 | Home > My New Defender (L663) > D300 cancelled, D350 incoming |
 
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| Eric Caterpillar Member Since: 17 Jun 2024 Location: Scotland Posts: 50  
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Some really interesting insight given, appreciate it.
I had the D5 on my shortlist initially as I really like the way front of the cabin is appointed, driver's seating is great, like the dashboard layout. It's the small issues that discounted the car in the end, like surprisingly small amount of room at the second row, echoed by one of the previous posters, it's only available as a 7 seater, which in my mind eats into the boot space, awkward looking rear quarter and the fact that any higher trim is only available with 22" alloys, unless paid £1500 to downgrade to a 21". On the XC90, I probably agree it's the best appointed cabin bar the touch control operated central screen, great and supportive seats with lots of space overall, but these cars are only available with a 2 litre petrol hybrid or plug in, artificially limited to 118 mph top speed. That doesn't sit well with me. I get it, the diesel Defender is limited to 119 mph as it's limited by it's barn shaped aerodynamics, interestingly enough, that limitation doesn't apply to a V8 powered one though. Have had a test drive on a base RR Sport and a Porsche Cayenne over the weekend. Liked both very much, for different reasons. Cayenne is powered by a V6 petrol and I managed to get 25 mpg from a mixed test drive, the Sport did achieve 37 mpg without even trying. It's just the Defender is such a great looking car, with physical buttons, great utility and even the indicated issues, like smallish boot and the hatch opening are not putting me off it. Maybe it's the rose tinted glasses view, but it's a completely different proposition to anything out there. I'll need it for long distance driving in Europe, comfortable cabin with lots of space and the ability to negotiate the third world country roads around Glasgow. |
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15th Jul 2024 8:05am |
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| Moo Member Since: 01 Oct 2021 Location: UK Posts: 1399 
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I think you’ve convinced yourself it’s the Defender.
I have to agree it’s great mile muncher. I’m currently in Bergamo and have had a stress free trip down here that even included going over the Gottard pass. I made my boot more usable by fitting a parcel rack. Still get annoyed by the door though!  Click image to enlarge Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy. |
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15th Jul 2024 8:25am |
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| ruben Member Since: 04 Feb 2021 Location: ASTURIAS Posts: 204 
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looking for a parcel rack here too, but hard to attract and stupidly expensive too, brexit stuff I imagine!!
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15th Jul 2024 8:32am |
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| Moo Member Since: 01 Oct 2021 Location: UK Posts: 1399
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I can send you the dimensions if you want to make your own. Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.
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15th Jul 2024 9:44am |
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| ruben Member Since: 04 Feb 2021 Location: ASTURIAS Posts: 204
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Thank you very much for the offer Moo, but I imagine that it will not be a simple job, and being a blacksmith, a noble profession, could be my thing!
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15th Jul 2024 5:17pm |
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| Eric Caterpillar Member Since: 17 Jun 2024 Location: Scotland Posts: 50
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Appreciate the photograps, think my car will look exactly the same when I finally go driving in Europe. Found a parcel shelf just like this on the 4x4 overlander website. £229 for the pleasure. Going to have a look at a Defender this weekend to double check the boot and space in the cabin. |
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18th Jul 2024 12:46pm |
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| zilch Member Since: 11 Sep 2019 Location: Whitsundays & Sydney Posts: 820 
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Average driving returns on our P400 is about 23.93 MPG over the last 5,500 km's, returns about 11.8 litres per 100 km, so not to bad for a 2.5 ton aerodynamic brick.. Whilst i do not drive it like i stole it, our average speed is around the speed limits  .. so some figures if you consider the petrol  yet another pommie bar steward down under
MY20 110 P400 SE Defender MY10 3.0 RR Sport |
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19th Jul 2024 3:04am |
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| Eric Caterpillar Member Since: 17 Jun 2024 Location: Scotland Posts: 50
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Cheers, I think my driving habits suit diesel in that type of a car. I'm currently averaging 32.8 mpg in the E53 as it's mostly A roads and motorways and I avoid any city driving altogether.
On my test drives in various Defenders I was able to get anything between 27 and 39 mpg, so that's encouraging. With a 89 litre diesel tank and expected 35 mpg I should be able to get 600+ miles range, which is especially useful when covering long distances. |
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19th Jul 2024 9:49am |
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| Eric Caterpillar Member Since: 17 Jun 2024 Location: Scotland Posts: 50
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Have been told the car goes into production this week due to be delivered mid - October.
Went to a number of garages to have a look at the BMW X5, Merc GLE and Porsche Cayenne to verify if I have made the right decision. Each car has it's pros and cons, but I think comfort wise, easy of operating and interior space, the Defender is the right choice. The boot is a bit on a smaller side indeed, don't know where the 786 litres of luggage space is coming from, but it can take a pram and leave space some some other items. Ride comfort is probably the best out of all tested cars. The only unknown would be a long-term reliability... |
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10th Sep 2024 2:17pm |
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| Eric Caterpillar Member Since: 17 Jun 2024 Location: Scotland Posts: 50
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Click image to enlarge Finally some updates, the car is now at the dealer, awaiting prep and detailing. Managed to have a quick inspection on Saturday and took a few photos. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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7th Oct 2024 12:53pm |
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| Moo Member Since: 01 Oct 2021 Location: UK Posts: 1399
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Nice interior.
 Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy. |
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7th Oct 2024 1:17pm |
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| ruben Member Since: 04 Feb 2021 Location: ASTURIAS Posts: 204
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YES And even more so the exterior!!! reminds me of something very familiar!! 👏I wouldn't have chosen the glossy black finish on the bumper and wheel arches... I think it will have a difficult and dangerous life... although it looks very good!! Enjoy it very much!! Defender 110 SE I6 D250 23MY
ExDiscovery 3 TDV6 SE |
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7th Oct 2024 2:35pm |
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| Eric Caterpillar Member Since: 17 Jun 2024 Location: Scotland Posts: 50
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No choice about the glossy finish in the UK for the D350 HSE unfortunately, all cars are now with the X dynamic pack as standard (and the price has gone up accordingly also, so no choice).
My previous D300 order was a plain HSE without any glossy bits for that exact reason you mentioned. Also, the interior trim is less "orange" than on the pre facelift car, I don't mind it actually. Edit: no black packs or roof, can't stand these, but it's a personal choice. |
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7th Oct 2024 2:57pm |
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| ruben Member Since: 04 Feb 2021 Location: ASTURIAS Posts: 204
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It's great, happy days!!! Defender 110 SE I6 D250 23MY ExDiscovery 3 TDV6 SE |
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7th Oct 2024 5:55pm |
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