Early days investigating a Defender Purchase

[mowog]

I am currently investigating a new Defender SE D300. I am trying to keep the costs down so I have limited the options to the Factory fitted tow pack and electronic diff.

I went and drove a D300 yesterday and I was a little surprised at the lack of low down punch. Given the power and torque figures on the D300 I was expecting a bit more punch. I did drive there in my 2008 TDV8 Range Rover Vouge which has a heap of low down grunt.

This brings me to the question is anyone towing a big caravan (3500kg) with a D300? I would love to hear about your experience.

[scarry]

Overloading the rear axle max weights is a documented issue towing the big weights,do a lot of research before purchasing would be my advice.
There are a few vids on Utube about this.

For me I would look at the new LC as a comparison,as it will be fine with the big weights as there will be GVM upgrades available.

[zilch]

This brings me to the question is anyone towing a big caravan (3500kg) with a D300? I would love to hear about your experience.

Although we have the P400

The D300 has plenty of torque to handle a large van, the issue will be to ensure you do not overload it with
to many options so you can keep the vehicle weight down and most importantly the rear axle load. I have the 7 seat,
so get 1900KG allowance on the rear axle vs 1800KG on a 5 seat, after fully loading the vehicle as we plan to
travel when towing and including myself and the wife:

Vehicle as weighed: MY20.5 7 Seat P400 110 SE, Tow Pack, E-diff, 3rd row of seats, front protection plate, rear recovery eyes,
side steps, LR roof rack, awning, ladder, RAI, max trax, 2 adults, 20KG of recovery gear/tools in the boot, full tank of
Petrol.. A similar spec'd D300 should be about the same as they both share the 6 cylinder MHEV set up.

2,780KG vs 3,250KG GVM (3,280KG in 7 Seat D300) (470KG left for van which in theory should be no more than 280-300KG TBW)
1,420KG vs 1900KG Rear axle (+ 280KG TBW x 1:35 378KG load on rear axle = 1798KG, leaves about 100KG spare on my 7 seater)

Hope that helps

Cheers

Jim

[mowog]

I have decided to get a P400 S 110 The D300 you can't one in S spec. The P400 S with a few options works out nicely for my budget

[Summiitt]

I would question the van not the car..if its at 3500kg, then you need to consider an American ute with a more realistic GCM

[mowog]

I would question the van not the car..if its at 3500kg, then you need to consider an American ute with a more realistic GCM

An American Ute does not guarantee that you will get better towing spec's. To get that you need to buy one that is impractical as an every day car.

[scarry]

An American Ute does not guarantee that you will get better towing spec's. To get that you need to buy one that is impractical as an every day car.

X2 on both comments.

[Summiitt]

X2 on both comments.

Depends where you live and what you do, an F350 space cab SWB is a perfect size for me as an everyday car- why run a vehicle that is at 99% of its tow capacity when you can have one that is running at 60-70% capacity..its like people towing big vans with dual cab Utes, or doing a trip at GVM and wondering why things break..not to mention safety issues with weight ratios

[mowog]

I have settled on a spec. P400 S 110

I get my stamp duty removed and the rego is only around $450 so its a bit cheaper than the price on the site.
The wife loves the leather colour but it brings with it some options that I don't want or need.

I expect to order in the next couple of months.

My Discovery 4 and L322 Will be on the market soon.

https://build.landrover/BBFF89FD

[Monstermash]

I have settled on a spec. P400 S 110

I get my stamp duty removed and the rego is only around $450 so its a bit cheaper than the price on the site.

Build your LAND ROVER DEFENDER

I dropped into Alto Land Rover in Lane Cove to look at the Defender, and the salesperson said their dealer delivery fee is double the one quoted on the LR website.

He also said the cheapest P300 90 would be around $105k - much more expensive than the $90-something-k advertised.

He really put me off, but I'm not sure if this is the same at every dealership.