new defender options

[gregc]

Hi all, have been lurking for a couple of months now but this is my first post. I tried using the google search down the bottom but it didn't quite bring up what I was after.

I am about to be in the market for a new 110 (my first LR ) and was wondering what thoughts people had on options, both OEM and aftermarket. Things like bull bar I'll probably get once I've run it all in a bit. There's no rush anyway as it's too wet at the moment up here in cairns for any major exploring so it'll probably just be playing the everyday commuter until it all dries out a bit.

I was thinking more along the lines of the less obvious stuff like rust protection, low water level indicator or anything else LR left out or decided would be good for character building. Anything that anybody wish they had got when theirs was new? Anything end up being a waste of time/money?

Also what's the go with snorkels? OEM or aftermarket?

Thanks all in advance!
Greg

[JayBoRover]

Hiya Greg. Good thing to ask before you purchase.
I asked similar questions of a friend that also bought a new MY12 D90 before me, so knew not to buy the genuine side-steps. The genuine tow bar is worthwhile if you tow things. I went with a Safari snorkel after hearing too many stories of the genuine LR snorkel not being water proof, backed up by the dealer making it clear they are a RAI - Raised Air Intake, and not having any claim to be a snorkel. I got the genuine front mud-flaps fitted and they are worthwhile, but also easy enough to fit yourself at lower cost later if you're handy. Apart from the mud-flaps and tow bar, everything else on mine is aftermarket (Safari snorkel, ARB bullbar and roof tent, Front Runner roof rack, cubby safe, gas bottle rack, sill fuel tanks).
Good luck with it.
Cheers
John B

[Summiitt]

G'day Greg,
Yep I agree, I bought one of the first pumas in 08 and added a safari snorkel, arb winch bar, hayman Reese tow bar and an arb tradesman steel roof rack, if your planning on doing any sort of distance driving, look into long range tanks, defenders tank capacity is a joke..I opted for an opposite lock 45l tank that fits under the rear right guard and it worked very well.
In that setup, that vehicle did about140k until I sold it early last year and took me all over Australia with hardly any issues at all. I would say to drive it and use it before adding things to it, they are very good straight out of the box..

[tequesta]

Hi, purchased pattern part mats & side steps from the UK (cheaper) when I just got the car, and took the advice of the forum and just drove. Pretty much everything you need comes with, with the exception of front & rear recovery points. Eventually got front ones from APT, which doubles as a steering guard as well. The rear was to be the OEM tow bar. Good luck!

[newhue]

Get a price from your local tow bar shop before you order a genuine. Chances are it will go there for the same Hayman Reece bar anyway. It just may be a couple hundred cheaper. LR warranty on a tow bar is neither here of there as tow bars appear to fail very rarely. They are not rated as a recovery point, as now tow bars are but that is more legal ass covering than reality.
I added a standard raised sir intake as the way it sucks air I's quite good. They also contain a dust separator inside the casting. I sealed mine with sensor safe silicone to mske it waterproof. They do the same with aftermarket snorkels as well.
Some floor mats are also nice. You can buy them with the saving from the tow bar.

[ezyrama]

Hi Greg
The new MY2013 has been released in the UK and you can order an option of part leather/part cloth seats and a 150w Alpine stereo, which I highly recommend as my 2012 stereo unit sounds crappy, The bullbar, get a TJM. Safari Snorkel and HR towbar. The rest of it can come along as and when you need it. Get an aftermarket fuel tank as Summiitt suggested (thanks for the info mate, I'll look into one) as you will only get 550-600 out of the 70ltr tank. When you get it, the rules are you post photo's or the flea's of a thousand camels will infest your armpits!

Cheers Ian

[gregc]

Thanks for all the advice!

Get a price from your local tow bar shop before you order a genuine. Chances are it will go there for the same Hayman Reece bar anyway. It just may be a couple hundred cheaper. LR warranty on a tow bar is neither here of there as tow bars appear to fail very rarely. They are not rated as a recovery point, as now tow bars are but that is more legal ass covering than reality.
I added a standard raised sir intake as the way it sucks air I's quite good. They also contain a dust separator inside the casting. I sealed mine with sensor safe silicone to mske it waterproof. They do the same with aftermarket snorkels as well.
Some floor mats are also nice. You can buy them with the saving from the tow bar.

So is the haymann reece one a fixed bar or is it a hitch?

[ezyrama]

Bolts on through the rear crossmember, and then back to the chassis.

[newhue]

Thanks for all the advice!



So is the haymann reece one a fixed bar or is it a hitch?

It's the heavy duty square female type with various square males to accommodate height and length. Sound like sex ed really. But it all good fun

[gcl381]

Hi GregC

Definitely ring around for the towbar fitting. I was able to get mine through LR at the same price as any of the aftermarket crowd. If they're keen to move a car they can add extras on at a reasonable rate. Mine's got the genuine side steps as that was already on the vehicle but I'd have happily had them removed if I could have lowered the purchase point. I'd be interested to hear why people aren't happy with them or what issues they've had. Doesn't look like they're too hard to take off in any case.

Cheers,

Gav