DEFENDER2.NET - View topic

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > V8 P525 Area (L663) > Defender Octa

Page 3 of 7

Print this entire topic ·

Japseroony

Member Since: 02 Jan 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 807

2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Bigange67 wrote:
Got an invite then filled all the details in then it asks for a £5000.00 deposit called the dealer to ask if this is correct and they don’t know I don’t fancy paying for something I’ve not seen or don’t know the actual price

You need to pay the deposit to get the invite or you won’t be buying one - it is refundable if you don’t like what you see/hear at the launch event

Gas, Grass Or Ass - Nobody Rides For Free

"UNDERSTEER" ----is when you hit the fence with the front of the car.
"OVERSTEER" ------is when you hit the fence with the rear of the car.
"HORSEPOWER" ----is how fast you hit the fence.
"TORQUE" -----------is how far you take the fence with you.

29th Apr 2024 9:51am

Japseroony

Member Since: 02 Jan 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 807

Mr Fox wrote:
Serious question, have you owned a G-wagon, driven one or even spent time in one?

I didn't see Chris86 say one was better than the other but I do understand the point he is making: positioning the Octa at the price point is going to bring comparisons to a lot of performance SUV money.

The new Defender is a good vehicle but even in standard trim, it lacks the quality feel Mercedes (Magna Steyr) achieve with the G. Simply opening and closing the doors is a different experience: the Defenders are heavy, the Gs are solid and feel like you are closing a bank vault but without the need to have powerlifters arms.

Setting that to one side, I think I am also getting old because I no longer see the point of a performance SUV and that comes from someone who has owned a handful. Each to their own but give me range, go anywhere ability and comfort and I'm happy. High centre of gravity, constantly fighting physics, weight and rapid performance seems paradoxical to me.

Yes, yes and yes and I found and still do fine them to be an awful thing to drive, own and look at!

All vehicles are going to be compared against something regardless but the G-Class is not the benchmark IMHO and never will be

Having said that I can not agree with your last sentence as surely the things you mention, high centre of gravity, constantly fighting physics, weight etc are all characteristics of a Range (I presume a Range Rover or do you mean a Ford?)? Gas, Grass Or Ass - Nobody Rides For Free

"UNDERSTEER" ----is when you hit the fence with the front of the car.
"OVERSTEER" ------is when you hit the fence with the rear of the car.
"HORSEPOWER" ----is how fast you hit the fence.
"TORQUE" -----------is how far you take the fence with you.

29th Apr 2024 11:56am

Griff90bowler

Member Since: 24 Feb 2021
Location: Cowbridge
Posts: 128

all booked in for the 13th should be interesting

29th Apr 2024 2:12pm

JOW240725

Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7904

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey

I think he means fuel tank 'range'

I think the Octa looks awesome! It might make no sense but that's why I'd love one. So, thank you to those who will be going to the launch, please do keep us informed

James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers

29th Apr 2024 2:13pm

Japseroony

Member Since: 02 Jan 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 807

Ahh, sorry my bad - thought he was on about a Range Rover lol.

Having said that the current V8 will do over 300 miles on a tank of fuel and a good few more if driven reasonably

29th Apr 2024 2:46pm

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green

Japseroony wrote:

Yes, yes and yes and I found and still do fine them to be an awful thing to drive, own and look at!

All vehicles are going to be compared against something regardless but the G-Class is not the benchmark IMHO and never will be

Having said that I can not agree with your last sentence as surely the things you mention, high centre of gravity, constantly fighting physics, weight etc are all characteristics of a Range (I presume a Range Rover or do you mean a Ford?)?

A 2019 and newer? If so, genuinely interested to hear how it was an "awful thing to drive (and) own"... looks are personal, so I get that part.

And, if you don't believe the G63 is the benchmark, as Chris seemed to suggest, for the Octa, what do you see it as?

And yes, in that sentence, I was talking about range. On long runs, specifically in Germany and, to a lesser degree, France, I got tired of stopping every 250 miles to refuel.

29th Apr 2024 3:37pm

Japseroony

Member Since: 02 Jan 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 807

Mr Fox, it was a 21 AMG and every time I drove it I got “look at that prick” looks or felt like someone’s pimp and so much so I hated going out in it.

The storage/space was very poor and the harsh ride was awful, not to mention the pi** poor MPG, not that I bought it for that

All in all, it was a disappointing disaster and one I won’t forget.

As for the benchmark, why is the G-Wagon the benchmark for the best off road vehicle LR have ever made (IMHO) and not the other way around? Suppose if you use it as a Chelsea Tractor then maybe the G-Wagon might have the edge but if you actually venture off road the Defender wins hands down

29th Apr 2024 4:26pm

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037

Japseroony wrote:
Mr Fox, it was a 21 AMG and every time I drove it I got “look at that prick” looks or felt like someone’s pimp and so much so I hated going out in it.

The storage/space was very poor and the harsh ride was awful, not to mention the pi** poor MPG, not that I bought it for that

All in all, it was a disappointing disaster and one I won’t forget.

As for the benchmark, why is the G-Wagon the benchmark for the best off road vehicle LR have ever made (IMHO) and not the other way around? Suppose if you use it as a Chelsea Tractor then maybe the G-Wagon might have the edge but if you actually venture off road the Defender wins hands down

I can't comment on the 21< G63 but my feelings about the pre-19 G63 aren't totally dissimilar to yours. I grew to dislike the image, in no small part thanks to people like the Kardashians, but it was the ride, tank range and overall combination that finally put the nail in it for me. IMHO, the diesel Gs, specifically the 2019+ G350d is a much better vehicle and is not only hugely capable but also fast enough in terms of real world use.

Lastly, my question wasn't about the G-wagon being a benchmark, it was what do you consider the benchmark or competition for the Octa?

29th Apr 2024 5:28pm

Cometboy

Member Since: 09 Apr 2024
Location: New York
Posts: 6

2016 Defender 110 V8 Petrol SVX Station Wagon Auto Havana

Went to the invite only launch event last night in NYC…

I am impressed…

Order placed… Cheers Roger
--------------------
23.5MY Defender 110 v8 Carpathian w/ mods

20th May 2024 2:22am

Japseroony

Member Since: 02 Jan 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 807

I went on the 10th and order cancelled

20th May 2024 8:36am

Cometboy

Member Since: 09 Apr 2024
Location: New York
Posts: 6

I was very specific on the option I wanted… and if they get it wrong then I will be cancelling too… Cheers Roger
--------------------
23.5MY Defender 110 v8 Carpathian w/ mods

20th May 2024 11:27am

Japseroony

Member Since: 02 Jan 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 807

I too was very specific but think the Octa just meant to fit the footballers wives and very impressionable people - the seat sound system is a gimmick (I’m 62 years old and am not trying to impress or blow the knickers of a young lady), as is the carbon fibre, as is the “depending on wheels/tyres” determines how restrictive LR allow the car to be etc etc.

Supposedly the best off roader LR have ever built and it’s 6.5cm wider than the current Defender which is in reality too wide anyway, the extra 10cm of lift is not worth it and the 20” wheels restrict the car to 99mph

Not impressed with the launch at all (promotion staff were clearly from an agency) and I left a message asking for my deposit back to get an email saying the money would be returned within 10 working days but other than that no contact from LR asking me why or for feedback - pi** poor show

20th May 2024 11:54am

Cometboy

Member Since: 09 Apr 2024
Location: New York
Posts: 6

Can’t disagree, logic is spot on..

I already have a v8 with the wheel/tyre dimensions of E1 OCTA, you can see the difference.

I’ll post a pic at the bottom.

Look, will it fit well in a Chelsea or Old Trafford parking lot, sure…

But I was already in the market for a second v8 so this fitted the bill for me…

This is me dropping of at the dealer this morning for pre Defender Experience check for next weekend.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge Cheers Roger
--------------------
23.5MY Defender 110 v8 Carpathian w/ mods

20th May 2024 12:26pm

Chris86

Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 788

Japseroony wrote:
Mr Fox, it was a 21 AMG and every time I drove it I got “look at that prick” looks or felt like someone’s pimp and so much so I hated going out in it.

The storage/space was very poor and the harsh ride was awful, not to mention the pi** poor MPG, not that I bought it for that

All in all, it was a disappointing disaster and one I won’t forget.

As for the benchmark, why is the G-Wagon the benchmark for the best off road vehicle LR have ever made (IMHO) and not the other way around? Suppose if you use it as a Chelsea Tractor then maybe the G-Wagon might have the edge but if you actually venture off road the Defender wins hands down

I’m sceptical of that, I haven’t driven a new defender properly off road yet- only on moderate stuff, but have spent a lot of time off road in Disco 5 which obviously shares a lot with defender. I have to say, my impression of new defender was underwhelming, particularly the year old one I drove, admittedly it was on coils but I thought didn’t ride particularly well on the rocky tracks and concrete roads we were on and also the interior already looked like it was aging poorly and had a few squeaks and rattles.

By contrast, there were a couple of G-400d g classes we had at work that were approaching 18 months old, which had done several thousand miles round an off road course having barely touched tarmac that still felt like new, with no creaks and rattles………THAT is a benchmark.

I have regularly used W463 g class and new W463a G class off road 350/400d and on occasion a G63, it would certainly walk all over a Disco 5 (with off road/capability pack whatever it’s branded as now) before you even start using the 3 diff locks.

I would agree that the G63 is probably my least favourite, it’s 15mm lower, has lower profile tyres and doesn’t feel as nice as a 400d. The diesel suits it better and has masses of torque.

I’m not a massive fan of the celebrity image, but go beyond that it’s an awesome piece of engineering that manages to combine iconic looks with build quality most marques can only aspire to.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the Octa will be fine and I’m sure the defender fans will go mad for it, but I’d have an exceptionally hard time choosing one over a g.

Also, bear in mind……the ‘ultimate’ incarnation of the G comes on portal axles……so a Defender being comparable in capability are probably unrealistic if we are going to compare the ‘halo’ models directly.

Chris

20th May 2024 5:00pm

Moo

Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 1359

My take is LR just wants a slice of the pimps market from the G-Wagon, Kahn and Urban.

They'll be initial interest from the Middle East, footballers and county lines drug dealers, but at the end of the day its still just a blinged up Defender with a big engine that will go the way of other 'special' editions. Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.

20th May 2024 6:18pm

Page 3 of 7

All times are GMT

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum