Defender 130 - Is this the right decision?

[Onners]

Hi All,

Looks like I am lined up to get a nice dual cab 130 soon. I am going for a test drive tomorrow to see how it goes.
I just had a few more questions. Basically getting the car as my primary driver. I spend a fair bit of time in Jindabyne in both summer and winter, so most of my driving is between Sydney and Jindabyne and the surrounds down there. Have some friends with fire trail access to the Snowy River so will be getting into that for sure.

The other driving I do will be around the northern beaches, to Freshwater/Curl Curl specifically for surfing, and the odd trip up and down the coast to camp and surf.

I know and am expecting the big turning circle (is it really that much of a hassle?) and know there is probably a bit of a learning curve going into owning one of these. I'm looking at a 2012 Puma with the 2.2 L engine with 126k kms.

Expecting a bit of bias here, but whats your opinions on this use case? Currently driving a subaru forester, but grew up on a farm driving old LC cruisers and the like.

Cheers guys!

[Bazzle218]

Mate

I have a 300 tdi 130 so cant comment on motor. Turning circle is a bigger , but once you work out how much room you need its not a problem. i have no issues with carparks. Saying that U turns you need to pick your streets otherwise at a minimum they turn into 2 point turn.[bigsmile]

[Tote]

My 130 improved greatly with the addition of some sound deadening material. I switched to the Defender from a Disco 3 so I noticed the additional noise which I have made worse by running Mud Terrain tyres.
I honestly don't notice the turning circle, occasionally in a carpark I might need to back and fill but it isn't an issue. The 130 will happily sit on 110 but I find that at 120 you are pushing the limits of comfort.
I found a Mulgo Ex-Box improved the driving position by giving me an elbow rest on the LHS which was at a similar height to where my right arm sat. An aftermarket Moto-Lita steering wheel also improved the experience for me.

Defenders are like very few other vehicles, you essentially buy a blank canvas and then mould it to suit your preferences, enjoy yours.

Regards,
Tote

[rick130]

And with turning and parking you reverse park everything and reverse U turn too!

[Onners]

thanks for the info guys. Might be going for a test drive today with any luck!

[Gibs]

I have a 130 Td5 2001, I can do a very easy turn around in any cul-de-sac that I have come across and if it can do that, then that is all you need. The rest is as has been stated above, reverse is your friend.
What I find mostly wrong with the 130's when you buy one is that the wheel stops are not set correctly. The left side is the right wheel stop and the right side is the left wheel stop, so as soon as you can, get the spanners out (17mm IIRC) and get that steering wheel into a hard turn left and right and make sure that between the tire and your radius arms you can just squeeze all of your fingers (& hand if your of a small stature) in the gap, just remember that the adjustment is done on the opposite side to the turn.

[PWat]

The turning circle and extra length (I have a 1.8m tray) is my main frustration when parking and turning. You just learn to plan ahead, choose your spots, always reverse in and smile politely at the waiting traffic! The plus side is that with a tray, bull-bar and the standard wide mirrors it’s super-easy to tell where the edge of the vehicle is, unlike most vehicles with rounded corners.

[incisor]

forward planning is an integral part of 130 ownership...
great vehicles imho and the pinnacle of land rover ownership [bigwhistle]

[rick130]

forward planning is an integral part of 130 ownership...
great vehicles imho and the pinnacle of land rover ownership [bigwhistle]

I do miss mine.....[bigsad]

[Chenz]

I have a 2008 130 2.4 Puma. Great vehicle. Once you get used to where you can turn around it is fine. I cruise at 110 easy. You won't regret getting a 130

[DiscoMick]

Geez I thought the cruise liner turning circle on our 110 was bad enough, let alone a 130.
Just drive it like a truck, is my theory.

[MLD]

MY10 130 owner. If this is your first defender: turning circle has been covered. Fit a reversing camera. Easy to loose the Yaris from your mirrors and touch park the bonnet. 100kph is the compromise between getting to your destination in reasonable time and excessive fuel burn. The wind resistance of the frontal area at 110 kph is exponential from 100. I spent a small fortune on sound deadening and Exmoor trim HD vinyl covers and i still wear ear plugs on the hwy. If i don't my ears ring after a reasonable period in the cabin. Wife says i am yelling. to me i'm whispering. Stick with the 235/85 tyres. There is a temptation to go bigger but unless you find yourself hung up on the diff each occasion you are in low range, bigger tyres are not necessary. Bigger tyres burn more fuel and if you are doing big kms it will reflect at the bowser. I run 35" rubber and seriously considering going back to 33's (can't go back to 235/85's unless i change my diff ratios back to 3.54). Same with lift kits, keep it factory. The 130 came from factory +1" bump stop clearance compared to a 110. Most lift kits assume 110 factory height and use firmer coils to get lift. You could buy a +2" kit and find it is same free length as 130 factory coils and firmer coil rate (the 130 is already firm). I ran 35's with factory coils and only rubbed on the leading edge of the inner wheel guard behind the headlights. A rear locker goes a long way to get you to your favourite fishing spot.

The long and short of my message (having spent more on mods than the purchase price) keep it stock or if you must, keep mods modest. Best bang for buck and you won't spend weekends replacing bushes from worn out suspension components.

welcome to the 130 club. best LR made and anyone tell you otherwise is motivated by jealousy.

160502