Defender 110 (I swore I would never do this pt2)

[BrettMRC]

Pflanzgarten said:

Where can you buy one though? Second hand?

There's a few places claiming to have a genuine one in stock, I suspect even JLR will have a complete kit in stock - they won't supply the fixings seperately though due to having no stock.

[BrettMRC]

Update time:

I got it back on the road in late November by identifying and sourcing the collapsing rivnut things myself, buying the fitting tools and refitting the snorkel.
(IMO those parts could easily have been reused if the windscreen firm hadn't been animals removing it in the first place!)

This was just in time for the second batch of serious flooding in the region, but at least this time the car was back on the road and usable - these conditions are exactly why we purchased it, (well that and the towing capability) and becoming more frequent.

Since the last update it has also been back to the dealer again to have the front mudflap panels and front sections of the adventure kit repaired/replaced/refitted correctly. (There had been play on the mudflap panels since day 1, a cause for concern when wading)

Over the last 3 months it's had a short squeak from one of the idlers on a cold start; investigation via owners clubs seems to indicate this is a widespread issue on the 6cyl diesels, and surprise surprise the parts are not quickly available. It seems like this gets worse and worse until it siezes up and snaps the ancilliary belt.

After lots of chasing around it's finally booked in for the 2nd week of February! It will be relegated to local, short runs only until that's sorted.


I still quite like it, but the time taken to resolve even minor issues is pathetic.

[BrettMRC]

Minor update.

Tomorrow is it's first MOT, along with the much pushed security update.

Do we think it's going to pass?

All the various subscriptions etc have started to run out, have renewed a couple and gone for the extended warranty as well.

[Mikebentley]

What’s your warranty extension cost? Mine is having its first service Saturday at 2 yrs old. My step treads have flaked and oxidised so they are giving me replacements too. In their defence they were from Vulkan via the dealer so not genuine JLR.

[BrettMRC]

About £850pa / £70pcm for the warranty.

[PRO5T]

That doesn't sound too bad actually.

[Mikebentley]

BrettMRC said:

About £850pa / £70pcm for the warranty.

Thanks for that. It’s strange though all the subscriptions that
end at 2/3 yrs from new. I’ve just renewed my Secure Tracker Pro for 2yrs for £480 after letting it lapse for a year. To me that’s an expensive tracker subscription. My Online subscription package I’m not prepared to pay for when I can just tether my data from my phones. There was something else as well which I’ve let expire too. It was adding up to about £500 p.a.

My 2 yr service (first service) on a D250 is £598 inc VAT. It’s done 15k miles. This was after my dealer price matched another franchised dealer nearby. I don’t want to jinx it but we really love the car and genuinely can’t think of what we might get instead. I intend to pay for interim oil and filter changes moving forwards on the years between scheduled services.

As an aside I asked them how much to make me a set of my personal plates up as I think RRS RR an and LR look stupid without the big plates. It was £77 pair fitted plus VAT or £12.50 each including VAT just for the plates….no surprise which I have opted for. The fact I’m intending to fit the plates shows it’s a keeper.

[BrettMRC]

I think the tracker and online services were the only things I renewed.

Well, it passed - eventually!

The inside of three of the tyres have taken a battering due to the destroyed nature of the roads around here - one was bad enough to illicit a fail! (I'm a bit shocked, looking from the outside edge there was no obvious damage.

Swapped the spare on to get a pass, and in for some new boots tomorrow. (roughly £200 a corner for the scorpions)

[Mikebentley]

BrettMRC said:

I think the tracker and online services were the only things I renewed.

Well, it passed - eventually!

The inside of three of the tyres have taken a battering due to the destroyed nature of the roads around here - one was bad enough to illicit a fail! (I'm a bit shocked, looking from the outside edge there was no obvious damage.

Swapped the spare on to get a pass, and in for some new boots tomorrow. (roughly £200 a corner for the scorpions)

Brett get on EBay. When mine was about 3 months old I got a metal Rod straight through the sidewall reverse parking. I went online and got 3 spares still with the pimples on for £75 each delivered. Because so many go down the Urban big/ new wheels route EBay is chocker with cheap barely used tyres. I now have two spares in the garage plus one on the back of the beast.

[BrettMRC]

Mikebentley said:

Brett get on EBay. When mine was about 3 months old I got a metal Rod straight through the sidewall reverse parking. I went online and got 3 spares still with the pimples on for £75 each delivered. Because so many go down the Urban big/ new wheels route EBay is chocker with cheap barely used tyres. I now have two spares in the garage plus one on the back of the beast.

That's a good shout - thank you!

[BrettMRC]

BrettMRC said:

I think the tracker and online services were the only things I renewed.

Well, it passed - eventually!

The inside of three of the tyres have taken a battering due to the destroyed nature of the roads around here - one was bad enough to illicit a fail! (I'm a bit shocked, looking from the outside edge there was no obvious damage.

Swapped the spare on to get a pass, and in for some new boots tomorrow. (roughly £200 a corner for the scorpions)

News from the tyre fitter:

1 is indeed fubar, nothing wrong with any of the others and he doesn't understand why there was even an advisory.

[Mikebentley]

I’ve got the black 19 alloys on mine just checked and 4 x 2024 alloys with brand new tyres is £450. It’s £112.50 per wheel with a brand new tyre! Buy a half price tyre get a free alloy……winning.

[BrettMRC]

Where are you finding those?

[Mikebentley]

BrettMRC said:

Where are you finding those?

What size are your wheels and or tyres Brett? It’s an SE isn’t it?

[Mikebentley]

I think you have 5094 alloys with the less aggressive tyres in a 20”. On EBay search L663 Defender 5094. There are lots.

[BrettMRC]

Mikebentley said:

I think you have 5094 alloys with the less aggressive tyres in a 20”. On EBay search L663 Defender 5094. There are lots.

Fantastic - thank you!

[Snow and Rocks]

If wheels are available that cheaply is it worth changing the wheels for something more sensibly sized that will be more durable and fit for purpose?

It surely kinda defeats the point in having a Defender if it it's on 20 inch alloys. Guessing the original owner must have specced them as an "upgrade"?

Edit - apologies if that comes across as a bit arsey, it wasn't intended that way!

Edited by Snow and Rocks on Tuesday 2nd July 19:40

[Mikebentley]

Snow and Rocks said:

If wheels are available that cheaply is it worth changing the wheels for something more sensibly sized that will be more durable and fit for purpose?

It surely kinda defeats the point in having a Defender if it it's on 20 inch alloys. Guessing the original owner must have specced them as an "upgrade"?

Not necessarily the case. I specifically ordered my Defender with the 19” alloys to get a greater tyre to wheel ratio mine is an S model. As you go up the trim levels the wheel rim size goes from 19 to 20. I think the white steelie style wheels were 18 and the new white steels (actually alloys) on the new County trim models are 20.

I can currently buy 5 brand new 2024 black 19” alloys with tyres for about £400 on EBay due to owners upgrading their new cars.

[BrettMRC]

Snow and Rocks said:

If wheels are available that cheaply is it worth changing the wheels for something more sensibly sized that will be more durable and fit for purpose?

It surely kinda defeats the point in having a Defender if it it's on 20 inch alloys. Guessing the original owner must have specced them as an "upgrade"?

Edit - apologies if that comes across as a bit arsey, it wasn't intended that way!

Edited by Snow and Rocks on Tuesday 2nd July 19:40

It's a fair question, but I've not felt it's abilities have been compromised so far.