2008 Land Rover Defender 110 review
July 8, 2008 by Paul Maric
If towing is your thing, the Defender has that base covered also. With a braked trailer, the Defender is capable of pulling up to 3500kg. I loaded a trailer with a motorbike onto the Defender and the extra weight was obvious, so I’m not sure how tractable the motor would be with 3500kg worth of load attached.
655mm of axle articulation permits the Defender to push through massive ruts, while 500mm of wading depth is very impressive to say the least.
I mentioned earlier that the Defender could be operated driverless. Let me explain. Engage low range and grab first gear. There is enough torque in the first gear to pull the Defender up any hill, it’s truly astounding. Where a regular car would stall without throttle input, the Defender keeps pulling. It’s quite a spectacular sight, click here to check out our Facebook page to see the Defender in action.
Under the bonnet, a 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel motor hauls the Defender’s 2-tonne mass. It produces 90kW and 360Nm of torque and is Euro4 compliant. Power is sent through a 6-speed manual gearbox. Reverse is located right next to first gear and it’s easy to accidentally grab reverse instead of first when sitting in neutral at the traffic lights – an awkward situation to say the least!
Interior room is pretty impressive for such a rugged bush-trawler. Front and rear passenger leg room is pretty good, but I wouldn’t want to sit in the optional 3rd row of seats for too long. They are suitable for short-term adult transport though.
Gheeezzz… and I thought Toyota had recycled the 70 series too many times!
BUSH BASHING!!
VW_Freak, why fix something thats not broken? The only thing this need is the old 2.5L 5 cylinder back. I know someone with a newish defender with he 5 cylinder, and it has ample power and torque. Certainly the best 4×4 on the market for off road ability.
I love this car. Just to look at it gives me the same fuzzy feeling that I get when I look at an old Jaguar. Hey Paul, if you don’t think that people are buying them for fashion then come to London! They are impossible to drive in town but that doesn’t stop people.
The thought of towing 3500kg with this wheezy old converted transit engine fills me with dread. This vehicle stops with a mild headwind while unladen.
314mm ground clearance is not really much, and 500mm water fording with a snorkel is downright pathetic.
The Toureg has 500mm fording depth and 237mm ground clearance, which means the water can safely go 500-237 = 263mm up the bodywork.
The Defender has 500mm fording depth and 314mm ground clearance , which means the water can only go safely over the bodywork by 500-314 = 186mm. that’s weird.
The snorkel must be for dust, not water.
acfsambo
“Certainly the best 4×4 on the market for off road ability.”
Not really, Doesn’t even come with factory fitted diff locks, such as the Jeep Rubicon and LC76.
Yeah the 500mm water fording is pretty ordinary. Reckless1, the V10 TDI Toureg can actually go up to 580mm, but the others are 500mm as you said correctly. The 200 Series Landcruiser can go 700mm!!! Couldn’t find the 70 series depth unfortunately.
Looks like Anglesea or maybe Genbrook?
“POWERED BY FORD” lol Tansit motor under the bonnet!
Cheers
F-0
Rather a V8 Diesel Landcruiser.
Looks like Anglsea or Gembrook state forest?
“POWERED BY FORD” lol, you forgot to mention is out of a Transit, good engine too, but injectors go off and it gets smokey, together with telephone-number sized parts prices.
Pass
Get the Toyota, or a Jeep Wrangler
Cheers
F-0
Reckless1 Thats what snorkels are for….MAN I LOVE LAND ROVERS
was a great car, now well and truly past it’s used by date. Best off roader on the market? Not really, the new jeep wranger does a much better job when fitted with its factory diff locks and sway bar disconectors. Even if your after an “old school” 4WD the 78 series landcruiser still does a better job with its MUCH better drivetrain and again also comes with optional factory fitted diff locks.
The Defender leaves anything else in the MUD!
G MAN – learn to read G! 500mm fording depth it WITH a snorkel!
oh and by the way car advice, anyone in the market for a “serious” offroader like a defender of a 78 series cruiser would actually PREFER manual locking hubs..
Even though the Defender & Landcruiser are based on dated designs, I still like the look of both & think they are excellent off-road vehicles.
Cheers !
This thing should be sent to where it belongs, a museum.
THE DEFENDER IS THE DEFINITION OF SERIOUS OFFROADER. 500mm IS WITHOUT THE SNORKEL. PEOPLE WHO KNOCK DEFENDERS HAVE NEVER TAKEN 1 OFFROAD, NOTHING COMES CLOSE.
Big Jim,
Big Jim,
Thats true “NOTHING COMES CLOSE”, That because The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, LC70 family, along with their Factory fitted diff locks get further!!
The Rubicon with it’s 4:1 transfer case, and automatic sway bar disconects gets much further!! Even H3 with it’s 4:1 transfere case and a single diff lock in the back beats it!!
Jim mate, don’t kid your self, just because it rides rough, is relatively underpowered and looks dated, doesn’t mean it good offroad!!
Big Jim, My Prado LC120, 100/200 series landcruiser, Nissan Patrol,Discover3, have a snorkless Fording depth of 700mm!!
Even the Jeep Grand cherokee has a fording depth of 508mm!!
I notice most spitfires are in a museum too.
Landies are great a good basic vehicle. Mercedes stopped producing their G-wagon, a good competitor. I believe production was going to restart a few years ago, so theres is demand for a basic off road who-gives-a-toss-whether-you-dent it vehicle.
“The Defender also uses auto-locking hubs, opposed to the Landcruiser’s manual locking hubs.”
Since when did a CONSTANT 4WD have auto locking hubs?? Better check that press kit again.
The 500mm wading depth is a strange one, Freelander 2 has a 500 mm wading depth, RRS, FFRR and Discovery 3 all have a 700mm wading depth. I’m guessing 500mm is the floor height, you can’t expect those doors to keep out any water! hahaha I love this car but I think the advertising slogan should be, “Defender, still hand built by the same lazy poms after all these years.”
Also, don’t be put off by the lack of cross axle diff locks, the traction control is a very near equal in this case.
NoName, pretty sure they still make the G-Wagon. Just doesn’t come to Aus.
CAMPAGNOLA 4×4 by FIAT = Best std. off-road 4×4 on the planet!
No oil leaks like Pommy POS!!
Cheers
F-O
Magic! anti-spam word is FIAT!
Waterboy, traction control isn’t as good Diff locks, but better then nothing i guess!!
The Australian Army has just order the G-wagons!!!
Traction control might be great in the rocks but put it in sand (where most people end up in their 4wds) and they stop very quickly. The traction control just keeps cutting engine power killing all momentum.
If you want a traditional style off-roader. This aint it.
Buy a Patrol or a 70 series.
You can’t get much more traditional than a Defender. The new engine and gearbox combo is great. LR has made minor interior improvements to make the interior a little bit more livable but it is still a DEFENDER! awesome machines.
UPDATE -
NEW Campagnola, is go!
Made by IVECO [well badged anyway] out of the Masiff, WILL KILL a defender off-road, a MUCH superior off-road vehicle and worthy of the Campagnola badge.
Only bad thing is its Euro$29k which is as silly as rovers prices.
Cheers
F-0
PS/ Google IVECO CAMPAGNOLA and you can find it
500mm of water…lol
You know you have to fit a “wading plug” to the timing case every time you want to cross water, and then of course remove it…
Is it no wonder people by Japanese 4×4’s in record #’s?? :-)
Cheers
F-0
does anybbody actually have a 2008 defender and if so can you please tell us if you had any problem yet?
Hello – I’m a Geoscientist and recently had the opportunity to drive one of these trucks across the Simpson desert and beyond. Having previously used Patrols and Cruisers for such work, I must say I was impressed by this new Defender. Some observations 1) No problems sand driving – crossed the French and QAA line and the tc was superb. 2) Vehicle does have centre diff lock – fabulous traction when engaged. 3) This vehicle has over 1 ton payload. No other 4X4 that I’ve come across comes close to that so you can carry plenty of gear and samples. 4) Wading depth is in practice much deeper – I drove it through a river which went over the bonnet – it was at least 1m deep – got wet feet but it didn’t stop it. 5) It was in fact very comfortable to drive. 6) I got about 10l/100km fully laden so very frugal on diesel. If Land Rover had some dealers in rural areas this vehicle would be one to buy.
Ewwwwwwwww it’s 2008 and it looks like that!
Dan Mack, nearly every full time 4wd has a centre diff-lock, and part-time 4wds don’t need one as they have no center diffs! The defender does how ever lack the option of factory front and or back diff locks as some of the more serious offroad contenders..
Tomas79 – thanks for your information. I’m looking into getting myself a vehicle so all this info helps.
From what I thought I’d worked out from crawling under the Defender – the CDL just connected the rear and front drive shafts inside the transfer case – i.e. there is no “centre diff” on this vehicle – what is a “centre diff”?. This then directs equal drive to the front and rear axles. TC then somewhat (albeit not as effective) compensates for lockers. Am I on the right train of thought here?
I also have tried researching the front/rear diff lock argument – I can only find 1 vehicle with this standard – a Jeep. The others with this option (Toyota and Nissan) cost much more than getting the Defender (taking into account vehicle pricing) with ARB units installed as an aftermarket accessory. Even then – non of these vehicles can carry over a ton – the Defender can. That is an important consideration for me.
I appreciate your advice, but feel you are perhaps biased against this vehicle, as to suggest it is not a serious offroader is in my opinion and experience, a complete nonsense.
Enjoyed the comments from all so far, but no-one has mentioned comfort. Is that because all those who like it are under 6 feet in height and skinny to boot? Don’t get me wrong, I love these machines to bits, but every time I step out after a drive I walk with what we know in Europe-land as ‘farmer’s list’ i.e. leaning to the left like an old wind struck shed. That’s because burly blokes have to perch their right bum cheek on the edge of the seat and lean to the left so that they can use their right arm to steer. Fortunately, the situation has eased somewhat over recent years with the fitting of drop-glass windows (as opposed to sliders) so that the driver can poke his right arm out on the sill. The other problem is a set of skint knuckles every time you try to wind the window down. Cramped yes, loveable, forever!
But I’ll tell you what I really miss, the under windscreen vents. They have been blanked off in the latest models and opening vents are not an option. We don’t get much sunshine where I live but I still prefer it to foul smelling air-con. Besides it blows out the cigar smoke so that the wife doens’t know I’ve started smoking again! Looks like I’ll need to give up after all now.
If it was a Jap 4wd it would be canned to death for the antique handling and interior even if it cost only $25K but for the hardcore LR tragics…it’s a GEM!!
My bro still has one
bought new in 2006 for $55K, plus $1200 for sound insulation + $4000 for an electronic 6th gear so you can cruise on the highway without going deaf, and best of all the last time it rained, the whole interior leaked and had to sent off to be stripped down and completely re-welded and sealed.
Now that’s love !
lads it all boils down to ,is what you like.i am going to buy one in 2010 when i have saved my pennys.to the jap lovers can you tell me has the japs been going since 1948.tried and trusted land rover is here to stay all the best
Flattened saplings with mine and never punctured the plastic rediator tank, scratched hell out of it without crying, probebly buy a fourth one now
Jimmy Adams says “can you tell me has the japs been going since 1948″.
Well not quite, but the first Toyota Land Cruiser was produced in 1951.
Not that it has anything to do with the price of beer.
DaveO
I have a 2008 defender that i use for work done 115k kms in 12 months problems I have had are many ABS sensors have failed 6 times blown two seals on the gearbox 3 on the vacum pump rear springs sagged gearbox mounts cracked the shields for the discs cracked and fell off the cable for the turbo rubbed through and the turbo failed and some valve in the engine has failed twice and the dealership has had me waiting for up to 3 weeks for parts to arrive awesome car offroad but gee it breaks a lot but hey thats landrover for you
Wanderer^^^^
100% typical, pommy s**t
Purchased by foolish wood-ducks, let them burn $$$$ and learn!
Cheers
F-0
Well to be fair FO, from reading your other comments about this car, you are somewhat biased against it. It is still the best off roader in the world but I do agree that unfortunately whether you get a solid one or not is still a bit too much of a chance. The Last LR that could use a change.
I’ve had a lot of experience with Defenders and my conclusion is that I’d rather a Mercedes G Wagen. Almost all of the ability with better build quality and a nicer engine.
Pommy s**t is taking it a bit far though.
Alex, it’s far from the best offroader in the world, it doesn’t even come with with diff-locks!
So what if it doesn’t come with diff-locks. I don’t even know what diff-locks are! All I know is from experience and what I’ve seen. The Defender goes places that many other off roaders, including Land Cruisers, just get stuck. As an affordable car not much comes close. OK, it isn’t the best off roader in the world (that would probably be the Bowler) but really, what normal off roader betters it?
Alex, if you don’t know what diff locks are, you can hardly judge what a “best offroader in the world” is!!
Diff-locks are precisly what allows you to go further when things get tough!!
Jeep Rubicon, Landcruiser 70. 76. and Mercedes Benz G wagon all come with front and back diff-locks fitted. And are much capable offroad!!
Come on Bowler is just off-roader racer!! It’s not good at all when things get tough!!
Defenders – an estimated 70-80% of Defenders built are still in use to this day.
I had 2 Defender 2006’s, a silver and black.. When I saw the changes for 2008.. I sold both and bought a 2008 with every extra you can get.. EVERYTHING.. Mine also came with a sunroof.. Well I love the difference.. I am 6.2 and 208 pounds. I fit a lot better in this one because the AC is not hitting my knees and for my passengers too.. The back seat is WAY better.. The old seats in the back sucked the new one is great, for a Defender… I live in north west Costa Rica and drive 80% off road… Never a problem… I have had constant problems with my AC though.. They are now replaceing the whole thing… Lets see.. Also the Land Rover dealership has done great service for me… I love this truck!!!
The Jeep Rubicon comes with diff locks and they are options on the others in Aust eg Toyota GXL models.
Try driving these vehicles without difflocks and they compare poorly with the Defender. You can always fit aftermarket difflocks (eg ARB) to a new Defender if you need them, so I’m not sure what the issue is??
However difflocks aren’t the answer to everything. Very difficult to steer anything but a straight line with everything locked up and their use isn’t recommended for high speed sand driving. Also,I for one was always surprised at how often I managed to bog the army Unimogs in sand with all diffs locked until someone explained that rolling resistance and drag increased with everything locked up. Momentum and not sinking or stopping is more important in soft sand.
They are also an expensive option and one which if used incorrectly can cause some very expensive damage to driveline components. Bog a vehicle while all the diffs are locked and you’ll need more than your partner to get you out!!
The Landrover is basic but you can throw 1 tonne in the back (check the H3 specs…payload = 400kg!!) and you can tow 4tonne (3.5 tonne with a towball)(H3 manual tows 1.3tonne!!)
The 500mm fording depth is ultra conservative but as the electrics are all at seat height you could flood the car to 500mm…maybe that’s what is meant. I have forded the 2009 Defender and the 2003 Defender in nearly a metre with a snorkel and a plastic sheet over the grill…no problems and there is no “wading plug” in the new Defenders like the old 110s. Just let the wheels and drive train cool down for half and hour during lunch select low range and drive through with a bow wave…no problem.
Dear all, if you read well original Car Advice report: this new Defe is equiped with traction control. This means that diff-locks are no longer necessary. When one wheel is loosing traction this feature detects this motion and individually brakes that singe wheel (it is something like ABS working in the inverted function).
These vehicles are great not only for their great off road capabilities but also for their reliability, and their being extremely durable. I could ride one with 350.000 kms and it could still go anywhere.
You can’t compare this to a Touareg: would you step in a touareg with your feet & clothes full of mud? If you do so in a Defender you won’t suffer and whatsmore, you would also feel like you are doing the right thing! You can later tahe a hose and clean it with water inside…
Regards!