Classics are immortal, a common saying tells us. This is true, but there is still one change in the life of the classics: sooner or later, she remains to live only in hearts and memories, leaving the usual rhythm of everyday life. This happens with music, painting, architecture ... It happens with people, discoveries and inventions. So it happened with the Land Rover Defender.
Another anniversary
The Defender remained one of the few infinitely tough that seemed unsinkable. Despite the decline in output and demand, he continued his assembly line life in Solihull - quiet, measured, but strict, as befits an elderly veteran. In the last years of this life, when conversations about the completion of production became too loud, so loud that even the veteran himself heard them, the demand grew - people tried to be in time, bought for future use and for memory, bought for business and soul. The end of production was even postponed from December to January. But what is two months of life if you are already sixty-eight ...
Over the years, everything has happened - military service, the conquest of the African deserts, helping the sick and suffering, hard country work, idle fussing in the mud and serving the royal family. The two million hard workers who have left the assembly shop over the years have honorably performed everything that was entrusted to them. The last of them will take a place in museums, leaving the descendants a living reminder that the car was so - simple, rude, uncomfortable, but almost animate.
It remains to say that a whole era has passed with the departure of the Defender - but, although this is true, there is no need to end on this note. Enough groans. Moreover, even at the plant in Solihull, where the solemn ceremony of the end of production took place, at which the last car, there were no tears. The era remains with us as long as its representatives remain. And they will be enough for a long time. Therefore, on January 29, not a farewell evening was held at the plant, but another anniversary.
Remember history
Strictly speaking, the current Defender is the heir to the original Land Rover Series I, born in post-war England as a means of earning money to resume production of Rover vehicles. The unpretentious square car was hastily riveted with an eye to use in agriculture, and the unpretentious was the source of inspiration. Land Rover's body, by the way, received one of its main features just then: since steel after the war was a valuable and scarce material, the bodies of new SUVs were made of sheet aluminum alloy. This is also due to the extremely primitive shape: the body was such that it was easy to make it from sheet blanks, so there were no graceful bends and transitions here. But later, the owners of even modern Defenders received just such a body - light and resistant to corrosion.
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In the photo: Land Rover Series I
The new "farm assistant" took root, and instead of disappearing, giving the opportunity to produce other cars, specialized for the company, he himself became the founder of a whole family of cars. All-wheel drive, extreme simplicity and unpretentiousness made it popular despite the low level of comfort and the lack of a more suitable diesel engine. Diesel appeared only almost ten years later - in 1957.
In 1958, the second generation of the model saw the light, whose name was as simple as itself - Land Rover Series II. He, however, has already been touched by the designer's hand, giving him one more "family trait" that remained with him for the rest of his life - the body extension line at the "waist" passing under the window. Its main role, however, was purely functional - to cover the widened track. All other features of the car were preserved, and he continued his successful journey.
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In the photo: Land Rover Series II
Third generation - Series III - easily distinguished by main feature: headlights that have moved from the grille to the fenders. Land cars Rover Series III became the most common - from 1971 to 1985, about 440 thousand SUVs were produced. There were quite a few of them in the British army: the armed forces became interested in the car from its very birth, and by the end of the 70s, more than nine thousand Land Rover Series III were in service.
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In the photo: Land Rover Series III
In 1983, another generational change took place, as a result of which the model received two main modifications - a long and a short one, called Land Rover 110 and Land Rover 90, respectively. The indexes indicated the length of the wheelbase in inches. The appearance of the car did not change too dramatically, but the technical filling was nevertheless revised: the springs gave way to a spring suspension, a permanent all-wheel drive system with a two-stage "razdatka" and blocking center differential was borrowed from the new model of the company - Range Rover, more modern engines appeared under the hood, and the interior was slightly "refined". And that was enough!
On the picture: Land Rover 90 and Land Rover 110
The further life of the SUV was varied in terms of surrounding events, but calm in relation to its production. Changed engines, added modifications, experimented with wheelbase and applications - all of this was within his reach. Oh yes, he acquired the name Defender only in 1990 - in lineup the Discovery model appeared, which received the base name Land Rover, so they decided to give the "old man" a new name so as not to confuse buyers. In the 2010s, Defender, of course, already looked like a veteran, but thanks to a series of technical improvements he was again and again adjusted to the tougher demands, far from those presented to him in 1948. In 2012, for example, he received an updated engine of the Ford Duratorq line - a 2.2-liter diesel engine that meets Euro 5 requirements. And he continued his service until he passed his post on January 29, 2016.
Land Rover Defender is one of the most legendary frame SUVsexisting today. The first model of this car was put on the conveyor back in 1948 and land release The Rover Defender continued for nearly 70 years with minimal technological change.
Car production was discontinued in February 2016, as the Defender did not meet European safety standards, and did not leave pedestrians a chance to survive during the accident.
Currently, the Land Rover Defender can only be purchased from hands. Therefore, it is extremely important to know the strengths and weaknesses. technical aspects a car, so as not to buy yourself headache for a lot of money.
Land Rover Defender Specific Features
This car has a very simple construction and the minimum level of comfort (like our UAZ). Moreover, its cost is quite high. This is explained by the fact that the car has a cult status and, even without modifications, is able to storm any off-road.
When purchasing Defender from your hands, one should not be surprised that despite the low mileage, the car can be worn out quite badly.
Also, if the machine is equipped power kit, a body lift is made and a winch is installed, then there is no doubt that this Defender stormed off-road.
The reliability of this car is legendary, but even the Land Rover Defender has sore spots and design flaws that you should be aware of.
Weaknesses of Land Rover Defender
Body and frame;
the engine is afraid of our diesel fuel;
Transmission;
all-wheel drive elements;
power steering;
swivel balls;
transfer case oil seals.
Body and frame.
The car has a very reliable frame, made of the best English steel. As practice shows, even 20 summer SUV maintains a perfect frame, without the slightest signs of corrosion.
Unfortunately, the body of an English SUV cannot boast of such durability. It is made from quality aircraft grade aluminum and will hardly rot. On the other hand, an intensive oxidation process takes place at the joints with steel parts. In these places, the aluminum simply collapses, crumbles and turns into a white powder. Therefore, if during the inspection of the Land Rover Defender, incomprehensible white spots were found, then it is best to refrain from buying.
Engine.
The latest modification of the Land Rover Defender (model range 2012) has the most reliable diesel engineused also in commercial ford car Transit. This is the so-called "millionaire", however, its weak point is low-quality diesel fuel.
In order to check the injectors, you need to start the car. If the SUV runs unevenly on idling or even stalls, then you should think about a more accurate diagnosis of the English car.
Transmission.
If the Land Rover Defender has traveled over 100,000 kilometers or has been operated in particularly harsh conditions, then it is necessary to check the synchronizers and locks in the gearbox. For a preliminary check, it is enough to simply drive a few kilometers in an SUV. If, when driving under load, the speeds change with a rattle and crackle, or completely fall out of the lock, then it is better to refuse to buy a Land Rover Defender. A high-quality checkpoint repair will cost 2-3 thousand dollars, which is quite a decent amount in rubles today.
All-wheel drive elements.
For the unique cross-country ability and long-travel suspension you have to pay with reduced quality. The classic Land Rover Defender sore is the current transfer case. Typically, the leak begins after 70-100 thousand mileage, but if you operate the car off-road, the disease will begin to progress much earlier.
It is very simple to check the malfunction. Just place a couple of pieces of paper under the car and wait 30-40 minutes. Or simply inspect the asphalt that was under the car. If oil stains are found, the Defender is definitely leaking and needs to be repaired.
Power steering.
Perhaps the most sore spot cult car... The first generation hydraulic booster is installed in Defender. Already after 50-60 thousand run it makes itself felt. And by 100,000 it will require replacement or overhaul... The cost of solving the problem is at least $ 800. Unfortunately, it is impossible to check the power steering with the “naked eye”. You should focus on the mileage and general condition of the car.
Swivel balls.
Due to the wear of the boot, as a result of active off-road operation, dirt and water get into the balls. Accordingly, there is a loss of lubrication and, if you do not notice in time and do not regularly check it at all, then you can "get stuck" on a tidy sum. Since you will have to change not only the ball itself, but also the complete CV joint, hub bearings, etc.
Also, on many cars, transfer case oil seals may leak.
Disadvantages of Land Rover Defender
For such a car, poor noise insulation is not surprising;
low level of comfort;
high cost of repairs and spare parts;
weak dynamics.
But I want to repeat once again that despite all the listed weaknesses and systematic malfunctions, Land Rover Defender remains and will remain a legend of off-road for a long time. Timely service and smart operation are key.
P.S: Dear owners, if during the operation of your Land Rover Defender, defects were identified, please let us know in the comments below. Thanks in advance!
Weak spots and disadvantages of Land Rover Defender was last modified: April 28th, 2018 by Administrator
Every year used Land Rover Defender on secondary market is getting smaller, and their prices are growing ...
Defender clearly divides all people into two camps: those who adore him and those who hate him. On it, however, you can hang another stereotypical statement: "this is not yours, if it is not yours," and remind him of oil stains, an "eternal" aluminum body, half-axles as thick as a finger, a clutch replacement every 30,000 km, the inability driving a person of proportional physique ... The list of his shortcomings is twice the list of advantages. Relevant in the 50s, the Defender became an anachronism by the 80s and unique in the 21st century. The planet put up with this "vagabond" until the last, and only at the 67th year of his life she dismissed him ... Well, nothing, Defender would say, echoing the postman Pechkin, retired life is just beginning.
LARGE CIRCLE, SMALL CIRCLE
As the hero of today's article, I chose the Land Rover Defender, which was produced from 2007 to 2015. Earlier versions are well known, all their shortcomings and problems are described, all regrets and claims are expressed. In 2007, there was a modernization that transformed the use of the car so much that it became possible to talk about a new Defender. The most important innovation was the new power unit with a 4-cylinder diesel engine and a 6-speed transmission. The interior transformations are also worthy of being called "the most important", but, in my opinion, the motor is more important ...
Why Defender: Pavel Razin
In the mid-90s, I drove the sparkling Pajero II for several years. In those days it was the height of coolness and comfort. But I remember how upset I was when the light, fluffy rug got dirty, when scratches appeared on the delicate plastic bumper, when I noticed a small chip from a pebble on the lacquered hood ...And before that I had to work on almost all our famous "crooks" - "Ural-375", "GAZ-66", "ZIL-131" and even on "KRAZ-255" with a wooden cabin. They were united complete absence comfort and an unforgettable sense of freedom.
Therefore, oddly enough, from the height of the "full stuffing" of my Pajero, I always looked towards the "UAZ", understanding, of course, all the wildness of these obsessive fantasies. But the "def" that appeared on our market immediately put the psyche in place, and I parted with the stupid coolness without hesitation. The Defender wing was crumpled in the forest on the second day after leaving the car dealership, but the mood improved - the "scar" only adorned the car!
Comfort is complete nonsense compared to freedom! And in general these are different planes of being. From this point of view, the question whether the wheel on the hood gets in the way has only one answer: "It helps!" How? Increases freedom by one more wheel! And the rest is not important at all!
THIS SONG WILL NOT BE MOLD OUT
The new engine had three - no, even four advantages. This is a well-known "commercial" motor that has driven more than one million kilometers minibuses Transit... Its "brains" are installed as high as possible, and almost all electrics and electronics are perfectly insulated from moisture. It is equipped with an anti-stall system that raises the engine revs when the load increases: this radically changed the Defender's behavior on rough terrain and, accordingly, the way it drives off-road. The diesel is short and shifted to the engine shield, which had a positive effect on the axle weight distribution, especially for the short wheelbase version.
You can also add that the motor is easily chipable, and there are not so many unique spare parts. Service frequency - 15,000 km. The main disadvantage - generator located too low. Less scary, but unpleasant is the use of 16-valve technology, due to which, coupled with the turbo lag, the engine pulls badly from idle. Under load, it would be completely deaf, but anti-stall helps.
At the very beginning of the release, the owners and journalists drew attention to the likelihood of contact between the universal joint crosspiece and the crankcase cover for left-hand drive versions. This was due to the larger crosspieces of the new shafts and a "taller" motor. The shape of the lid was changed almost immediately, and henceforth this problem did not exist. The real trouble with us was the EGR valve, which quite often cokes, and replacing it costs about 10,000 rubles. If you do not take out the air intake on the roof and often drive through dust and dirt, you can get to replace the mass air flow sensor, which costs about 3,500 rubles.
In 2012, the engine was unexpectedly replaced with a 2.2-liter ZSD422 of the same power and thrust. His name also remained the same - Puma. The diesel engine was designed by the joint efforts of the minders of several companies and modified by Land Rover. Actually, this is the same DuraTorq 2.4, only of a smaller volume and fitted for Euro-5 (this is not the engine that was installed on the Freelander II and is a pedigree of the Peugeot DW12). No serial problems with the Puma 2.2 engine have been noticed yet. Frosting of the crankcase breather, which happened on other cars, was almost never encountered on Defender due to the organization of the heating unit. The main thing is that the anti-stall system has remained with the new motor. He needs it, since his bottom thrust is even worse than the previous one, despite the other equal indicators.
Why Defender: Yuri Zhupan
The idea of \u200b\u200bbuying "def" came to mind completely unexpectedly. After the sale of the car for rides and competitions ( Suzuki jimny) I considered various options, ranging from "SUVs" and ending with prepared for sports "UAZ". Flying away on vacation, I accidentally dropped in to see the Defender and left an advance payment almost without hesitation.If I were once again faced with a choice, I would never buy another SUV. For three years we have traveled all over Europe, Scandinavia, the European part of Russia, the North and visited Africa on it. It was an incomparable pleasure. The confidence in the car and the convenience of travel are also invaluable.
What do you love the most about your car? Salon, dynamics and charisma. You can live in the cabin for weeks, on overtaking we on the "def" always rested on the tail of other SUVs, and the attention of passers-by is always guaranteed. What I do not like most of all is that it restricts freedom of movement. To fly somewhere on vacation, having a "def" at your side, and thought did not arise, and you can not get as far as you would like. Actually, that's why it is sold. I would say exchanged for a bunch of air tickets to distant countries.
I never unpacked my spare parts, tools and accessories for 100,000 km and for three years. There were repairs, but planned and extremely predictable. There was no need to look for spare parts or specialists.
SIX FOR TWO
Land Rover prides itself on the fact that its SUVs have the largest downshift ratios. The transfer case, which was installed on the Defender 2007-2015, is derived from the one that appeared back in 1987. Simple, reliable and heavy, like a cast-iron bridge ... Its repair with removal in field conditions turns into a hefty strength gymnastics. The drive, as we know, is permanent full with forced blocking center differential. Typical malfunctions: current oil seals, worn washers of differential pinion axles. User problems are expressed in the fact that sometimes it is difficult to turn on the gear due to the teeth of the gears abutting against each other, sometimes the lock does not turn off. Everything is solved by holding the handle in the desired position in a leisurely movement along an arc or, on the contrary, when setting the wheels straight.
The main box in 2007 became a six-speed. This is both good and bad. It's bad because the box was not designed directly under the Defender, but was taken from a commercial vehicle, and the unloaded car jerks when shifting during acceleration - the first gear is too short. Starting from the second one is not easy, and the clutch is easier to "sentence".
By the way, if you drive off exactly as taught in the Land Rover Experience courses, then there will be no jerk and the grip will last longer. In the meantime, it is precisely this that is the most frequent reason for contacting the service. The first sign of a malfunction is a knock on neutral immediately after starting the motor. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the knocking disappears. Often it is necessary to change not only the disk (about 5000 rubles), but also the basket, which costs 15 thousand rubles per circle with work. By the way, if you are offered to change the flywheel, which will raise the cost of repairs immediately by ten, refuse. This flywheel is single-mass and, according to the authorities, is practically eternal.
Why Defender: Alexander Ustyugov
This car caught my eye when I caught a glimpse of it in the American action films that flooded the country's video dealerships in the nineties. I was a teenager then. Interest, of course, aroused appearance and the surroundings in which this car appeared. Square muscular forms against the background of deserts, mountains, army units. When I saw the car live, there was no doubt: this is what I need. But I didn't go to the purchase quickly. There were other cars, and then the case turned up: my main car went for a long repair - and the moment came when I decided to buy a Defender. This was in early 2011. Initially, I considered it as the second car in the family, but during the repair of the first I realized that it could become the only one, you just need to slightly alter it for yourself. And away we go. Defender is a construction set for adults. Noise insulation, thermal insulation, additional stoves, interior hauling and more. As a result, after the repair of the first car, only “def” remained in my garage.I don’t regret buying. He traveled all over Europe, the whole Caucasus, Kazakhstan on it, and in my work I often have to go where no human has ever walked, and here this car is irreplaceable.
With the Defender, I travel around town and wherever I want, and I hope it brings many more interesting moments into my life.
SUSPENSION OF THE KING
In 1983, when Land Rover released the first spring one-ten, farmers and expeditioners staged a storm and a maidan, demanding the return of the springs. Why? A burst spring can be forged in any corner of Chestershire or Namibia, but the spring has to be changed ... They are, of course, right, every 80,000-100,000 km the springs need to be replaced, there are breakages, but the increased quality of the metal allows us to remember with a smile the righteous anger of the Orthodox "Land Rover Drivers", besides, the articulation of the bridges with springs is just excellent. Stabilizers, which are still needed in an era of high speeds, somewhat blurred the picture of triumph, but competitors are far from that. The same can be said for the suspension arms - solid and durable. But the responsibility for the resource of rubber-metal products lies entirely with the owner and his driving style. The fastest failures are the front silent blocks of the rear levers and the rear shock absorbers. They must be carefully inspected at every MOT. The handling of a bridge vehicle at high speeds is highly dependent on the condition of the rear suspension. If a broken front always makes itself felt, then a leaked shock absorber can play a bad joke once, but at the most unfavorable moment - say, during overtaking on a highway or when hitting an asphalt track. Fortunately, both rubber bands and shock absorbers are not too expensive, and replacement is not difficult. Manufacturers of the sea, you can choose. The mentioned silent blocks, or, as they are also called, "rear thrust cushions", can be found for a little over a thousand rubles, but there are so many shock absorbers and their prices are so different that their eyes run wild. The notorious left rear axle shaft, which in the folklore of "defon-haters" has become almost an expendable part, costs about 3,500 rubles. for the original. However, the authorities argue that if it comes to replacing axle shafts or differentials, it is easier to splurge on reinforced ones, although then cardan shafts will start, and there it is not far from the transfer case ... In a word, it's up to you, but I would advise you to listen to the manufacturer, he has more experience all "experts" combined.
Why Defender: Dmitry Kolesnikov
The selection criteria were as follows. The car had to be new. Official dealer or not - it doesn't matter. Taking into account the fact that it was planned to refine the car for subsequent operation in harsh conditions, the official guarantee was not of interest.
As options at that time (2013), TLC 70 with aspirated 4.2 was considered, Nissan patrol Y61 aspirated 4.2, LR Defender 110 2.2 TDCi, Jeep Wrangler 2.8 TD.
All cars are diesel, five-door, with a front axle. The car was purchased for mixed use - tourism plus daily travel. The main choice was between the first three positions.
Of technical requirements the main thing was the availability of proven technical solutions (technologies, spare parts, available experience) for the preparation of a specific model:
- installation of 35-, 36-inch wheels without losing the main consumer qualities of the machine (saving cruising speed and the possibility of daily operation);
- locks, main pairs with the desired gear ratios, reinforced transmission;
- proven suspension lift options (springs, shock absorbers, jet rods, switchable stabilizers).Ultimately, the choice in favor of Defender was determined by the price, or rather, the discount offered by the officials for the car that was available.
Am I a fan of "def"? The fact is that my attitude to cars is extremely pragmatic. Yes, there are such people, and there are quite a few of them, who have become a devoted fan of this machine. For me, the Defender is more of a good working tool than an object of awe. Just a utilitarian machine. He takes the kids to school like school bus, transports things during the crossings, like a truck, kneads clay, mud and stones, like a tractor, while driving and shakes thousands of kilometers of asphalt on wheels while traveling. Yes, and one more thing - you can sleep in it quite comfortably.
NOT A WORD ABOUT LANDING
Besides the fact that you have to sit behind the wheel, there is practically nothing to say about the Defender's cabin. If you are uncomfortable because you are tall, change the steering wheel to a smaller one, set the seat to your liking and with a greater longitudinal cushion adjustment ... I just raised the leading edge, substituting washers under the sled mounts and calmly drove about a thousand kilometers in a day.
There are few problems in the cabin. The air conditioner works perfectly. At the same time, no matter how much the heating system is modernized, it does not even dare to call it good. It blows high in the legs, and only on one leg, the rear passengers are always cold, and in traffic jams the efficiency drops until the windows freeze. Two autonomous heaters help - one for the engine, the second for the passenger compartment with air ducts leading to the second row.
Often the contacts of the steering column light switch burn out, especially if you carelessly put the bulbs more power... The new switch costs 800 rubles. Sometimes the button turns on alarm... They stopped complaining about the quality of sliding seals only after 2012. However, in terms of isolation from dust, water and dirt, Defender is no better than UAZ-469, to be honest ... In a word, you can live, and even more so to fight off-road!
If you pay attention to the dynamics of prices of used Defenders, you will be surprised to see that this hard worker is sometimes not much cheaper than a one-year-old Range Rover, although at the first sale the price was three times different ... There are few cars in the world that lose so little in price. Finding a Defender for less than $ 20,000 is almost impossible! However, with the change in the exchange rate, the conjuncture has also changed. In any case, the buyer must understand exactly what and why he is buying. I'm not saying why! Why is not a question! After all, this is Defender, and he is the only one ...
Why Defender: Andrey Masyuk
Well, first of all, he's handsome. Style icon. Like Bond. Again, the British queen rides around her estate in Norfolk on it. For 60 years, it has hardly changed on the outside. Like a Porsche 911 or Lada 2105. The ideal cannot be improved.Secondly, it is practical. According to the passport, the salon can accommodate 12 people, in fact - up to twenty. With skis and snowboards.
Finally, he's just funny. Manual air conditioner, vent, battery under the fifth point. Sophisticated driving position - high offset to the left. No other car gives better view neckline of girls in convertibles.
"Def" develops. Talking in the cabin at speeds over 120 km / h is only possible with gestures. Therefore, Defender drivers have very developed communication skills. Fortunately, seeing a fellow from afar, the driver will certainly greet him with headlights, wave his hand and honk a little. This rule applies all over the world!
I also remember when I was small, with a curly head, in the "Travelers Club" program they showed fragments from the Camel Trophy with dirty yellow square cars. I then decided: grow up - buy myself the same. Grew up - bought. I have been satisfied for eleven years.
For help in preparing the material, we thank the Rover Land company,
In 1983, the UK began producing a utilitarian SUV that replaced the Land Rover Series, which debuted back in 1948.
The three-door short version was called Land Rover Ninety, and the five-door long wheelbase version was called Land Rover One Ten, thus the numbers 90 and 110 indicated the approximate size of the wheelbase of the car. Later, pickups with two-door and four-door cabins appeared in the model range. In 1990, the SUV was renamed Land Rover Defender.
The cars were equipped with gasoline engines 2.3, 2.5, V8 3.5 and V8 5.0, as well as diesel engines 2.2, 2.4 and 2.5. Transmission - mechanical, drive - constant four-wheel drive with a blocking center differential and a range multiplier.
For the American market, they made "Defenders" with a V8 3.9 gasoline engine and a four-speed "automatic". In 1998, the company released a "jubilee" version of the model, equipped with a four-liter "eight" and an automatic transmission.
Land Rover Defender was officially sold in Russia from 2001 to 2014. In recent years, buyers have been offered SUVs and pickups with a Ford 2.2 TDCi turbodiesel (122 hp) and a six-speed manual transmission. Price - from 2.6 million rubles for a car in an "empty" configuration without ABS, air conditioning and radio.
In January 2016, the serial production of the model ended. In 2018, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the SUV, the company made 150 sUVs Land Rover Defender Works V8 £ 150k This car received gasoline engine V8 5.0 (405 HP), eight-speed "automatic" ZF, reinforced brakes and a recalibrated suspension with new springs, shock absorbers and stabilizers.
Ardent opponents of the Land Rover Defender point to an archaic body style, numerous malfunctions and lack of functionality. Land Rover owners are so in love with their cars that they perceive them as a family member and will never say a bad word to an SUV. But let's be objective and consider in detail the disadvantages and advantages of the model.
Model history
It's about the first generation Land Rover Defender. Production of the British SUV began immediately after the end of World War II. It would be a big mistake to assume that the car is out of date. The SUV was constantly being modernized, and after the mid-80s, it was united with its progenitor only by its external similarity. The Defender name appeared in 1990, and until that time the model had the designation Series I, II, III.
Design features
The decent seats are comfortable enough, but too close to the door - no elbow room and quick maneuvering difficulties. Under the driver's seat is a toolbox and all of the engine control electronics.
The Land Rover Defender is your typical SUV. Off-road is his element. Rigid, spring-loaded axles have huge strokes, making it very difficult to get the wheels off the ground. But if this happens, then the driver can always lock the differential. It is worth noting that this is one of the few models in the class that has permanent all-wheel drive.
During the 1998 modernization, the Land Rover Defender received an optional combination of ABS with ETC, which were entrusted with locking functions by braking the slipping wheels. However, it quickly became clear that the system was ineffective, and soon the mechanical interlocks returned to their place.
Excellent geometric cross-country ability also contributes to the successful overcoming of off-road. It is quite difficult to damage something during off-roading. Ground clearance on tires 235/85 R16 is 215 mm, and the exit and entry angles are 50 and 34 degrees, respectively.
The ignition switch is located to the left of the steering wheel. The photo also shows the flow direction control sliders and the fan operation mode selection knob.
The true off-road design did not allow for excellent performance on asphalt. But overall, it's not so bad. If there are no backlashes, and everything works as it should, then there will be no big problems with "taxiing". But 100 km / h (with a maximum of 130-135 km / h) is a reasonable limit in terms of noise level and control accuracy.
Measurements braking distance from 100 km / h, versions with ABS showed results just above 50 meters. This is a lot with the generally accepted modern standard of 40 meters. This should be borne in mind by owners driving on public roads.
Land Rover Defender smoothly passes lateral irregularities. And although the city is not his element (due to the too large turning radius - from 12.8 to 14 meters, depending on the tires), an SUV is quite suitable for the role of a car for every day.
Body and interior
On the one hand, the Defender boasts a wide range of body styles. Short, medium, long - everyone can find something for themselves. But on the other hand, they all have one common disadvantage - overly spartan conditions. Central locking or power windows is a real luxury. Often the only electronic device the radio is on board.
Air conditioning is a rare option. But it's not worth chasing after her. The effectiveness of the air conditioner is controversial. Unfortunately, this also applies to the heating system. IN severe frost on the second row of seats and in the trunk, the temperature can be negative. And this, despite the serviceable heating.
The 3-door Land Rover Defender 90 SW (Station Wagon) has two classic chairs in the front and side benches in the trunk, which can accommodate up to 6 people. Similar benches are also present in the 5-door version, increasing the passenger capacity to 9 people. On the one hand, this is an advantage, but on the other hand, additional seats are deprived of comfort and unsafe. International standards prohibit such an arrangement of seats in a car, and the new generation of Defender (since 2007) received additional seats with the usual arrangement.
The comfort level is controversial. The 5-door version can carry up to 9 people. But the safety of passengers will be a big question.
The salon has a number of other defects. For example, it is very noisy inside, even at speeds below 100 km / h. In addition, there are many solutions that are not typical for modern cars - manual control of the interior ventilation (damper under the windshield), the ignition switch on the left side of the steering wheel and seats located close to the doors.
It was the noise and lack of comfort that made the lovers of travel to remote areas of the world prefer the Land Rover Defender over the more comfortable and powerful Discovery. On long journeys, engines will also seem to be a serious drawback. Low power does not allow you to confidently move with high speeds... However, this does not mean that power units not suitable for rough terrain. Thanks to transfer case even the weakest motors help to easily deal with difficult terrain.
Engines
For a short period of time, at the very beginning of production, the Land Rover Defender used a naturally aspirated 2.25 liter 60 hp diesel engine. It was soon replaced by a 2.5-liter diesel engine, which lasted until the mid-90s. For owners who do not need dynamics, its potential is quite enough. A little later, a 2.5-liter turbodiesel with indirect injection appeared. But it quickly gave way to the 200 Tdi borrowed from Discovery I. In the mid-90s, 300 Tdi got under the hood. Interestingly, 300 Tdi and 200 Tdi have a working volume of 2.5 liters, but differ in equipment.
In 1998, the Td5 was added to the range. The new turbodiesel had the same dynamics as the 300 Tdi (acceleration from 0-100 km / h in about 18 seconds), but became more economical. If 300Tdi consumed on average 12-13 l / 100 km, then the more modern Td5 - almost 1.5 liters less.
Td5 is more vulnerable to poor quality fuel, but it has more reliable drive Timing - chain type. 4-cylinder Tdi's often let their owners down with an unexpected timing belt break. Another Achilles' heel of the Td5 is electronics. Problems with starting or a sudden stop of the engine are almost always "on the conscience" of the immobilizer. Sometimes they start to strike in the cold fuel pumps... Chip tuning often damages the expensive exhaust manifold.
Much less choice for amateurs gasoline engines... The list of proposals included 4-cylinder blocks of 2.0, 2.25 and 2.5 liters. There were even V8s in the range - carburetor and injection volumes of 3.5 liters and 3.9 liters. But such engines were available mainly in the US, as was the in-line 2.8-liter BMW engine.
Typical problems and malfunctions
Probably, many have heard about the problems with the Land Rover Defender. Unfortunately it's true. But one should take into account the fact that most of the copies are operated in extreme conditions without any preparation, which is disastrous for any modern car.
First of all, you need to be prepared for various leaks of fluids: engine and transmission oil, coolant. You can fight this forever, but you can't always win.
Another sore spot is various defects in interior decoration - here the handle disappears, there is a button. Land Rover Defender is not suitable for pedantic natures who love order in everything and care about aesthetics. Moreover, some owners note that after rain, water can be found inside. Yes, the SUV comes from the land of rains sometimes.
This implementation of ventilation in practice works very poorly; moreover, noise and water penetrate through the open valves.
These were little things. And what about the serious breakdowns? Well maintained engines will certainly show acceptable durability. Over time, backlash appears in the transmission - drive shafts and hinges wear out.
However, only old gearboxes fail in terms of reliability. And even then, the drivers themselves are largely to blame. It's just that not everyone realizes that Defender is, in fact, a heavy truck that does not like haste. The clutch pedal and gear shifting should be smooth.
Despite the more interesting characteristics petrol versions, it is better to stay away from such cars. And it's not about the intricacies of carburetor settings. Finding replacement parts is much more difficult. In addition, the electrical part of the throttle control system sometimes fails.
Corrosion is another major drawback. It attacks steel elements: frame and doors at the junction of aluminum and steel. Those who are going to operate the car for a long time should spend anti-corrosion treatment and preservation of cavities.
Generally, technical part SUV will not be a mystery to mechanics who know their business and are familiar with the Defender components. The main thing is to look for help not in ordinary network or random services, but in points specializing in the maintenance of British cars. You can also count on professional tuning there.
A car is not for everyone
Buying a Land Rover Defender makes sense if you really intend to go off-road or spend a lot of time in the field. The car allows you to adapt itself to almost any task.
However, if you have to drive mainly on asphalt, then the purchase is pointless. The reason is obvious: insufficient functionality, a large number of minor faults, mediocre dynamics, high consumption fuel and poor handling. Operation of Land Rover Defender will turn into an eternal struggle with disadvantages, and you will not be able to feel the real advantages of a true "all-terrain vehicle".
