300tdi Defender as a daily commuter (Honesty time).

[Traktor]

Please don't shoot the curious!

I have asked a "similar" question before, but this time its straight to the point.

So I have test driven my first Defender yesterday, and well yes its is as expected, handbrake, window winder, pushed towards the door. What i knew was going to be the case, so didn't really shock me a such.

I travel to the city from South West Syd around 3 days per week, so highway adventure will last 1.5hrs each way. And i want to ask you guys who use these as daily commuters if its doable, did you hate it, do you recommend strongly against it, what are your thoughts and experiences?

You would say.. "Well you took one for a test drive didn't you?" ... But lets face it when you are exited about another car, we tend to get over-stimulated and can overlook the reality.

And yes i know a Defender is made for the off-road, and yes i know its no high performance warrior. And ill be jumping over from my 2006 Subaru Forester Turbo luxury. So really hoping realistic owners of this group will guide me in the right direction.

Thanks.

[Shoogs]

I have always believed you should buy a car you want to drive, anytime, anywhere and any conditions, I have had 4 defenders and current 300tdi for 5 years, when I drive it, it makes me smile, it also makes me feel I am on another adventure, and it's been on many, everything else seems a tad boring, can't beat a sunny day, window down, arm on door, cruising along looking down on most people in traffic who wish they were somewhere else is quite amusing... A little respite from reality.

Tim

[weeds]

I used to daily commute 40min each way for years.....

The only problem is the km you rack up, other than that I was happy to do it.

[connormotorsport]

Love driving my 130 everywhere. Clutch is a little annoying sometimes but once you learn to drive the defender it's relatively easy in traffic.
Everytime I drive it it feels like an adventure . I can't explain how or why but it always puts me in a great mood for the day ahead. Just another perk of driving a defender I guess haha.

[Plutei]

I drove my 200tdi fairly daily for a while, which is a little rougher. I certainly enjoyed it and never felt like it was a chore. As said above the real bummer is the kms that you put on it, which is why I will probably buy a beater if I need a daily driver again. I did find that in city peak hour it started to feel a little cranky, but maybe that was me!
No problems keeping up with traffic, the best all round vision with no blindspots, and it feels good.

[steane]

I'll play the devil's advocate, but ultimately it will be your Deefer and you should do whatever the heck you like with it

The handbrake, window winder etc will fade from being a potential issue after a drive or two. They really are non-events and the Defender is surprisingly comfortable thanks to it's upright seating position.

A good one will handle highway work okay. No race horse, but no Defender is, even the last of them. But...compared to a modern car on the highway, they are noisy and you have to drive them. There is a good chance that will wear you down over time. I think it would get to most (not all) people.

My other big concern with using one as a daily driver would be wear and tear and keeping it maintained.

If you will be relying on a workshop to service and maintain the Defender then running one as a daily driver will cost you. No 25,000km service intervals with a 300TDi.

Regular oil and filter changes, tappet adjustments and cooling system servicing is all required. Then there are two diffs, a gearbox and transfer case to consider.

You'd need to regularly check wheel bearings and lube half shaft splines etc etc.

Nothing is set and forget, not if you want a reliable Defender.

Good 300TDi Defenders are fantastic things and wonderful fun to drive, but there are hundreds of ****boxes out there better suited to the daily commute.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it though

[Traktor]

Thank you all so far for the positive responses. As i searched google, everyone all over the net pretty much labeled Defender as worlds worse car in every aspect... even Satan wouldn't be caught driving in one... type of feedback.

Well now that you mentioned it, what would one consider "high kms" as i hear a few lasdting fine to their 800,000kms and one i was looking at few days ago was on 460,000 with engine/turbo still in great running order.

Servicing you say every 25k ? (I would have thought every 5k or 10k would be the norm?)

I have played with cars for many years (Had 17cars so far and im only 32) from full strip to a engine transplant as well as rebuild.
If every service i need to:
+ Check clearances,
+ Re-seal rocker cover
+ Change oil + oil filter
+ Grease up underneath joints etc

... Then it's not that bad. If i need to open/check diff fluids every time then it could be getting into the red zone.

[steane]

Servicing you say every 25k ? (I would have thought every 5k or 10k would be the norm?)

Nup, I said not 25k service intervals, ie 5 or 10k like you have suggested.

[Dervish]

I used to commute along Forest Rd, Stoney Creek Rd, the M5 in my 300tdi - did so for about 7 years. I found being able to see blocked lanes from a hundred metres back a huge advantage. Driving the Defender never bothered me at all in Sydney traffic, Sydney traffic sure did though; glad I'm out of that nightmare.

[MrLandy]

Hey Traktor, virtually all I've driven for the past 15 years are Defenders. A Tdi and a Puma. I still drive my Tdi as daily driver often. Also my Puma. Tdi is certainly noisier but it's also very relaxing to drive once you get the hang of it. Sometimes I prefer one, sometimes the other, but I wouldn't enjoy driving anything else and I'll never sell my Tdi. Two Defenders might seem excessive, but it's a long term proposition as they're not made anymore and once you're hooked... I've also driven land cruisers, hilux for work, subarus, amarok. I prefer Defender in all situations.

If you're able to, maybe keep your Subi too so you can have some variety, at least initially. Good advice from Steane and all above.

Cheers