Defender 90 Santorini or Carpathian, 20” or 22”

Defender 90 Santorini or Carpathian, 20” or 22”

Author
Discussion

Montcoffer

Original Poster:

234 posts

201 months

Saturday 26th October
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I have a Defender 90 250D HSE on order and I can’t wait. But I’m flapping a bit over spec.
Must have , air suspension, exterior black pack & dark grey cross beam on top of HSE bits, but I’m torn between Santorini black and Carpathian grey, any opinions.
Also I want silver wheels but can’t decide between the 5098 spec 20” & 22” . With air suspension I’m thinking ride be good on 22’s
I’m not planning on doing any serious off roading.



Edited by Montcoffer on Saturday 26th October 23:03

flight147z

1,078 posts

136 months

Tuesday 29th October
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My Defender is coming in February next year

I was torn between those two colours too. In the end I went with Carpathian because in my experience dark grey hides dirt much better than black.

I also have the 22" wheels but those come as standard as it's an X. I think they look much better than smaller wheels, it's a large car

I have 22" wheels on my current Sport and have found them to be fine

Weechly

20 posts

47 months

Tuesday 29th October
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I went for Carpathian (on an ex demonstrator) and really wished I could have got Santorini - subsequently however I’ve seen a few in black and think the grey gives the car a bit more depth and interest (but overall you can’t go wrong with either).

On the wheels, I’ve also got 22 but think the 20s look good if you go for the all terrain tyres.

flight147z

1,078 posts

136 months

Tuesday 29th October
quotequote all
Weechly said:
I went for Carpathian (on an ex demonstrator) and really wished I could have got Santorini - subsequently however I’ve seen a few in black and think the grey gives the car a bit more depth and interest (but overall you can’t go wrong with either).

On the wheels, I’ve also got 22 but think the 20s look good if you go for the all terrain tyres.
The black does look amazing when clean. I've got black leather and wheels too though so nice to have a contrast in the paint

NS66

198 posts

64 months

Friday 1st November
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IMHO - No more than a 20" wheel and a minimum of a 55 profile tyre - screams chelsea tractor any larger wheel and less profile to me.

justin220

5,452 posts

211 months

Friday 1st November
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We've just recently bought a defender and we're really close to getting Carpathian but I was worried the novelty of Matt paint would wear off

We also liked Santorini, looks fantastic when clean but ruled it out due to previous black cars being a complete pain to keep clean.

Ended up with the blue, but also really liked the silver but would need the contrasting black pack. Personally I think the X with the black bonnet looks fantastic

Sixpackpert

4,703 posts

221 months

Friday 1st November
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justin220 said:
We've just recently bought a defender and we're really close to getting Carpathian but I was worried the novelty of Matt paint would wear off
Carpathian isn't matt, or at least it hasn't been on the last two RRS my Dad has had.

justin220

5,452 posts

211 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
Sixpackpert said:
Carpathian isn't matt, or at least it hasn't been on the last two RRS my Dad has had.
Interesting, both we looked at were Carpathian (Matt)

Maybe it was just a Matt wrap on top.

Sixpackpert

4,703 posts

221 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
justin220 said:
Sixpackpert said:
Carpathian isn't matt, or at least it hasn't been on the last two RRS my Dad has had.
Interesting, both we looked at were Carpathian (Matt)

Maybe it was just a Matt wrap on top.
They may have a Matt/satin version but carpathian (metallic) would be my choice. Lovely colour.

flight147z

1,078 posts

136 months

Friday 1st November
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The matte finish is a protective film that sits on top of the paint, it's an option

Mikebentley

6,704 posts

147 months

Friday 1st November
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On the tyre wheel size I actually went for the opposite to most. I wanted the smallest wheels with the biggest tyre wall. 2.5yrs now and all the car we need. It now has the black side steps and the Country flaps.

flight147z

1,078 posts

136 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
Mikebentley said:
On the tyre wheel size I actually went for the opposite to most. I wanted the smallest wheels with the biggest tyre wall. 2.5yrs now and all the car we need. It now has the black side steps and the Country flaps.
Are those 19"s or 20"S?

Mikebentley

6,704 posts

147 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
flight147z said:
Mikebentley said:
On the tyre wheel size I actually went for the opposite to most. I wanted the smallest wheels with the biggest tyre wall. 2.5yrs now and all the car we need. It now has the black side steps and the Country flaps.
Are those 19"s or 20"S?
19’s with proper tyres.

Mikebentley

6,704 posts

147 months

Friday 1st November
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Crumpet

4,059 posts

187 months

Sunday 3rd November
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I’ve got Santorini on my Freelander and my Dad had it on his RRS. Never again!

It looks great when clean and it’s worn well over ten years on the Freelander but the 2020 RRS looked awful after two years. I don’t know if it’s got softer with formulation changes but it swirled as soon as you looked at it on his.

Unless you’re a two-bucket method amateur detailer I really would avoid it.

Montcoffer

Original Poster:

234 posts

201 months

Sunday 10th November
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All great comments, thanks, since posting the question I’m now the proud owner of a new Santorini black defender 90 D250 HSE. My local dealer had a new physical car available so it sort of made my mind up really.
2 days in and I love it already. Most of my past cars have been black because it’s my favourite colour but really wanted a change, never mind it’s here and looking amazing.
Going to have it ceramic coated to keep swirls at bay when cleaning, and I always use the 2 bucket method anyway.
It’s got 20” black wheels which in the flesh don’t look small, and will improve ride, although it’s on air as well.

One question, ……. Side steps, think I’m going to need them to aid rear access. I thought LR option was very expensive, been looking at Urban, look good quality and well priced, any opinions welcome. They look easy to home fit.

Montcoffer

Original Poster:

234 posts

201 months

Sunday 10th November
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flight147z

1,078 posts

136 months

Sunday 10th November
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Looks very nice, congrats!

Mikebentley

6,704 posts

147 months

Sunday 10th November
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I’ve got them on my 110 and fitted them myself with the help of the wife and a multi tool. The Urban ones will be no different to the ones on E Bay. I paid via my JLR dealer for a set of Gloss black. After 18 months the paint started to bubble off exposing white patches of aluminium oxidation. My dealer gave me a full free set of aftermarket steps. I have yet to fit them as I’m too busy.

My observation from this. Buy the cheapest you can get off EBay. Look at the pictures they are all the same. The mounting brackets are generic well made castings and the bars usually plastic coated ( good quality and wearing well). The step treads are replaceable and can be purchased separately for about £40 each.

My recommendation would be DIY and cover them with something like Waxoyl on the undersides.

Mikebentley

6,704 posts

147 months

Sunday 10th November
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Just looked on E Bay “ searched L663 side steps”. £159.99 Gloss black for a 90.