Thread: Disappointed in the D5 / waiting for the Defender

One of the best things with EAS on my D4 has been hitching and unhitching my van with a D35 hitch. Also if just staying overnight I just use the LLAMS/height adjust to get the van to be level. I have the GOE kit should something go wrong. But touch wood nothing has happened so far!

I had a good look at a D5 today and I like it. It will grow on us with time. I remember when the D3 was launched there was a lot of criticism but it turned out to be a winner.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I had a good look at a D5 today and I like it. It will grow on us with time. I remember when the D3 was launched there was a lot of criticism but it turned out to be a winner.

I've had a few good looks of 1, and been on a couple trips. I like it alot, and don't know how anyone can be disappointed in it.

I think for those that like dependable offloading including decent rubber size between rim and rocks etc there be disappointment. Cheers

Originally Posted by ozscott

I think for those that like dependable offloading including decent rubber size between rim and rocks etc there be disappointment. Cheers

And those that want accessories,bars,cargo barriers,rear wheel carriers,larger fuel tanks bla bla,will also be disappointed.

No bar,no cargo barrier(not a dog guard),its not for me.

Yes it's a definite shift away from touring and remote offroaders for Australian conditions. I too am waiting for Defender. I hope they get it right, otherwise I will be qualifying for 20 year historic car Rego with my d2. Cheers

I hope I'm wrong but I can't really see the 'new' Defender being anything more than a glorified hairdressers car/SUV. Landrover started getting out of the game of making truly off road 4WD's long ago. The Range Rover and Discovery lines became softer and more luxurious at the expense of utilitarian capability; fine on road 4WD's suited to a more European or American market and with the demise of the Defender Elvis had well and truly left the room.

Odds are the new Defender will be an alloy monocoque air bag sprung macho looking soft roader capitalising on the Defender name and reputation aimed at the poseur market. IMO it is unlikely to be a true 4WD suitable for 'touring and remote offroaders for Australian conditions'. I will be absolutely ecstatic if I'm proved wrong.

Deano

I note the 4x4 Australia story in the current issue said the D5 has more space then the D4 did to take larger tyres, so that makes the D5 more bush friendly than the D4. It also has the same size brakes as the D4 so bespoke 18 inch wheels produced for the D4 will also fit the D5.
So it should be possible to fit 18s to a D5 with taller tyres than could be fitted to the D4. So that's good news.