DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Is the 2.4 worth avoiding?

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

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

Home > Technical > Is the 2.4 worth avoiding?

Page 2 of 2

Print this entire topic ·

Chatuge

Member Since: 09 Dec 2014
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 49

Happyoldgit wrote:
Chatuge wrote:
Goya! Read a lot of forum buyer guides that even say "don't buy one with a towbar!" - thats a bit odd too! I kinda get why but ultimately they should be man enough for this!

You'll find it hard to find one that has never had a towbar fitted.

TOTALLY agree!

2nd Oct 2016 7:36pm

Chatuge

Member Since: 09 Dec 2014
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 49

doublea wrote:
Unlike the 2.4, the later model 2.2 has the disadvantage of DPF and the cleaning cycle - exhaust gets very hot and this is bound to affect exhaust lifespan.

Watch out for the earlier 2.4 station wagons and the window tax - vehicle exise duty (£500) rather than LGV rate (£230).

Interesting, what age does tax drop?

2nd Oct 2016 7:37pm

Chatuge

Member Since: 09 Dec 2014
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 49

Re: Is the 2.4 worth avoiding?

K9F wrote:
Chatuge wrote:
Goya! Read a lot of forum buyer guides that even say "don't buy one with a towbar!"

Chatuge wrote:
Hi there. I'm looking for a standard 90 SW (either county or XS) 2007-2010.

Just like to point out you won't get an XS without a tow bar.

its just idiots that sa all kinds of stuff that makes no sense. I actually wouldn't bother buying one without as I need it!

2nd Oct 2016 7:38pm

doublea

Member Since: 12 Jul 2011
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 495

2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Adventure Phoenix Orange

Chatuge wrote:
doublea wrote:
Unlike the 2.4, the later model 2.2 has the disadvantage of DPF and the cleaning cycle - exhaust gets very hot and this is bound to affect exhaust lifespan.

Watch out for the earlier 2.4 station wagons and the window tax - vehicle exise duty (£500) rather than LGV rate (£230).

Interesting, what age does tax drop?

Not exactly sure. My 59 plate, 2.4 utility was taxed as LGV, but a 90 or 110 SW at that time would have been taxed as a car. Mrs doublea's 63 plate, 2.2 90SW was LGV rated. On the v5c, "section J - vehicle category" on newer defenders is N1, irrespective of variant and LGV rates apply. Current Steeds:
2015 110 UW in Grasmere Green
2003 BMW F650 the Hack
2000 Elise
1992 Ducati 888 (no longer in bits, yahoo)
1990 TDR 250 (in bits again)
1988 TDR 250 (no longer in bits) and for sale

2nd Oct 2016 8:00pm

DAZ110

Member Since: 06 Dec 2007
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 2034

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Barolo Black

Late 2010 on is cheaper road tax I think.
My 2011 90 CSW is cheaper tax.

2nd Oct 2016 8:03pm

NinetyTD4

Member Since: 22 Apr 2011
Location: North
Posts: 397

If you are able to ride a Defender without treating 'em bad, there is no reason against a 2.4. Never forget: cars have owner, Landrover have field service personnel.

5th Oct 2016 2:35pm

X4SKP

Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2295

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey

Chatuge wrote:
doublea wrote:
Unlike the 2.4, the later model 2.2 has the disadvantage of DPF and the cleaning cycle - exhaust gets very hot and this is bound to affect exhaust lifespan.

Watch out for the earlier 2.4 station wagons and the window tax - vehicle exise duty (£500) rather than LGV rate (£230).

Interesting, what age does tax drop?

DAZ110 is correct...mine was built in August 2010...and 'held' at the dealer until sold in December 2010 to benefit from a 'halving' in VED / N1 not M1 on the V5C (log book / vehicle category section J) I still don't know exactly when things changed, having read both September and October dates...but a late 2010 or MY 2011 will be at the lower rate...definitely worth trying to get one of the 'later' 2.4s if that's your choice.

As for mine I have taken it from 6K to 30K with essentially no issues, I absolutely love it, and its towed this the length of the country again without any problems, (elevated engine temperatures) up and down the interesting bits in devon, wales and scotland, and will be touring Europe for a month next spring.

Click image to enlarge

anyway...to answer your question 'Is the 2.4 worth avoiding?'...NO (not from my experience)

Good Luck SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html

5th Oct 2016 7:33pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17316

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

My 2007 2.4 110 is type approved as N1 and enjoys the lower RFL.

5th Oct 2016 9:15pm

DAZ110

Member Since: 06 Dec 2007
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 2034

That's because yours is a utility.

I thought we were talking about the CSW variant ?

5th Oct 2016 9:45pm

X4SKP

Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2295

When I bought mine (2.4 CSW) to try and understand this I spoke to Land Rover
'we are all right...

'

The Utility Defenders were in the lower RFL group, but the CSW weren't until late 2010...
LR put in a request to VOSA (now DVSA) to reclassify All Defenders to 'Light 4X4 Utility (D.5 Body Type)
and Light Goods Vehicle (x) Taxation Class...the meaningful bit is however J Vehicle Category N1

I'm surprised LR got it...but please they did. SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html

5th Oct 2016 10:03pm

o4dn

Member Since: 08 Jan 2010
Location: South West
Posts: 538

2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alaska White

Re: Is the 2.4 worth avoiding?

Fatboy Slim wrote:
Depends what sort of a vehicle you're after. If you just want something to drive around in and tow occasionally then the 2.4 should be fine.

If you want something to use as a work vehicle, do site work or tow heavily I'd go Td5. Better engine. Stronger drive train.

I've had 2 TD5 and 1 Puma 2.4 and the Puma is better than the TD5 in pretty any aspect and by a long run for me, better torque, more reliable, more refined...

Only thing the TD5 has for it is its noise. â€œA Land Rover immobilized is a moral defeat for the driver and bad publicity for the vehicle, [â€¦] it's up to you to do justice to your Land Rover!â€ - Land Rover Driving Technique.
--
2009 2.4 Puma Defender 90 SW
1979 Land Rover Series 3 88"

6th Oct 2016 6:41am

defender9

Member Since: 12 Mar 2016
Location: Fylde Coast
Posts: 1629

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green

DAZ110 wrote:
That's because yours is a utility.

I thought we were talking about the CSW variant ?

My 2007 110 SW was ex MOD and classed as N1 and at the time was £180 RFL, so does not necessarily have to be a utility as long as it was ex MOD.

6th Oct 2016 7:35am

rossy

Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Co. Roscommon
Posts: 1296

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey

I have towed fully loaded + caravan up that scarily long steep bit of the A55 heading towards Chester in 32C foot to the floor in 4th. Temp gauge stayed normal - and I have an engine blanket ! Thought nothing of it until now !

7th Oct 2016 8:19pm

Wild Card 90

Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver

Just to return to the op´s question.

I was thoroughly happy with my 2008 2.4, which I used for towing quite often. However, it did go into limp mode with temp guage climbing rapidly, on a couple of occasions. 3.5 ton trailer, warm day and I was trying to keep my 90 kmh speed up climbing an incline on the autobahn. After backing off, and briefly dropping down to 40 kmh on the hard shoulder, the temp dropped and everything returned to normal.

i learned to accept dropping an extra gear and speed reduction in similar situations, avoiding the limp mode, and never thought about it again. Entertained the idea of fitting an oil cooler and a larger intercooler, but wasn´t that motivated.

It didn´t put me off the 2.4, my first Puma. a massive step from the previous 300 Tdi.

The 2.2, subjected to the same torture, seems to be more capable. A long 1100 km run with same 3.5 ton trailer, cruise control set at 110 kmh, saw us dropping down to 70 kmh (and down the gears) on a number of occasions. Although i tried to provoke it, the temperature guage stayed stable with full power. I seem to remember seeing as much as 112° on the Ultraguage.

My impression is that the 2.2 is thermally more stable.

A further advantage of the 2.2 is the DPF. There is just less sh*t coming out the exhaust pipe. This is relevant when you tow a larger trailer for a longer distance. It is amazing how much gets picked up by the trailer.

However, we did the same trip years before in the TDi. Even though it had a retrofitted tax reducing particle filter, it literally turned one side of the trailer black. Things have improved.

My 2 cents, for what it´s worth..... 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s,
Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons

8th Oct 2016 7:04am

Page 2 of 2

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