Defender Station Wagon TD5

[peteb]

I know this has been discussed many times, but I just wanted update thoughts on the basic good and bad points from experience on the new Defenders. I will be using it for occasional towing of 2,500kg of braked trailer with boat, and launching of same, other use is as a spare mucking about family vehicle.

I have scoured the internet and they seem to keep their value, but it is the hidden horrors I am trying to tease out if there are any, and the great benefits that I am sure there are. I am 90% certain on going for this subject to any real horror stories.

Thanks

[Rogue Wave]

over to you Codprawn. I think chrisalse runs a relatively new one also

[codprawn]

Well I am just a bit biased!!!

Defenders are an aquired taste - either love em or loath them.

Main bad point is driving position - very cramped - due to being designed with 3 seats in a space where only 2 will fit!!! I am 6' and not exactly small build and I fit ok but it is more comfortable with the classic elbow out of the window style.

Newer ones or ones fitted with a V8 are pretty quick - turning circle no worse than a Discovery or some cars I have driven. Not really that noisy either.

Obviously awesome offroad - traction control on new ones really is worth every penny - awesome becomes BLOODY AWESOME!!!

As to reliability - I have an E reg ex police 110 V8 with 120,000 on the clock - strats 1st time - never breaks down - doesn't leak oil.

They WILL rust - especially if you dunk them in the sea all the time. The cockle pickers around here have gone back to them after switching for a while to Jap vehicles - they lasted even worse!!! Give it a good does of Acrypol roof sealent underneath and then loads of waxoyl - wash the saltwater off afterwards!!!

Will tow anything and will climb anything in low ratio. And drivers don't mess with you - best thing of all - they are FUN to drive cos they are so different!!!

[Rogue Wave]

I must get my 110 back on the road!

[peteb]

OK, five questions :-

1. Where is the best place to buy one now, and what kind of discount could I expect to get from the RRP I see on the Land Rover website?

2. Will the 90 do just as good a job as the more expensive 110?

3. Is there some way of trying to beat the rust by wax oiling it especially in the prone places, if you can let me know where they are.

4. I will need a tow bar, do I need a height adjustable one or is there a standard fixed one that will hook a boat trailer up OK.

5. Options? I was going for metallic paint, centre front seat, cloth upgrade to vinyl on seats, CD player, alloys, remote locking. What about a winch at the front, they look like good fun?

I chose the Station wagon over the county as they have now done away with the bulkhead in the county and have a low bar across, this lets the seats recline more, but gear in the back could fly forward so I prefer the bulkhead. I also don't want the carpets in the county model as I would find it hard to keep the black carpet clean and dry, the rubber seems to do more for me With the options I have selected I guess I am near the county standard, apart from the county's four drop down seats compared to the basics drop down double bench seats. As I will not be using the back for passengers much I can live without the four seats, though it would have been nice.

I appreciate your kind help

[Mark Halliday]

Originally Posted by peteb

OK, five questions :-

1. Where is the best place to buy one now, and what kind of discount could I expect to get from the RRP I see on the Land Rover website?

Cant answer this one. Shop around.

Originally Posted by peteb

2. Will the 90 do just as good a job as the more expensive 110?

A 90 will do just fine, and you can park it. A 110 is longer than a Range Rover Clasic. Better ride, less pitching, for long runs - so some say. 90s are more fun.

Originally Posted by peteb

3. Is there some way of trying to beat the rust by wax oiling it especially in the prone places, if you can let me know where they are.

www.before-n-after.co.uk/
2 friends have had various vehicles done here, which are used for serious off-roading. They are now called "Non-stick Nick" & "Teflon John". Nuf said.

4.Get a tow bar with a series of holes so you can set it up for your trailer. Adjustable ones are good if you tow lots of different trailers, but are very noisy.

5.
Personal preferance.

Enjoy.

[Kernow Buoy]

centre front seat

Had mine taken out, replaced with cubby box - very useful for placing things out of sight, as Codprawn said there's not room for 3 anyway!

remote locking

Definately put at the top of your list, I've walked miles round mine unlocking the doors!

do I need a height adjustable one or is there a standard fixed one

You probably only need a standard fixed one, do a search for '4x4 towing warning' on this forum I've had some er.. 'experience' with the adjustable ones

Will the 90 do just as good a job as the more expensive 110?

If you don't need the extra space yes, and they're better off road because of the shorter wheelbase.
Best of luck
Kernow

[peteb]

Thanks Mark, great practical advice, can't afford the teflon at £1,400 plus vat but waxoyl looks good

I have just found a site that imports cars see www.lapworthautos.com is this safe? they seem very cheap with a £5,000 saving.

Tow bar advice also makes sense, I will ensure that this is done

Thanks

[peteb]

Kernow, I did the search and it came back with this thread as the only hit

CANCEL, found it with a gap either side of the X

[codprawn]

Get a Dixon Bate or similar adjustable hitch - landrover's are so high you DO need one!!! They are NOT noisy - once they get clogged with mud and all sorts of crap.

As to protection do it yourself and save a fortune!!! Acrypol roof sealant from places like Selco - £30 for a tin - will do a whole 110 no prob. slap in on thick all over - have never used it on a NEW one though so don't know how well it will stick but it does to most things!!!

Then use black waxsoyl underbody seal and the clear waxoyl for inside panels and chassis etc.

As long as you wash off after every dunking the thing will last you years.