130 Owners are you happy?

[landychris]

I am after a bit of advice. I purchased my new Defender 110 18 years ago. During that time there have been many :) :Dtimes and some :o :( :mad: times, and I still love it. However I have been thinking of updating before the Defenders run out to another 110. I have always liked the 130's and now perhaps a 130 HCP with lowline canopy might be the way to go. So 130 owners, have you been happy with your purchase and would you buy another, or would you change to a 110?
landychris

[Hymie]

The 130 is just too versatile. I reckon you'd regret moving on.

[Gumnut]

Well,

That's a tricky one, Miss Pat...

I have a few discos, SIII's, SII's, subarus and a solitary 130. And I love it. It is the daily driver, and good for everything (except low height carparks) Haha.

True right enough, it has some quirks - it leaks from above to within, and all forms of fluid from within to without, the brakes squeal, the engine moans, the exhaust smokes and, as demonstrated last week, it has the distinct potential to fall over and lie down on the job.

But all in all, it is, without a doubt, the best one I have ever had, and I would not hesitate a blink to get a new one! (If I won lotto or something)

Gumnut

[newhue]

I've only owned a Defender 130 since 2010. There has been many :D times, and some :mad: times.

On one hand it performs well, and exactly what I bought it for, good work truck and capable tourer. Many I camp with kinda wish they had a 130 over their 110's for space and versatility.

On the other hand, now it's out of warranty, if it continues a path of weird and expansive repairs, it will go. I love it but have more to spend my money on than a car.

[Don 130]

Mostly delighted, except when something goes awry with it. As a utility vehicle it can't be surpassed. I hasten to add though, it can easily be passed.
Don

[vnx205]

Isn't the point of the original question about a 110 versus a 130?

I can't help with the answer to the original question. :p

[landychris]

True right enough, it has some quirks - it leaks from above to within, and all forms of fluid from within to without, the brakes squeal, the engine moans, the exhaust smokes and, as demonstrated last week, it has the distinct potential to fall over and lie down on the job.

But all in all, it is, without a doubt, the best one I have ever had, and I would not hesitate a blink to get a new one! (If I won lotto or something)

Gumnut

Sounds like my 110. I also have other Landies 2's, 2a's and 3's and they all have their problems. My good lady wife would be happy for me to sell the lot and go to the dark side and get a :censored: highlux.
landychris

[landychris]

Isn't the point of the original question about a 110 versus a 130?
:p

:BigThumb:
landychris

[newhue]

Sounds like my 110. I also have other Landies 2's, 2a's and 3's and they all have their problems. My good lady wife would be happy for me to sell the lot and go to the dark side and get a :censored: highlux.
landychris

yeh and that's the sad truth. Boring, poor articulation, poor gearing, and over powered. But do the job day in, day out with almost clockwork predicability.

Not sure it it's hand made, or Pomy arrogance, they get it right in many ways. Have to say mine has been honest for 12 months now, a big deal in landy land, but pretty average in others.

I think however a 130 has much more to offer over a 110. Turning circle for what it's worth is a small failing. Perhaps the rear seats are more spacious in a 110. For me that's it's only weak point when compared. Depends on you intended use.

[Homestar]

Sorry to go off topic, but I couldn't help myself after the comments just made on the Hilux. Although the earlier ones were very good and Toyota and some Toyota owners love that 'Unbreakable' myth to be perpetuated, but the newer ones certainly aren't. My best friend owns a mechanical repair shop and currently runs 3 Hiluxs - they will be his last. One is a 2002 model which is great, but the 2007 and 2009 models he has have the same issues - the same issues most of the newer ones have. A clutch won't last longer than 40,000KM even if you don't tow or 4WD in them, and keeping the engine running smoothly longer than 20,000KM is nearly impossible - the injectors **** themselves on a regular basis. Fine while they are under warranty, but expensive when they aren't. Toyota spare parts make LR parts look cheap by comparison. He has been a life long Toyota owner who is now looking for other options.

It's not just his 2 either, a quick search on the net shows this is a very common issue with later models.

Stick with the 130.:)

[nugge t]

Have just upgraded from a 2.4 Puma 110 to 2.2 130 and am very happy.

I had an excellent run from the 110 with lots of remote trips and it never let me down in the 3 years I had it. Ultimately it was just a bit small for what I wanted so upgraded to the 130. Am loving the 2.2 and whilst defenders are not for everyone, I find mine very comfortable for touring although the A/C does struggle a bit once the mercury is above about 42.

As we are only 2, there is no need for the rear seats and once removed, the additional space is gigantic. I currently have a 40L Engel sitting parallel to the door behind the passenger seat and access is really good!

I would disagree with Jason on one point....the 130 does not have a turning circle, it has a turning arc but you soon become the master of 3 and 5 point turns in shopping centres :D

[danialan]

I had a 1995 110 for 10 years and two 130's over the last couple of years. The 130 rides far better over corrugations, and uneven ground, is better offroad (due to the longer wheel base the front wheels are already through the obstacle before the rears drop in), they have a higher GVM than the 110's, and more load space.

Re buying a new one - 6 speeds and and better aircon would be nice, but I don't need all the extra excitement the newer machines seem to bring. 1995 is the best year in my opinion. The tdi 130's have the chassis rails laminated top and bottom the full length of the vehicle, Salisbury rear diff etc

[landychris]

yeh Depends on you intended use.
Towing, general carting, grandkids bikes etc,etc. Would still keep my wife's 11 year old Holden.
landychris

[newhue]

Nugget, regarding air conditioning. I am going to do some homework this year onto seeing if the air con can have another thermostat fitted, probably from a Freelander. Agree it does seem to struggle a bit driving into the sun or really on hot days.
For now cranking it up to 2 or 3 seems to work. But hopefully the Defer can match a Freelanders 16 deg.

[landychris]

Have just upgraded from a 2.4 Puma 110 to 2.2 130 and am very happy.

I had an excellent run from the 110 with lots of remote trips and it never let me down in the 3 years I had it. Ultimately it was just a bit small for what I wanted so upgraded to the 130. Am loving the 2.2 and whilst defenders are not for everyone, I find mine very comfortable for touring although the A/C does struggle a bit once the mercury is above about 42.

As we are only 2, there is no need for the rear seats and once removed, the additional space is gigantic. I currently have a 40L Engel sitting parallel to the door behind the passenger seat and access is really good!

I would disagree with Jason on one point....the 130 does not have a turning circle, it has a turning arc but you soon become the master of 3 and 5 point turns in shopping centres :D

Same as my slow 6cyl 2a wagon then with no power steering:o
landychris

[ramblingboy42]

16? brrrrrrrrrrrr.

[landychris]

I had a 1995 110 for 10 years and two 130's over the
Re buying a new one - 6 speeds and and better aircon would be nice
Never had air:( my 110 was a build date of 95 and had to wait six months to get it, reg in Aus 96)
landychris

[Flipper]

We have had our 130 for 16 years now and it will stay with the family for many generations hopefully.
Never let us down on long trips, and has been the only vehicle I can sit behind the wheel for 8 hours without back pain.
Fantastic for towing, economical, plenty of room for the family, and will go anywhere.
Over the years I have pulled out a bogged forklift truck a Land Cruiser and never once has the 130 struggled. The long wheel base seems to provide a good foot print in difficult terrain.
Turning circle is a bit wide, but hey she gets there eventually.

[ramblingboy42]

hmmm , I'd better order mine soon , before the rush......

[VladTepes]

I have never had a 110 wagon but have owned both 110 and 130 utes (Tdi engines). I first had a 110, then a 130, then a disco (boring) and when the time came I bought another 130. So yeah, I prefer the 130. And yes I'm happy !



I would disagree with Jason on one point....the 130 does not have a turning circle, it has a turning arc

I think of it more as an orbit.....

[nugge t]

Nugget, regarding air conditioning. I am going to do some homework this year onto seeing if the air con can have another thermostat fitted, probably from a Freelander. Agree it does seem to struggle a bit driving into the sun or really on hot days.
For now cranking it up to 2 or 3 seems to work. But hopefully the Defer can match a Freelanders 16 deg.

Certainly watch that with interest!

I also find that having it on face and feet on hotter days helps to dissipate some of the heat coming thru the floor and give a more even temp and reduced toe blistering :D

[VladTepes]

Yeah boo hoo the rest of us who actually HAVE air con have it blow only on our knees.

But then again we have flaps and you don't !

[UncleHo]

Just drop the rear windows down 50mm,and open the front vents, Walla! flow through ventilation :)

Dwyane and Jason must Looove you ;)

[newhue]

Yeah boo hoo the rest of us who actually HAVE air con have it blow only on our knees.

But then again we have flaps and you don't !

I bet those flaps weren't doing so well in the recent heat wave. I may be soft, but I love my air con. No dust, no bugs, no hot air, no flaps. :D

[VladTepes]

No I had my air con on and it works really well, much to my immense surprise.

[Cobber]

the 130 does not have a turning circle, it has a turning arc but you soon become the master of 3 and 5 point turns in shopping centres :Dits a tighter turn if you reverse into a space ;) ... but then you still have to get out :eek::D

I've always fancied a 130 but have never really had a use for one over the 110 (wagon) or the old 109 (ute). The solitary 130 I've driven was alright, and I can only imagine - as others have said - with a bigger footprint it would be better off-road as long as you aren't doing tight tracks! :D

At the end of the day I guess it depends what you need the car to do in order to meet your demands of it as to which you will choose :BigThumb: