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Rye54

Member Since: 09 Jul 2017
Location: Scotland
Posts: 48

Td5 Trim Levels

Afternoon all,

I am looking to buy my first defender after ogling them for too long now. I have made my mind up on getting a 110 Td5 but I see there are different trim levels and I'm struggling to find a clear description of what these mean in real terms. It's my understanding there is standard, county and XS and having browsed the classified ads the XS seems to average a few thousand more than the standard.

I don't suppose anyone would be kind enough to explain the differences with regards a Td5 or even point me in the right direction if this has been covered previously and I have missed it.

I am happy to pay the extra for XS but would like to know what I am getting for it and whether it may be a sensible option to buy a standard Td5 and do the upgrades to get it to xs spec myself.

Any thought or opinions gratefully received.

Cheers
Ryan

7th Oct 2019 7:31pm

AndyT66

Member Since: 19 Sep 2016
Location: Bedford
Posts: 148

2004 Defender 90 2.5 TD XS CSW Zambezi Silver

I have a 2004 station wagon 90 XS
Standard trim was 1/2 leather, carpet, air con, electric windows, heated seats, CD player, heated screen.
Everything still works, I've replaced one air con pipe though. Oh and boost alloys.
The other key whatever you find is a 15p onwards engine for reasons well discussed

7th Oct 2019 8:03pm

derbywill

Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 556

The other thing which was standard on a XS is ABS and Traction which was an expensive option. And it would be difficult to add to a Defender without it.

Cheers

Will 2005 90 XS
1954 86'' Series 1 tilt
1968 88” 2A 200tdi
2002 110 Hardtop

7th Oct 2019 8:45pm

DSC-off

Member Since: 16 Oct 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 1400

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green

Hi, as mentioned by Andy, all those trim 'nice to haves' were standard on an XS during the TD5 era.
The XS also had ABS and Traction Control, which were 2 separate options on other County or base spec. (you had to have ABS before you could add traction control)
ABS can be a life saver in an emergency and winter pack heated screen and seats make it easier to live with as a daily driver.

County spec would have cloth trim seats, electric windows, alloy wheels. Usually antiroll bars on suspension.
Probably a low spec CD/radio or radio/cassette player. (Note even the CD player in the XS was cr@p)

Base spec had vinyl seats, steel wheels and err,

all else.

Be very cautious about what you're actually buying, if you don't know the model specs inside out.
There are many converted hard tops being sold as station wagons. Similarly, I've seen plain old trucks advertised as XS spec just because it's had leather seats fitted. A good original XS or genuine County station wagon is worth a higher asking price, a commercial truck with a few bits added simply isn't, no matter what the seller thinks.
Hope that helps

7th Oct 2019 8:48pm

OsloBlue

Member Since: 14 Jul 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 822

i think the only real option was rooflight I'm on IG: https://www.instagram.com/osloblue42/
Current: TD5 '110 "Lucinda" Thread here: https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62562.html

7th Oct 2019 8:53pm

miker

Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1763

Then you have weird quirks like my 1999 County SW 110.
Cloth seats, abs and traction control, keep fit Windows, manual locking, no arbs, but alloy wheels!

7th Oct 2019 11:02pm

Mike c

Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 928

As another point, I believe that the bulkhead delete bar was standard on post 2002 genuine county station wagons, this is another little thing to look at on deciding whether it's the real thing from factory or converted van spec, should also be full trim throughout for example rear window/alpine light surrounds. Plus full headlining and carpeting in the back/wheel arch surrounds. This is post 2002 county station wagons though as far as I know.

As stated, the extra electric bits were optional throughout the range, so not always a good guide alone, for example, my county station wagon (not xs) has air con/ abs traction control and heated front screen on top of the standard county bits such as electric windows/central locking.

Good luck with your search, it is a bit of a minefield as they are so easy to upgrade this will catch out the unwary.

Mike

8th Oct 2019 7:10am

Rye54

Member Since: 09 Jul 2017
Location: Scotland
Posts: 48

OK great, would it state XS on the V5 form? Any other obvious indications that it's a genuine XS spec defender?

8th Oct 2019 8:13am

Mike c

Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 928

I doubt it would state on the v5, it should state county though, pretty sure mine does, and its registered as estate car. Maybe xs owners could clarify though?

Only half leather heated seats throughout, brunel silver centre dash trim, front grill and light surrounds, also clear front indicators spring to mind, however all this stuff is easily added to lesser spec vehicles.

8th Oct 2019 8:19am

kzycnn

Member Since: 24 Apr 2009
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 276

Yes, it should say XS on the V5 - mine does. Also, the XS trim wasn't introduced until the 2002 model year cars (when the 'dash upgrade' was released - so they all should have the 15p engine as well.

Tony

8th Oct 2019 10:18am

Mike c

Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 928

This surprises me as xs was just an extras pack (all be quite substantial)on the already long established county trim. You learn something new as they say! And it should help the OP

8th Oct 2019 10:26am

Green Machine

Member Since: 19 Nov 2010
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1226

Easiest ways to tell factory XS are the Brunel (grey) centre dash surround (just black on a County) and the part-leather seats along with leather-trimmed gear knobs. All can be retro-fitted, but are fairly unlikely to have been because there is no real practical advantage in doing so and the parts are expensive.

I would suggest if a vehicle has all of these, it is very likely to be a factory XS. 2005 Td5 | 90 Station Wagon | Tonga Green

8th Oct 2019 12:16pm

DSC-off

Member Since: 16 Oct 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 1400

Both my old 2005 XS 90 (wish I still had it

) and current 110 say XS on the V5 registration document.
It hadn't occurred to that it would be, a sure way to check.
I'd want a very convincing story and evidence (original bill of sale or factory build sheet) if a claimed to be XS didn't say so on the V5.

Click image to enlarge

8th Oct 2019 7:28pm

Rye54

Member Since: 09 Jul 2017
Location: Scotland
Posts: 48

Perfect, thank you very much

8th Oct 2019 7:37pm

JWL

Member Since: 26 Oct 2011
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3443

I found the Topix build sheet for my poverty spec 2002 110, just all basic stuff, no abs/tc arb's etc etc. Then when I bought it as its second owner from Thames Valley Police at auction it came with abs/tc, as said before that would be fitted at the factory as no-one in their right mind would add it to an allready built motor. It had vinyl seats with the basic 60/40 second row, keep fit windows and no carpeting but then it had an XS steering wheel and also a high level brake light which caused a right royal problem with Autoglass when they replaced a broken one. First they turned up with one without, then one with but for a two piece door and eventually they got it right after 10 days.
My suspicion on its specifications is that it was originally specced as a higher spec model then as it went down the line it was fitted with whatever was available. Theoretically it should have the later rear axle but has an older disc braked Salisbury.
I can say I'm pretty sure that everything on it when I bought it was as it left the factory, it came with a full service history from the Police Workshops and the only major job it had done was a new clutch at around 60K. It also came with the immobiliser as they all do but has a BBSU but no internal barometric sensor and no central locking. It is what it is, I'm happy with it and have added quite a lot to it since I've had it. Sometimes having a blank canvas can be an advantage.

9th Oct 2019 12:20am

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