Thread: New defender order

Originally Posted by jb007

Thanks every one for providing their own personal insights - I will test drive both the D300 and P400 models next week and will base my decision on that.

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I drove both as well. I am going to tow a caravan so the D300 was the original pick. However... Given what our day to day use would be DPF issues would be a problem. I ended up ordering a P400 S 110 a D300 would have had to be an SE which drives the price up.

I will be fitting a long range tank

Would you consider the P300? It solves both the fuel use concerns and the diesel/DPF concerns AND you can get it with 18" wheels!

Doesn't look like the P400E is available on the website (basically a hybrid version on the P300) but that would definitely be the way to go if it was available and given your requirements.

Originally Posted by Summiitt

My 90 was ordered in April 21 with a 7 month build, it turned out to be a 12 month build, however I gained quite a few updates that I didn't ask for, a 22MY comp plate and they held the price agreed to in 21, so I was pretty happy

When I ordered my model on 19 August 2020 it was the 4 cylinder 2L D240S, when I went to take delivery of the vehicle on 23 March 2021 it was a 6 cylinder D250S due to them running out of the 2L motors. It is not cost me any more, however I was not given the choice so I guess they had to honour their agreement.

Originally Posted by CrustyNoodle

Would you consider the P300? It solves both the fuel use concerns and the diesel/DPF concerns AND you can get it with 18" wheels!

Doesn't look like the P400E is available on the website (basically a hybrid version on the P300) but that would definitely be the way to go if it was available and given your requirements.

Thanks for the suggestion - P300 makes sense on paper but as good as 4-cylinder turbo petrol engines are these days, my (old / illogical) mind still believes that for such a large vehicle I need a 6 cylinder engine especially if I plan to keep this vehicle for 10 years. Also, based on the reviews I have read the fuel economy on P300 is not dramatically better than P400 but for sure small amounts add up over the years.

Having said this, I will try to test drive the P300 to make sure I compare all the options before committing.

Originally Posted by SKL

When I ordered my model on 19 August 2020 it was the 4 cylinder 2L D240S, when I went to take delivery of the vehicle on 23 March 2021 it was a 6 cylinder D250S due to them running out of the 2L motors. It is not cost me any more, however I was not given the choice so I guess they had to honour their agreement.

This is interesting - some manufacturers honour the signed contracts or even reduce the price if the price drops. My wife ordered a Tesla Model 3 in 2021 with $100 deposit and one week later, the price dropped by $1,000 so Tesla Australia issued a new contract with the reduced price. I have also heard that if the price was to go up between ordering and delivery, Tesla does not pass the price increase to the customers.

I specifically asked a LR dealer what would happen if the price was to go up between ordering a Defender and receiving the vehicle, I was told that I would need to pay for the increase in price or cancel the order. I think with the current supply vs demand situation, the dealers have the negotiating power.

As much as some people hate Tesla's fixed price sales model, it is transparent and clear eg the Dealer Delivery charges are fixed for everyone

Originally Posted by jb007

This is interesting - some manufacturers honour the signed contracts or even reduce the price if the price drops. My wife ordered a Tesla Model 3 in 2021 with $100 deposit and one week later, the price dropped by $1,000 so Tesla Australia issued a new contract with the reduced price. I have also heard that if the price was to go up between ordering and delivery, Tesla does not pass the price increase to the customers.

I specifically asked a LR dealer what would happen if the price was to go up between ordering a Defender and receiving the vehicle, I was told that I would need to pay for the increase in price or cancel the order. I think with the current supply vs demand situation, the dealers have the negotiating power.

As much as some people hate Tesla's fixed price sales model, it is transparent and clear eg the Dealer Delivery charges are fixed for everyone

Im surprised by the dealers comment as my vehicle went up by about $20k, yet LR held the agreed contract price 12 months on, when I picked it up, they said make sure I contact them if I was looking to sell or trade!..Interestingly I have a new prime mover on order, 12 month wait- Kenworth won't hold the price until delivery, whereas Volvo will hold the agreed build price at the time of signing the order..its a deal breaker I believe in all markets and something buyers should make sure they have absolute clarity on-in writing

Originally Posted by jb007

Can I please get some real life / long term fuel economy figures for the Defender 110 P400 so that I can get some idea from real users and not review websites.

our P400 SE is now 21 months young and has spent time in around Sydney and the Whitsundays, so
about 70% of its time urbanish and 30% on road trips. Over the period it has done 30,000 kms, and showing an
average fuel consumption of 12.3l, the LR figure seems reasonably accurate.

Sydney driving showed an average of about 13.5l over the last six month period, long trips to North QLD about
10.3-10.9l on long trips with average speed over 2,000 km’s in the 90 kph range. If you do not drive it like you
stole it I have found I get a reasonable return for a 395hp beast, very short trips (a few k’s) can put the
consumption up into the 16l range, but the overall average irons it out.

Originally Posted by zilch

our P400 SE is now 21 months young and has spent time in around Sydney and the Whitsundays, so
about 70% of its time urbanish and 30% on road trips. Over the period it has done 30,000 kms, and showing an
average fuel consumption of 12.3l, the LR figure seems reasonably accurate.

Sydney driving showed an average of about 13.5l over the last six month period, long trips to North QLD about
10.3-10.9l on long trips with average speed over 2,000 km’s in the 90 kph range. If you do not drive it like you
stole it I have found I get a reasonable return for a 395hp beast, very short trips (a few k’s) can put the
consumption up into the 16l range, but the overall average irons it out.

This is gold - exactly the kind of information I am after. I can cope with the average figure of 12.3 L / 100 kms.
My situation is probably 80% urban and 20% road trips so would be a bit worse.

I do wonder how LR got the "combined" fuel economy figure of 9.9 L / 100 kms when the real world usage is around 10.6 (avg) on highway speeds.

Thanks once again.