New Defender 90

[Paul Dirou]

Hi all
I am thinking of buying a new Defender 90 during the present sales offer.
Any fatal faults in the new 90?

[KarlB]

I bought my D90 last March and have done over 20,000 km since. Single issue was an oil seal in the transfer case that was fixed under warranty in half a day. The rear seats are a bit silly and the fuel capacity is terrible if you want to use it for remote touring. I took out the rear seats after 2,000 km and have not put them back. To increase touring range I have had installed two auxilliary fuel tanks adding 85 litres to the original 60 litres. Puma 90s are great vehicles but not for every one. Certainly the best Land Rover I have owned. Not as good on the road as my Discovery II but I still prefer the D90.

Cheers
KarlB

[Trout]

We have done 10k in our 90. Only problem has been an air-con sensor which failed and was replaced at first service - common for new defenders. Fuel range as mentioned is terrible. A long range tank is really needed. I do enjoy driving it but the ride is very rough . We have a few sections of concrete road near us and going over then at speed is an interesting experience. Whereas you hardly notice it in our 110. Perhaps fair enough given wheel base but I also think the springs and sway bars are really too stiff for unloaded use.

[aj90]

Done 10,500kms in mine, agree with Trout that the unloaded ride is too stiff on the road. Only issues for me so far have been both diff plugs leaking, fixed under warranty. Absolutely love the Landy, it was definately a heart purchase as opposed to a head purchase, but still no regrets!

[LRO53]

What distances are you guys getting from the 60 L tank?

I've got a Td5 90 and aveage around 460km to a tank which i don't think is too bad.

[KarlB]

What distances are you guys getting from the 60 L tank?

I've got a Td5 90 and aveage around 460km to a tank which i don't think is too bad.

I get something similar and maybe a bit better. The 60 litre fuel tank is fine for day to day and even most trips but I believe it is inadequate for remote touring (as is the 110's 75 litres). Last march on a trip to the Gawler Ranges I carried a jerry can and only just got by and this included filling up at Mt Ive Station. Cross the Simpson or go to Cape York and your looking at something like 700 km between fuel stops, and your not going to get quite the same economy pushing through the sand as you do around town. A rule of thumb I have seen bandied about is you need enough fuel for at least 1,000 km. Carry 2 or 3 jerry can and you are probably OK but then add another couple of jerry cans for water and you are starting to loose a fair bit of room in the back or starting to put a lot of weight on a roof rack.

Cheers
KarlB

[vnx205]

What distances are you guys getting from the 60 L tank?

I've got a Td5 90 and aveage around 460km to a tank which i don't think is too bad.

That will only get you about halfway up the Tanami. Rabbit Flat is closed now, so you might have a problem.

When you say you get 460km to a tank, do you mean that after you have covered about 460km, you fill the tank because you are paranoid about running out of fuel and find that it takes 40 litres? Or do you mean that you are confident that the fuel gauge is accurate and that after you have done 460km, you can usually fit 50 litres in the tank? Or do you like living dangerously and after 460km, you can usually add 59 litres?

So the response to your suggestion might be that your fuel consumption and maximum range is OK or it might be pretty limited.

[KarlB]

My range on a tank (full to empty) would be 550 km (~11 litres per 100 km). Don't want to run it dry though!

Cheers
KarlB

[Loubrey]

KarlB,

What brand are those aux tanks? I've had the Front Runner (Dolium/Opposite Lock) in the past with the two additional filling caps. I'm a bit reluctant to cut new filling caps into the Puma 90 yet.

Looks like the only option open to me though and I'll have to take the plunge soon - unless you can tell me you've got a different setup!

[Loubrey]

KarlB,

Just read your other post RE longrange aux tanks and we are obviously talking about the same tanks.

What was Land Rover Australia's take on fitting the tanks and your warranty?