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Small Clanger



Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 210

United Kingdom 
Hello from the Yorkshire Dales
Hi, I'm presently riding around in a '59 plate Wrangler Unlimited. I've done 18,000 miles in it, absolutely no problems at all apart from a slight water leak into the top half of the tail-gate. Next week I take delivery of a new 90 H/T. Hopefully I'll enjoy many thousands of trouble free miles in what I'm sure will be a very reliable and well put together Land Rover. My first Land Rover as a matter of fact. It's going to have a working life, six or seven days a week on cold, wet and muddy building sites up in the Dales hauling my tools and materials around. Maybe the odd jaunt up the west coast to Cape Wrath and back over the Cairngorms.

Looking at some of the posts on here makes me wonder whether a Defender is a good choice. I want it to be.

Let's be hearing from some of you people that use Defenders as working vehicles/long distance travellers and have covered thousands of miles with no problems.

Satisfied customers. Rolling with laughter There must be some, somewhere.

Cheers.
Post #77373 23rd Jun 2011 4:53pm
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spudfan



Member Since: 10 Sep 2007
Location: Co Donegal
Posts: 4662

Ireland 
110 200 tdi family car for 15 years-speaks for itself. 08 Puma, cannot praise highly enough. Not much wrong with the vehicle but some of the dealers leave a lot to be desired.Some very hard working vehicles on this site. Check out the Australian AULRO site for more info on long distance overlanding. We also have our fair share of adventurers here. I have no doubt they are hosing themselves down before sitting down to talk to you. Very Happy 1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali
2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu
2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai
Post #77407 23rd Jun 2011 6:28pm
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YORKSHIRELAD



Member Since: 17 Mar 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 159

England 
Hi Small Clanger. Whilst my Land Rover is not a working one, it has proved very reliable in the last two and a half years I've had it. Where in the Dales are you from?. It's my favourite part of the country and spend many a hoilday around the Dales. I hope you enjoy your new Landy.

Richard 1963 Series 2A truck cab
2008 110 SW
Post #77457 23rd Jun 2011 9:12pm
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Zagato
Site Supporter


Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
Posts: 5013

United Kingdom 
Love Defenders, Spent 20 odd years buying and selling old cars as a hobby to get me up to 27K, probably thrown in 30K altogether Shocked (28k purchase, 2K bits!) So HUGE commitment ,wouldn't want anything else, she is mine for life and is 100% reliable, OK only done 1049 miles so far Embarassed

I do know of one that has done 160,000 and another I heard had done roughly 250,000 Thumbs Up

Have to say apart from possible rusting issues which can be sorted I am very pleased with the build quality - it's also the only vehicle I have owned that doesn't rattle or vibrate anywhere, gear changes are smooth, no nasty underneath clonking, no water ingress, door seals fine, paint work good, etc etc as said before you only largely here of problems on forums...

A 5 -10 year old Jeep, Discovery, RR etc is just another old car that has become dated... A ten year old Defender is still admired by many for what it is and it's "cool" status reflects this. It has to be the only vehicle that doesn't come with image issues and baggage Cool It's a great big Tonka toy that is simply great FUN!

PM "Big Fog" and ask about his, he seems to travel through a new timezone everyday Laughing Any other sane person would fly Rolling with laughter


Last edited by Zagato on 24th Jun 2011 9:31am. Edited 2 times in total
Post #77490 24th Jun 2011 7:19am
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10382

United Kingdom 
Hi Wink
Post #77493 24th Jun 2011 7:23am
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10382

United Kingdom 
A friend of mine has covered 48k miles in his Puma in the first 12 months...
Driven hard, towed hard, tuned and we had to do his turbo flange as it had warped due to the abuse, but with our magic cure he's had no trouble since !

He loves it !
Post #77495 24th Jun 2011 7:35am
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JSG



Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Hi and welcome,

I've a number of Defenders over the years along with other 4x4s and cars. The Defenders make you smile and do everything you could ask of them - fantastic all round vehicles.

I've not found them to be any worse thatn any other car for reliability - and on one of the many postives, the residuals are better Thumbs Up John

http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk

2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS
Post #77520 24th Jun 2011 9:50am
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Happyoldgit



Member Since: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3471

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Hiya. I've had lots of Defenders, pre Defenders and Series over the years and despite trying other makes and models have always returned to the fold. They are machines so no they are not perfect. I rather like the way that even after all these years they are instantly recognisable and would still be to an old back from the grave Land Rover driver of 50 or 60 years ago. Truth is you either 'get them' or you don't ...a bit like Marmite I suppose. Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades.
Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW.

[Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc]

http://forums.lr4x4.com

I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic.
Post #77521 24th Jun 2011 10:26am
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5035

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
Re: Hello from the Yorkshire Dales
Small Clanger wrote:
Hi, I'm presently riding around in a '59 plate Wrangler Unlimited. I've done 18,000 miles in it, absolutely no problems at all apart from a slight water leak into the top half of the tail-gate. Next week I take delivery of a new 90 H/T. Hopefully I'll enjoy many thousands of trouble free miles in what I'm sure will be a very reliable and well put together Land Rover. My first Land Rover as a matter of fact. It's going to have a working life, six or seven days a week on cold, wet and muddy building sites up in the Dales hauling my tools and materials around. Maybe the odd jaunt up the west coast to Cape Wrath and back over the Cairngorms.

Looking at some of the posts on here makes me wonder whether a Defender is a good choice. I want it to be.

Let's be hearing from some of you people that use Defenders as working vehicles/long distance travellers and have covered thousands of miles with no problems.

Satisfied customers. Rolling with laughter There must be some, somewhere.

Cheers.


Before we sold ours, we did over 2,000 miles in one week from the Midlands up and around north scotland.

Perfect

If you are used to a jeep - then you will be amazed at a proper Land Rover

All cars break down - Land Rovers can get a worse press...but are no worse.

Main Dealers can be a challenge sometimes! Mike
Post #77557 24th Jun 2011 1:56pm
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Small Clanger



Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 210

United Kingdom 
Thanks for the replies, sounds a bit more encouraging. By this time next week it should be on the drive.
Yorkshire Lad, I'm near Harrogate and work in and around Nidderdale, a lovely place to be even when work is an old stone barn conversion up on Greenhow Hill, minus 10 degrees, 12" of snow and a howling N/E breeze, no windows in and trying to clip cables with fingers like icicles. Plenty of good-looking Sheep though.

Greeni, I've had a look at your website, I might pay you a visit. I'm competing in a bicycle event in September, start/finish at Trentham and the wife and I are staying in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Oldgit, I know what you mean about the Marmite factor. I've had a few Harleys and they have the same "love 'em or hate 'em" type effect on folk.

mse, Scotland in the Land Rover is definately on the cards. I've done quite a few laps up there on the bikes (the current one's a Beemer R1200GS) and in the Jeeps. Up through Kielder and S/W Scotland then up the West Coast to Ullapool and back down through Aviemore, Braemar etc. Or over the Lecht to Thunder in the Glens on the Harley. Definately Defender country. BTW, if you're ever in Ullapool check out www.theceilidhplace.com it's one of my favourite places to stay. Excellent food, great music and a good craic.

Reliable Land Rovers? I knew they'd be out there somewhere.

Have a good week-end, one and all.
Post #77589 24th Jun 2011 4:46pm
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Grockle



Member Since: 24 Nov 2008
Location: Peak District National Park
Posts: 2266

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green
welcome SC do you us Ribblesdale? John the DP seems a good chap there 2.4 90 XS
1968 1/32 scale Britains 109 Pick up.
Post #77719 25th Jun 2011 9:18am
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Small Clanger



Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 210

United Kingdom 
No, not Ribblesdale. Farnells, Guiseley. I'll give them 9 out of 10 so far. We'll see how they get on when I pick her up on Friday.
Post #77769 25th Jun 2011 3:09pm
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Small Clanger



Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 210

United Kingdom 
Well, I've had her three weeks now, done about 700 miles, returned 31.9mpg and had no problems so very pleased with my 1st Land Rover.
Some surface rust on bumpers/boltheads/drossy welds underneath but I've given them a coating of Waxoyl,Duck Oil or waterproof grease. The paint was flaking off the rear mud-flap brackets but some SmoothRite has sorted that until I can make some stainless ones.
Fitted some front mud-flaps and a NAS rear step bumper/towbar/electrics with a 1" spacer on the ball so the bike rack clears the spare. A couple of the fitting holes did'nt line up but it's on now and looks pretty good.
Also fitted a Pioneer DEH7300 and some Alpine speakers. It has Bluetooth/phonebook and a USB which allows the head unit to control the iPod menu. Sounds great, easy to fit and user friendly to operate. On offer at Halfords, half price £149.00, speakers £25.00.
Ply lined the bottom half of the rear and stuck in some Mudstuff protection pads for the top half. One of these keeps falling off, the adhesive is stuck to the panel but the neoprene is parting from the adhesive, some silicone needed to cure that, I think.
Farnells gave me two ignition keys but only one alarm fob. I queried this and was told that, as a commercial vehicle, it only came with one. I checked with L/R customers services and they told me the same. However.....whilst having a nosey around under the bonnet (as you do) I found an alarm fob fastened to a hose with a cable tie. It works too. Whoever PDI'd the vehicle obviously did'nt see it.
No service portfolio booklet with the handbook wallet but Farnells have posted me one so, all in all, everything's going well.
The 90's excellent. Loads of room for all my tools/gear in the back, easy to drive, not quite as comfortable as the Wrangler (I'm 6'5") and I've not been seriously off-road yet but so far, so good. Very Happy

edit: I was pedalling over the moors around Haworth/Keighley/Hebden Bridge in the freezing cold/driving rain last Sunday so the bad back could be something to do with the lack of comfort. Mr. Green
Post #81546 22nd Jul 2011 10:32am
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Happyoldgit



Member Since: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3471

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Sounds like you've been busy! Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades.
Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW.

[Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc]

http://forums.lr4x4.com

I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic.
Post #81549 22nd Jul 2011 11:31am
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Grockle



Member Since: 24 Nov 2008
Location: Peak District National Park
Posts: 2266

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green
try some Mudrails should help with ya back,all Defs have two remotes one always fastened to the wiring harness under the bonnet from the assembly line,more dealer bullsxxt 2.4 90 XS
1968 1/32 scale Britains 109 Pick up.
Post #81553 22nd Jul 2011 12:19pm
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