Decision made

[rmp]

As some on this list know, I've been deciding which new diesel 4WD to replace my petrol Pajero.

Came down to the Patrol 4.2tdi and the Defender 110.

On paper, the Defender won. Cheaper, more economical, greater payload, lighter, more cargo area, better clearances, taller tyres...the list goes on.

However, I wasn't sure about the interior. So I went to Melbourne City Landrover and they lent me one for the entire evening. Loaded up three friends and went for a drive.

What I found was something of a surprise. The Defender's interior actually works quite well. The upright, firm seats are fine. You don't need a footrest.

The more I drove it, the better it felt. The 2.5tdi is pretty good, it revs and the turbo kick-in is noticeable, but not impossible to live with.

And the thing handles pretty good, too. Neutral in the corners. AWD grip. Body roll yes, more than the Patrol; but for a fair comparison you'd need to lift the Patrol and put larger tyres on it.

The Patrol was ok. Boring to drive, uncommunicative. But capable, and a safe choice. Tiny glovebox, small cargo area, no quicker than the Defender. Quieter though, and amazing off-idle torque. But it needs it, the gearing is 2.02:1 vs 3.32:1 and it's 500kg heavier.

It's not all good. The headlights are as effective as a glow-worm, it needs and noisekit and despite half a dozen controls for ventilation, the airco cools like an icecube in a swimming pool. But I will be sorting aftermarket solutions for all three; a Noisekiller kit, Lightforce 240s and a chat with some airco experts.

On the other hand, I can't reduce the Patrol's fuel consumption or increase its cargo bay.

I can't see my way to spending another $10k for the Patrol. And I'm not wild about the soft seats and lack of visibility, either.

So, decision made. One white Defender 110 Xtreme is coming my way shortly, along with a shedload of accessories. And an LROCV membership. I'll be writing it up in detail somewhere.

[juddo]

Well done RMP,

Obviously most of the people here would agree with your choice. I hope you enjoy it; I'm sure you will.

Cheers.

[KEV0044]

...

[rmp]

Yes, well I hope it is reliable, as there will be a lot of people ready to say "told you so" at the first sign of any trouble!

The Done Thing is to upgrade from a Pajero to a Patrol.

Of course, I have to be different :-)

I shall invite all the naysayers to actually try the object of their derision before leaping to conclusions.

[bigbugga]

WEll done on your choice.

hope to see some photo's in the gallery real soon.

Then you can bring in the photo's of after all the mods have been done later. :wink:

[Bushie]

While I cant speak for the Defender TD5 (as I've got a Tdi300) I drive a 3.0 Nissan for work, and you've made the right choice :!: :!: :!:


Bushie

[rmp]

Originally posted by Bushie
While I cant speak for the Defender TD5 (as I've got a Tdi300) I drive a 3.0 Nissan for work, and you've made the right choice :!: :!: :!:


Bushie

Bushie, how do you find the turbo boost? It was quite irritating on the model I drove, the turbo would jump in quite markedly. That helped me rule out the 3.0, which is at least vaguely price-competitive with the Defender and closer in fuel consumption. The 4.2 doesn't have turbo problem but is a lot more $ and a fuel guzzler.

[Bushie]

Originally posted by rmp
Bushie, how do you find the turbo boost? It was quite irritating on the model I drove, the turbo would jump in quite markedly.

The turbo boost takes a while to get used to, and I still get caught out by it occasionally. The vehicle is a slug off boost and the then it comes on like a rocket. Whilst the defende is equally a slug when off boost the turbo has a more progressive/smoother pick up.

The vehicle (nissan) also has its share of body rattles now.

I actually find them quite difficult to compare directly as with the Nissan it rarely has more than 2 people on board and with the Defender I generally only drive that when it is fully loaded with 5 aboard ready for a weekend or longer trip.


Bushie


Bushie

[Phoenix]

RMP, any chance that you could do a new car test on your 110 when you get it for the edition 4 of the newsletter (not the one coming up, but the one after it) ?


Please [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

[rmp]

Originally posted by Phoenix
RMP, any chance that you could do a new car test on your 110 when you get it for the edition 4 of the newsletter (not the one coming up, but the one after it) ?


Please

Every chance, I like writing :-)

In fact, I have already started an article called "You bought a what?" because that's the reaction of most people!