Thread: New defender order

Originally Posted by mowog

That's interesting on my contract I have been charged for items that are a no cost option on the list.

When did you place the order? Perhaps these items were chargeable in the previous specifications or when you placed the order.
If you will be getting the MY23.5 then I suggest you have a word with your dealer.

I went to the dealers with this specification list printed and options I wanted (NCO and paid) highlighted to ensure they listed these on the quotes - even things like 11.4"touchscreen. One of the dealers said that all new Defenders come with 11.4" but the specifications clearly lists it as NCO so I asked for it to be explicitly listed.

I understand things may change due to parts supply but I would rather be as clear upfront as possible than to rely on dealers information.

I have almost finalized the specifications for my vehicle - P400 SE and would like to get opinions from current owners on the following options:

1) Matrix LED Headlights (over Premium LED) - SE comes standard with Premium LED headlights with Matrix as option. I am sure both these are more than adequate for the vehicle but I am considering Matrix LEDs as I have these on my current vehicle and I am happy with them. Having said this, I read on another forum that some users don't find Matrix LEDs bright enough in the Defenders. I assume this is because matrix technology is doing its thing and blocking out lights in segments leading to the illusion of reduced light - not sure.

Does anyone have any negative feedback on going with Matrix over Premium Headlights for Defender?


2) Clearsight mirror - I have heard mixed feedback from people re Clearsight - I can see the benefit of Clearsight mirror but not sure if it will be something I will use that often. One of the vehicles I demoed had Clearsight mirror and it looked a bit strange - not as clear as a smartphone screen in terms of brightness/colours probably because the screen also has to act as a mirror. I switched to normal mirror and used it for the rest of the drive.

Unless there is a compelling reason, I will skip on Clearsight mirror and put that money towards Matrix headlights.


3) Spare wheel cover - I can get body coloured spare wheel cover when ordering the vehicle (I believe only silver is available as an accessory after purchase). I like the wheel cover for aesthetic reasons but also concerned that I will be taking off the cover every time (or every second time) when washing the car to clean any dirt/debris behind the spare wheel.

Is this something I should include or just don't bother putting a wheel cover on the spare wheel?


4) 19in vs 20in wheels - I read through a few posts and clear suggestion is that I should get 20in wheels as there are more options for tyres in this size. I am not the type of person who will experiment with different tyre sizes as 70-80% of my driving will be on-road. This also means I will keep using whatever wheel size I pick when ordering the vehicle and this is playing on my mind a little bit. Part of my thinking is that I should get the 19in wheels knowing that I have picked the most capable option (without mods) for the vehicle and I should be able to find Goodyear Wranger All Terrain Tyres in sizes 255/60 R20 and 255/65 R19 in Sydney. On the other hand, I believe 20in tyres should be capable of handling driving on sand / beaches, fire trails, light off-road work and probably more aesthetically suitable for the vehicle.

Should I just stick to 20in wheels and hope these will be adequate for my needs or should I go for 19in wheels?

Originally Posted by jb007

I have almost finalized the specifications for my vehicle - P400 SE and would like to get opinions from current owners on the following options:

Should I just stick to 20in wheels and hope these will be adequate for my needs or should I go for 19in wheels?

the LR OEM Goodyears are not great (sidewalls of Swiss cheese strength) and 19” will practically limit you to
those, at least 20” will give you decent options such as BFG KO2’s, Falken etc which have far more off road
durability.. I made the mistake of going 19” and paid handsomely to move to 18” in the end

Originally Posted by zilch

the LR OEM Goodyears are not great (sidewalls of Swiss cheese strength) and 19” will practically limit you to
those, at least 20” will give you decent options such as BFG KO2’s, Falken etc which have far more off road
durability.. I made the mistake of going 19” and paid handsomely to move to 18” in the end

Thanks zilch - I actually read various comments from you on this topic.

I tried to look for 20in AT tyres in LR size (255/60 R20) but couldn't find many options and BFG KO2 are not available in this size. Looking at BFG's website, they have 275/55 R20 which (according to tyre size calculator) should give overall similar size - 32in.

Is this legal from insurance and warranty perspective?

Sorry I am not an expert in tyre sizes and in the past just kept the same tyre size as OEM tyres.

Originally Posted by jb007

Thanks zilch - I actually read various comments from you on this topic.

I tried to look for 20in AT tyres in LR size (255/60 R20) but couldn't find many options and BFG KO2 are not available in this size. Looking at BFG's website, they have 275/55 R20 which (according to tyre size calculator) should give overall similar size - 32in.

Is this legal from insurance and warranty perspective?

Sorry I am not an expert in tyre sizes and in the past just kept the same tyre size as OEM tyres.

if you are on Facebook join the “Australian new defender owners group”, plenty of chat on there in regard to
best options for rubber

Originally Posted by jb007

Thanks zilch - I actually read various comments from you on this topic.

I tried to look for 20in AT tyres in LR size (255/60 R20) but couldn't find many options and BFG KO2 are not available in this size. Looking at BFG's website, they have 275/55 R20 which (according to tyre size calculator) should give overall similar size - 32in.

Is this legal from insurance and warranty perspective?

Sorry I am not an expert in tyre sizes and in the past just kept the same tyre size as OEM tyres.

FWIW

19" or 20" wheel option (oh goody another tyre thread)

The dealer mine will be delivered to also does tyres. I'll be asking them to fit KO2's so if there is a warranty issue they'll let me know. As for size it is the width that could be a problem on full lock

Originally Posted by one_iota

FWIW

19" or 20" wheel option (oh goody another tyre thread)

The dealer mine will be delivered to also does tyres. I'll be asking them to fit KO2's so if there is a warranty issue they'll let me know. As for size it is the width that could be a problem on full lock

I see your quote and raise you an owners search on the Ozzie fb group

Log in to Facebook

Originally Posted by zilch

the LR OEM Goodyears are not great (sidewalls of Swiss cheese strength) and 19” will practically limit you to
those, at least 20” will give you decent options such as BFG KO2’s, Falken etc which have far more off road
durability.. I made the mistake of going 19” and paid handsomely to move to 18” in the end

Um, then why am I running Maxxis 980s in LT spec at 19” ? There is at least 6 or more options in AT tyres available in 19”. 50,000km and going strong…