Thread: Defender 2007 : What did you want?

I like the idea of the tweeters but come on Land Rover...............

















how about a sub-woofer!!

Seriously though - I wanted the TDV6+6-speed auto!

Some good suggestions from everyone, yeah a bigger fuel tank.

Portal axles....?

A 3-speed transfer case with an ultra-low range, now that would put one up on the opposition.

I like some of the changes, the interior is good for example, and I don't mind the bonnet bulge, will reserve my decision on that untill I see it in the flesh though.

A few of the uk options here would be nice, like all the variants, not just the couple we get here. I'd love a 110 dualcab for example.

TDV6 and/or TDV8 with the 6 speed auto would have been great

Relocated ECU a priority.

TR wouldn't be bad, or a more basic multimode TC (as RMP mentioned)

Child restraint points may be there, but otherwise that would be a consideration for me.

Bigger fuel tank, or another sub tank.

factory lockers as an option as well

I won't go into the other things that would be "nice" to have, like the portals and triple transfer case, i'll stick to the reasonable and practical for now

Originally Posted by spudboy

Why don't they piggyback onto the existing Ford Dealer network, seeing they are ultimately owned by Ford anyway?

"Decent dealer network" was the operative phrase. I have a late model Falcon ute as a workhorse ( as well as the County-Isuzu tourer) and I am not impressed either with the Ford dealers or the product. I call my Falcon the "two-in-one" car, that is the first and the last. Repeated electronic failures and electrical problems, brake rotor wear, poor design and resultant extremely difficult servicability,bad service & poor dealer attitude have turned me away from the F word forever. The electronic/electrical problems were what prompted me to buy the County-Isuzu as being dead simple mechanically, mechanical injection, no electronics, no turbo, no rubberband, all cast iron.

In reality, a distributor has little control over a dealer nowadays with restraint of trade laws preventing a distributor or manufacturer from restricting a dealer taking on other franchises. Unless you are the distributor/manufacturer of a volume seller that is the dealers prime source of income, then you more or less have to take what you get from a dealer unless you can find another better one and are able to sack an unsatisfactory dealer. In country towns, there is often no alternative. With the rationalisation of dealerships by the big three over the last 15-20 years, there are now country towns without a new car dealership which once had several. There are even country towns that no longer have a farm machinery dealer. The establishment of major dealerships in the bigger regional centres have sunk the small town dealers, that is, the ones that were not sacked outright, and just left to wither on the vine.

My experience as a Wholesale Supervisor of a dealer network was that the Zone and State Sales Managers would decide to appoint a dealer. A multi-franchise dealer, in other than a major urban dealership, would get some brochures and price lists for the sales staff, maybe a vehicle or two for stock, a workshop manual, spare parts books, and maybe some fast moving spare parts. Eventually, maybe, some staff might attend service & parts schools. Put another sign up outside and that is your new dealer, who, in most cases is simply hoping that another franchise will mean more new vehicle sales and more profits. Holden, Ford, and Toyota, have more than 50% of the market and the other umpty hundred makes & models have to hustle after the crumbs. Always remember that a dealer's commitment will be to the brand that earns his bread and salt. Land Rover is never likely to be in this category.

Defender mirrors don't jiggle. Tighten them and they'll stop.

Most importantly....

a bigger rear vision mirror so I can easily do my hair and put on lipstick at the lights

Seriousely.....

A bigger fuel tank would be perfect

as would non-jiggly mirrors. Anyone with ones that stay put must be in the minority

smaller turning circle definitely although power steering helps with this a bit

One thing with the Stage 1... got muscles on my muscles steering out of tight corners without power steering and muscles on my left thumb every time I let the handbrake off

Numpty's Missus

Howdy All

I am a tad diappointed with upgraded Defender. Was really hanging out for the ZF 6 speed auto.

I am not all that fussed with the new dash as I have never really found the old one to be that uncomfortable.

What I would have loved to see, and this goes for all LRs, is the addition of a 'Jeep Rubicon' optioned vehicle in the line-up. Sell your standard vehicle, but have an option pack available for those wanting the vehicle for what it was made for. Needs to be more than stickers....

Land Rover could provide an optioned model with each vehicle which included:
- larger wheels
- lockers all round
- reduced low range gearing
- stronger axles
- relocated ECU (well that should happen on the standard)
- long range tanks

The upgraded sound system is nice, but it would have been good for LR to concentrate on what they are really good at and build something which leap-frogs the opposition.

'Kimba' is very happy....just wants one of those new bonnets. Any hail storms this time of the year in Sydney?

Originally Posted by noddy

'Kimba' is very happy....just wants one of those new bonnets. Any hail storms this time of the year in Sydney?

Cousin John was really peed off when he saw the bonnet...he needs to modify his to accommodate the new engine and associated bits in his County...he reckons that he's been "pipped to the post" .....there goes another original idea