Top90

I'm amazed so many people have problems with dealers, mine have always been good. I picked up my 90 on Saturday after they fixed a PAS leak (first fault after 7k miles) and it was valeted inside and out with two gallons more in the tank than I left it with. But they did collect it with the fuel light on. Richard

BFGs are quieter than you may expect. I don't notice the ATs at all and have minimal noise that never bothered me when using MTs everyday including on the motorway. By contrast I've heard several other MTs that are much worse. I only use BFGs now unless I need a really aggressive tyre like a Simex. The 255/85/16 BFG MT is a great all-round tyre. Richard

I got 24-25 in the Autos and 26-27 in the manual. Both autos I had did 2 mpg less than the manual. Richard

Thanks Jim.

The Maxi Drive portal ends were about £9,000 or more for a set of four with all the costs when I asked which put me off the idea.

No, Landrover don't meet my standards for car cleaning.

Have to say I'm very impressed by Landrover assistance. You thought this was going to be a post slagging them off didn't you !! Only problem (so far) with the 90 surfaced today, I'm losing PAS fluid. 90 collected by Landrover assistance, replacement vehicle promised... told them I don't want a Fiesta/Micra etc... Replacement vehicle delivered and it's a 57 plate Range Rover Vogue. (bit of a let down actually. Don't know why but it just does not feel special - no character like the defender) Richard

I used a 300TDi 110 for one year and then Td5 110 CSW for two years to commute 400 miles per week with no problems. Now doing it in a 90, which is a bit more bouncy on uneven roads (110 was very stable due to longer wheelbase) but easier to park. Overall I found the 110 very stable, comfortable and quiet at 70mph. (with disco II transfer gears) You can also fit a huge amount of stuff in the back. The last 110 I took to Croatia for a few weeks and they do make a great vehicle for trips. They are good around town as people seem to naturally give you more space, even though a defender is not very wide. Richard

Very true. I do 300 miles in the 90, light comes on. Do another 30 and needle drops off the bottom of the gauge. Do another 30 and fill up with a gallon still spare in the tank.

My defender has one key that does the doors and ignition. Land Rover sell replacement lock sets where they are all the same key. It's the older models that had a seperate ignition key.

I thought standard 90 tanks were 12 gal under the seat and 13.2 at the rear...

This looks good. I don't know many people who run Simex on an everyday truck, so the tyre limit and size makes sense if you are trying to attract new faces. Most people who have not done an event yet that I've seen seem to run ATs or MTs. Richard

I would imagine pedestrians bounce of the rubber/foam type much better then the solid steel bar at body height. In fact the newer ones are probably better for pedestrians than having no bar at all fitted to the front of a defender.

Although it's an interesting idea, I'd be nervous to sign up to something for a year not knowing how many times I could make it in advance. (assuming I lived closer) Bit like a gym membership. People sign a direct debit authorisation for a year, go for three months and the enthusiasm falls off. A ticket that allowed a set number of visits maybe? Such as for people who thought they could go 4 or 6 times in a year? Richard

But as they can't be fitted from new, wouldn't you need to inform the insurance company it's modified?

Maybe a bit late... but at this time of year you don't really need a fan on a diesel. I commuted in to London for two months in a 300tdi before fitting an electric fan after taking the vicous one off. As long as your radiator is decent of course.

My understanding is that a hot axle meets cold water, air inside contracts and if sealed it will suck water in through the seals. TD5 axles should have the tubes already. you just need to extend them to under the bonnet or up the snorkle. Should not need to drill any holes.

Landy is better than "how's your jeep?" Which is always followed by a sarcastic answer.

I removed the bracing bars for an intercooler. After time the slam panel started to move as you shut the bonnet so I went over to bonnet pins.

I meant, if the station wagon price includes VAT that this thread is about it seems good. Sounds like we got similar deals, but I had to collect mine. Mind you, after reading on here I told them if the underseal was carp I wouldn't take it. It got the best coating of any defender I've had !

I was around that figure too after some help from MJIbex on this forum. If that figure includes VAT it does seem good.

They are an £800 option, but you can get them much cheaper. That's the inflated Land Rover price. It does not cost £200 per corner to upgrade a steel to an alloy when you are getting tyres anyway. So if it bothers you that much I'd buy a new rim. Probably £75ish, possibly cheaper on ebay? Or as MOG said, get it refurbed.

You can only use them 2 or 3 times AFAIK. I'd always change them though, just in case.

A 90 is normally harsher than something like a 110 (or many other vehicles) due to the length of the wheelbase which can make the ride a bit choppy. If that's not the problem then speak to a few companies that do suspension. With standard springs and dampers (not HD) you should get a nice ride. There are several suppliers such as Devon, Scorpion etc.. Ideally find a company near you, take the vehicle in so they can have a look and talk to them face to face. Then if it's not quite right you can change them easier. Taking parts off and exchanging when you have bought by mail order is more of a headache and you only have the opinion of someone who has not seen or ridden in the vehicle. Richard I do 500 miles a week in my 90 and it's fine, so it is possible.

I drove down in a 6 month old 110 CSW a few years back. No problems at all with locals or damage. In Zagreb the parking attendant even let us park for free without paying. We made it a nice drive there and back by stopping for a few nights here and there on the way as it involves going through quite a few countries. Richard