LR Defender Side Steps & Mud Flaps

LR Defender Side Steps & Mud Flaps

Author
Discussion

Montcoffer

Original Poster:

234 posts

201 months

Monday 11th November
quotequote all
Hi all, just taken delivery of my new Defender 90, & loving it. I decided against buying landcover accessories because they just seemed so expensive as a dealer option.
I'm wanting to fit side steps & mud flaps, can I ask my fellow Piers for your wisdom & buying advice on both please.
Had a look on eBay on the advice of a PHer, and I must admit for £180-£200 the side steps look amazing value but I'm concerned they will cheapen a new car? LR want £1350 fitted!!, Urban want £835 delivered (my favoured choice at present)
Cheers

QuattroDave

1,576 posts

135 months

Monday 11th November
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From when I had my RRS I recall reading reviews of some aftermarket side steps stating them being quite flimsy, so just be weary of going too cheap.

Personally, as expensive as the £1,300 is I'd be tempted to get that done over the £850 plus fitting time, but then I'm very space limited for fitting so I'd have to do it off my drive working essentially on the road to get under the car to fit. For £450 difference I'd do that!

Mikebentley

6,704 posts

147 months

Monday 11th November
quotequote all
Absolutely not the case regarding the Defender steps. I have fitted and removed both now. The mounts and design are identical. My only advice would be Waxoyl,Wayoyl and more Waxoyl under neath in areas unseen. The aftermarket brackets and rails on mine over 2.5 yrs have zero corrosion/oxidation. The tread plates can be purchased separately if they get damaged etc.

Genuine JLR for 110 were about £1100 when I got my car. Aftermarket about £200.

Mudflaps, I have the OEM Country Flaps ready to fit. They were not cheap but I wanted the Land Rover script like 110s of old. JLR clamped down on lots of people in the aftermarket using “DEFENDER” or “LAND ROVER”.

QuattroDave

1,576 posts

135 months

Monday 11th November
quotequote all
Mikebentley said:
Absolutely not the case regarding the Defender steps. I have fitted and removed both now. The mounts and design are identical. My only advice would be Waxoyl,Wayoyl and more Waxoyl under neath in areas unseen. The aftermarket brackets and rails on mine over 2.5 yrs have zero corrosion/oxidation. The tread plates can be purchased separately if they get damaged etc.

Genuine JLR for 110 were about £1100 when I got my car. Aftermarket about £200.

Mudflaps, I have the OEM Country Flaps ready to fit. They were not cheap but I wanted the Land Rover script like 110s of old. JLR clamped down on lots of people in the aftermarket using “DEFENDER” or “LAND ROVER”.
Good to know and glad to hear.

Didn't overly enjoy my RRS ownership but have my eye on an L663 defender 130, so good to know that if one I find doesn't have side steps (essential imo) then aftermarket are both cheap and of decent quality.

Mikebentley

6,704 posts

147 months

Monday 11th November
quotequote all
QuattroDave said:
Mikebentley said:
Absolutely not the case regarding the Defender steps. I have fitted and removed both now. The mounts and design are identical. My only advice would be Waxoyl,Wayoyl and more Waxoyl under neath in areas unseen. The aftermarket brackets and rails on mine over 2.5 yrs have zero corrosion/oxidation. The tread plates can be purchased separately if they get damaged etc.

Genuine JLR for 110 were about £1100 when I got my car. Aftermarket about £200.

Mudflaps, I have the OEM Country Flaps ready to fit. They were not cheap but I wanted the Land Rover script like 110s of old. JLR clamped down on lots of people in the aftermarket using “DEFENDER” or “LAND ROVER”.
Good to know and glad to hear.

Didn't overly enjoy my RRS ownership but have my eye on an L663 defender 130, so good to know that if one I find doesn't have side steps (essential imo) then aftermarket are both cheap and of decent quality.
Really good videos on line on how to fit too. I watched Powerful’s video. Very clear and easy to follow. My wife and I fitted both sides in about 2 hrs. I reckon I could get that down to an hour now. Basic tools and a multi tool is useful to cut a pair of small notches in the trim so the mounting brackets can be bolted to the pre threaded holes under the car. Mine has air suspension so lifted car on that too. There is so much room though that this isn’t even required.

If you can fit a shelf at home this is easier.

Montcoffer

Original Poster:

234 posts

201 months

Tuesday 12th November
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Hi just looked on Powerful web site and I agree they do look good but at £1125 they actually work out the same price a LR genuine steps (I was offered a supply only price with a little discount from dealer)
Fitting does look easy though and something I’ll definitely be doing.
I noticed Urban provides a fitting video as well. So they are still my favoured choice.
Has anyone self fitted mud flaps, can’t imagine it being too difficult?

astroarcadia

1,713 posts

207 months

Tuesday 12th November
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Friend has the Urban side steps fitted which look better quality than the LR product.

Mikebentley

6,704 posts

147 months

Tuesday 12th November
quotequote all
The point I was making is there is really no difference in the quality of any of them. Personally for a 90 I wouldn’t spend more than £200. £1000 is just snake oil. They are literally all the same. Mine were from Vulkan who in their first iteration went bust….or the various partners parted ways. I researched loads they are all likely from the same factory.

Montcoffer

Original Poster:

234 posts

201 months

Friday 15th November
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Mikebentley said:
The point I was making is there is really no difference in the quality of any of them. Personally for a 90 I wouldn’t spend more than £200. £1000 is just snake oil. They are literally all the same. Mine were from Vulkan who in their first iteration went bust….or the various partners parted ways. I researched loads they are all likely from the same factory.
Vulcan are now called Hunters Prestige, so thanks for the tip. I’ve been in touch and 90 aftermarket side steps are out of stock, due in soon. Based on your comments I’m going to give them a go, despite it going against my gut feeling of buy cheap buy twice! I’ll e sure to feedback once I have them.
My local LR dealer did offer 10% discount it still makes them expensive.

Edited by Montcoffer on Friday 15th November 08:10

Montcoffer

Original Poster:

234 posts

201 months

Friday 15th November
quotequote all
astroarcadia said:
Friend has the Urban side steps fitted which look better quality than the LR product.
If I hadn’t had my head turned towards Vulkan or now called hunters prestige, I would have bought Urban steps no question, they certainly have an air of quality about all of their work.
Thanks for your post, really useful.