Thread: The New Defender

On the whole I don't mind the guy. At least he has led an interesting life! I did have an email conversation with him about his Troopy fitout concerning his electrical setup and he basically shut me down. Each to their own I guess. Since that conversation he has mentioned in several videos the same problems I mentioned (and others on this forum too) with the electrical setup of his vehicle. Go figure...

Originally Posted by Tombie

Actually he knows SFA on many topics - He’s a huge Luddite and has no concept of the modern tech.

It’s stunning he even acknowledges the TR and capability.

After his visit down under there has been quite a bit of talk about his ineptitude with tech and his inanely boring speeches.

"Visit down under"? He has lived in Perth for around three years.... However, I agree with most of what you say. My point was he knows a bit about touring. I'll bet he's done more than most here. Perhaps I should have been clearer.

I don't mind watching ASPW generally. He's done some really interesting stuff and he's really passionate. But he does get a fair bit wrong and he does carry some stong prejudices so you need to filter for that. He admits most of them.

Big brakes have got zero to do with towing, for example. Function of vehicle weight and performance. The trailer will brake itself and isn't part of the equation. That's why the higher performance versions get the bigger brakes and vice versa.

Most "serious" owners will have diagnostic gear and do their research so they can sort out the majority of issues with basic spares and gear. I can't imagine owning any late model anything without diagnostic tools.

Originally Posted by DiscoClax

I don't mind watching ASPW generally. He's done some really interesting stuff and he's really passionate. But he does get a fair bit wrong and he does carry some stong prejudices so you need to filter for that. He admits most of them.

Big brakes have got zero to do with towing, for example. Function of vehicle weight and performance. The trailer will brake itself and isn't part of the equation. That's why the higher performance versions get the bigger brakes and vice versa.

Most "serious" owners will have diagnostic gear and do their research so they can sort out the majority of issues with basic spares and gear. I can't imagine owning any late model anything without diagnostic tools.

Yeah. I wanted to pull him up on the towing thing. A Disco 2 has the same towing capacity as the new Deefer, with 16" wheels. I think the D1 did as well. But he is intolerant of dissent, as I have found out before.

I found his take on the new car interesting though. His first passion was Range Rovers. He had a good relationship with LR until he bagged the D2 traction control and CDL delete, a position with which I wholeheartedly agree. But he has not been really interested in Land Rover since then really, but the D4 trip he mentioned in this vid is well worth a look.

I didn’t mind the ASPW review. I agree with above comments though. But I think you have to own/use a Land Rover with EAS to appreciate it virtues incl it’s general reliability. Well that’s been my experience with the EAS on my 08 L322.

I used to be in the "too many electrics" is crap camp". I'm willing to admit it.

In saying that I think it's a fair analysis of the new defender. If its as good as LR is telling us and the thing is relaible then time will tell.

LR only had one shot at this and I'm hoping they thouroughly invested in the r&d to make "the toughest LR ever" as claimed, otherwise I think it may cement their slow decline into irreverent manufacturer. In other words if this new defender does not prove to be reliable I believe the brand will be tarnished beyond repair.

Originally Posted by 1nando

I used to be in the "too many electrics" is crap camp". I'm willing to admit it.

In saying that I think it's a fair analysis of the new defender. If its as good as LR is telling us and the thing is relaible then time will tell.

LR only had one shot at this and I'm hoping they thouroughly invested in the r&d to make "the toughest LR ever" as claimed, otherwise I think it may cement their slow decline into irreverent manufacturer. In other words if this new defender does not prove to be reliable I believe the brand well be tarnished beyond repair.

Have to agree with that.. especially after all the bloody year long advertising they did for it .

Double post somehow.