How fast should a Defender go?

[MinniTheMoocha]

Hi there,

New user to the forum as I recently acquired 300Tdi Defender (6 weeks ago)

Have just go back from a run from Melbourne to Adelaide and topped out speed at about 115Km/h in fifth on slight downward incline. On the flats I ran at 110km/h but with inclines I would slow to 90-100km/h and generally have to change down to fourth.

Is this pretty normal?

I am used to the Forester GT (turbo 2.0 litre and also a Pajero NS 3.2 Turbo) so both these cars hammer up hills.

Thanks

[worraps]

hi mate from what i understand this seems about right one thing you can do to improve on this is tweak your fuel pump up a bit should help maintain speed on hills ect i am sure a defender driver will give you more info



worraps

[JohnE]

Speed is everyones enemy,
last time I looked the maximum limit was 110 where posted. and 100 everywhere else.

you really need to slow down if your not on a freeway!


john

[rangieman]

Speed is everyones enemy,
last time I looked the maximum limit was 110 where posted. and 100 everywhere else.

you really need to slow down if your not on a freeway!


john
Sound,s like the forum cop,s have logged in:p

[MinniTheMoocha]

Speed is everyones enemy,
last time I looked the maximum limit was 110 where posted. and 100 everywhere else.

you really need to slow down if your not on a freeway!


john

Well technically yes 110 is the maximum but you try and overtake a car that finally decides to speed up on the overtaking lanes as you try to pass.....very frustrating and a little more frustrating when 115 is maxing the Landy out, so passing just seems to take forever.....

I have been spoilt with my previous cars...

I don't like to speed as the fines kill the Landy savings, I mean spending account.

[JohnE]

Welcome to landrover land, where if all else fails drive like a volvo driving hat wearer!:)

the defender experts should be able to help you out,


john


( thanks chris I am still laughing:):):))

[LandyAndy]

The throttle cable on TDis stretch thus not giving full power,easily checked/adjusted.
Andrew

[camel_landy]

The Defender isn't built for speed (It's not built for comfort either... But that's another story).

On the flat, you should be able to wind it up to approx 110/120 but it will run out of steam quickly on hills.

M

[RonMcGr]

Hi there,

New user to the forum as I recently acquired 300Tdi Defender (6 weeks ago)

Have just go back from a run from Melbourne to Adelaide and topped out speed at about 115Km/h in fifth on slight downward incline. On the flats I ran at 110km/h but with inclines I would slow to 90-100km/h and generally have to change down to fourth.

Is this pretty normal?

I am used to the Forester GT (turbo 2.0 litre and also a Pajero NS 3.2 Turbo) so both these cars hammer up hills.

Thanks

Well, I don't know about the TD5, but I do know, an Army 110 will do 140kph with heavily laden trailer, but don't quote me on that :D

[Jeff]

When mine was new it would top 130 but with the downgrading of diesel and my adding of weight to both ends it will now only do about 115, under controlled conditions of course.

Jeff

:rocket:

[sclarke]

Just drive it like its a 850 mini......... dont bother over taking...
you learn to drive slower and its nice to not have to worry about passing...

[mcrover]

My Disco in the NT pre speed limits and only to see what she would do topped out at 144/145 on a straight down hill stretch with a slight tail wind pulling 3750 which Im pretty sure is govener limit anyway but it wouldnt drop into lockup.

Defender High range gearing is lower but the tyres are taller than the 28" that I was running at the time so should have similar gearing but because your pushing a 1950's designed brick through the air with no thought of aero dynamics nore the power of either of your previous rides it isnt surprising.

They are not built for that sort of speed, they are designed to be the car that those drivers that you are over taking should be over taking you lol :wasntme:

Always good to see what you have though for if you do need it one day.

[zwitter]

My 130 300TDi has only 127k on the clock.

When I drove it on the open roads it would go to 130 odd but screamed at me and only brief periods. comfortable was 95 to 100.

And dont forget the speedos read around 8% high!

I put 1.21 disco TX in and Diesel gas on and now can cruise at 125 on the clock and she will top 150 with a long run up (in controlled closed roads of course.)

it is nice being able to do the speed limit rather than setting it. But it is no rocket. Had a 2005 4l prado and loaded with camper trailer would overtake anything up any hill at 150+ scary!

besides I bought the 130 because of its off road performance!

James

[mark2]

My 110 V8 will do at least 150 on the flat............

[sclarke]

Exactly.... Buy a V8

[DirtyDawg]

110-120km/h..but I usually sit on 100k's as I am never in a hurry;)

150k's towing in a Prado..sensible:cool: was the fuel gauge going the opposite direction?

[EchiDna]

Well, I don't know about the TD5, but I do know, an Army 110 will do 140kph with heavily laden trailer, but don't quote me on that :D

go the 4BD1 :)

[spudboy]

I can't comment directly because my combinations are different to yours (TD5 Defender + TDi300 Disco) but that sounds like something is not right if the best you can do is 115 downhill in 5th.

The TD5 Defender will occasionally see 130 but will happily cruise up hill and down dale at 110 all day even when loaded, although the start freeway out of Adelaide is hard work and requires 4th (but that is DAMN steep).

The TDi300 in the disco has different gear ratios to your Defender, but it goes like a train and is not particularly bothered by normal hills.

Since it is new to you, have you checked the air filter, and maybe even the fuel filter?

I reckon with a bit of investigation you'll find something that needs replacing/adjusting and it will go much better.

Have you driven another one to compare the two?

[UncleHo]

G'day RonMcGr :)

That 4BD1 is a 3.9 litre TRUCK motor in a 110, and at 140 they ARE spooky:eek: but what GRUNT!!!! and they are supposed to be goverened @ 125kph

[PAT303]

My defender will do 140 on a flat piece of road.If your vehicle does 120 flat out there is something not right. Pat

[RonMcGr]

G'day RonMcGr :)

That 4BD1 is a 3.9 litre TRUCK motor in a 110, and at 140 they ARE spooky:eek: but what GRUNT!!!! and they are supposed to be goverened @ 125kph

Is that right ! :D

This one did well over that :)

[RonMcGr]

go the 4BD1 :)

And they do!
Very well actually :D

[barryj]

Just drive it like its a 850 mini......... dont bother over taking...
you learn to drive slower and its nice to not have to worry about passing...

Or a Kombi Van!

[mcrover]

It comes down to several things that will need checking out.

1st is tyre size, smaller tyres you will run out of revs before you get any real speed out of it but then again your speedo will also be out then.

2nd is ratios, someone may have put in different diff ratios to run taller tyres at some stage.

3rd taller tyres will make it run out of power before you get up to speed and your speedo will be reading under what you are really doing.

Try checking how far out your speedo really is with a GPS first and go from there.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

My td5 before chipping would do 140, and probably a bit faster if I wasn't on the radio to Scotty asking for him to beam me up.. LOL. :)

[460cixy]

mine holds 120 most places but drops to around 100/90 on hills with 33"s 300tdi ute

[Reads90]

My 300 TDi 90 will do 145kph . It has done it before serveal times. Will do it but don't like to do it for long time. Well not for more that about half an hour.
Used to drive to billing at that speed and estnor too.

[Dougal]

G'day RonMcGr :)

That 4BD1 is a 3.9 litre TRUCK motor in a 110, and at 140 they ARE spooky:eek: but what GRUNT!!!! and they are supposed to be goverened @ 125kph

My rangie with 4BD1T used to hit the governer (3600rpm) at 145km/h.
Now it's 20% higher geared and has a lot more grunt, I'm not silly brave enough to try it out.

[Relay]

I love my Landy speedo, it's horribly wrong. Deludes me into thinking I'm going faster than I actually am!

It's actually a pleasure to drive versus my Rocky...That poor darlin' has a top speed of about 90...when it's running. *Hangs head*

[cewilson]

I used to get about 140km/h out of mine before I blew the transfer case. Changed it to Discovery high range gears and it holds 140 easily now. However the fuel consumption is huge. Moving back from the Territory to the east coast has made a difference. I tend to find the first semi-trailer on the highway and sit behind him. They do a hundred easily enough and no wind resistance is a big bonus to the fuel gauge.

BTW - 200tDi in a Defender 110.

Cheers
Chris

[Ken]

If its speed your after get ya self a D2 V8 woohoo she does an honest 150kmh ;):angel::D:D

[MinniTheMoocha]

I used to get about 140km/h out of mine before I blew the transfer case. Changed it to Discovery high range gears and it holds 140 easily now. However the fuel consumption is huge. Moving back from the Territory to the east coast has made a difference. I tend to find the first semi-trailer on the highway and sit behind him. They do a hundred easily enough and no wind resistance is a big bonus to the fuel gauge.

BTW - 200tDi in a Defender 110.

Cheers
Chris

I think this has got to be the best tip so far, except the concern of stone chips on the bonnet;)

[redfender]

td5 03 110 maximum 145 on a slight downhill
it twas screaming

td5 04 disco 150 with a little to go and seemed happy

[tombraider]

If its speed your after get ya self a D2 V8 woohoo she does an honest 150kmh ;):angel::D:D

My D2 TD5 the other day was doing a dollar sixty overtaking a road train.:cool:

[TheLowRanger]

If its speed your after get ya self a D2 V8 woohoo she does an honest 150kmh ;):angel::D:D
my stock standard 3.5 carby RRC on gas used to go that fast. I would be expecting more out of a D2. Haven't given the D1 a good squirt yet though to find out.

[djam1]

My old Stage 1 will pull 150-160 (well the clock only goes to 140) on the clock at those speeds it takes about 3km to stop. lol

[460cixy]

my 72 rangie will pull a dollor sixty prety easy. was a big suprise to a mate in his 6cyl cortina wagon

[rick130]

just clicked over 230,000km and the 300Tdi 130 with Rhino roof bars, winch bar, side bars and side steps and 33" MT's was slowly climbing past one dollar forty five the other day on the flat when I ran out of road.......

[MinniTheMoocha]

Hi there folks. I guess I will have to start wearing my hat in the car and emulate a Volvo driver in the Defender.:o

I just enjoyed a trip to Huggets crossing and cruised their at a leisurely 95-100km/h. Once off the tarmac it really comes into its own.

There are a few things that I will get checked out so more tweaking is on the agenda but essentially the car is doing what it should. Like I originally mentioned I was a little underwhelmed when overtaking that's all. If I want a fast car I will get a Subaru WRX or GT Liberty!

[shorty943]

Hi there folks. I guess I will have to start wearing my hat in the car and emulate a Volvo driver in the Defender.:o

I just enjoyed a trip to Huggets crossing and cruised their at a leisurely 95-100km/h. Once off the tarmac it really comes into its own.

There are a few things that I will get checked out so more tweaking is on the agenda but essentially the car is doing what it should. Like I originally mentioned I was a little underwhelmed when overtaking that's all. If I want a fast car I will get a Subaru WRX or GT Liberty!


Could be worse.

We Series model drivers, can only dream of "positively zooming" along at such breakneck speeds.:D

[malleefowl]

My 98 tdi will cruise happily at 110 on gps speed and on stuart hwy type roads hunt along happlily with the little van at 102.2 it's favourite crusing speed

[wally]

There's definitely something not quite right if you can only manage 115km/h downhill in fifth. Mine will creep up to that speed on the flat while I'm not looking. I've had three 300 Tdi Defenders. All could manage 130km/h on the flat. I wound one of them out once on the Stuart Highway out of curiosity and it topped out at 150km/h (at least that's what the speedo indicated). Not that it really matters. I'm never in that much of a hurry anyway.

[Slunnie]

Well, I don't know about the TD5, but I do know, an Army 110 will do 140kph with heavily laden trailer, but don't quote me on that :D
I think the Army 110's had a different motor, the Izuzu 3.9 rather than the Rover 2.5Tdi.

Its a shame the Tdi cant keep the speed limit and by the sounds of it really needs a good horsepower injection. I think it's bad practice to only have enough power to just reach the speed limit and nothing more. Perhaps its clogged up.

[tempestv8]

Maybe that's all they (the TDi Defenders) can do.... :(

The US Mil spec Hummer (H1) can only top 100 km/hr at full song with their 6.5 litre V8 and 3 speed autos. ;)

[duncanw]

My tyres limit me to 140kph :(

[numpty]

What's the rush:p

We are usually on holidays when driving outside metro areas, so are never in a hurry. Usually happy to sit between 80 and 90, after all, the faster you go the faster your fuel dissappears. And everyone seems to be complaining of fuel prices these days.

[Dougal]

My tyres limit me to 140kph :(

Wanting to keep my license limits me to much less than that.:angel:

[Landy110]

My 300TDi 110 will happily do 100 all day. Only a few big hills knock it around. It will creep up to 110-115 if I'm not careful. At 120 it lets me know it isn't happy!
One thing I have learned though is, don't floor it up hills. Give it a little more just before the hill, like you want to gain 10k's, this seems to get the turbo going a bit better, then just hold that and let the engine management look after it. What engine management you say. There isn't much but there is a vacuum advance on the fuel pump and it works!

[Landy110]

There are also some threads in hear about Gas Fumigation in deisels.
Definately worth looking into.
JD is looking at it now.

[MinniTheMoocha]

What's the rush:p

We are usually on holidays when driving outside metro areas, so are never in a hurry. Usually happy to sit between 80 and 90, after all, the faster you go the faster your fuel dissappears. And everyone seems to be complaining of fuel prices these days.

Good point. Plus less of an impact if you are unfortunate.

[MinniTheMoocha]

There are also some threads in hear about Gas Fumigation in deisels.
Definately worth looking into.
JD is looking at it now.

Yes I am interested in the option of LPG assistance. I just think I will get a few checks done to make sure I am not clogged up etc but I can do 115/120 if pushed.

Its really just the pickup from 1st and overtaking speed that is my concern and maybe I should just have patience.

[Dougal]

There are also some threads in hear about Gas Fumigation in deisels.
Definately worth looking into.
JD is looking at it now.

There are some very big risks involved with that. Make sure you hear both sides of the story before commiting your engine and cash.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Just returned from toowoomba, went north along the A3,,
great piece of road,, sat on 3 grand for the best part of an hour,,,

accelerates quite well from there too---:angel:

[duncanw]

great piece of road,, sat on 3 grand for the best part of an hour,,,


is that how long a tank of petrol lasts ?

[Wilbur]

There are some very big risks involved with that. Make sure you hear both sides of the story before commiting your engine and cash.

Hi Dougal,

Interesting comment. I am planning to have a dieselgas sytem fitted, but have not heard of any downside. I would like to know before I spend my money, or worse still, cause problems in my lovely 300 engine.

Do you have any further info on the downside please?

Thanks,

Paul

[Pedro_The_Swift]

is that how long a tank of petrol lasts ?


how can I tell you own a diesel??

[duncanw]

how can I tell you own a diesel??

:lol2: actually mines a V8 as well, just never been brave enough to let it sit on 3 grand for an hour :D

[Pedro_The_Swift]

You know you want to;)

[Dougal]

Hi Dougal,

Interesting comment. I am planning to have a dieselgas sytem fitted, but have not heard of any downside. I would like to know before I spend my money, or worse still, cause problems in my lovely 300 engine.

Do you have any further info on the downside please?

Thanks,

Paul

In the right (wrong) conditions the LPG can detonate instead of burning with the diesel. The result is a lot more engine stress and wear. With any diesel fueling moe you also need to keep an eye on exhaust gas temperature. Fit a guage if you haven't already and consider oil analysis to keep you informed on engine wear.

There are a lot of happy people running diesel/lpg systems without problems, but there are also horror stories and a lot of hype. Do as much research as you can. The yanks call it propane fumigation.

[Wilbur]

In the right (wrong) conditions the LPG can detonate instead of burning with the diesel. The result is a lot more engine stress and wear. With any diesel fueling moe you also need to keep an eye on exhaust gas temperature. Fit a guage if you haven't already and consider oil analysis to keep you informed on engine wear.

There are a lot of happy people running diesel/lpg systems without problems, but there are also horror stories and a lot of hype. Do as much research as you can. The yanks call it propane fumigation.


Thanks Dougal,

I will do all that. The hype suggests that the engine will last longer, and that was one of the appeals of the system.

Cheers,

Paul