[2007 Defender Post up your Offroad Pics]

Photographing butterflies, at about 2,000ft on Meall Greig, Lawers range, Perthshire. Loch Tay in the background.

Colin

[Puma Defender 2.4TDci]

Had mine 10 months. No significant probs. Only done about 4k miles as it's just used at weekends and rarely goes out of the glen where I live. Frequently light off road.

Niggles:

- air con [yes I know I'm a wimp] didn't cool - low on coolant - "fixed" by dealer

- side light and an indicator stopped working. Screwdriver job to re-fit very ropey loose connection.

On the few occasions it's done longer runs it has been much more comfortable than my old 110 TD5.

Heated front screen is invaluable on those -10C mornings.

I love it.

Colin

[07 Defender Niggles]

ac seems to have been a bit of a problem as with the abs sensors on some 07 models

dave h on land rover uk has ac -problems be waiting 7 weeks for a part ac valve

take it back get a loan freelander or disco and keep it until its fixed

I'll see what the dealer says about the A/C. No rush on my part as it's rarely that warm anyway.

Certainly don't want a Freelander or D3 - just gave them a D3 back.

Colin

[07 Defender Niggles]

Other than that it's fine (he said, tempting fate) and a joy to drive.

Big mistake. Went to the beach yesterday since it was a lovely warm day. Now know that the air con is not working. It did work at first. I don't usually use it much, as I have the window down so my elbow...etc.

But it's definitely not working now, damn. Obligatory beach photo attached...

[07 Defender Niggles]

There has been quite a few complaints about the new defender and people paying 20>30k for a vehicle that might not have the build quality of a D3 (heated seats etc), but I'm afraid we must not forget that Land Rover is where it is today becuase of this old clunky beast. They are a fit for purpuse machine that will pull any cattle trailer covered in cow sh8t for alot longer than any other 4x4.

Don't misunderstand me. Heated seat is not a big deal at all - just an observation. I agree entirely about horses for courses. I love my new Defender and if I wanted a pretend 4x4 with concert hall stereo then I could have bought one. But it would have been wrecked in two years and only a fraction of the fun. I'm off to check my neighbours hill farm for him (while he's on holiday) right now. Guess which vehicle I'm taking....

Colin

[07 Defender Niggles]

Right then. I've ran in nearly 200 miles on a new 07 110 sw and I've picked up on a few niggles. Have any of you experienced the following:

ABS light used to go off straight away when starting up. It now takes 30-40 seconds when the vehicle is cold (at first I didn't think it was going to go out)

If coasting to junction in neutral with either clutch in or out I get a clunking from the drivetrain

When engaging diff lock it took a while for the warning light to come on at first. It now comes on straight away. However, when taking diff lock out, the gear stick will move into a central position and a position further to the right. If you move the shift as far right as it will go eventually it moves back to the central position. (Only found this out when looking for the cause of the second symptom.

Also, unusual for a defender, the outside lane of a dual carriageway is no longer a frustrating place to be (although the new gear ratio's are taking a bit of getting used to)

I've done about 1,700 miles now.

ABS - light comes on at start but behaves itself and goes out appropriately

Coasting - not something I tend to do but had no issues with clunking

Diff lock - used a moderate amount and, again, seems to work just fine. The usual lag for off but thats always the case.

6th gear - fabulous when I need it, but nearest motorway is 50 miles away.

Gearbox heat - not noticed any. Have done a few two hour trips including some motorway and it's been fine.

Issues I have:

Heated front seat - very slow to heat up compared to my D3. God help my arse when it's -10C.

Two of the lights, a front side, and a rear indicator, looked like the bulbs had failed but the connections were just loose. Quickly fixed by me.

Offside headlight has condensation in it. Just noticed this tonight. I'm not familiar with the unit. Is this a dodgy seal or something terminally wrong with the unit?

Other than that it's fine (he said, tempting fate) and a joy to drive.

Colin

[2007 defender]

Mine is going back to have the underseal inspected on Monday and I might mention that you have to be right beside the front doors to get the alarm and CL to respond to the key fob.

Yes, the central locking fob does seem to be very weak. I have to be pretty much next to the car before it will work. Holding the fob up helps a bit.

I haven't checked the underseal and it's now pretty muddy under there. Perhaps I'll just have to take it through the river then have a look!

Just after I got it the nearside rear indicator was out and it looked like the bulb had blown. I opened it up to change and the bulb looked fine. Put it back to test and it was fine. Sigh. Put it all back together and it's been working since.

[2007 Model Defender Head count ?]

Trying to get it dirty...

Tow bar

Chequer plate

Snorkel

["Removable" Secure Box for Rear of CSW]

Thanks for suggestions.

Mobile Storage Systems look interesting, http://www.mobilestoragesystems.fsnet.co.uk/. Also found Trojan Crates in Aberdeen who will make a custom box to suit. Don't know how much it costs yet but I think I'll investigate these two.

[New Defender]

Here's the new ride. Pimped up and looking way too clean.

["Removable" Secure Box for Rear of CSW]

I'm looking for a secure box to hold my camera equipment when in transit. I'd like it to be fixed to the vehicle and lockable. Also would like to be able to fairly quickly attach/detach when I want to use rear seats (probably not too frequently).

Any ideas. I was thinking a tool box might do, if I filled it with foam material. Or I could by an aluminium flight case and drill out some fixings?

Are there mounting points in the floor of the CSW somewhere? How does the LR Gun case secure to the floor?

Any ideas welcomed.

Ta

Colin

[New Defender]

Picking mine up tomorrow at 10am. 90 CSW XS, Tonga Green. If I get pics tomorrow I will post links.

[2007 Defender - Steering Protection?]

My 110 XS is due ? Early June, and all the bits (front winch, steering guard, rack etc) are coming off the old one, and going on the new,,

When i looked under the demo i had, all the parts should fit across, as no visible difference from the TD5 version,

For what you are doing,, i would go for a steering guard & diff guard

Something like this for the diff

and something like this for the steering

Thanks for this. How hard to fit? Will I need any more than a torque wrench and some sockets?

[2007 Defender - Steering Protection?]

I've got a 90 CSW XS on order for delivery in mid June. I got quoted an obscene amount by the dealer for for some steering protection. I declined thinking I might be better sourcing myself.

I'm a bit of a newby to this so please bear with me. (I've previously had a 110 TD5 CSW, and 3 Discos, currently a latest incarnation Disco.)

I will use the car around highland Perthshire. I cross some river fords - about 20-25". I want to protect against clattering the underside against a rock in the river - they can get moved around in the winter floods etc.

My questions are basically - what do I need, and will the parts fit to '07 XS CSW:

Dan bar?

Track rod/steering protection?

Steering guard - with recovery eyes - or are separate ones better

Diff guard?

Are there any changes to the '07 car that mean that parts might not fit?

Thanks

Lyonheart