Russell V replied:

Mark I've owned a Defender TD4 and they are extremely capable vehicles off road, and in my opinion more so than the Patrols & cruisers getting around. They are not as refined as the others particularly in the comfort dept, but if this is not an issue for you then you'll be getting a very capable vehicle. I've heard the TD5 engine is great (on par with normal sixes)once the bugs are ironed out and with superb fuel economy! Cheers , Russell

Brian F Harris replied:

Hi Mark,..Go Defender..My lady has a TD5 Discovery(had the TDi before that).She does a lot of km and often fairly rapid(always legal of course).Has 80,000 on this one so far,not a problem.A sweeter motor you never heard.Power is magic for that kind of rig.I am looking to get a Defender in early 2002 as I can't hack the "fast glass" & central locking in all the others.I like the practical,simplicity of the Defender,the beam,live axles,coils,very solid build,made for a man I feel.Plus I drove Landrovers for years in the Australian army.We did some"strange"things.They always came back for more.Saw lots of Defs
on our Gulf of Carlenteria trip last week.rgs
Brian F Harris(we also have '79 rangie V8)

Alex Hollick replied:

Go for it. I've had a 1998 Defender with the 300Tdi engine for two years now, and it's been the best 4wd I've ever had.
Apart from the engine and some electric bits like ABS and traction control, it would be identical to the Xtreme you're thinking of getting.
the TD5 is more powerful than the 300Tdi I have, and I understand fuel consumption is even lower.
I'm not a great fan of electronic diesels in the outback, but what else can you get these days?
As an example of the fuel economy, on the highway at 110 I use around 10.8l/100km. With a roofrack fitted and doing
between 100 and 110km/h I use 11.6l/100km. If I turn the aircon on that goes up to 12.5-13l/100km.
On the Canning Stock route (2200km of sand dunes) I used 235L of diesel, giving me a fuel consumption of 10.7l/100km, for a heavily laden
vehicle. Interestingly, the 2 landcruise r60's I was travelling with, both with 4L turbodeisel engines used about 30% more fuel than I did and
had more trouble on the dunes as well.
Cheers, and enjoy whatever you get - if you don't enjoy it, don't get it.

Ken Alcock replied:

Mark,
If want a quiet,smooth, comfortable 4wd like a Cruiser or a Patrol then don't even test drive a Defender.
If on the other hand you want a tough no nonsense 4wd that will take you ANYWHERE in reasonable comfort and with little strain on the driver or vehicle then a Defender may suit you.
I've owned many vehicles but my 2000 Defender Extreme is the best one yet. The TD5 is superb. Its very economical,I crossed the Simpson from Birdsville to Oodnadatta on 1 tankful of diesel.
It's got heaps of power but it's no drag racer off the lights. The torque is unbelievable and the off road ability is superb. They are built like a tank and can take the sort of punishment that would eventually break a Japanese made vehicle.
It's a bit of a pig in tight parking spots but I have comfortably cruised at 130 kmh on long outback trips.
If you're the shy type don't buy one because people are always staring at mine and checking it out when I park in busy shopping centres.
I hope this wil give you some insight form an owners perspective. Feel free to contact me for more details.
Ken.

Craig replied:

I have a 94 300 Tdi which has been brilliant. I have 200,000 km on the clock now and have had no problems. Economy is excellent, sure its a truck but thats suits me in the bush. Check it out at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/scales/4wding.htm