Comments on: 2008 Land Rover Defender 110 review

By: Luis

Luis — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:24:31 +0000

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!

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:27:38 +0000

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.

By: brian fisher

brian fisher — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:27:51 +0000

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!!!

By: Lud62

Lud62 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:01:15 +0000

Defenders – an estimated 70-80% of Defenders built are still in use to this day.

By: Tomas79

Tomas79 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:50:19 +0000

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!!

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:44:12 +0000

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?

By: Tomas79

Tomas79 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:26:20 +0000

Alex, it’s far from the best offroader in the world, it doesn’t even come with with diff-locks!

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:22:27 +0000

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.

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:45:42 +0000

Wanderer^^^^

100% typical, pommy s**t

Purchased by foolish wood-ducks, let them burn $$$$ and learn!

Cheers

F-0

By: Wanderer

Wanderer — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:11:39 +0000

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

By: DAveO

DAveO — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:43:14 +0000

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

By: terry

terry — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:12:29 +0000

Flattened saplings with mine and never punctured the plastic rediator tank, scratched hell out of it without crying, probebly buy a fourth one now

By: jimmy adams

jimmy adams — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:57:44 +0000

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

By: pugphile

pugphile — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:52:28 +0000

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 !

By: TartanFlyer

TartanFlyer — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:38:51 +0000

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.

By: Dan Mack

Dan Mack — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:05:32 +0000

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.

By: Tomas79

Tomas79 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:29:22 +0000

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..

By: rich boy

rich boy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:07:18 +0000

Ewwwwwwwww it’s 2008 and it looks like that!

By: Dan Mack

Dan Mack — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:45:12 +0000

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.

By: bergos

bergos — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 04:36:28 +0000

does anybbody actually have a 2008 defender and if so can you please tell us if you had any problem yet?