russianfrog Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 Hi everyone, About to celebrate the 16th birthday of our good old Defender 110, we are seriously considering getting a new one (if the banker is nice). I've tested it, on and off road, the car is good, no doubt. The fuel consumption seems decent and at last there seems to be a delivery date available (8-10 months). We plan for a 7 seats (grand parents can't drive anymore) and some simple options (tow ball, heated front seats, lane assist). Now, the real question is which power? - D200 seems a little too weak for perform well; - D300 is quite more expensive, drives faster but I don't buy such car to race. => How about the D250? Is it a good compromise, or is it the right car? Please share your experience and thoughts. What are the main pros and cons of the 3 models? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 My D200 is fantastic - lots of power and torque and more than adequate for my needs. I think it will depend what you are used to, I was coming from a 200Tdi so it was quite the step up. The other benefit in my view is that it’s the same engine for all three power levels, so the D200/250 are effectively detuned. In my view that means the engine is operating with a huge safety margin for wear/loading. Finally - a D200 can be turned into a D250 with nothing more than a software change. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 On 2/4/2023 at 4:30 PM, Retroanaconda said: My D200 is fantastic - lots of power and torque and more than adequate for my needs. I think it will depend what you are used to, I was coming from a 200Tdi so it was quite the step up. The other benefit in my view is that it’s the same engine for all three power levels, so the D200/250 are effectively detuned. In my view that means the engine is operating with a huge safety margin for wear/loading. Finally - a D200 can be turned into a D250 with nothing more than a software change. I wonder if they've got any internal differences? The basic engine in my Mini is the same in the lower powered S, but the JCW has fancier pistons and rods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russianfrog Posted August 15, 2023 Author Share Posted August 15, 2023 Big news: We got our D250 (110, 7 seats, white roof!) about 2 weeks ago and after more than 4,000km across Europe, I can tell it is a great truck! After driving the "Old" Defender for more than 15 years (and before that an old Range Rover and even a Series 3), I am confident to say the feeling of driving this new car is quite similar with the previous one. Except it's smooth, comfortable, quiet, and powerful. And it consumes less (about 9-10 l/100km) than the old one! In terms of design, I admit the front part of the car isn't so wonderful, but the overall silhouette and the back are "Defender" in spirit and shape. The driving has proved very good, and the little green-laning and off-roading I tried was even absurdly easy. But, hey, the whole point is to pass everywhere, no said we had to suffer! I'm still discovering what does what and I might have questions for those of you who know more about the car. So far, one little thing I find not good is the windscreen wipers with the spray attached to them. It doesn't clean well the windscreen and I really don't know what benefit it brings us. The third-row seats are also for people with short legs... We knew that and don't plan on using them daily. So, overall, great car, I'm a very happy driver. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 1 minute ago, russianfrog said: Big news: We got our D250 (110, 7 seats, white roof!) about 2 weeks ago and after more than 4,000km across Europe, I can tell it is a great truck! After driving the "Old" Defender for more than 15 years (and before that an old Range Rover and even a Series 3), I am confident to say the feeling of driving this new car is quite similar with the previous one. Except it's smooth, comfortable, quiet, and powerful. And it consumes less (about 9-10 l/100km) than the old one! In terms of design, I admit the front part of the car isn't so wonderful, but the overall silhouette and the back are "Defender" in spirit and shape. The driving has proved very good, and the little green-laning and off-roading I tried was even absurdly easy. But, hey, the whole point is to pass everywhere, no said we had to suffer! I'm still discovering what does what and I might have questions for those of you who know more about the car. So far, one little thing I find not good is the windscreen wipers with the spray attached to them. It doesn't clean well the windscreen and I really don't know what benefit it brings us. The third-row seats are also for people with short legs... We knew that and don't plan on using them daily. So, overall, great car, I'm a very happy driver. This post is worthless without pictures! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russianfrog Posted August 15, 2023 Author Share Posted August 15, 2023 34 minutes ago, L19MUD said: This post is worthless without pictures! Really? What do you want to see? The car is quite standard honestly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 9 minutes ago, russianfrog said: Really? What do you want to see? The car is quite standard honestly. Always good to see though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 We don't believe you otherwise, you could be making it all up. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Drumstick Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 1 hour ago, russianfrog said: Really? What do you want to see? The car is quite standard honestly. I think people just like to see photos tbh. If you did 2500 miles across Europe I’m sure you must have some good shots. Glad you are enjoying your new vehicle. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 14 hours ago, russianfrog said: So far, one little thing I find not good is the windscreen wipers with the spray attached to them. It doesn't clean well the windscreen and I really don't know what benefit it brings us Oh, that's surprising. It actually works really well on my GLE. I like that it doesn't blind you with water while wiping. But you may not want to see the cost of a new set of wiper blades... Congrats on the Defender, when I see one pass by I still sometimes think "I should've just gotten one of those". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 37 minutes ago, elbekko said: Oh, that's surprising. It actually works really well on my GLE. I like that it doesn't blind you with water while wiping. But you may not want to see the cost of a new set of wiper blades... Congrats on the Defender, when I see one pass by I still sometimes think "I should've just gotten one of those". Always worked well when I’ve used that kind. My daily has conventional ones which usually means the first wipe gets rid of most of the screenwash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post russianfrog Posted August 16, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2023 Ok, ok, here are some pictures! I have the feeling the number of New Defenders on the road varies greatly from country to country. I didn't see any in France and Germany, but each time I drive in Czechia I see one on the road! Does anyone have access to European sales by country? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 That's a nice spec. 1 hour ago, russianfrog said: each time I drive in Czechia Yes, well dare I suggest that it is one of the destinations for all the brand new ones over here that get nicked.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russianfrog Posted August 16, 2023 Author Share Posted August 16, 2023 1 hour ago, Bowie69 said: That's a nice spec. Yes, well dare I suggest that it is one of the destinations for all the brand new ones over here that get nicked.... Well, I didn't see many with the wheel on the right! There are a lot of old ones too. People like them I reckon... Now, seriously, a lot of them get stolen in the UK? I think I'll keep my good old club across the wheel then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Yeah lots of modern land rovers get nicked over here along with defenders of all ages sadly . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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