Buying a new Defender 110 SW
Buying a new Defender 110 SW
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kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,350 posts

230 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
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I've been considering buying one of the last Defenders - a 110 XS Station Wagon. Has anyone got one of these models? My understanding is:

- Land Rover have now stopped producing the Defender, so what's on dealer forecourts now is it, no more factory orders
- That you can probably get around 10% discount on one (from reading)
- That the latest new ones, are way better built, more comfy, more liveable than the old 300Tdi's etc... and the new traction control system is pretty trick and works very well (seen some youtube vids and was told by someone I know)

In terms of the new ones, has anyone had any issues? I'm torn really between a few things I fancy for using as a daily, and going off road, to the alps etc. in. Been considering a Hilux, Landcruiser, Wrangler Unlimited, Defender 110, Disco 4.. to be honest, the Range Rover looks a bit bling for me day to day, but the Disco 4 looks too plain for a £50k car when you can pick up an identical disco 3 for £12k. My goal really is to get something I'll enjoy, that'd be a lot of fun off road, that I'll enjoy driving because it's different, and that looks cool without being too showy.

I've had a SWB Landcruiser 70 series in the past... I think mine was a 1993, I'm guessing the Defender will drive pretty close to that?

David87

7,032 posts

242 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
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The Defender is awonderful thing to experience, but for many it wouldn't be an everyday or long-distance car.

Land Rover haven't stopped production yet; it continues until December this year, with factory orders open until (I think) around June.

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,350 posts

230 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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David87 said:
The Defender is awonderful thing to experience, but for many it wouldn't be an everyday or long-distance car.

Land Rover haven't stopped production yet; it continues until December this year, with factory orders open until (I think) around June.
Didn't know that, thought they'd finished production. Do you know anyone who's ordered one recently and what times they're getting in terms of lead times?

Voldemort

7,617 posts

308 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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I was told 12 weeks when I went looking last October. Ended up buying one from the dealer stock as it was 98% what I would have specced anyway and was good to go, as they say.

Voldemort

7,617 posts

308 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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To add: I was enquiring after, and bought, a 90SW XS

piecost76

294 posts

204 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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Choice will be limited from 1 May:

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic34973.html

Last date of manufacture IIRC is 15 December 2015. Build slots are rapidly filling up with the limited edition "Heritage" & "Autobiography" models being most popular. Unless you are quick, all that will be left is the "Adventure" models which look a bit too off-road geeky for me (Fast Show! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzg4dO7DIFw) and my normal driving!

Edited by piecost76 on Monday 16th February 13:50

David87

7,032 posts

242 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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You don't have a chance in hell of getting a Heritage or Autobiography - they pretty much sold out instantly. Not sure on the Adventure, but I'd be surprised if those too are still available.

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,350 posts

230 months

Monday 16th February 2015
quotequote all
piecost76 said:
Choice will be limited from 1 May:

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic34973.html

Last date of manufacture IIRC is 15 December 2015. Build slots are rapidly filling up with the limited edition "Heritage" & "Autobiography" models being most popular. Unless you are quick, all that will be left is the "Adventure" models which look a bit too off-road geeky for me (Fast Show! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzg4dO7DIFw) and my normal driving!

Edited by piecost76 on Monday 16th February 13:50
That's interesting... recon you can still get the Black Pack and contract leather? I was told no Black Pack by a dealer today as they couldn't get the wheels. Not sure if that's what everyone else is hearing?

Geneve

4,018 posts

249 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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kbf1981 said:
That's interesting... recon you can still get the Black Pack and contract leather? I was told no Black Pack by a dealer today as they couldn't get the wheels. Not sure if that's what everyone else is hearing?
Yes that's correct, although wheel non-availability only temporary.

I understand that production will close to new orders late May, thereafter it will be the run out of the Special Editions.

Presumably there will be a rush of late demand in the next few months. New model will be very different and 2 years away.

End of an era.

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,350 posts

230 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
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In terms of security... what are the brand new ones like? Are they still massively nickable or do they come with decent security now, like immobilisers etc.?

Newro

703 posts

292 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
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kbf1981 said:
In terms of security... what are the brand new ones like? Are they still massively nickable or do they come with decent security now, like immobilisers etc.?
Immobilisers comes as standard for over 10 years now. Our 2004 model most certainly has one.

Problem is that it won't help you as they usually get nicked to be sold as spare parts. It is my understanding that they generally pick it up from an easy accessible drive way onto a hanger of sorts and just drive off with it. But I wouldn't exaggerate the problem, this certainly shouldn't put you off from getting one.

There are a lot of more valid reasons why you might be better off with something else.


vcm

72 posts

172 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
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kbf1981 said:
Didn't know that, thought they'd finished production. Do you know anyone who's ordered one recently and what times they're getting in terms of lead times?
ordered one (county spec 110) 28/01/15 - delivery mid march. yes - 10% should be do-able.

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,350 posts

230 months

Thursday 19th February 2015
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Newro said:
kbf1981 said:
There are a lot of more valid reasons why you might be better off with something else.
Such as? I had a SWB 70 series Landcruiser for 10 years, I figure this is my last chance to buy one with a warranty brand new and have a proper off roader in the same vein... unless I wanted to spend £80k on a G350 or import a 70 series lol!

Going for a test drive on Friday. Will see what it's like in real life then, and whether its for me or not.

billywhizzzzzz

2,633 posts

173 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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I have a 110 USW I bought new in July 2014, and it's been my daily driver since then (with a Z4M I use when the weather is good). It's been amazing in every way and I love it. I also still have a 200tdi and the new 110 replaced a 300tdi which I'd had for some years. The new one is different in every way from the old TDIs and copes perfectly with daily duties including long motorway journeys. There's nothing I don't like about it. Nothing has gone wrong and I always look forward to driving it. I can't recommend one enough.

foliedouce

3,095 posts

261 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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billywhizzzzzz said:
I have a 110 USW I bought new in July 2014, and it's been my daily driver since then (with a Z4M I use when the weather is good). It's been amazing in every way and I love it. I also still have a 200tdi and the new 110 replaced a 300tdi which I'd had for some years. The new one is different in every way from the old TDIs and copes perfectly with daily duties including long motorway journeys. There's nothing I don't like about it. Nothing has gone wrong and I always look forward to driving it. I can't recommend one enough.
Same here although mines a UW and currently my only car.

Got mine in Nov and now done 3500 miles and not missed a beat

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,350 posts

230 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
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billywhizzzzzz said:
I have a 110 USW I bought new in July 2014, and it's been my daily driver since then (with a Z4M I use when the weather is good). It's been amazing in every way and I love it. I also still have a 200tdi and the new 110 replaced a 300tdi which I'd had for some years. The new one is different in every way from the old TDIs and copes perfectly with daily duties including long motorway journeys. There's nothing I don't like about it. Nothing has gone wrong and I always look forward to driving it. I can't recommend one enough.
Thanks that's great to hear! I honestly don't get everyone who says they're loud etc... they've obviously never driven a sports car lol! My Exige is miles louder, as was the 430. Comfort wise, they feel very comfy too. Maybe the new puma ones are much more refined or maybe some people are too fussy smile

MrsFallon

9,586 posts

273 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
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Black Pack is no longer available.

Not sure about the Silver Pack.

You will definitely need to add layers of security. A 64 Plate one has just recently been stolen from London. I certainly would recommend a Tracker. There are upgrades available if you wish to improve the factory fit alarm.

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,350 posts

230 months

Sunday 22nd February 2015
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MrsFallon said:
Black Pack is no longer available.

Not sure about the Silver Pack.

You will definitely need to add layers of security. A 64 Plate one has just recently been stolen from London. I certainly would recommend a Tracker. There are upgrades available if you wish to improve the factory fit alarm.
Thank you. I've got the insurance quote and it comes back at less than my hybrid Auris! I'm guessing by that that we live in a low risk area, but the dealer did say to watch out for people stripping the car if you leave it somewhere like a pub car park etc over night.

billywhizzzzzz

2,633 posts

173 months

Sunday 22nd February 2015
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I like in a very rural place and haven't been fussed about security, but I've heard that there's a big market for Puma bonnets which thieves simply lift off their hinges and sell!

On a separate note, given your car history, you'll find it incredibly relaxing to drive - the compliant ride is a delight. I'm used to hard riding sports cars and modern german run flats - the defender is a revelation. Quiet enough, torquey, fast enough, super practical - you'll love to as an antidote to things like Exiges. Although I have other cars, I'd happily live with the Defender as my only car.

Edited by billywhizzzzzz on Sunday 22 February 15:28

Lefty

21,446 posts

232 months

Sunday 22nd February 2015
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Geneve said:
Yes that's correct, although wheel non-availability only temporary.

I understand that production will close to new orders late May, thereafter it will be the run out of the Special Editions.

Presumably there will be a rush of late demand in the next few months. New model will be very different and 2 years away.

End of an era.
New model 2 years away? Got a source for that?