JSG

The press reports had made reference to them overtaking a minibus and trailer which sounded odd on a single track road but I heard that he had pulled off the road to let them past and the back dropped off the bank and into the river. Lets hope the press don't make it out to be something its not.

Can't say for sure but I'd expect there are replacement 'straight through' sections available. I used to have a TVR and new cats were about £600! My local specialist had a bloke who made up a couple of replacement sections for £50. Don't think the MOT is bothered by them missing either.

Don't know if many of you know him but from a post on LRA I believe this is Gresh's family. Sad news Land Rover Crash

I think that is true for a Series but not a 90 / 110.

Yep that's a ... 'They all do that sir'

Not a lot you can do with a bonnet that shape - I will get wing tops and prob not the bonnet bit for now.

At least 30mpg each time I've checked it.

My Defender does it - the rear were rpelaced to cure it but the fronts are still noisy - dealer is talking to Land Rover about it - I reckon they'll need to fit new calipers.

I've only seen it in their advert - but they must get it from someone else.........

I've got on on the hybrid to cool the V8 - standard fan switch was cr@p so I fitted an X-eng fan switch a year or so back - looks more bling as well - and that works fine.

Update time. I have to say that although the poor marks I'd give to Lancaster Sales Dept (only the female I dealt with and her manager who didn't even return my calls) their service dept continues to be excellent so far. New discs / pads were fitted, seat adjusted but not perfect (rearmost catch tight) so new frame on order. Rattle still not gone from brake pads so LR asked for ideas. Lancaster agreed that the factory underseal wasn't as good as I should expect and have said they will take it in for a couple of days when the seat fram arrives and get their bodyshop to steam clean the underside and fully wax treat it. Can't ask for better than that really. I'll keep you all advised.

Well Lancasters have just called and its ready to collect; Rattle from the rear pads (there from new but I'd waited till it had something else to sort) New rear pads have fixed this Front discs warped - appeared in France (judder when braking from 70mph) and confirmed by dealer in Nantes very effiently after a call to LR Assistance New discs and pads fitted Rear NS door central locking motor sticks on occasionally New motor on order Plus new rear seat frame on order as they couldn't adjust the fold catch correctly and you can't get the catch on its own And.... Poor underseal They agree with me and want to have for a couple of days to clean and thoroughly treat the underside.

Agreed, I fold the NS rear seat flat along with part of the middle row and get a nice flat platform for the Oztent.

He was talking about it but I don't think he has yet. I keeping waiting for someone to be the guinea pig as there are times when I'd like the space - although to be fair so far its been fine with them in.

Fingers crossed I've not had any of the problems above bar the lack of noise at 80mph. No heat problem even on the long high speed runs on French autoroutes. I've now done 5,800 miles and it pulls fantastically as the engine has loosened up. Its not been without niggles though (as I expected) and its in the dealers today to sort the following; Rattle from the rear pads (there from new but I'd waited till it had something else to sort) Front discs warped - appeared in France (judder when braking from 70mph) and confirmed by dealer in Nantes very effiently after a call to LR Assistance Rear NS door central locking motor sticks on occasionally And.... Poor underseal Hopefully it will be back tonight as I'm off to the Peterborough show first thing tomorrow and the 110 has space for the Oztent and the power connecter for the fridge. I have a Freebie 2 HSE today with too many buttons and sunroofs.

I know the turning circle of the 110 is worse but is it really that bad? No, you get used to it and after a while you don't notice it, you just drive accordingly. Am I going to lose significant fuel efficiency (TD5)? No, from what I've seen the difference is negligible. Does a 110 take forever to warm up in the morning? No although the heat takes more time to reach the rear seats the front is just the same as a 90. Is there any appreciable loss of stiffness in the extra length? Not noticed any. Is a 110 worse in any appreciable way? No - it is better as a family car - just the turning circle is worse.

Yup, another vote for 'Really Useful Boxes' here. I had used an old spares box from my service engineer days for camping equipment but when it started falling apart bought a couple of the above from the local Staples stationary store. They are cheap yet really strong - you can supposedly stand a car on them according to one advert. They are a good square shape, stack well and you can see whats inside them.

Welcome chap - Defender ownership will make you smile

Knowing Daz, the speakers are ok - its just the stuff he plays on it.

As MOG says - 'Not in their intrest to do so' I'd have paid extra for one though. Mine is going in on Friday for the snag list which includes the underseal so I'll let you know how I get on.

I bought a Series III for my laning toy (then sold it to buy ALF) which was on the Isle of Skye - and I live near Reading. I flew up and drove it back. So I don't see what your problem is.

Well......... aside from the option of buying one from Halfrauds or similar which would be more than 3p I'd suggest the LR branded Clarion that is in the new 07 Defender XS model. It has an aux input for an iPod or any other MP3 and also plays MP3 format CDs. The good bit for you on price is that they are cropping up on ebay and the forums as people upgrade to DVD players etc and flog the old one off cheap.

In your unbiased opinion that is then Dave?

I don't remember him on there - what was his login? If it was the same as here I may just have ignored him as it doesn't ring any bells.

Defenders - The Thinking Man's Choice