Originally posted by p38arover+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(p38arover)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-abaddonxi
I thought that one of the things that made the County a County was air-conditioning and closed off vents?

More elbow room, just, in County.

Better brakes, by far, on Defender.

I'm not keen on V8s, but I'm reckoning that if you are you aren't going to be happy with a tdi, sure that td5 is the same.

I'm guessing LPG fumigation would improve the low rev pick up that tdi has before turbo spools up and performance, but I doubt you're going to feel like you've got a lion in your pants.
I don't know if the 4BD1-engined Countys had air con - the ones I've seen haven't. But they seem to have opening vents. I think it was the carpet that made them Countys (or is that Counties?).

More elbow room in a County? Jeez! I thought the Defender had the seats moved inward and that would have improved that.

Brakes? Absolutely. Every Defender (with rear discs) I've driven has been a better stopper than the County. Next to the P38A, the County a shocker.

re V8/diesel, I don't have any real preference except for fuel economy. I think acceptance of the vibration and noise of a 4BD1 must be an acquired thing. I've driven a number of Tdi and TD5s and I'm impressed by them, especially after LPG fumigation. The only way to get a lion in your pants with a V8 County, is to get rid of the 3.5 and put in the 4.6 I have on the garage floor. :)

Ron[/b][/quote]

Comments:-
County specifies the level of trim. Airconditioning was optional on all Countys (Counties?).
Elbow room - Yes, Defender moved the seats inboard; this was because the doors are thicker from 1987, to regain the elbow room of the early County.
Brakes - Drum brakes need regular adjustment. If they get this they are little if any worse than the all disc setup, but I'm guessing few get regular brake adjustment. Without this, you will soon find you have front brakes only, not to mention excessive pedal movement and pressure. Of course, the brake warning light should show something is wrong, but were you looking at it while you had the brakes on? (and does the shuttle valve switch work, anyway?)