 | Home > General & Technical (L663) > Defender handling |
 
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| Philip Member Since: 09 Mar 2018 Location: England Posts: 510  
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I haven’t tried a 110 on coils, so not a direct answer, but whichever suspension they’re very different things - an XC90 is really just a taller estate car. For what it’s worth, I have the use of an XC90 D5 (on air) and far prefer the driving experience of a Defender - definitely rolls more, not as car-like, but in terms of the way it feels going down the road, a lot more satisfying somehow (XC90 feels very detached, steering in particular, ride is much less composed etc).
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14th Sep 2021 4:23pm |
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| Tim in Scotland Member Since: 23 May 2007 Location: The Land that time forgot Posts: 3753 
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Never had any problems with any of the 3 RRS’s or two RR’s I had that rode on air, I’’m looking at an offer to buy an ex demo D250 FE 90 which has the essential air springs as standard. One of the problem areas with the air suspension compressor was blocked filters causing overheating, that was cured in about 2012 when LR started fitting the compressors inside the boot on top of the spare wheel.
I wouldn’t consider a ND without air suspension now. Would be even better if it had the dynamic handling setting in the TR2 that my last RRS HSE Dynamic 3.0SDv6 had, made quite a difference to the cars handling and included the locking rear diff in the pack. Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come 2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed! |
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14th Sep 2021 4:56pm |
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| J77 Member Since: 04 Nov 2019 Location: Fife Posts: 3403 
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No problems with my 90 on coils, it drives how a Land Rover should drive it is after all 2.3 ton box. Can’t comment on the 110 but my 90 will keep up with many “sporty” SUVs on the bends.
No regrets taking it on coils. 24MY 90 D250 HSE, Tasman Blue |
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14th Sep 2021 5:29pm |
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| mf7480 Member Since: 14 Jun 2021 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 89 |
You are right, an XC is much more a car. I guess I hoped any modern SUV would handle well. You can poke the Volvo into any bend at strong speed and the front will pitch in and round she goes, nice and flat. The Defender is like holding onto a bucking bronco when it’s driven in the same irresponsible manner 😆 I’ll get used to it I’m sure.
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14th Sep 2021 5:44pm |
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| defender_uk Member Since: 12 Aug 2011 Location: SW Scotland Posts: 197
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Had numerous LR on air suspension and never had any issues whatso ever.
My 110 Commercial is on springs, and it handles beatuifully. There is no wallow at all, and on my rough farm track, w=you would think it was on air. 2020 First Ed 110. replaced by 2021 250 110 Commercial Defender_uk |
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14th Sep 2021 7:42pm |
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| ginjez Member Since: 18 Sep 2011 Location: huddersfield Posts: 1763 
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Have a go in a traditional 110 then you''ll appreciate how the model has progressed in terms of ride and handling.
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14th Sep 2021 8:15pm |
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| mf7480 Member Since: 14 Jun 2021 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 89 |
I’ve got a TD5 90, but it was designed in 1984 not 2020
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14th Sep 2021 8:20pm |
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018 
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Seems your not alone in coming to the brand and finding these characteristics: "Where the Audi shrinks into a corner and becomes more nimble, you find yourself waiting for the Defender to settle. The Audi stays remarkably flat on its standard air suspension, the Land Rover heels over like a racing yacht on similar-but-optional air springs. The Audi has better steering, relentless brakes and a more sophisticated take on ride comfort. The Defender is more languid, softer, less urgent in the same metrics. Oddly though, that depends on what you expect from your family bus – the Q7 may be terribly agile going fast, but it’s a disputable advantage in a car that’s well over two tonnes and built to haul people. The Defender doesn’t encourage, but neither is it terrible." https://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads...4_16092021 |
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17th Sep 2021 6:04am |
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| mf7480 Member Since: 14 Jun 2021 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 89 |
That’s a great and very accurate summary
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17th Sep 2021 7:05am |
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| mf7480 Member Since: 14 Jun 2021 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 89 |
How does the Defender handle compared to Disco 5? Specifically the newest ingenium ones
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17th Sep 2021 7:06am |
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| Philip Member Since: 09 Mar 2018 Location: England Posts: 510
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Haven’t driven one with the new engines, but a Discovery isn’t miles away in how it drives - certainly different from an XC90, unsurprisingly more like an L405. Absolutely not “sporting” and I think better for it.
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17th Sep 2021 8:36am |
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| jim4244 Member Since: 13 Apr 2014 Location: Bedfordshire Posts: 802  
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When I test drove a D250 110 it handled comparable to my last 2018 RRS.
I found the steering very precise though a little light for such a large vehicle. I think your experience may possibly be linked to the coil spring suspension? Jim |
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17th Sep 2021 11:27am |
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| mf7480 Member Since: 14 Jun 2021 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 89 |
The Top Gear review above would suggest not
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17th Sep 2021 12:47pm |
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| dizeeduckie Member Since: 10 Sep 2021 Location: London Posts: 58
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It really doesn't! The RRS was incredible in its handling - such a huge, heavy vehicle but you would whip it around corners like a sports car. The Defender is not like that at all. Much more wafty and you can't take corners too fast because it rolls and there's some understeer. I actually prefer the Defender's handling - I like the floaty, loose feel. |
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17th Sep 2021 2:53pm |
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