Comments on: 2008 Land Rover Defender 110 review

By: BENZ.INTO.ARMY

BENZ.INTO.ARMY — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:53:09 +0000

AMEN!!

So you got a good one then? :-)

NOTHING new here…..

By: BENZ.INTO.ARMY

BENZ.INTO.ARMY — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:50:30 +0000

Errrrrrrrrrrr NO!…..

You need to put a ‘wading plug’ into the timing chain case BEFORE forwading deep water, stupid or just stupid???

Japanese EVERY time

By: tim

tim — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:16:49 +0000

I think they may have dropped the ball on this one, when everything is running and working, it certainly is near unstoppable – when everything is running. I have owned a 110 in this series from new, and it has been in the workshop for 4 months out of 20. New engine, rear diff, steering gearbox……… it really goes on. Sorry, cannot recommend this series. tim

By: akula

akula — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:14:05 +0000

Rear lockers optional across whole range, front and rear in the SVX models.

By: akula

akula — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:09:56 +0000

Incorrect see previous comment

By: akula

akula — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:05:25 +0000

Rear diff locks factory fitted options. The SVX model front locker is also an option. I dont expect you have considered why Toyo rely on lockers either.

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 !