New Defender Thoughts

[mike_beecham]

Hi All,
I have spent some time discussing on the forum the merits of buying a PUMA Defender for our big trip. Well today l was out and about in a brand new Defender (a mate just picked it up).

I have to say the things l like most:
- Transmission: 6 speeds & a more 'car' like gear shift/change
- Gearing: partic 1st LOW - WOW
- Lighter clutch pedal: would be driveable in peak hour traffic, daily
- Sound deadening: far quieter than my TD5 (I could hear the radio)
- The new steel doors: they seal better, shut better, are stronger
- Engine: the 2.2L seems to have reasonable power.
- Seats: far more comfortable
- Layout: the dash is functional. Clear. Simple.
- AC: it actually works
- Drive: cruises well at 100km/h.


Dont Like
- Anti Stall: not sure l like it.

I realise there is A LOT of PUMA critics around, however, my mate has had 3 PUMAs so far, and never had a 'show stopping' incident. He tows very heavy loads (horse floats, trailers) and it has multiple drivers also. After two 2.4s he prefers the 2.2L.

It has made me feel that bit more comfortable about buying one to do my Big Trip in 2015......

Mike

[uninformed]

Hi All,
I have spent some time discussing on the forum the merits of buying a PUMA Defender for our big trip. Well today l was out and about in a brand new Defender (a mate just picked it up).

I have to say the things l like most:
- Transmission: 6 speeds & a more 'car' like gear shift/change
- Gearing: partic 1st LOW - WOW
- Lighter clutch pedal: would be driveable in peak hour traffic, daily
- Sound deadening: far quieter than my TD5 (I could hear the radio)
- The new steel doors: they seal better, shut better, are stronger
- Engine: the 2.2L seems to have reasonable power.
- Seats: far more comfortable
- Layout: the dash is functional. Clear. Simple.
- AC: it actually works
- Drive: cruises well at 100km/h.


Dont Like
- Anti Stall: not sure l like it.

I realise there is A LOT of PUMA critics around, however, my mate has had 3 PUMAs so far, and never had a 'show stopping' incident. He tows very heavy loads (horse floats, trailers) and it has multiple drivers also. After two 2.4s he prefers the 2.2L.

It has made me feel that bit more comfortable about buying one to do my Big Trip in 2015......

Mike

honestly, I dont see why they would be a problem. One thing I would do is buy it some time before and put kms on it just incase there are any little bugs to be sorted before you head off.

[Exdef]

Thanks Mike,
looking for a new Defender 110 myself after having my TD5 Extreme for 12 years. The 110 now has a payload of over 1000kg so it can now be classified as a commercial vehicle - great if you are buying it through a business.
The question I have is does Landrover offer sales on last years models? I have been looking on Carsales. com and spoken to dealers in southern states but no clear answers yet. Delivery to the north(NT) seems to be consistent but there is a bit of a range of additions (alloys, MTR tyres, mud flaps, and those side steps designed to get ripped off on the first rocky crossing)

[Keithy P38]

Be careful of the engine oil cooler deciding it doesn't want to live any more. My old man has a 2.2 Puma 130 that recently lost its oil cooler (not sure of the exact cause), land rover have issued a bulletin though and it gets replaced under warranty.

Otherwise a fantastic 4wd. His just crossed the desert (in standard form, no mods that made it any different to a brand new one (other than his tray and canopy).

Cheers
Keithy

[voltron]

I have had mine now for 13000km's and just did 3000km's over the xmas break. This was my first longish trip in it and the few things I learned from the trip about the car is.

- I really need to cut the side rails on my roof rack in an attempt to reduce wind noise.
- I really need to insulate the roof to reduce wind noise.
- I really need to fix the rattle in the gear lever which drives me nutz when in over drive.

Other then that it was a very pleasurable 30+hrs of driving with full load on.

I have never owned or been in an older model but cabin noise was the only issue I have and it is far from bad, I would just like to try and improve it as much as possible as it become tedious in high winds while talking to passengers.

The A/C worked great in Rockhamptons heat, but I have also partitioned off the rear seats from the load space with 40mm of eva foam to improve this even more.

[Keithy P38]

I should add, the oil cooler died at 100kmh on bitumen not far from home, engine has 18,000km on it.

The desert trip was at the end of last years season.

[UncleHo]

I have a friend who has a 2013 model 2.2ltr 110 which he loves,only problem he has had was a small water leak in left front door seal and a leak in the front pulley oil seal, both repairs under warranty,he has over 30,000klms on it now loves it,BUT he advises anybody who gets one to fit a set of "Terrafirma" rear corner protectors,as the current models do not have the rear grab handles like the old 110's had,and it makes those back corners VERY vulnerable!!

cheers

[UncleHo]

I have a friend who has a 2013 model 2.2ltr 110 which he loves,only problem he has had was a small water leak in left front door seal and a leak in the front pulley oil seal, both repair under warranty,he has over 30,000klms on it now loves it,BUT he advises anybody who gets one to fit a set of "Terrafirma" rear corner protectors,as the current models do not have the rear grab handles like the old 110's had,and it makes those ack corners VERY vulnerable!!

cheers

[numpty]

BUT he advises anybody who gets one to fit a set of "Terrafirma" rear corner protectors,as the current models do not have the rear grab handles like the old 110's had,and it makes those ack corners VERY vulnerable!!

cheers

Neither does my 2006 Td5

[CraigE]

I have a friend who has a 2013 model 2.2ltr 110 which he loves,only problem he has had was a small water leak in left front door seal and a leak in the front pulley oil seal, both repairs under warranty,he has over 30,000klms on it now loves it,BUT he advises anybody who gets one to fit a set of "Terrafirma" rear corner protectors,as the current models do not have the rear grab handles like the old 110's had,and it makes those back corners VERY vulnerable!!

cheers

Not all had the grab handles, especially the Extremes. I fitted rear bumperettes with small steps.

[Trooper63]

Hey guys, I bought a brand new 110, delivered in August 2013. Very happy. Just drove to Townsville and back to BrisVegas;

1. small water leak both sides of dash (drivers drips onto accelerator foot)
2. A/C hmmmm. We drove through Rockie on Sunday 39*C. My A/C is basically useless.
3. Very impressed with 2.2L

Haven't been into dealer yet to ask about 1 and 2. Hasn't help convincing the wife it was a good buy.

[muddy]

Hey guys, I bought a brand new 110, delivered in August 2013. Very happy. Just drove to Townsville and back to BrisVegas;

1. small water leak both sides of dash (drivers drips onto accelerator foot)
2. A/C hmmmm. We drove through Rockie on Sunday 39*C. My A/C is basically useless.
3. Very impressed with 2.2L

Haven't been into dealer yet to ask about 1 and 2. Hasn't help convincing the wife it was a good buy.


I had poblems 1/2
1 fixed under warranty --the dealer had to replace the seal between windscreen and fire wall ---no more leaks
2 Mine is black and when I went to SA (mainly along hay plains) agree the a/c was useless even though very cold air coming out of vents---got windows tinted as dark as legal possible,result pleasant inside and quite often don't switch it on

[Pickles2]

I had poblems 1/2
1 fixed under warranty --the dealer had to replace the seal between windscreen and fire wall ---no more leaks
2 Mine is black and when I went to SA (mainly along hay plains) agree the a/c was useless even though very cold air coming out of vents---got windows tinted as dark as legal possible,result pleasant inside and quite often don't switch it on
Item 1......Sounds ominously complicated!!...How did they do that...ie what had to be "removed" to get to that "seal"?
Pickles.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

I had poblems 1/2
2 Mine is black and when I went to SA (mainly along hay plains) agree the a/c was useless even though very cold air coming out of vents---got windows tinted as dark as legal possible,result pleasant inside and quite often don't switch it on

At least in NSW, "dark as legal possible" is 35% VLT on the driver / passenger front side windows, and then anything you want behind that point...

One of the small benefits of owning a light truck, and probably would not make the rear visibility much worse than with clear windows anyway! :twisted::wasntme:

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi03_rev3.pdf

[muddy]

As i said it was done under warranty but there is a manual on the net showing where to check and how to repair leaks .I thank the dealers for a job well done---

A defender that doesn't leak