 | Home > My Defender > New Owner Observations |
 
|
|
|
| jk84 Member Since: 17 Feb 2015 Location: Wherever my Defender takes me... Posts: 720   
|
First of all, an epic looking car Accuss1! Congrats and well done on the mods.
And thanks for a summary of initial observations - I'll be driving mine quite a bit in London as well and it will be first and foremost a family car so an interesting read! Regarding the steering stops, I have to read around that, sounds like something I better do as well once the truck arrives. Not very technically minded so will search around the threads. I've been seeing in lots of recent threads that people have dynamat fitted. My top priority was to sort out security and the very next thing I'm having her Zagg'ed against corrosion. From there onwards I hoped to start playing and fooling around  ...but getting a feeling that soundproofing might have to come before that - if you happened to drive yours before and after, as a new Defender driver, how important would you rate the dynamat sound proofing on 1 to 10 - 1 nice to have, 10 can't live without. Thanks! |
||
5th May 2015 1:46pm |
|
| acuss01 Member Since: 27 Jun 2014 Location: London Posts: 225 
|
Yes I did drive before and after. Its not that it so awful without, but you wouldn't be able to chat easily on a motorway or hear what the kids are saying behind. With the Dynamat soundproofing you have a more normal in-car experience. I'd rate it 6 or 7 out of 10. If you're prioritising then security comes first 
I got Chris from CSK to do the soundproofing and the Dinitrol at the same time. Because the former involves stripping out the truck, he was able to do an independent post-delivery QA check (found a lose handle and some loose nuts). And while the truck was stripped out you may as well put new SS bolts in, do security mods and anything else (colour coded mirrors, side step etc). I spend about £2.5k on everything. If you can afford it, do it straightaway as you'll enjoy it more from the get-go! Good luck with your truck, when do you get it? 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack |
||
|
5th May 2015 3:31pm |
|
| acuss01 Member Since: 27 Jun 2014 Location: London Posts: 225
|
Btw how 'bout this for a London driving experience... Had to meet a client near Harrods yesterday. God driving through Knightsbridge is a zoo
 Every flash car imaginable driving about - and no-where to park  However managed to overcome my phobia (of parking new Defender) and pulled up just outside Harrods. Fish out of water, but felt proud 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack |
||
|
5th May 2015 3:36pm |
|
| jk84 Member Since: 17 Feb 2015 Location: Wherever my Defender takes me... Posts: 720
|
Thanks Acuss! That's quite a high score then, but I kind of expected it I guess - was just looking for an excuse to start spending on exciting bits and pieces (which you already have on yours!)
Considering that I do London-Cornwall and back quite regularly, looks like it will be money well spent to get it soundproofed. Can't afford the 2.5k treatment though  But will figure sth out for sure.
Security, corrosion prevention and soundproofing it is then... what an exciting list of mods
Mine is due end of May/beginning of June - can't wait! I'll be watching out for Montalcino Red beauty in Central London in the meantime |
||
|
5th May 2015 5:36pm |
|
| jk84 Member Since: 17 Feb 2015 Location: Wherever my Defender takes me... Posts: 720
|
Btw, I bet lots of those flash cars didn't stand a chance when next to your 110 - these cars have so much character. I've seen blokes from Porsches and Mercs staring with genuine interest at a good looking example of a Defender!
|
||
|
5th May 2015 5:44pm |
|
| Clemmo Member Since: 03 Aug 2012 Location: Mile Oak Posts: 1231  
|
lovely car
lovely colour 
I too love the red/black theme Clemmo Make today a little better than yesterday but not so good as tomorrow.... Defender 90 HT............Pangea Green BMW X3 Msport............Carbon Black Mini Electric................Grey. (wow!) MGB Roadster……..........Vermillion 17k miles Honda Benly CD200....Maroon --------McLouis Fusio........7.4m of fun |
||
|
5th May 2015 5:44pm |
|
| Pickles Member Since: 26 May 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 3790  
|
Accus, Have you checked out the Moto-Lita range of steering wheels,...particularly good if you like a bit of "retro",...I've heard that a 15" wheel is the go. Pickles. |
||
|
5th May 2015 10:17pm |
|
| acuss01 Member Since: 27 Jun 2014 Location: London Posts: 225
|
Funnily enough I was looking at that last night. Yes 15" might work well. Thanks Mr P 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack |
||
|
6th May 2015 8:27am |
|
| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610 
|
I went to their unit at Thruxton and tried a couple of variants before buying, anything smaller than 15" would have obscured the instruments for me. I guess if you're a short ar5e you can go as small as you like.
 Click image to enlarge If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!! Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
||
|
6th May 2015 8:33am |
|
| Trundlebus Member Since: 15 Jul 2014 Location: Herts Posts: 99
|
change the steering wheel, I recommend a motolita 15inch, just perfect for me and much better thab the standard without being too small. Also get a mud UK heater deflector, best cheap mod I have fitted.
enjoy |
||
|
6th May 2015 9:15am |
|
| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2298 
|
Hello acuss01
Oh we can all relate to your list...well done on a. your purchase...100% 
b. your enthusiasm for the Defender...
I lived in London next to the Tate Modern for 15 years (before and after it was built) and parked my then new 300tdi on the street, with multiple levels of security, with no issue. The Defender (CSW not Hard Top) is a surprisingly good vehicle for London use, mainly in my view as it is high has good viability and 'slab' sided so you know where your boundaries are. Mod it as you need to but for what it's worth... 1. Swap to a smaller steering wheel, the extra effort to steer is negligible, the feel and extra room to 'maneuver' in the cabin makes it a must do mod for me. I also hate the false 'air bag' looking standard wheel JLR fit (if they still do) why would you put anything 'false' on a Defender...  (Photo shows my Startech Wheel)
2. The Magnifying / Con-vexed small side mirrors (both sides) are without doubt the best few £ I have ever spent on my Defender, so much easier to see close up areas, cyclists in blind spots... 100% must do aftermarket bit of kit for me also...will really help in London...
Good Luck with yours...I still look forward to driving mine, now on my 2nd kept 1st one for 19 almost faultless years, now loving the 2.4 Puma and again so far no real issues* *other than the known... I. should be better protected for corrosion II. is just too easy to steal without 'measures'
Startech Steering Wheel
Con-vexed Rear View Additional Door Mirrors SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
||
|
6th May 2015 9:15am |
|
| jk84 Member Since: 17 Feb 2015 Location: Wherever my Defender takes me... Posts: 720
|
I really like Startech, looks kind of authentic to me, if you know what I mean - i.e. sth I would expect LR to put in!
I also like Momo Prototipe, one of their latest retro designs. I wonder though how one gets a LR badge in the middle, such as K9F has...nice touch! http://www.momo-uk.co.uk/Tuning%20Steering...totipo.htm |
||
|
6th May 2015 9:10pm |
|
| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2298
|
Me Too...
Click image to enlarge SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
||
|
6th May 2015 9:27pm |
|
| Albion Member Since: 08 Dec 2014 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 141
|
how retro did you want to go...? care of Exmoor Trim...15"
Click image to enlarge |
||
|
7th May 2015 7:31pm |
|
|
|
| All times are GMT |
< Previous Topic | Next Topic > |
Posting Rules
|
Site Copyright © 2006-2025 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
