning, tent, we took all the rear seats out and have a black widow draw system in place, so we cant take passengers, i can put the swag in the back and sleep in there if necessary,
wouldnt swap it for anything, its good to drive something with substance,

cheers

dave

[Chops]

We came out of a D2 V8, and jumped into a new 110 C/C ute, and I was a little concerned about a few things at first. But now after three weeks of driving her,, hmmm,, you couldn't pay me enough to get me out of her,, :D

I'm 5'11" and ummm a bit umm,, well, I've got good girth anyway,, and she's a very comfortable drive. The hand brake is no issue at all (I thought it might have been), I'm an elbow out the window kind of guy,, but its no problem when its raining and the windows up (or SWMBO is cold).

A 400 k trip north the other weekend, and to my suprise, I reckon I climbed out feeling better than in the D2, or my old D1 for that matter. The only thing I miss is cruise control, and I guess you could get that sorted too. She's got heaps of power, and she's rather smooth too.

Other than having a snorkle fitted at purchase, and fitting a tow bar and UHF myself, the only mods I will probably get will be a bullbar for my winch and driving lights, duel battery, a swingaway spare wheel carrier, and extra fuel tank. Were going to build a camping canopy for the back if you class that as a mod.

So all in all, I couldn't be happier with the choice to get the 110. Like Mudnut, we were looking at the 130, but same deal,, just too big for the city, and what we really need.

Good luck with your choice,, you wont be disapointed with a Land Rover, whichever one you get,,

Chops

[The Cone of Silence]

I have a 2008 Defender 110 and it's also my first 4x4.

I once read a report describing how it "handles like a wheelbarrow full of walruses" and my test drive proved them right....but it's not an uncomfortable ride. It's noisy compared to a lot of other 4x4s out there but it's not like you'll be deaf when you reach your destination.

The interior is clunky but tough and frankly, if you buy one of these cars for the ride, handling, interior finesse and ergonomics, you're a fool. You buy the Defender because you love the look of it, the history, the style, the dependability of the engine, the ability to modify it to suit whatever you want to do with it and most of all, because it will take you wherever you want to go.

As previously suggested, test drive and if it's the car for you, see what it'll do straight out of the factory - you'll be very surprised.

First mods for me were a bullbar and UHF, driving lights, Mulgo Ex Box, Safari snorkel, spare wheel carrier (get some of the the weight off the back door), chequerplate protection and new wheels and some AT tyres. Next jobs will be storage and long range touring related bits.

In all honesty, this isn't the best place for an independent opinion. We all love our Defenders here and we'll harp on about them all day. See what you can find online in terms of reviews.

Bobby