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acuss01



Member Since: 27 Jun 2014
Location: London
Posts: 225
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Wow love it!!! That looks like one mean machine! 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack
Post #447817 20th Aug 2015 7:43pm
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Dave_S



Member Since: 27 Apr 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 55
Lose the side steps - kind of pointless fitting rock rails and keeping them - truck will look better too. Very nice rig Thumbs Up
Post #447820 20th Aug 2015 7:51pm
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Barney12



Member Since: 09 Jun 2015
Location: South West
Posts: 744
United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
AM94 wrote:
I'm also pretty certain that I'll be removing the XS side steps; Bowler did offer to remove them but I hadn't realised how far the replacement side sills stuck out, so I opted to keep them in place (namely because some people who have ridden in my 90 have found them useful when climbing in or out). However, imho, they don't work well together (the side sill overhang almost negates the benefit of the step), so they'll probably end up with the other take off parts in the roof of my garage!

Really happy with how it has turned out and can't wait to get behind the wheel.


You and I are so in the same page!

I fitted the Bowler sills and on advice from this forum left the XS side steps in place but immediatey removed them, they simply don't work together IMHO.

Alas thought SWMBO has still not quite forgiven me as getting in and out is definitely more challenging for the "vertically challenged" (SWMBO is barely 5ft!).

I really must get some pictures up of mine. Soooo little time Crying or Very sad
Post #447851 20th Aug 2015 9:14pm
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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
I (wrongly) assumed, based on photos, that the Bowler sills sat almost flush (like the OEM ones), which would have meant the XS side steps were still practical; however, photos don't illustrate how far the Bowler sills actually protrude out and just how little of the XS tread plate remains useable! Hopefully this thread will benefit someone else with the same question I had. I may try to take some photos before removing the XS steps, as a reference for others in the future.

Setting that to one side, I'm really looking forward to driving the 90 tomorrow.

On top of the Bowler: road bumpers, side sills, steering guard and rear bumper steps, they fitted the Stage One ECU and Motorsport exhaust, so I'm itching to get behind the wheel.
Post #447858 20th Aug 2015 9:27pm
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Barney12



Member Since: 09 Jun 2015
Location: South West
Posts: 744
United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Yes, agree with the sills fitted the side steps are rendered pretty unusable.

The way to fix this issue is to fit the Alive Tuning suspension upgrade. That couple of inches drop helps the climb in Thumbs Up The overall ride improvement is also really worth the money!

I have the BAS remap (which I beleive is the supplier to Bowler but let's not open that can of worms!). Trust me you are going to be delighted!!

I still haven't decided on the exhaust changes so you're ahead of the game there Thumbs Up

I also have the Bowler bumper and steering guard fitted. Really lifts the front end Thumbs Up
Post #447860 20th Aug 2015 9:34pm
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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
You're a bad influence! I don't think I need any more temptation, I'm doing a great job all on my own. Cool

I was very close to asking Bowler to fit the Fast Road Suspension but showed self restraint.

What is the Alive system comprised of and what was the cost?
Post #447872 20th Aug 2015 9:42pm
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Barney12



Member Since: 09 Jun 2015
Location: South West
Posts: 744
United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Alive's road suspension package includes their own lowered spring set and bilstein shocks and steering damper.
£738.00 to my door. I had the set fitted at my local Indy which cost £120.

The difference is quite something. Still a very, very firm ride (well in comparison to my Disco anyway) but much more controlled. At fast speeds and on the motorway you really notice the difference, the ride is significantly improved. You'll find yourself chucking your 90 at corners with a huge level of confidence that you're not going to be rolling over into the adjoining field Mr. Green

I beleive 'likeOMG' has the same package installed on his 90.

I know I'm not helping but I think if you've gone to the trouble of the re-map and exaust you really need to finish the job!!

Alex at Alive is super helpful.
Post #447923 21st Aug 2015 6:43am
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Barney12



Member Since: 09 Jun 2015
Location: South West
Posts: 744
United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Oh, one more thing: that nice yellow bilstein steering damper looks lovely nestled behind the bowler steering guard and sets off those red toeing eyes nicely Mr. Green
Post #447924 21st Aug 2015 6:46am
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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Barney, that is definitely something I'll consider, especially after driving the Defender today.

To say I'm impressed with the Stage 1 Tune would be an understatement. I've had cars remapped previously and never had such an obvious improvement. I know the motorsport exhaust will have let the engine breath a little freer but the power deliver, smoothness and increase in performance is a revelation. I'm a very impressed with the result.

The extended test drive came after I spent an hour under the Def removing the XS steps. Bowler did offer to remove them but as above, I declined... I spent the first 30 minutes under the car thinking, why didn't I let someone with power tools do this. Zagato's fine job of corrosion protection only added to the 'enjoyment' Embarassed

After the test drive, I took a few photos to keep my thread up to date:


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Post #448120 21st Aug 2015 7:11pm
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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green

Click image to enlarge


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Click image to enlarge
Post #448121 21st Aug 2015 7:12pm
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Dave_S



Member Since: 27 Apr 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 55
Nice - much better without the steps mate Thumbs Up
Post #448129 21st Aug 2015 7:27pm
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Barney12



Member Since: 09 Jun 2015
Location: South West
Posts: 744
United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Looking great Thumbs Up All black really works well.
Post #448156 21st Aug 2015 8:09pm
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Pickles



Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3784
Australia 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green
AM94,...See my post of 9/1??!!.......I see you appear to be not only having no problem in keeping it clean, but you have even gone a step further, because that is,...."awesomely immaculate",.....for want of a better term.
Now all you need to do, is drop a 6.2L LS3 V8 in it, and then it might go close to going as well as it looks!!
Think about it!!
A really immaculate Defender, well done, Pickles.
Post #448179 21st Aug 2015 9:27pm
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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1037
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Pickles, don't be fooled.

She had four weeks of road grime up until the day before she went to Bowler. I gave the Def a good clean before the trip and before handing back the keys, the transport company had given it another wipe down. I'm still trying to work out if they are top chaps (they are) or if they did a bank job in the 90 and were wiping away the evidence.
Post #448253 22nd Aug 2015 7:51am
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jk84



Member Since: 17 Feb 2015
Location: Wherever my Defender takes me...
Posts: 720
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green
Mate, what a truck! Congrats Thumbs Up You did sth I would call, in my humble opinion, a subtle Bowlerisation Mr. Green Kept the soul of your lovely 'black pack' 90 XS with those Sawtooths, grille, etc and gave it a spirit of a beast Wink Well done and enjoy! MY15 Aintree 110 SW - for sale - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic82781.html
MY16 Santorini 90 HT - sold
Post #448328 22nd Aug 2015 3:18pm
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