I've been wanting a Land Rover and had my heart set on a Series truck but, having driven both, am now also considering a 110/Defender. One of the things that attracted me to the Series was the extreme simplicity and ease of repair and parts availabilty. How do Defenders compare to Series trucks for reliability and ease of repair? With Series trucks most parts seem to be universal within the series. Are Defenders like that? Why are Defenders so expensive?
For Defenders are there any years that are better or worse than others? Petrol vs disel? Are the 200/300 TDi engines good?
jeremy
109 vs 110: driveability, reliability, repairability
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DaveB
- Defender of the World
- Posts: 1749
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 7:45 pm
- Location: Vernon, BC
Hi Jeremy,
Arguably, the biggest difference is the comfort and off-road capability improvement offered by the coil spring suspension of the Defender.
Series trucks are older, and since they were sold here new are available in reasonable quantity. While I wouldn't call them rare, the quantity of old series trucks is beginning to dwindle and therefore the values are rising.
Defenders, on the other hand, have never been sold new through the Canadian dealer network (except for a few rare cases) and have been individually imported from the UK or other countries. They continue to be quite rare...
As far as what's better, and what engine options are the best, you need to do some searches and reading of this and other sites. All these topics have been covered at length and many differing opinions aired.
cheers, Dave
Arguably, the biggest difference is the comfort and off-road capability improvement offered by the coil spring suspension of the Defender.
Series trucks are older, and since they were sold here new are available in reasonable quantity. While I wouldn't call them rare, the quantity of old series trucks is beginning to dwindle and therefore the values are rising.
Defenders, on the other hand, have never been sold new through the Canadian dealer network (except for a few rare cases) and have been individually imported from the UK or other countries. They continue to be quite rare...
As far as what's better, and what engine options are the best, you need to do some searches and reading of this and other sites. All these topics have been covered at length and many differing opinions aired.
cheers, Dave
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Bill E.
- Landy Man
- Posts: 933
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Tsawwassen BC
Hi Jeremy,
I will echo Dave's comments and also add that reliability and repairablity is reasonably comparable between Defenders and Series trucks. Modernization of drive systems and braking systems have made Defenders easier to live with in my opinion. As Dave points out the opinions on engines will range widely based on preference and expectation. Personally I think the 200 and 300 tdi's are great engines, they are smooth, reliable and ecomomical. Considering they displace only 2.5 litres they give pretty good power and torque but still only in the moderate end of the scale by North American standards.
I will echo Dave's comments and also add that reliability and repairablity is reasonably comparable between Defenders and Series trucks. Modernization of drive systems and braking systems have made Defenders easier to live with in my opinion. As Dave points out the opinions on engines will range widely based on preference and expectation. Personally I think the 200 and 300 tdi's are great engines, they are smooth, reliable and ecomomical. Considering they displace only 2.5 litres they give pretty good power and torque but still only in the moderate end of the scale by North American standards.