Thread: Buying 05/06 Defender

Originally posted by floyd
A Mate has a TD5 disco and drives less km's and has to have 4 disc rotor replaced after approx 40,000km cost $2000.
6 years of driving the GQ across town and I have had 2 sets of front brake pads and 1 rear never any disc rotors changed. Is more costly to maintain a defender than a patrol? No Salisbury rear diff now is this a problem?
Thank you

He was probably ripped off.

I recently replaced the rears on my P38A (1995 RR). I did the work myself because it is easy enough (even easier on Defenders and earlier RRs and Discos which don't have sliding callipers). The rear discs were about $100 each plus a set of pads for under $100. My Rangie has 200,000km on it and I've had it for 85,000 km. This the first rotor change I've done. My previous RR I had for well over 100,000km and I never changed the rotors. That Rangie was used for 5 years to take me to/from Emu Plains to Paddington, i.e., across Sydney, 5 days a week for work

Ron

have to change you tag to GUNGADIN if you do it--- I wouldnt do 90 lights in a year

but-- there are a lot of passionate Defender drivers in Sid in e, who probably do that and not blink.

you could search the TECH forum for brake problems in defenders, but off hand I dont think its a huge problem,, mastercylinders now THERES a problem,,
join in any time Zook

as for D2 rotors,, yea, about 80K is average, Rons pricing is good but people are now using aftermarket discs and pads.

From reading here, build quality changes from car to car, one mans leak is anothers downpour.

Passion?
is the defenders middle name.

I drive 150 km a day for work in my Defender but most of it is highway. Only 6 sets of lights and 3 roundabouts each way. I love it and find its more fun than a sedan. Cost is about the same as a normal car (At least for me).

hi and welcome!
brake pads and rotors will be an issue, they seem to be really soft.
but as others have stated you shouldnt pay over $90 each for rotors
unless you put ADB ones on. the pads are more expensive than the rotors 8O . oh and to change pads it takes a pry bar, and a set of pliers. and i spose the wheel has to come off

i cant say much for the 110 in traffic, but my 90 is great. i had a training
corse at hornsby on thursday(from revesby via No.6 and pennant hills rd)
and its as zippy as any other in traffic, and i drive like shooie :wink:

ive had my 04 90 for 3months now and i would buy another in a flash
if i could.

cheers phil.

I've had my Defender for nearly 2 years now and have had only minor warranty work (chipping of top edges of front windows), and no drivetrain problems.

The main problem with the Defender is rear visibility which is a little worse than the Disco's, Rangies or the Jap brigade, and the turning circle, which I find a real pain in comfined situations. It is not a great town car largely because of this problem, but one learns to adjust to it. Visibilty forwards is excellent - a LOT better than the Japanese vehicles

Performance is not a problem, and you will not hold up traffic.

But, for heaven's sake don't buy a Defender if you are not intending to take it into the bush. It is there that it comes into its own - leaving most of the rest floundering.

Cheers,

Lionel

Yeh, the turning circle is a PITA round town, and I also find the low first gear a bit of a bugger off the lights, quick up changes become natural though.I know when I bought mine I was driving it home from the city and I thought "christ, ive just spent $50k on this!!" (love it now tho)But i had never driven one before, best piece of advice is take one for a run round the suburbs.

I have had no probs with my rotors (115,000kms). If I did need to replace them it would be with DBA Gold slotted and cross drilled items and Bendix 4x4 pads. I replace my 84 Rangie with these items, did all wheel bearings seals oils etc at the same time plus got a spare set of brake pads for about $700 delivered to my door from Sydney. Cheapest in Kalgoorlie for same items was around $1100. For someone else to do it $2000-$2500. Not a hard job at all, just allow a full day. Much better braking. Will more than likely upgrade the fender the same way when these ones are stuffed.
Cheers
Craig

Have agree about the rear visability and turning circle. You get used to it though. Handling and stopping is quite good, especially when you look at the size and weight. My monster is fast if you drive it hard but uses the fuel then as well.