Options on a new Defender?

[stoker]

Hi everyone - I'm about to make the switch from an Elise to a new Defender (probably the 90XS model)

Are there any options out there that you guys really wish you had, or didn't know about when you spec'd up your car?

For example, when I bought the Elise nobody told me I could have had colour coded mirrors for another £80 - Makes a difference to the overall look! In the case of the Defender I'm thinking more practical than cosmetic options, but any advice is appreciated...

Thanks for any help.

Stoker.

[Davel]

Depends what you want to do with it or where you'll use it.

You may want a tow bar and electrics, snorkel (for deep water wading), Nudge bar etc.

Emjoy!

You can, of course, always add stuff later as you need it.

[stoker]

Thanks for that - The one my local dealer is trying to push has the tow kit. The demonstrator model has the snorkel and bull-bars which look the dogs dusters - I love the idea of doing some off-road days but was under the impression I'd be better off spending the money on track-rod and steering guards etc.

One thing I did notice - the "bull bars" were distinctly pedestrian friendly - They were coated with (if not made completely from) plastic, and had a bit of give in them when I rocked them about. My Dad's old discovery had enourmous metal tubes that weighed an absoloute ton when he took them off because of the bad press they were getting... He reckons his fuel efficiency rose by a couple of MPG after losing so much weight!

Stoker

[davidy]

Get the dealer to through in a set of Mud Mats for the interior, these are not cheap especially the one for the cargo area (assuming its a station wagon)

And I would get the aerial changed for one of those rubbery bendy ones, my original equipment one lasted 2 mins on the little land where I live in Mid Wales.

davidy

[Newromancer]

Aircon might be somthing you should consider ...

Beside that, the Middle Box is a must have in my opinion - there is no glove compartment, and beside that, it make a great armrest.

[Liszt]

lets see.

New tyres, Grizzly claws will do.

2-3" lift all around.

sump and diff guards,

Winch and winch bumper

And lose any notion that getting it sctatched or dented is a disaster.

That'll do for starters.

[pearcer]

My defender has air-con as standard (50th Anniversary) which really does make a difference in hot weather. I'd also recommend a heated windscreen as the demisters often just steam up the windows twice as fast. Great for de-icing too.

[steve-p]

Rustproofing!