Early days investigating a Defender Purchase

[mowog]

I am currently investigating a new Defender SE D300. I am trying to keep the costs down so I have limited the options to the Factory fitted tow pack and electronic diff.

I went and drove a D300 yesterday and I was a little surprised at the lack of low down punch. Given the power and torque figures on the D300 I was expecting a bit more punch. I did drive there in my 2008 TDV8 Range Rover Vouge which has a heap of low down grunt.

This brings me to the question is anyone towing a big caravan (3500kg) with a D300? I would love to hear about your experience.

[scarry]

Overloading the rear axle max weights is a documented issue towing the big weights,do a lot of research before purchasing would be my advice.
There are a few vids on Utube about this.

For me I would look at the new LC as a comparison,as it will be fine with the big weights as there will be GVM upgrades available.

[zilch]

This brings me to the question is anyone towing a big caravan (3500kg) with a D300? I would love to hear about your experience.

Although we have the P400

The D300 has plenty of torque to handle a large van, the issue will be to ensure you do not overload it with
to many options so you can keep the vehicle weight down and most importantly the rear axle load. I have the 7 seat,
so get 1900KG allowance on the rear axle vs 1800KG on a 5 seat, after fully loading the vehicle as we plan to
travel when towing and including myself and the wife:

Vehicle as weighed: MY20.5 7 Seat P400 110 SE, Tow Pack, E-diff, 3rd row of seats, front protection plate, rear recovery eyes,
side steps, LR roof rack, awning, ladder, RAI, max trax, 2 adults, 20KG of recovery gear/tools in the boot, full tank of
Petrol.. A similar spec'd D300 should be about the same as they both share the 6 cylinder MHEV set up.

2,780KG vs 3,250KG GVM (3,280KG in 7 Seat D300) (470KG left for van which in theory should be no more than 280-300KG TBW)
1,420KG vs 1900KG Rear axle (+ 280KG TBW x 1:35 378KG load on rear axle = 1798KG, leaves about 100KG spare on my 7 seater)

Hope that helps

Cheers

Jim

[mowog]

I have decided to get a P400 S 110 The D300 you can't one in S spec. The P400 S with a few options works out nicely for my budget

[Summiitt]

I would question the van not the car..if its at 3500kg, then you need to consider an American ute with a more realistic GCM

[mowog]

I would question the van not the car..if its at 3500kg, then you need to consider an American ute with a more realistic GCM

An American Ute does not guarantee that you will get better towing spec's. To get that you need to buy one that is impractical as an every day car.

[scarry]

An American Ute does not guarantee that you will get better towing spec's. To get that you need to buy one that is impractical as an every day car.

X2 on both comments.

[Summiitt]

X2 on both comments.
Depends where you live and what you do, an F350 space cab SWB is a perfect size for me as an everyday car- why run a vehicle that is at 99% of its tow capacity when you can have one that is running at 60-70% capacity..its like people towing big vans with dual cab Utes, or doing a trip at GVM and wondering why things break..not to mention safety issues with weight ratios

[mowog]

I have settled on a spec. P400 S 110

I get my stamp duty removed and the rego is only around $450 so its a bit cheaper than the price on the site.
The wife loves the leather colour but it brings with it some options that I don't want or need.

I expect to order in the next couple of months.

My Discovery 4 and L322 Will be on the market soon.

https://build.landrover/BBFF89FD

[Monstermash]

I have settled on a spec. P400 S 110

I get my stamp duty removed and the rego is only around $450 so its a bit cheaper than the price on the site.

Build your LAND ROVER DEFENDER (https://build.landrover/BBFF89FD)

I dropped into Alto Land Rover in Lane Cove to look at the Defender, and the salesperson said their dealer delivery fee is double the one quoted on the LR website.

He also said the cheapest P300 90 would be around $105k - much more expensive than the $90-something-k advertised.

He really put me off, but I'm not sure if this is the same at every dealership.

[Summiitt]

My D250S with air suspension tow pack and rear diff lock came in at $88k, but LCT, rego Stamp duty, delivery GST etc added another $20 odd k..bit ridiculous..

[Monstermash]

My D250S with air suspension tow pack and rear diff lock came in at $88k, but LCT, rego Stamp duty, delivery GST etc added another $20 odd k..bit ridiculous..

Yes, it really adds up.

Did they charge $6k+ for the delivery fee, and was there any room for negotiations at all?

[sharmy]

Yes, it really adds up.

Did they charge $6k+ for the delivery fee, and was there any room for negations at all?

$6k+ is a straight out rip off. I would do some serious shopping around, maybe even contact Land rover and ask for a name of a reputable dealer. I remember when I started selling cars in 1968, delivery was $30. Many years later when it went to $100 there were howls of protest everywhere.

[chuck]

Land Rover Australia wont be very supportive.

They have just discontinued their Corporate Plan which gave a discount on Delivery amongst other things.

They believe they are in a position of strength because of poor supply i.e. supply v demand.

Many other manufacturers are doing the same thing - i guess we just remember when supply comes back to normal

Toyota are at least maintaining fleet discounts.

[sharmy]

I can understand LR not giving any discounts, corporate or otherwise but I would not think they would be too happy with dealers price gouging, as it reflects badly on them, even though, legally, they cannot do anything about it.

[mowog]

I have 2 quotes with delivery fee's of $4400 and $3300

[Monstermash]

Thanks guys, it sounds like the dealership I spoke to is really overcharging.

[Summiitt]

I have 2 quotes with delivery fee's of $4400 and $3300

I just had a look at my quote/invoice and dealer delivery was included in the price, yet in Canberra the dealer delivery was $4990-hence why I bought in Sydney

[Monstermash]

I just had a look at my quote/invoice and dealer delivery was included in the price, yet in Canberra the dealer delivery was $4990-hence why I bought in Sydney

Thanks, was that at Land Rover Sydney in Alexandria?

[Summiitt]

Thanks, was that at Land Rover Sydney in Alexandria?

Macaurthur LR in Campbeltown..

[Monstermash]

Macaurthur LR in Campbeltown..

Thanks for the info.

[mattjtaylor2809]

Hi Guys,

I'm doing the "build your own" options across the 110 S P300, 110 SE D300 & 110 S P400.

I'm only adding LED's, Tow bar, roof rails (included in SE), Meridian Stereo (including in SE) & leather seats (P400 is leather but semi-auto 12 way) plus some wooden trim.

Pricing is approx:

$108K for the 110 S P300
https://build.landrover/2AE4449A

$113K for the 110 S P400
https://build.landrover/2A2E01DA

$115K for the 110 SE D300
https://build.landrover/2A5D8294

I don't drive off road all that much but when I do I like to enjoy myself.
I really only tow a rental Jayco Expanda once a year up to the Flinders.

Would the P300 be enough?

Cheers all
Matt

[mowog]

Just looking at my build again

https://build.landrover/2A5B4C97

The Towing Pack at $4044 this only add extra electronic trickery? Its not vital for towing is it.
I dropped it from my build and just added the tow hitch receiver.

I can back a caravan and a trailer so I don't need the car to do that for me. Am I missing something by dropping the Tow Pack and only going for the Tow Hitch?

[Sweetpea]

Just looking at my build again

https://build.landrover/2A5B4C97

The Towing Pack at $4044 this only add extra electronic trickery? Its not vital for towing is it.
I dropped it from my build and just added the tow hitch receiver.

I can back a caravan and a trailer so I don't need the car to do that for me. Am I missing something by dropping the Tow Pack and only going for the Tow Hitch?
$400 for some software to help. From my investigation the answer is no. I added just towbar and TR2

[chuck]

Just got a quote on a SE D300

Nothing exceptional in the quote
No sunroof
Seven seats
Pretty standard except for headlining & off road pack.
$140 k
$7990 dealer delivery - !!!!!

[grey_ghost]

Just got a quote on a SE D300

Nothing exceptional in the quote
No sunroof
Seven seats
Pretty standard except for headlining & off road pack.
$140 k
$7990 dealer delivery - !!!!!

My dealer delivery was $3k from memory (Sep 2021 delivery).. $8k - yikes

[chuck]

My dealer delivery was $3k from memory (Sep 2021 delivery).. $8k - yikes

Where did you buy from & anyone you would recommend.

[grey_ghost]

Where did you buy from & anyone you would recommend.

I would highly recommend Toby Balfor from Shepparton Land Rover. He will ship interstate. I found him great to deal with.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Just looking at my build again

https://build.landrover/2A5B4C97

The Towing Pack at $4044 this only add extra electronic trickery? Its not vital for towing is it.
I dropped it from my build and just added the tow hitch receiver.

I can back a caravan and a trailer so I don't need the car to do that for me. Am I missing something by dropping the Tow Pack and only going for the Tow Hitch?
If you can reverse a trailer you don't need this 4k option. I had put it into my build, we took it out at time of ordering and I put the money towards TR2 and the matrix headlights. Tow hitch is standard issue AFAIK, JLR should not charge you for that, unless you mean the tongue and tow ball ?

[mowog]

If you can reverse a trailer you don't need this 4k option. I had put it into my build, we took it out at time of ordering and I put the money towards TR2 and the matrix headlights. Tow hitch is standard issue AFAIK, JLR should not charge you for that, unless you mean the tongue and tow ball ?

I have had to cancel my order at this time. My company had a merger and they decided to make most of the Development and QA team redundant on our side of the merger. So I am going back to contracting at this stage. The dealer tells me they will keep the order in the system.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I have had to cancel my order at this time. My company had a merger and they decided to make most of the Development and QA team redundant on our side of the merger. So I am going back to contracting at this stage. The dealer tells me they will keep the order in the system.

Sorry to hear that mate