land Rover Defender , was and remains one of the most controversial cars in modern history. So let's see what kind of animal it is?
A bit of history. Defender, in the current regeneration, began to be produced in 1983, but in fact it is a 1958 car. Of course, like all similar cars, it was created for military purposes - a minimum of comfort, a maximum of practicality.
The supporting frame, on which the aluminum alloy body was mounted, a six-speed transmission with permanent all-wheel drive, a two-stage transfer case and a lockable center differential, coupled with a considerable ground clearance of 314 mm, provided Land Rover Defender excellent off-road qualities.
Since 2008, a new 2.4-liter diesel engine from Ford Transit with a capacity of 122 hp has been installed on the car. and a torque of 360 Newton meters. The modernization list also includes: a modified instrument panel, ABS, a new climate system. All this supposedly should increase the number of admirers of this car. This is where I have big doubts.
Let's start with who buys this car - fans and "maniacs" off road. And not fans of the brand, namely this model. My friend has Land Rover Freelander 2. In my opinion beautiful car, I also traveled a lot on it in different situations. Many will say that this is a "SUV" and they will be a little right.
Yes, it does not have all those locks that serious SUVs have and its bumpers are plastic and the exit-entry angles are not as impressive as those of the Defender, but which of you tried to storm off-road on it? Not the off-road, which is located in the impassable taiga, but the Central European and average.
I can say that Friel looks very worthy in rally raids. By the way, their prices are almost the same. If for someone this comparison seems inappropriate, then you can turn your eyes to Land Rover Discovery 4th generation.
On the Land Rover Defender, a Ford engine was installed with 122 horses and 360 Newtons of torque. The question is, what did the Friel engine with 150 horses and 400 Newtons not please?
Black grouse turn to the "maniacs" off the road. Many of them will prefer UAZ Hunter or Defender. The first one is as brutal and simple as a cork. All of himself iron, both outside and inside. The second is more civilized both outside and inside, but still the same good old UAZ, which can also be repaired in the field, as they say on the knee.
Moreover, the Patriot has all the benefits of modern civilization: ABS, air conditioning, navigation system. Only some locks are missing, but the cost difference is two times. For this money, the UAZ can be screwed up so that the Land Rover Defender will be left far behind.
For travel Defender is also not very suitable. The front seats cannot be folded out, they can only be folded back, and for people who spend the night in a car, this is not a very comfortable position. IN Land models Rover Defender 110 (five-door version) luggage compartment enough, but in the 90 version (three-door), I would not say so. Of course, many will say that if you do not lay out the rear row of seats, there is plenty of space. Maybe.
I went fishing without rear seats and I can say that in this situation, the Niva is also a car for traveling. I can not help but sharpen my eyes on the "stove". It works well, but only for front passengers.
Riders of the second, and in the five-door version of the third row, can wait forever for heat, since there is no circulation in the cabin at all. If the front passengers are already “in Tashkent” during the trip, then the rear ones are still in the “Siberian taiga”.
And with all this, do not forget about the main "attribute" of the drivers of "those" times - a dry cloth, because with a sufficiently high humidity, the windows in the Land Rover Defender fog up, just like in the UAZ.
Land Rover sellers (at least in Russia) position Defender as a cross between UAZ and Mercedes Gelentvagen. ??? UAZ 469 or Hunter, maybe, but with the Patriot, I think it's no longer appropriate. As for the "Gelika" .... It's like comparing a hand saw to a chainsaw.
In general, what can I say, Land Rover Defender is a very specific car. The classic off-road appearance, coupled with impressive off-road qualities, provide him with a niche of fans.
This is a kind of dinosaur that has survived to this day. My opinion is that this car remained in the 80s. He is handsome in his own way, brutal, inspires respect and in some way admiration, but at a price of 1.5 million rubles ...
Land Rover Defender - one of the most legendary frame SUVs that exist today. The first model of this car was put on the conveyor back in 1948 and Land issue The Rover Defender lasted nearly 70 years with minimal technological changes.
The production of cars 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, Land Rover Defender can only be purchased with hands. Therefore, it is extremely important to know the strengths and weaknesses technical aspects car, so as not to buy yourself headache for big money.
Land Rover Defender specific features
This car has a very simple design and the minimum level of comfort (like our UAZ). However, 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 a Defender from your hands, you should not be surprised that despite the low mileage, the car can be worn out quite badly.
Also, if the car is equipped with a power body kit, a body lift is made and a winch is installed, then there is no doubt that this Defender stormed off-road.
There are legends about the reliability of this car, but even the Land Rover Defender has sore spots and design flaws that you should be aware of.
Weaknesses Land Rover Defender
Body and frame;
the engine is afraid of our diesel fuel;
Transmission;
elements all-wheel drive;
power steering;
swivel balls;
distributor seals.
Body and frame.
The car has a very reliable frame made of the best English steel. As practice shows, even a 20-year-old SUV retains an ideal frame, without the slightest sign of corrosion.
Unfortunately, the body of an English SUV cannot boast of such durability. It's made from high quality aircraft grade aluminum and doesn't rot at all. But at the junction with steel parts, an intensive oxidation process occurs. In these places, aluminum simply collapses, crumbles and turns into a white powder. Therefore, if strange white spots were found during the inspection of the Land Rover Defender, then it is best to refrain from buying.
Engine.
Last Land modification Rover Defender (2012 model year) has the most reliable diesel engine, also used in commercial vehicle Ford 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 switch with a rattle and crackle, or even fall out of the lock, then it is better to refuse to buy a Land Rover Defender. A high-quality repair of the checkpoint will cost 2-3 thousand dollars, which is a fairly 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. A classic sore Land Rover Defender is the current transfer case. Usually, a 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 easy to check for a problem. Just put a couple of sheets 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, then the Defender has definitely leaked and needs to be repaired.
Power steering.
Perhaps the most painful place iconic car. The first generation hydraulic booster is installed in the Defender. Already after 50-60 thousand run, he makes itself felt. And by 100,000 it will require replacement or overhaul. The cost of solving the problem is not less than 800 US dollars. Unfortunately, it will not work to check the hydraulic booster with the “naked eye”. You should focus on the mileage and general condition of the car.
Swivel balls.
Due to the wear of the anther, as a result of active off-road use, dirt and water enter the balls. Accordingly, there is a loss of lubrication and, if you do not notice in time and do not check regularly at all, you can “get stuck” for 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, the transfer case seals can leak.
Disadvantages Land Rover Defender
For such a car, poor sound insulation is not surprising;
low level of comfort;
high cost of repairs and spare parts;
weak dynamics.
But I would like to repeat once again that despite all the above weak spots and systematic malfunctions The Land Rover Defender remains and will remain an off-road legend for a long time to come. The main thing is timely maintenance and reasonable operation.
P.S: Dear owners, if during the operation of your Land Rover Defender shortcomings were identified, please report this in the comments below. Thanks in advance!
Weaknesses and Land disadvantages Rover Defender was last modified: April 28th, 2018 by Administrator
Every year, there are fewer used Land Rover Defenders on the secondary market, and their prices are rising ...
Defender clearly divides all people into two camps: those who love him and those who hate him. However, you can hang another stereotypical statement on him: “this is not yours if this is not yours”, and remind him of oil stains, “eternal” aluminum body, finger-thick axle shafts, clutch replacement every 30,000 km, the inability to get behind the wheel of a person of proportional physique ... The list of its shortcomings is twice the list of advantages. Appropriate in the 50s, Defender became an anachronism by the 80s and a unique in the 21st century. The planet tolerated this "tramp" to the last, and only at the age of 67 sent him into retirement ... Well, nothing, Defender would say, echoing the postman Pechkin, life is just beginning in retirement.
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 so transformed the use of the car that it became possible to talk about the new Defender. The most important innovation was a new power unit with a 4-cylinder diesel engine and a 6-speed transmission. Interior transformations are also worthy of being called “the most important”, but, in my opinion, the engine is more important ...
Why Defender: Pavel Razin
In the mid-90s, I drove a sparkling Pajero II for several years. At that time it was the height of coolness and comfort. But I remember how upset I was when a light fleecy rug got dirty, when scratches appeared on a delicate plastic bumper when I noticed a small chip from a pebble on a varnished hood ...And before that, I had to work on almost all of our famous "rogues" - "Ural-375", "GAZ-66", "ZIL-131" and even on "KRAZ-255" with a wooden cabin. They were united by a complete lack of comfort and an unforgettable sense of freedom.
Therefore, oddly enough, from the height of the “full stuffing” of my Pajero, I always looked in the direction of 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 steepness without hesitation. Wing Defender crumpled in the woods 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 indeed, these are different planes of being. From this point of view, the question of whether the wheel on the hood interferes has only one answer: “It helps!” How? Increases freedom by one more wheel! The rest doesn't matter at all!
DO NOT MUTE THIS SONG
The new engine had three - no, even four advantages. This is a well-known "commercial" engine that has driven more than one million kilometers on Transit minibuses. Its "brains" are installed as high as possible, and almost all electrics with electronics are perfectly insulated from moisture. It is equipped with an anti-stall system that raises the engine speed with increasing load: this has radically changed the Defender's behavior on rough terrain and, accordingly, its off-road driving style. The diesel engine is short and shifted to the engine shield, which had a positive effect on the weight distribution along the axes, especially the short-wheelbase version.
You can also add that the motor is easily chipped, and unique spare parts not so much. The frequency of maintenance is 15,000 km. Main disadvantage– the generator located too low. Less scary, but unpleasant, is the use of 16-valve technology, because of which, coupled with a turbo lag, the engine pulls badly from idle. Under load, it would completely stall, but anti-stall helps.
At the very beginning of the release, owners and journalists drew attention to the likelihood of contact between the cardan cross and the crankcase cover in left-hand drive versions. This was due to the increased crosspieces of the new shafts and a "higher" motor. The shape of the lid was changed almost immediately, and henceforth this problem was not. The real problem with us was the EGR valve, which often cokes, and replacing it costs about 10,000 rubles. If you do not take the air intake to the roof and often drive through dust and dirt, you can get to replace the sensor mass flow air, which costs about 3500 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 mechanics from several companies and finalized at Land Rover. Actually, this is the same DuraTorq 2.4, only of a smaller volume and fitted for Euro-5 (this is not the same engine that was installed on the Freelander II and is descended from the Peugeot DW12). Serial problems with the Puma 2.2 engine have not yet been noticed. Freezing breather crankcase gases, which happened on other cars, almost never happened on the Defender due to the organization of the unit heating. The main thing is that the anti-stall system remained with the new motor. He needs it, because the thrust from below is even worse for him than for the previous one, despite equal other indicators.
Why Defender: Yuriy Zhupan
The idea of buying a "def" came to mind quite unexpectedly. After selling the car for racing and competition (Suzuki Jimny), I considered various options, starting from "SUVs" and ending with "UAZs" prepared for sports. Flying away on vacation, accidentally stopped by to see Defender and left the prepayment almost without hesitation.If I were faced with a choice again, I would never buy another SUV. For three years we traveled all over Europe, Scandinavia, the European part of Russia, the North and visited Africa. It was an incomparable pleasure. The confidence in the car and the convenience of traveling is also priceless.
What do you love most about your car? Salon, dynamics and charisma. You can live in the cabin for weeks, while overtaking, we always ran into the tail of other SUVs while overtaking, and the attention of passers-by is always guaranteed. What I don't like the most is that it restricts freedom of movement. Flying somewhere on vacation, having a "def" at hand, and there was no thought, but you can not get as far as you would like. In fact, that's why it's sold. I would say, exchanged for a bunch of air tickets to distant countries.
I have never unpacked my ZIP (spare parts, tools and accessories) for 100,000 km and three years. Repairs were, but planned and extremely predictable. There was no need to look for spare parts or specialists.
SIX TO TWO
Land Rover is justifiably proud to have the largest underdrive ratio in its SUVs. The transfer case, which was installed on the 2007-2015 Defender, originates from the one that appeared back in 1987. Simple, reliable and heavy, like a cast-iron bridge ... Its repair with removal in the field turns into a fair amount of strength gymnastics. The drive, as we know, is permanent full with forced blocking center differential. Typical problems: leaking oil seals, worn washers of the axles of the differential satellites. User problems are expressed in the fact that sometimes it is difficult to turn on the gear due to the gear teeth resting against each other, sometimes the lock does not turn off. Everything is solved by holding the handle in the desired position in a slow movement in 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 for Defender, but was taken from commercial transport, and an unloaded car twitches when shifting during acceleration - first gear is too short. Starting from the second one is not easy, and it’s easier to “sentence” the clutch.
By the way, if you start off exactly as taught in the Land courses Rover experience, then there will be no jerk and the clutch will last longer. In the meantime, it is this that is the most frequent reason for contacting the service. The first sign of a malfunction is a knock in neutral immediately after starting the engine. The noise goes away when the clutch pedal is depressed. Often you have 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 as well, which will raise the cost of repairs immediately by a dozen, refuse. This flywheel is single-mass and, according to 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 video salons of the country en masse in the nineties. I was a teenager then. Interest, of course, was caused by the appearance and the surroundings in which this car appeared. Square muscular forms against the backdrop of deserts, mountains, army units. When I saw the car live, there was no doubt: this is what I need. But I did not 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 at the beginning of 2011. Initially, I considered it as a 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 remake it for yourself. And away we go. Defender is a constructor for adults. Noise insulation, thermal insulation, additional ovens, interior upholstery, etc. As a result, after the repair of the first car in my garage, only the “def” remained.I don't regret buying. I traveled all over Europe, the whole Caucasus, Kazakhstan, and in my work I often have to go where no man has gone before, and here this car is indispensable.
On the Defender, I move around the city and wherever I want, and I hope that it will bring many more interesting moments to my life.
PENDANT OF THE KING
In 1983, when Land Rover released the first spring-loaded one-ten, farmers and expeditioners staged a riot and maidan, demanding the return of the springs. Why? A broken spring can be forged in any corner of Chestershire or Namibia, and the spring has to be changed ... Of course, they are right, every 80,000-100,000 km the springs need to be replaced, there are breakdowns, but the increased quality of the metal allows us to recall with a smile the righteous anger of the orthodox "Land Rovers", besides, the articulation of bridges with springs is simply excellent. Stabilizers, which are still needed in the era of high speeds, somewhat blurred the picture of triumph, but competitors are far from that. The same can be said about the suspension arms - strong and hardy. But the responsibility for the resource of rubber-metal products lies entirely with the owner and his driving style. The front silent blocks fail the fastest. rear control arms and rear shock absorbers. They must be carefully inspected at each MOT. Controllability of the bridge car on high speeds highly dependent on condition rear suspension. If a broken front always makes itself felt, then a leaky shock absorber can play a bad joke once, but at the most unfavorable moment - say, while overtaking on a highway or when it hits an asphalt rut. Fortunately, both rubber bands and shock absorbers are not too expensive, and replacement is not difficult. Producers of the sea, you can choose. The mentioned silent blocks, or, as they are also called, "pillows rear link”, You can find a thousand and a few rubles, but there are so many shock absorbers and their prices are so different that your eyes run wide. The notorious left rear axle shaft, which in the folklore of "defonatists" has become almost an expendable part, costs about 3,500 rubles. for the original. However, the authorities say that if it came to replacing the axle shafts or differentials, it’s easier to splurge on reinforced ones, although then the cardans will howl, and there it’s not far from the transfer case ... In a word, it’s up to you, and I 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) were considered TLC 70 with aspirated 4.2, 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 continuous axle. The car was purchased for mixed use - tourism plus daily trips. The main choice was between the first three positions.
Of the technical requirements, the main one was the availability of proven technical solutions (technology, spare parts, available experience) for the preparation of a specific model:
- installation of 35-, 36-inch wheels without losing the main ones consumer qualities machines (save cruising speed and the possibility of daily operation);
- locks, main pairs with the necessary gear ratios, reinforced transmission;
- proven suspension lift options (springs, dampers, jet thrust, switchable stabilizers).In the end, the choice in favor of the Defender was determined by the price, or rather, the discount that the officials offered for the car that was available.
Am I a def fan? The fact is that I have an extremely pragmatic attitude towards cars. Yes, there are such people, and there are quite a lot of them, who have become a devoted fan of this car. For me, Defender is more of a good working tool than an object of reverent admiration. Just a utility car. He takes the kids to school school bus, transports things while moving, like a truck, kneads clay, mud and stones, like a tractor, during rides and winds thousands of kilometers of asphalt on wheels while traveling. Yes, and more - it can be quite comfortable to spend the night.
NOT A WORD ABOUT LANDING
In addition to the fact that you have to “sit down” behind the wheel, there is practically nothing to say about the Defender's interior. If you are uncomfortable because you are tall, change the steering wheel to a smaller one, set the seat to your taste and with more longitudinal cushion adjustment ... I just raised the leading edge, substituting the washers under the sled mount and calmly drove under a thousand kilometers in a day.
There are few problems in the cabin. The air conditioner works great. At the same time, no matter how much the heating system is modernized, it cannot even be called a good language. It blows high in the legs, and only on one leg, rear passengers it's always cold, and in a traffic jam, the efficiency drops until the windows freeze. Help two autonomous heater- one for the engine, the second for the cabin with the output of air ducts to the second row.
The contacts of the steering column light switch often burn out, especially if you put light bulbs inadvertently more power. A new switch costs 800 rubles. Sometimes the button is buggy alarm. The quality of sliding seals stopped massively complaining only after 2012. However, in terms of isolation from dust, water and dirt, the Defender is no better than the UAZ-469, to be honest ... In a word, you can live, but even more so to fight off-road!
If you pay attention to the price dynamics of used Defenders, you will be surprised to see that this hard worker sometimes costs 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. And finding a Defender cheaper than $20,000 is almost impossible! However, with the change exchange rate the situation has also changed. In any case, the buyer must accurately understand what and why he is buying. I don't say why! Why is not the 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 drives around her estate in Norfolk on it. For 60 years, he has not changed much on the outside. Like a Porsche 911 or Lada 2105. The ideal cannot be improved.Secondly, it is practical. According to the passport, 12 people are placed in the salon, in fact - up to twenty. With skis and snowboards.
Finally, he's just funny. Manual air conditioner window, battery under the fifth point. Sophisticated landing of the driver - high with an 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 possible only with gestures. Therefore, Defender drivers have very developed communication skills. Seeing a brother from afar, fortunately, the driver will surely greet him with headlights, wave his hand and honk a little. This rule applies worldwide!
I also remember when I was small, with a curly head, in the program “Travelers Club” they showed fragments from the Camel Trophy with dirty yellow square cars. I then decided: I will grow up - I will buy myself the same. Grew up and bought. I have been happy for eleven years now.
For help in preparing the material, we thank the Rover Land company,
Ardent opponents of the Land Rover Defender point to an archaic body type, numerous malfunctions and lack of functionality. The owners of Land Rover are so in love with their cars that they perceive them as a family member and will never say a bad word about an SUV. But let's be objective and consider in detail the disadvantages and advantages of the model.
Model History
We are talking about the Land Rover Defender of the first generation. The production of the British SUV began immediately after the end of the Second World War. It would be a big mistake to assume that the car is outdated for a long time. The SUV was constantly modernized, and after the mid-80s, it was united with its progenitor only by external resemblance. The name Defender appeared in 1990, and until that time the model had the designation Series I, II, III.
Design features
Decent seats are quite comfortable, but are too close to the door - there is no room for an elbow, and it is difficult to quickly maneuver. Under the driver's seat is a set of tools and all the engine control electronics.
Land Rover Defender typical SUV. Off-road is his element. Rigid axles on springs have huge strokes, making it very difficult to get the wheels off the ground. But if this happens, the driver will always be able to 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 modernization of 1998, the Land Rover Defender received an optional combination of ABS with ETC, which were assigned the functions of blocking by braking slipping wheels. However, it quickly became clear that the operation of the system was inefficient, and soon mechanical interlocks returned to their place.
The excellent geometric cross-country ability also contributes to the successful overcoming of off-road. It is quite difficult to damage something during off-road. Ground clearance on tires 235/85 R16 is 215 mm, and 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 sliders for controlling the direction of flow and the knobs for selecting the fan operation mode.
This off-road design did not allow for excellent behavior on asphalt. But in general, everything is not so bad. If there are no backlashes, and everything works as it should, then big problems with "taxiing" will not arise. 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 stopping distance from 100 km/h, the versions with ABS showed a result of just over 50 meters. This is a lot with the generally accepted modern standard 40 meters. This should be remembered by owners traveling on public roads.
Land Rover Defender goes through the transverse bumps quite smoothly. And although the city is not his element (due to too large radius turn - 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, Defender boasts a large set of body versions. Short, medium, long - everyone can find something for themselves. But on the other hand, they all have one common drawback - overly spartan conditions. Central locking or power windows are real luxury. Often the only electronic device a radio tape recorder is on board.
Air conditioning is a rare option. But it's not worth chasing after her. The effectiveness of the air conditioner is debatable. Unfortunately, the same applies to the heating system. IN hard frost on the second row of seats and in the trunk, the temperature can be negative. And this, despite the proper heating.
The 3-door Land Rover Defender 90 SW (Station Wagon) has two classic front seats and side benches in the trunk, which can accommodate up to 6 people. Similar benches are 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 places are deprived of comfort and unsafe. International standards forbid such an arrangement of seats in a car, and the new generation Defender (since 2007) received additional seats with the usual layout.
The level of comfort is debatable. 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 vices. 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 interior ventilation (damper under the windshield), 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 influenced the fact that lovers of trips to remote areas of the world eventually preferred the Land Rover Defender to the more comfortable and powerful Discovery. IN long journeys engines 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 the transfer box, even the most weak motors help to easily deal with difficult areas.
Engines
For a short period of time at the very beginning of production, the Land Rover Defender used a naturally aspirated 2.25-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 60 hp. It was soon replaced by a 2.5-liter diesel, which lasted until the mid-90s. For owners who do not need dynamics, its potential is enough. A little later, a 2.5-liter turbodiesel with indirect injection appeared. But it quickly gave way to the 200 Tdi borrowed from the 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 appeared in the range. The new turbodiesel had the same dynamics as the 300 Tdi (acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 18 seconds), but was more economical. If the 300Tdi consumed an average of 12-13 l / 100 km, then the more modern Td5 is almost 1.5 liters less.
td5 is more vulnerable to fuel Bad quality, but has more reliable drive Timing - chain type. 4-cylinder Tdi often let their owners down with an unexpected timing belt break. Another Achilles heel of Td5 is electronics. Problems with starting or a sudden stop of the engine are almost always "on the conscience" of the immobilizer. In the cold, sometimes they start to strike fuel pumps. Chip tuning often leads to damage to an expensive exhaust manifold.
Much less choice amateurs gasoline engines. The list of proposals included 4-cylinder blocks with a volume of 2.0, 2.25 and 2.5 liters. There were even V8s in the assortment - carburetor and injector volumes of 3.5 liters and 3.9 liters. But such engines were available mainly in the US, as was the inline 2.8-liter BMW engine.
Typical problems and malfunctions
Probably, many have heard about 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 detrimental to any modern car.
First of all, you need to be prepared for various fluid leaks: engine and transmission oil, coolant. You can fight this forever, but it is not always possible to win.
Another sore point is various defects in the interior finish - a handle disappears here, a button there. Land Rover Defender will not suit pedantic natures who love order in everything and care about aesthetics. Moreover, some owners note that after rain you can find water inside. Yes, an SUV originally from the country of rains sometimes leaks.
Such an implementation of ventilation in practice works very poorly, moreover, noise and water penetrate through open valves.
These were the little things. How about major damage? Well maintained engines certainly demonstrate acceptable durability. Over time, backlash appears in the transmission - it wears out drive shafts and hinges.
However, in terms of reliability, only old gearboxes fail. And even then, the drivers themselves are largely to blame. It's just that not everyone realizes that Defender, in fact, heavy truck who does not like haste. Depressing the clutch pedal and shifting gears should be smooth.
Despite more interesting characteristics petrol versions It is better to stay away from such cars. And it's not about the intricacies of setting the carburetor. Much harder to find replacement parts. In addition, sometimes the electrical part of the throttle control system fails.
Corrosion is another serious drawback. It attacks steel elements: the 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 conservation of hidden cavities.
In general, the technical part of the SUV will not be a mystery to mechanics who know their business and are familiar with Defender components. The main thing is to look for help not in the usual network or random services, but in points specializing in servicing British cars. There you can also count on professional tuning.
The car is not for everyone
Buying a Land Rover Defender makes sense if you are really going 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 flow fuel and poor handling. The operation of the Land Rover Defender will turn into an eternal struggle with shortcomings, and the real advantages of a true "all-terrain vehicle" will never be felt.
Classics are immortal, the common saying tells us. This is true, but there is still one change in the life of a classic: sooner or later, it remains to live only in hearts and memories, leaving the usual rhythm of everyday life. This is what happens with music, painting, architecture… This is what happens with people, discoveries and inventions. So it happened with the Land Rover Defender.
Another anniversary
Defender remained one of the few infinitely resistant, seemingly 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 last years of this life, when talk about the end of production became too loud, so loud that even the veteran himself heard them, 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 moved 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 African deserts, helping the sick and suffering, hard village work, idle fussing in the mud and serving royal family. The two million hard workers who have left the assembly shop over the years have honorably carried out everything that was assigned to them. The last of them will take a place in museums, leaving posterity with a living reminder that the car was like that too - simple, rude, uncomfortable, but almost animated.
It remains to be said that with the departure of Defender, an entire era has passed - but, although this is true, it does not need to end on this note. Enough groans. Moreover, even at the plant in Solihull, where the solemn ceremony of the end of production was held, at which the last car rolled off the assembly line, there were no tears. The era remains with us as long as its representatives remain. And they will last for a long time. Therefore, on January 29, not a farewell party was held at the plant, but another anniversary.
remember history
Strictly speaking, the current Defender is the heir original Land Rover Series I, born in post-war England as an intermediate means of earning money to restart production Rover cars. A simple square-shaped car was hastily riveted with an eye to use in agriculture, and the unpretentious served as a source of inspiration. Land body Rover, by the way, got one of its main features just then: since steel was a valuable and scarce material after the war, the bodies of new SUVs began to be made from aluminum alloy sheet. This is also the reason for the extremely primitive form: the body was such that it was easy to make it from sheet blanks, so there were no graceful bends and transitions here. But subsequently, the owners of even modern Defenders received just such a body - light and immune to corrosion.
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Pictured: Land Rover Series I
The new "assistant in the household" took root, and instead of disappearing, giving the opportunity to produce other, specialized cars for the company, he himself became the founder of a whole family of cars. Four-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 it is - Land Rover Series II. However, the hand of the designer has already touched him, giving him another "family trait" that has remained with him for the rest of his life - the body extension line at the "waist" passing under the window. Her main role, however, was purely functional - to cover the expanded track. All other features of the car were retained, and he continued his successful path.
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Pictured: Land Rover Series II
The third generation - Series III - is easy to distinguish by the main feature: the headlights, which have moved from the grille to the fenders. Cars Land Rover Series III became the most common - from 1971 to 1985, about 440 thousand SUVs were produced. There were a lot 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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Pictured: Land Rover Series II I
In 1983, another generational change took place, as a result of which the model received two main modifications - long and short, called the Land Rover 110 and Land Rover 90, respectively. The indexes meant the length of the wheelbase in inches. The appearance of the car has not changed too dramatically, but the technical stuffing has been revised: the springs have given way spring suspension, a permanent all-wheel drive system with a two-stage "razdatka" and a center differential lock was borrowed from the company's new model - Range Rover, under the hood there were more modern motors, and the interior is a little "ennobled". 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. Engines were changed, modifications were added, experiments were carried out with the wheelbase and areas of application - all this was on his shoulder. Oh yes, he acquired the name Defender only in 1990 - in model range appeared Discovery model, which received the basic name of Land Rover, so they decided to give the “old man” a new name so as not to confuse buyers. In the 2010s, the Defender, of course, already looked like a veteran, but thanks to a series of technical improvements, it was adjusted again and again to tightening requirements, far from those that were imposed on it in 1948. In 2012, for example, he received updated engine of the Ford Duratorq line - a 2.2-liter diesel engine that meets Euro-5 requirements. And he continued to serve until he passed the post on January 29, 2016.
