The wait is over!

[gregc]

After what felt like an eternity, I finally picked up my new 110 the other day. My first LR :D. I can't wipe the smile off my face. I didn't want to post up until I could figure out how to get a picture on here (yeah, I know the rules :angel:).

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4464/img20130408144157.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/255/img20130408144157.jpg/)

I haven't thought of a name yet, so far it's just called The Bus - a mate of mine reckons it feels like a bus to ride in. It'll have to do for now.

Thanks to everyone who helped me with my options decision-making. I didn't really get much of a choice actually, but either way it came with front mud flaps and side steps. Next is going to be a bull bar (I think ARB - I need roo protection). I got under-body sound proofing too but it seems pretty well useless, you still can't hear the radio or your passenger's voice on the highway, especially if the road's wet (which it has been 99% of the time since I picked it up). I'm thinking of taking it back and asking for another layer. Or should I just suck it up?

Hopefully this weekend I'll get it dirtier than the bit of gravel road I've managed on the way to work so far. It has also remained 100% dry inside despite all the reports of leaking Deefers, so hopefully it's a good one. The only things I find annoying so far are the fact there's no alarm to tell you that you've left your headlights on, and the trailer light, which flashes once every time I turn my indicator on. The dealer reckons this is normal? I'm not so sure....

greg

[Loubrey]

Very nice Deefer Greg!

You'll get used to the lights... same since 1983 odd:D

When you turn the ignition off the lights automatically turn to park and it's quite difficult getting the key out with the light switch in the "on" position...

The trailer flashing with the indicators shouldn't be happening on the standard setup unless you have LED indicators? The lower draw from the LED's (after market) apparently causes the trailer to flash.

Cheers,

Lou

[Didge]

Despite the dry weather, you'll get used to the leaks - just wear wellies. :)

[Sandgroper]

Well done Greg, you'll love it!

[Aaron]

Dont worry about another coat. You will get used to it. I dare say you are driving with the radio of because you actually like listening to the sound!

Welcome to the marque. You will never leave. And if you do, you will be dragged back (like me :P)

[Summiitt]

Welcome! The trailer light should flash once without a trailer hooked up, that's perfectly normal, you will find it a lot quieter if you put rubber/foam under the back footwell, besides the rear seats and on the wheel arches in the rear. I did this on my old 110 puma and it helped alot. It will get even better when you load it up with gear, that should reduce the noise coming thru.

[LoveB]

Fantastic colour ;)

the lights are fnie... easy to tell... what annoyed me is nothing tells you the door is open! but I've learned to look out for it!

[Loubrey]

Fantastic colour ;)

the lights are fnie... easy to tell... what annoyed me is nothing tells you the door is open! but I've learned to look out for it!

LoveB,

When the cab light is off the door is closed enough...:D

Defender doors are such that it is highly unlikely they'll open from half latch!

Cheers,

Lou

[Lagerfan]

... nothing to tell you the lights are on!

... nothing to tell you the door is open!

There's two reasons right there why I love the deefer, after all the annoying beeps, chimes and buzzers on the old Ford it's a real breath of fresh air ... well until I get a flat battery hahaha :p

[2stroke]

Mine's a '95 and the headlights go to park when the ignition goes off, also the trailer icon on the dash flashes once when the indicators are operated... makes me feel all modern:D
Also if you feel inclined to complain about not being able to hold a conversation at highway speeds, you haven't been married long enough.:wasntme:

[dawsey]

great lookin defender.. I've had mine 2 months and Im still learning how to drive it the way it likes to be driven..my first land rover as well and I think its fantastic..taken it bush and in the sand its no suzuki sierra (thats what Ive driven for the last 20 years) but it comes close.lol...have fun with it..

[Larry]

............ you still can't hear the radio or your passenger's voice on the highway, especially if the road's wet (which it has been 99% of the time since I picked it up). I'm thinking of taking it back and asking for another layer. Or should I just suck it up?...............

Go for a drive it a Tdi or even a Td5, then you will realise the Puma is not so bad after all.:D:p

[Didge]

My 300Tdi is so loud I'm thinking of getting stickers made up - "Deafener 110".
Tdi = Terrible din inside :)

[Bess]

Nice one Greg, she's a fine looking Landy, I hope you have a long & happy relationship with her. My first Landy experience was a SIIA that was given to us as a work vehicle when my old man worked on lighthouses. I reckon I was about four or five years old. Loved em ever since. If she makes ya smile it can only be a good thing.:D Regards Chris,Lisa & Bess.

[S_Squirel]

Greg,

they really do look gorgeous in silver.

Congrats!!!

[Loubrey]

great lookin defender.. I've had mine 2 months and Im still learning how to drive it the way it likes to be driven..my first land rover as well and I think its fantastic..taken it bush and in the sand its no suzuki sierra (thats what Ive driven for the last 20 years) but it comes close.lol...have fun with it..

Dawsey,

You'll definitely have to come out play with us at some stage... Definitely not a "buggy" like the Suzuki, but it's so much more!!!

Cheers,

Lou

[gregc]

So it's been a few days now and the more I drive it, the more I love it. I'm getting much more used to driving it now, getting used to the turning circle, etc. The smile on my face just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I've started making excuses to go out just so I can drive it ;).

Also I got my first Defender wave the other day :)

I've already left the lights on once haha but luckily I turned around to see if the indicator lights were flashing when I locked it and I noticed, so disaster averted. The interior light comes on when the door's open and I'm used to not having a door light on the dash, one of my old cars was the same. And I'm getting more used to the noise now too, and since the road's not so wet, it's fine now.

I grew up looking at photos of the overland trip my mum did in 1976 in a SIII from the UK across Europe, the Middle East, Nepal and India to Sri Lanka, so it was inevitable that I was going to be a Defender owner, and now I've got one, I couldn't be happier :D

[noyakfat]

Congratulations Greg,

I am very very very envious and hope you absolutely love your new bus :D

Cheers,
Nige

[gregc]

I went and found some tame offroad tracks the other day. I'm fairly new to 4wding but the car more than made up from my lack of skill ;)

I had some corrugations on the way there, which were fine, but when I went to open the boot I found it full of metal shavings. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Loubrey]

gregc,

When you say "boot" I assume you're talking about the rear safari door...?:D

Remember your car is hand built and you most probably came across some drilling swarf that was poorly swept when they built it.

Have you found the weird loose flanged nuts yet? :D There seem to be at least couple of those in every new car!

We've speculated on here that its an ongoing practical joke from the factory to make new owners worry what had come loose...

Cheers,

Lou

[LoveB]

It's nothing to worry about. On my 110 I found metal shavings and some locking nuts which I had no idea as to where they were supposed to be. they were just rolling on the floor. lol so far the car hasnt fallen apart so all good!!

careful though... at the lights I always get into drag races with buses and such. Sometimes I think their auto transmission gives them a big advantage lol

[Andy_Chil]

I have found my single flange nut on the passenger floor in Thomas. Was wondering why it was there!!!

[LoveB]

same!!! behind the drivers side passenger flooring!

[RVR110]

There's an entire thread about that nut somewhere...

[Loubrey]

There's an entire thread about that nut somewhere...

I remember... thats where the conspiracy theory started!;)

The one where no-one can actually find where they use that size nut inside the car... and the possibility that its a elaborate practical joke from the assembly line...:D

Cheers,

Lou

PS: I found another one earlier this week (after 3 years of owning the car :eek:) surely it must have come loose somewhere...

[gregc]

same!!! behind the drivers side passenger flooring!

Funny you should say that. I started hearing a squeaking sound from behind the drivers seat somewhere, like something was a bit loose, the other day. Maybe the birth of a loose nut is imminent :eek:

I think I'm learning now. These are all parts of my land rover's unique character