nigelr32

I think it's great! It does a comfortable 70 mph on the motorway, and doesn't bang and crash over bumps. I admit, it probably doesn't have the build quality of the older models, but it's good on fuel and it's new. I'm looking forward to having a decent heater next winter!! Apparently he saw some ratings on Google that put the Puma at the top of the list for unreliability and poor build quality?? Nige

Hi all, A friend was telling me that the newest Land Rover Defenders have been given the accolade of worst 4x4 money can buy?? Having just bought a Puma 90, I'm a little concerned!! Has anyone else heard this rumour, or is my mate just jealous?? Nige

The kit is available from all model shops currently. The retail is £17:99, so be careful of people trying to rip you off on flea bay!!

Well Guys, after all my ramblings, and searching for insurance, I have actually stayed with Admiral!! They now cover mods, and were cheaper than anyone else??? I got cover for my Puma and my other car for £650!! my other car is a 10 plate Mazda. Thanks for all your tips and suggestions, but it would seem that all the companies shy away from new Land Rovers??

Don't forget the new release from Hobbyboss. They've just released a 1/35 scale 110 WMIK. It's a lovely kit, and is bigger than the 1/48 kits from airfix. It has a 300tdi fitted, and full chassis/suspension detail.

I should have made myself clear in the last post. The declining companies will only insure landy's over 9 or 10 years old. Nige

The reason some quotes were declined was because the vehicle is brand new. I've always believed the older models are more likely to get stolen?? The Puma has a cat2 alarm and immobiliser. As cwazywabbit said, the Puma is worth too much. Mine books at £21000. I think I'm gonna go with sureterm. The guy I spoke to was very knowledgable and helpful. Nige

Thanks for all your tips Guys. I thought I'd compile a list of my findings. Bear in mind I'm 48 with 13 years no claims!! Standard vehicle:- A Flux. £1000 Footman James declined to quote Lancaster declined Frank Pickles declined Sureterm £374 Land Rover £544 Hastings £650 NFU £455 With mods. ( wheels, Snorkel, underbody protection and 2" lift). Sureterm £424 Land Rover £544 NFU £500 What's strange is that Land Rover don't seem to care about mods? Nfu don't charge admin, but sureterm charge £30 everytime you make a change. I'm shocked at Adrian Flux, as I've had insurance with them in the past for a few modded skylines!! Nige

Hi all, I realise insurance has been covered a million times on here, but I have a need that no other post seems to answer...... I have a new Puma 90, which I intend to modify. I've called the companies recommend on here, such as Frank Pickles and Lancaster, but they won't cover new vehicles. Sureterm have quoted £350, but will charge admin every time I add something. Basically, my question is.... What company will give me a good quote without charging me £20 odd every time I add something? Nige

Just for future reference, I thought I'd pass on a little advice on this one. I've never done this actual job, but have been met with similar issues on other vehicles. One method that will definitly work in this application is to first knock the cup at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions. If the cup doesn't break away, it will lift and expose the spot welds as dimples in the surface, as the rest of the cup will have lifted away around them. Failing that, a good going over with a flap wheel in a grinder will show them up as the thin steel of the cup will discolour, but the spot welds won't. Nige

I can assure everyone that Ziebart works. I have a 33 year old Fiat that still has no rust, and was Ziebart treated from new. One other thing I can assure you all of, is that the chassis will rot from the inside out. My old '84 90 was treated to a new Galv chassis, and when I cut the old one up I found the bottom of each rail was paper thin, and each rail was full of about two buckets full of scale each!! It didn't look too bad from the outside, but I replaced it cos it had a couple of patches already, and I got a good deal on the new one. I've just Waxoyled every single cavity, box section, under seat box and hole on my new Puma. Luckily, I got it before it ever saw any water whatsoever, so the totally dry seams sucked the Waxoyl up through capillary action. Just my 2p

Now there's some good advice Mickey!! I've got a feeling I'll be OK as mine does seem quite tall, and it does say "heavy duty suspension" on the build sheet the dealer gave me when I bought it. I'm looking forward to seeing the pics Steve is gonna load up!! Thanks everyone, this site is really helpful with all your experience!! Nige

Not too sure about height, but definitely wider. I have 7.5 x 16 on lovely White steelies, just like a britains toy lol. Nige

Thanks Steve. I called MM4x4 today and they recommended 265/75x16for a standard Puma 90. I'd be interested to see how these look on a standard height 90. Can anyone send a link please? I'm thinking of getting black modulars. Thanks again Nige

Ford do a nice non metallic grey these days. I'm not sure of the name or code, but I've seen a few Mondeos and focus' in the colour. Your painter is right. Clear over base will be a costly repair job if you want scratches sorted, and matching panels will be a nightmare, if you expect to replace panels that is??

So I guess they'll fit a standard 2011 Puma 90 then??

Puma handbrake levers get hot because there is a heater vent right next to it. Just my 2p Nige

Thanks Ron, they look like they'll do the job? I don't fancy cutting anything about, as she's not a fortnight old yet lol. So, the black ones would have to do. Nige

Well, I'm almost done now. I've spent a few hours a day getting her all waxoyled now, and just have the front main chassis rails to do now. It makes a mess wherever I park it as it all runs out everywhere. The best part for is the fact that it hasn't rained since it was built, so all the welded and spot welded seams are soaking the thinned waxoyl up a treat!! I'm also well into getting every nut and bolt covered in coppaslip, but am a little concerned about how I'm gonna take the main suspension attachment bolts out, whilst keeping everything aligned for easy replacement? Nige

My god you guys are good on here!! That's exactly what I meant Western. I notice it's for a 110, but I guess it'll fit a 90? I'm going to Gaydon this Sunday, so hopefully I'll pick one up there at a special price???

Thanks for your quick reply webersdad. I didn't realise it was a step?? I have a new Puma 90, and am not impressed with the way they make the rear xmember, compared to the older models. The body slightly overhangs the xmember at each end, so I want to "hide" it. Nige

Hi all, As a newbie, I'm looking for a little advice. I've seen a few defenders around with a tubular rear "bumper" that bolts to the rear crossmember. They fit to the rear corners and run down and out from there. I'm just wondering where I can buy one, as I can't find a link or anyone advertising one. All advice will be appreciated. Nige

Well, I got the back door done today, and what a job that was!!! Once you rip off the door card, there isn't much access to get the wax in, but I did manage to get the lance up and over the rear window through the holes the door card clips on with. It took forever for the excess to drain out, but now I have the peace of mind that it's done. I also did all the rivetted and spot welded seams in the rear tub. Front bulkhead tomorrow. ... Happyoldgit, this weather is not ideal. It takes forever for the wax to set because all the panels are so bloody hot!! Nige

Ok Guys. A little update. I went for a little spin today, to get more Waxoyl, and the flat spot went, reappeared, then went again. I just know it won't do it when I take it back, so is all this still indicative of the EGR valve? Nige

Thanks happyoldgit. That name would suit me down to the ground!! I got the doors done today. Stripped out the door cards and gave em a good soaking all round the seams and total lower inner panel. I also got the rear x member done and started my regime of putting coppaslip on every single nut and bolt thread. One day, someones gonna restore my 90 and say "thanks for taking the trouble to do all this Nige"!! I will crack on tomorrow with this laborious task, I love it really. Nige