rmp
27th February 2004, 06:45 PM
As some on this list know, I've been deciding which new diesel 4WD to replace my petrol Pajero.
Came down to the Patrol 4.2tdi and the Defender 110.
On paper, the Defender won. Cheaper, more economical, greater payload, lighter, more cargo area, better clearances, taller tyres...the list goes on.
However, I wasn't sure about the interior. So I went to Melbourne City Landrover and they lent me one for the entire evening. Loaded up three friends and went for a drive.
What I found was something of a surprise. The Defender's interior actually works quite well. The upright, firm seats are fine. You don't need a footrest.
The more I drove it, the better it felt. The 2.5tdi is pretty good, it revs and the turbo kick-in is noticeable, but not impossible to live with.
And the thing handles pretty good, too. Neutral in the corners. AWD grip. Body roll yes, more than the Patrol; but for a fair comparison you'd need to lift the Patrol and put larger tyres on it.
The Patrol was ok. Boring to drive, uncommunicative. But capable, and a safe choice. Tiny glovebox, small cargo area, no quicker than the Defender. Quieter though, and amazing off-idle torque. But it needs it, the gearing is 2.02:1 vs 3.32:1 and it's 500kg heavier.
It's not all good. The headlights are as effective as a glow-worm, it needs and noisekit and despite half a dozen controls for ventilation, the airco cools like an icecube in a swimming pool. But I will be sorting aftermarket solutions for all three; a Noisekiller kit, Lightforce 240s and a chat with some airco experts.
On the other hand, I can't reduce the Patrol's fuel consumption or increase its cargo bay.
I can't see my way to spending another $10k for the Patrol. And I'm not wild about the soft seats and lack of visibility, either.
So, decision made. One white Defender 110 Xtreme is coming my way shortly, along with a shedload of accessories. And an LROCV membership. I'll be writing it up in detail somewhere.
Came down to the Patrol 4.2tdi and the Defender 110.
On paper, the Defender won. Cheaper, more economical, greater payload, lighter, more cargo area, better clearances, taller tyres...the list goes on.
However, I wasn't sure about the interior. So I went to Melbourne City Landrover and they lent me one for the entire evening. Loaded up three friends and went for a drive.
What I found was something of a surprise. The Defender's interior actually works quite well. The upright, firm seats are fine. You don't need a footrest.
The more I drove it, the better it felt. The 2.5tdi is pretty good, it revs and the turbo kick-in is noticeable, but not impossible to live with.
And the thing handles pretty good, too. Neutral in the corners. AWD grip. Body roll yes, more than the Patrol; but for a fair comparison you'd need to lift the Patrol and put larger tyres on it.
The Patrol was ok. Boring to drive, uncommunicative. But capable, and a safe choice. Tiny glovebox, small cargo area, no quicker than the Defender. Quieter though, and amazing off-idle torque. But it needs it, the gearing is 2.02:1 vs 3.32:1 and it's 500kg heavier.
It's not all good. The headlights are as effective as a glow-worm, it needs and noisekit and despite half a dozen controls for ventilation, the airco cools like an icecube in a swimming pool. But I will be sorting aftermarket solutions for all three; a Noisekiller kit, Lightforce 240s and a chat with some airco experts.
On the other hand, I can't reduce the Patrol's fuel consumption or increase its cargo bay.
I can't see my way to spending another $10k for the Patrol. And I'm not wild about the soft seats and lack of visibility, either.
So, decision made. One white Defender 110 Xtreme is coming my way shortly, along with a shedload of accessories. And an LROCV membership. I'll be writing it up in detail somewhere.