Defender 110 (I swore I would never do this pt2)
Discussion
Carrying on from here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I didn't actually go out with the intent to buy a Defender, I was quite keen on a Discovery that they had in the showroom, (but apparently you can't buy a new car - even if it's right in front of you!) or a V8 RR. (In the flesh the V8 was a bit....ugly)
Anyway...
It's a D250 on a '21 reg, (Mrs Brett having her plate on there soon) and will be performing daily duties for her, I'll be stealing it when I need to tow the engines around.
Spec is quite good, it has the adventure pack plus a few other bits - will be getting it detailed and ceramic coated in the next couple of weeks. (Shout out to the "valeters" at LR who basically threw a bucket of silicone detailer at it and walked away!
)
Whilst it's not quite as comfy as the Range Rover, it is perfectly pleasant on the inside - I think I prefer the driving position and the darker cabin. It feels bigger than the RR, but drives much better.
As it stands I can't think of any negatives so far.
I didn't actually go out with the intent to buy a Defender, I was quite keen on a Discovery that they had in the showroom, (but apparently you can't buy a new car - even if it's right in front of you!) or a V8 RR. (In the flesh the V8 was a bit....ugly)
Anyway...
It's a D250 on a '21 reg, (Mrs Brett having her plate on there soon) and will be performing daily duties for her, I'll be stealing it when I need to tow the engines around.
Spec is quite good, it has the adventure pack plus a few other bits - will be getting it detailed and ceramic coated in the next couple of weeks. (Shout out to the "valeters" at LR who basically threw a bucket of silicone detailer at it and walked away!
)Whilst it's not quite as comfy as the Range Rover, it is perfectly pleasant on the inside - I think I prefer the driving position and the darker cabin. It feels bigger than the RR, but drives much better.
As it stands I can't think of any negatives so far.
The ladder seems to be more in the way than the box TBH.
When you open up the box it has a retainer/divider similar to on the rear of the front seats - I have no idea what you would possibly keep in there! (I'm thinking maybe jump leads or a tow rope?)
The roof rack makes a bit of wind noise, and you get quite a lot of induction noise from the raised intake as well.
When you open up the box it has a retainer/divider similar to on the rear of the front seats - I have no idea what you would possibly keep in there! (I'm thinking maybe jump leads or a tow rope?)
The roof rack makes a bit of wind noise, and you get quite a lot of induction noise from the raised intake as well.
First issue has arisen! 
During it's PDI the hawkeyed LR bod failed to spot the spare is held on with the factory locking nuts, not the ones that match the car.
Detailer found this out just now, bit of a pain as it means he can't do the spare wheel/boot properly.
Will be sorted at the dealer as a warranty issue, but better to find out this way rather than when I actually needed the wheel!
Might have to check the OSH to see if it says who PDI'd it, then I can send him/her/they a thank you card!
During it's PDI the hawkeyed LR bod failed to spot the spare is held on with the factory locking nuts, not the ones that match the car.
Detailer found this out just now, bit of a pain as it means he can't do the spare wheel/boot properly.
Will be sorted at the dealer as a warranty issue, but better to find out this way rather than when I actually needed the wheel!
Might have to check the OSH to see if it says who PDI'd it, then I can send him/her/they a thank you card!
Little update:
So far it's handled everything that could possibly be thrown at it with aplomb... be it flooded lanes, sheet ice or 5 hour motorway trip.
The headlights are brilliant, it's reasonable on fuel, it has more than enough grunt for this type of vehicle and the ICE works well and is unobstrusive and intuitive.
Based on this I will come out and say it: I Like It.
Post detailing and ceramic coating pics from SW Autoworx:
...and one from the Haynes Breakfast Club Landrover paddock, and Upton Bridge Farm cars and coffee after.
So far it's handled everything that could possibly be thrown at it with aplomb... be it flooded lanes, sheet ice or 5 hour motorway trip.
The headlights are brilliant, it's reasonable on fuel, it has more than enough grunt for this type of vehicle and the ICE works well and is unobstrusive and intuitive.
Based on this I will come out and say it: I Like It.
Post detailing and ceramic coating pics from SW Autoworx:
...and one from the Haynes Breakfast Club Landrover paddock, and Upton Bridge Farm cars and coffee after.
ballans said:
Getting really tempted by one of these to replace Mrs Bs Freelander. She gets attached very attached to her cars but beginning to waver after she stuck it in a hedge this week due to the ice.
I like the green but think I would have to go blue with white steelies to match my series Landy.
Where are you in Somerset? I’m SE of Taunton and haven’t seen any snow. Just lots of rain and now sheet ice.
That was Wednesday, not far off the 303 Poidmore.I like the green but think I would have to go blue with white steelies to match my series Landy.
Where are you in Somerset? I’m SE of Taunton and haven’t seen any snow. Just lots of rain and now sheet ice.
Update:
Recently had it's first service with nothing exciting to report. (Other than the scummy local dealer trying to upsell tracking adjustments, and driving it around like knobs without wearing seatbelts... from now on it will go back to Melksham for any work.)
Speaking of "any work".. I noticed last week that the roof rack is starting to corrode - you can see white aluminium oxide coming through the black finish. It's booked in for September to have this rectified. (Given how well the rest of the vehicle holds up to the use we give it, I'm a bit surprised that this is the thing giving an issue)
Overall, I still 100% recommend the Defender.
Recently had it's first service with nothing exciting to report. (Other than the scummy local dealer trying to upsell tracking adjustments, and driving it around like knobs without wearing seatbelts... from now on it will go back to Melksham for any work.)
Speaking of "any work".. I noticed last week that the roof rack is starting to corrode - you can see white aluminium oxide coming through the black finish. It's booked in for September to have this rectified. (Given how well the rest of the vehicle holds up to the use we give it, I'm a bit surprised that this is the thing giving an issue)
Overall, I still 100% recommend the Defender.
Update:
Roof rack replaced without quibble by Dick Lovett, will be going back again in December as they noted some of the bodykit not correctly attached and are going to replace the front plastic section & forward camera surround, plus both front lower quarter panels that hold the mudguards as these are not correct either. I suspect which ever dealer actually fitted the kit was a complete
, as some other bodgery has come to light since needing a new windscreen...
About 2 months ago it got hit by a stone coming from the other carriage way on the A37, massive crack and a nice little bullet hole were the result. (around the same time I got a stone hit on the Supra screen as well...wtf is it with me, the universe and windscreens?)
When the chap came out to do the Supra repair he noted the Defender had a snorkel etc and said the Yeovil branch hadn't done one yet, so would be interesting and he would let the powers that be know it wasn't going to be straightforwards.
First attempt at fitting the new screen was immeadiately aborted because a non-solar reflective, non-heated screen had been ordered.
Second attempt at fitting was off to a poor start as although it was the correct type of screen, pilkington are apparently no longer producing the exact OEM spec with the mild green tint - so it was clear or nothing! Based on that I gave the go-ahead and went away to await the phone call. (Bearing in mind they assured me they were good to go on all other consumables at this point - lesson learnt from the LC500 saga last year)
A few hours later I get the call to head back to the Morrisons car park to collect the car...and to discuss an issue with the snorkel.
It turns out that the snorkel is fitted on to the wing by fastening the screws through the panel and into some crush fittings/washers on the snorkel... these fittings are single use only and they didn't have any replacements. Result being the snorkel can't be refitted as there is no way of tightening it up properly now. Fitter was very apologetic, and I feel for him because ultimately he's been given a guide to the job & parts list that wasn't effective. He called up the warranty team and got them to order up the parts, and said they would send out a fitter to complete the job.
2 weeks have now passed and it turns out that the parts are on back order - I've verified that with JLR and they confirm there is no ETA on the spares!
The car now looks a fking mess with a missing panel in wing and whichever s, (see above) originally fitted the snorker did so by taking a junior hacksaw to the top of the A-pillar trim to make a hole to fit the top bracket, so that looks st and is far from being water tight as well - meaning in heavy rain water can track down there and if driven it looks like water can ingress from the wing hole into the footwell under certain conditions too.
fking perfect.
Oh, and obviously the windscreen trim hasn't been refitted correctly either, because that's par for the fking course.
s.
Utters, everywhere.
Still drives nicely though, nice car except for the fking s who mess with it.
Roof rack replaced without quibble by Dick Lovett, will be going back again in December as they noted some of the bodykit not correctly attached and are going to replace the front plastic section & forward camera surround, plus both front lower quarter panels that hold the mudguards as these are not correct either. I suspect which ever dealer actually fitted the kit was a complete
, as some other bodgery has come to light since needing a new windscreen...About 2 months ago it got hit by a stone coming from the other carriage way on the A37, massive crack and a nice little bullet hole were the result. (around the same time I got a stone hit on the Supra screen as well...wtf is it with me, the universe and windscreens?)
When the chap came out to do the Supra repair he noted the Defender had a snorkel etc and said the Yeovil branch hadn't done one yet, so would be interesting and he would let the powers that be know it wasn't going to be straightforwards.
First attempt at fitting the new screen was immeadiately aborted because a non-solar reflective, non-heated screen had been ordered.
Second attempt at fitting was off to a poor start as although it was the correct type of screen, pilkington are apparently no longer producing the exact OEM spec with the mild green tint - so it was clear or nothing! Based on that I gave the go-ahead and went away to await the phone call. (Bearing in mind they assured me they were good to go on all other consumables at this point - lesson learnt from the LC500 saga last year)
A few hours later I get the call to head back to the Morrisons car park to collect the car...and to discuss an issue with the snorkel.
It turns out that the snorkel is fitted on to the wing by fastening the screws through the panel and into some crush fittings/washers on the snorkel... these fittings are single use only and they didn't have any replacements. Result being the snorkel can't be refitted as there is no way of tightening it up properly now. Fitter was very apologetic, and I feel for him because ultimately he's been given a guide to the job & parts list that wasn't effective. He called up the warranty team and got them to order up the parts, and said they would send out a fitter to complete the job.
2 weeks have now passed and it turns out that the parts are on back order - I've verified that with JLR and they confirm there is no ETA on the spares!
The car now looks a f
king mess with a missing panel in wing and whichever s, (see above) originally fitted the snorker did so by taking a junior hacksaw to the top of the A-pillar trim to make a hole to fit the top bracket, so that looks st and is far from being water tight as well - meaning in heavy rain water can track down there and if driven it looks like water can ingress from the wing hole into the footwell under certain conditions too.f
king perfect.Oh, and obviously the windscreen trim hasn't been refitted correctly either, because that's par for the f
king course.s.Utter
s, everywhere.Still drives nicely though, nice car except for the f
king s who mess with it.Edited by BrettMRC on Thursday 26th October 13:21
Looks like the latest version of the snorkel does away with the crush fittings and just uses clips.
https://accessories-instructions.landrover.com/enU...
(Unless that's just US specific)
https://accessories-instructions.landrover.com/enU...
(Unless that's just US specific)
I quite like the overall look of ours with the alloys, but then again the type of use we put it through means a smaller wheel/fatter sidewall is a definete plus!
Now in a circular series of conversations between the windscreen firm & JLR customer services.
Customer services cannot raise a ticket until they know which branch/retailer the glass firm are trying to order from... glass firm don't normally share that info and around and around we go. Glass firm actually quite helpful though, so anticipating details from them today.
The whole suppy chain is a joke at the moment.
Now in a circular series of conversations between the windscreen firm & JLR customer services.
Customer services cannot raise a ticket until they know which branch/retailer the glass firm are trying to order from... glass firm don't normally share that info and around and around we go. Glass firm actually quite helpful though, so anticipating details from them today.
The whole suppy chain is a joke at the moment.
Networkgeek said:
Lovely Defender, OP.
I use Dick Lovett Melksham for warranty work on my BMW M2, I have to say, they're utterly hopeless.
My car has been with them for 2 weeks now, and I've had 1 call back for an update.
Before I bought my M2, I went to test drive a new Defender and RR Sport from the Land Rover/Jag garage also in Melksham. I've never come across such an arrogant bunch of bellends! I'd love to know your experience with them, as they were constantly looking me up and down, and generally, looking down at me.
Anyway, I hope you get your car fixed. It sounds like a bit of a nightmare.
Melksham are a bunch of superstars compared to the ones in Yeovil! I use Dick Lovett Melksham for warranty work on my BMW M2, I have to say, they're utterly hopeless.
My car has been with them for 2 weeks now, and I've had 1 call back for an update.
Before I bought my M2, I went to test drive a new Defender and RR Sport from the Land Rover/Jag garage also in Melksham. I've never come across such an arrogant bunch of bellends! I'd love to know your experience with them, as they were constantly looking me up and down, and generally, looking down at me.
Anyway, I hope you get your car fixed. It sounds like a bit of a nightmare.
In the vain hope of getting some support I sent an email to the JLR CEO over the weekend, pointing out what a st show it is to have a vehicle off the road for want of two nuts.
Not expecting any magic, but we'll see.
Suspect I'm going to have to fork out for an entire snorkel kit if I want it back on the road in the near term.
t show it is to have a vehicle off the road for want of two nuts.Not expecting any magic, but we'll see.
Suspect I'm going to have to fork out for an entire snorkel kit if I want it back on the road in the near term.
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.
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.
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)
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)
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff