Sad day RIP Defender

[growforest]

All mine have been record-breaking vehicles.

The first - a Stage 1 V8 - won thirstiest vehicle In The World (cue JC voice).

Next - a Series 111 SWB - won most unreliable vehicle In The World. I still go past all the places it used to break down, and from time to time leaf through the old invoices and wipe away a tear at the thought of all the holidays I could have had instead (it also wins the Biggest File of Paperwork in the Loft award)

Then, a brand new TD5 90 - the most uncomfortable vehicle In The World. Responsible for many a slipped passenger disc and hours of osteopathy for the drivers.

It's all down to personal taste, but I found them unpalatable. RIP:sad:

[Mick Dempsey]

I thought they stopped making them because they couldn't meet euro safety standards, side impact and all that stuff.

Some funny stuff on here, especially Growforest.

The file of old invoices, yeah I had one of those, I prefer not to go through or think about it, too painful.

Still, I did have a Def, so that's ticked off the list.

[Chris Sheppard]

I think when it came to Land Rovers I 've just been really fortunate.

 

I've had 7 that I can remember (a RRC, 4 D1's, a pre-defender 110, a 90 and a 130) and they've been no worse than any other type of vehicle I'd owned.

 

I think part of the problem with used ones is that people use poor quality aftermarket parts to repair on the cheap and then wonder why they fail.

 

My last defender (a 300 tdi 90) was at something like 325,000 miles when I sold it and as far as I know it was on it's original engine, gearbox and axles (I was only the secnd owner from new). I did put a galv chassis under it but the original would easily have welded up if I'd wanted to.

 

It it a shame they're no longer being made, especially as there's nothing quite as utilitarian out there easily available over here.

 

I do still think a big CC, slow revving straight 6 diesel would have been a good choice of engine for them at some point though (a la Land Cruiser) but considering they're diddy engines they did tow OK.

[Logdaft]

Whats the saying about Landys dripping oil?

 

They don`t really leak ... their just marking their territory!

 

Let`s have a minutes silence for the passing of an iconic vehicle! I need to take real good care of my 90 now!

Edited January 29, 2016 by Logdaft

[flatyre]

I wouldn't say they used cheap parts and cheap materials, nor would I agree that they're only on the road due to constant efforts by owners. That makes it sound like the all need weekly attention which wasn't my experience.

 

Lets face it every vehicle needs maintained even the family car but few suffer the abuse or do the work of 75% of the Land Rovers out there. Of course there were particular versions that were more troublesome than others but it was almost always down to the choice of engine.

 

Of all the faults the most difficult to sort unless you were the 1st owner was the bulkhead rusting and that was down to poor design. Being the only steel body part and the part that everything else including the steering box bolted to it should have been galvanised or at least properly rust-proofed but lack of rust proofing was the norm when the Defender (actually 90/110, Defender name came later) was launched

 

No offence but your opinion seems to be based on received wisdom rather than actual experience.

 

I have never owned one, but have driven many in previous jobs, and spent more hours sitting in the yard trying to fix them than I can count. And I know plenty of LR enthusiasts so know the amount of time needed to keep them on the road. Sorry but I just can't see where the price is reflected in a new defender. I would like an older one but only because I have enough mechanical and welding skills to fix most issues. What really pisses me off about the defender is it symbolises British engineering over the last thirty years, great idea, great design, sub standard final product. Sorry but all defenders have a Friday afternoon feel to them:001_huh:

[humpo48]

Yes, a sad day indeed.

 

I think I might have to buy one before the second-hand price rockets!

 

 

To late, Defenders have been going at really stupid prices for some time now.

[william127]

Then, a brand new TD5 90 - the most uncomfortable vehicle In The World. Responsible for many a slipped passenger disc and hours of osteopathy for the drivers.

It's all down to personal taste, but I found them unpalatable. RIP:sad:

 

The comfort level of any car or van is surely down to individual preference and physical shape- my trooper feels very comfortable but gives me backache, my dads ranger feels like I'm sitting on the floor, in my mates jag I feel ridiculously hemmed in and in my defender I feel just right!

 

And I have seen many hiluxs and troopers etc needing welding!

It's def a sad day though.

[R Mac]

@ Flatyre. In that case I apologise but having been considering a pick up myself (Ranger, Navara etc etc) and reading reviews I still feel that when they get used and abused the way most LR's do they aren't the last word in reliability either.

 

I agree that they could have been improved but what couldn't? in LR's case though they had enough time to get everything sorted. Expensive yes, unfortunately.

[Robert_S]

I did laugh when they said "the last one rolled off production line" i thought to myself was that because it would not start

 

They have there place for work, but why anyone would choose to use one for a personal vehicle? that i will never understand.

[TGB]

Despite all the bad bits, I do like them.