 | Home > General & Technical (L663) > 55k Budget what to buy. |
 
|
|
|
| L3785 Member Since: 08 Oct 2024 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 22  
|
Having driven a LOT of options in the summer when looking for my new car, I couldn’t believe how comfortable and easy to drive the Defender is. Personally I opted for the D250 and find that it has plenty of punch but would definitely recommend driving one to see what you think.
In terms of the kit you’re after, I have an X-Dynamic HSE and it’s got all the options you mentioned as standard. What you’ll find, too, is so many people order their Defender with extras added so you might be able to find an SE or lower spec with what you’re after, but potentially a newer model. And you’ll definitely be surprised how comfy the seats are (but then I didn’t go from a Range Rover so you might feel different!). 2025MY Defender 90 D250 X-Dynamic HSE | Santorini Black with Black Pack Last edited by L3785 on 20th Jan 2025 11:18pm. Edited 1 time in total |
||
20th Jan 2025 10:05pm |
|
| Crazymind Member Since: 11 Jun 2024 Location: Glasgow Posts: 200
|
Try to look for XS d250. All the goodies you use most, including fridge and cooled seats.
It’s a very comfortable place to seat in. Dashboard very minimal but it doesn’t Lack personality nor usability. You’ll get a smaller boot compared to the Range Rover and of course forget the posh ride and the luxury. |
||
|
20th Jan 2025 10:07pm |
|
| Moo Member Since: 01 Oct 2021 Location: UK Posts: 1431 
|
I did a lot of long distance driving through Europe in a D250 110 SE with extras - heated seats front and rear, heated steering wheel and washers and a three way split rear seat. Other than that,I can’t think of anything else I needed. Also, the 3.0l six cylinder is a peach.
 I drive my cars hard but can’t see why you would need more than D250. 
The only thing I would say about the Defender, is that if you’re used to carrying and loading things into a FFRR, then the boot and rear door will annoy you, well they did me! I ended up back in a D4. Not one moment of regret, but thats just me.  Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy. |
||
|
20th Jan 2025 11:00pm |
|
| Eric Caterpillar Member Since: 17 Jun 2024 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 61 
|
A good shout on the XS model spec, was looking at one as it had most if not all the extra options I would have liked.
However, I test drove a D250 and whilst it was ok in town/40/50 mph limit roads, I found it lacking on anything else above it and went for D300, but LR decided to stop offering that engine, so went up again to D350. Happy with the choice, it gives me enough power without hesitation to overtake on a country road. I'm coming from a number of cars with 6 cyl petrol engines (300/400+ bhp), so completely different world altogether, but I really enjoy driving this 2.4 tonne diesel truck. Then again, don't know how you drive, so a D250 may be all you ever need. |
||
|
21st Jan 2025 7:49am |
|
| Crazymind Member Since: 11 Jun 2024 Location: Glasgow Posts: 200
|
Get hands on d250 and upgrade it to d350. It’s just software upgrade.
|
||
|
21st Jan 2025 8:22am |
|
| mse Member Since: 06 Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 5053 
|
Its a bit more than software and would invalidate the warranty
d300 engines have a habit of going bang I really like the d350, i have it, but the d250 is fine. If you want a really good spec and slightly older get a first edition including a d240 Mike |
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 10:55am |
|
| Crazymind Member Since: 11 Jun 2024 Location: Glasgow Posts: 200
|
As far as I am aware it’s only software. No hardware upgrade.
|
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 11:01am |
|
| mse Member Since: 06 Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 5053
|
There are some hardware changes its basically the same engine yes and the software delivers a map yes - but there are wider configurations and subtle differences.
Its also irrelevant - if you like your warranty (and i do) you dont mess with the mapping. Saying that as a d350 owner though Mike |
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 11:19am |
|
| Crazymind Member Since: 11 Jun 2024 Location: Glasgow Posts: 200
|
So far, nobody has managed to figure out what hardware differences there are between d250 - d300 and d350. Same crank, Same Turbo, same injectors to mention the main parts.
With the budget of the OP, the car will be out of warranty already. |
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 11:25am |
|
| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3784
|
Hello
Almost in the same boat, I have a 110 (old shape) among other cars and when the new one came out was tempted... but didn't.
Ended up with a L405 (as my dad bought it new and after 3 years changed) so I now drive that also.... I cannot get my head round spending £80K plus on a New shape 110 in the spec I would like... Like you Heated, cooled seats, heated wheel, head up display and full opening roof, heated rear seats. Things you get used to. The L405 is SO good, I'm fining it hard to justify adding £20k / £30k to the deal to get a £55k / £60K defender. Its great to drive, 40mpg on a run easy, 500 mile range (easy), swallows stuff, and it still has presence. For my use and the fact we have solar I would try the P400e as they tend to come in good specs, so people have opted for heated rear seats, wheel, Roof etc.. Like you a 2.0 engine sounds a bit small but on paper it has almost 400bhp? Really not sure what I would do hence I'm doing nothing, The new shape FFRR I did see a 440e in a great spec for £84K and would have been £130K car new... I almost think am I better losing money on that... so spend more - but you lose the same...? I'm not been able to convince myself even a £55K the defender is 'better' than what I have...just different. Other cars I have considered... Porsche Taycan Cross - £55K buys a LOT of car and someone has lost over half its value easy... It looks to me much more value. Porsche Hybrid Cayenne - new model out but 2020 / 21 cars good value Bentley bentayga - my dad has this now - wow what a lot of car for the money. I would be interested to see what you end up with and the swap, I'm lucky we have a selection of cars to choose from so don't feel the need to do anything. |
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 12:07pm |
|
| Crazymind Member Since: 11 Jun 2024 Location: Glasgow Posts: 200
|
if it is just the look you are after... of course you can't see the 80k value in a new defender.
If you are after the most comfortable and among the most capable off roader, capable of towing 3.5 tonne, there is no other choice on the market at the moment to compare it with. The new Land Cruiser could be an alternative not with the 4 cyl diesel..." a bag of nails clattering under the bonnet" as Harry's garage defined it... if you are also looking to modify and make it yours... again you have infinite aftermarket options with the Defender. Don't think you want to thrown in the mud or off raod any range rover this day, even at 20-30k price tag. and as well the defender has proven to be the most reliable land rover ever built so far. And it's incredibly comfortable both in terms of sound profing and suspension wise. I have a Cross turismo as well, which i wouldn't dare to take off road. little damage would result in a very expensive repair. |
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 12:19pm |
|
| mse Member Since: 06 Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 5053
|
Approved used come with a 24month warranty D350 only came in in (was it 24) d300 hence i wouldnt take a 22My d250 - d350 (even if you can) There are smaller changes from what ive seen and cross issues on mapping etc. Mike |
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 12:57pm |
|
| Bows Member Since: 07 May 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 516  
|
Keep the car you’ve got, and put the 55k towards 2 cheap buy to let properties…….. 2006 TD5110 station wagon
1995 300Tdi 90 truck cab 1989 90 hard top with 200 tdi 1983 110 hard top 1983 110 Hi cap 1954 107 pick up |
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 8:55pm |
|
| Crazymind Member Since: 11 Jun 2024 Location: Glasgow Posts: 200
|
Cheap property with scumbags not paying the rent…
|
||
|
22nd Jan 2025 11:09pm |
|
|
|
| All times are GMT |
< Previous Topic | Next Topic > |
Posting Rules
|
Site Copyright © 2006-2025 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
