New Defenders Group on Facebook?

[Chris F]

Is anyone else on it? I got kicked out for pointing out that half the posts were from JLR staff pretending to give independent comment on how great it was.

It had got to the point where I was clicking on the poster checking where they worked before reading, it wasn't very subtle. I guess JLR where a bit upset by me pointing this out and kicked me out. Pretty much showing its a JLR Facebook group in all but name.

Stupid thing is, I am one of their potential buyers for the new defender. I loved the old one, but not having a farm any more and generally doing a few more miles, I want the extra comfort of the Discovery. So the new Defender, barring the price is a good choice for me. Can;t wait to bid a dealer in the nuts for one now once they finally get a supply of parts from China again.

 

[Cowabunga]

Has any retail customer taken delivery of a new Defender yet, or do all 'owners' work work for Land Rover?

Something must have gone terribly wrong for a launch to be this long drawn out. I've seen pictures of some vehicles apparently bound for America, but the question now is whether the USA will let any in, or let any JLR staff into their country?

 

[chaffcutter]

Saw the first one I’ve seen on the road yesterday in Kenilworth, any ideas as to owner @Cab-over Pete ?

 

[JP1]

Chris I've forgotten all about the thing. I'm glad it may do OK for JLR. It may be very on brand in style but they've forgotten the base utility for country folk

I just hope Ineos can carry it off

 

[Clive]

I saw a decent spec 90 last week at 44k

so that “might” but a lower air. commercial at under 40k. - then remove the vat and you start to get closer to the top end double cab market ??

that facebook group is a joke though - clearly created by JRL marketing and full of their employees- ASA have rules about that kind of thing ?

 

[pettsy]

A friend of mine has just finished touring Namibia with the new defender....he’s a JLR employee.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Saw the first one I’ve seen on the road yesterday in Kenilworth, any ideas as to owner @Cab-over Pete ?

I don’t know anybody that owns one but we’ve been seeing them on the roads around here for several months.

We live only about two miles from the JLR Fen End test track and if you get anywhere near it you’re bound to see them often.

I have a lot of customers between here and the Gaydon JLR site and also near Solihull so have seen them regularly for ages.

I would love one but don’t think I’ll be able to stretch that far. Not after 5 moths of wet weather anyway!!!

 

[mf7480]

I think the Ineos thing looks very good from the sketchy details that have so far been released. I bet they couldn’t believe their luck when the new defender was released.

It’s such a shame Land Rover didn’t do to the Defender what Merc did with the G Wagon. Keep the overall design and character of the thing, but bring it up to date. Keep proper utility versions to keep the Defender name strong and Drop the supercharged V8 into it as and SVR to compete with the AMG Merc to sell at £100k/ piece- they’d be onto a winner. I think they’re going to struggle with this one. It doesn’t carry the heritage of the old one, and isn’t as good as a Discovery. So what’s it for?

 

[Lofty1984]

@Ducati899

 

[Chris F]

Has any retail customer taken delivery of a new Defender yet, or do all 'owners' work work for Land Rover?

Something must have gone terribly wrong for a launch to be this long drawn out. I've seen pictures of some vehicles apparently bound for America, but the question now is whether the USA will let any in, or let any JLR staff into their country?

They are all passionate about the brand apparently - that and the massive discount they get on new JLR products! No customer deliveries yet, just employees taking the cars out at weekends, pretending to do "job" with them.

I was looking forward to driving one, but the whole launch feels a bit strange. Land rover seem to have just lost their way a bit, but in reality we just aren;t their target market anymore and they will sell plenty of these cars.

 

[Clive]

Has any retail customer taken delivery of a new Defender yet, or do all 'owners' work work for Land Rover?

Something must have gone terribly wrong for a launch to be this long drawn out. I've seen pictures of some vehicles apparently bound for America, but the question now is whether the USA will let any in, or let any JLR staff into their country?

i suspect you are right - have never known a launch so drawn out

 

[Chris F]

A friend of mine has just finished touring Namibia with the new defender....he’s a JLR employee.

I saw that, some of the pictures were amazing. I bet it was a LOT more pleasant that it would have been in an old defender

 

[HolzKopf]

I was looking forward to driving one, but the whole launch feels a bit strange. Land rover seem to have just lost their way a bit, but in reality we just aren;t their target market anymore and they will sell plenty of these cars.

A family in the village has a top spec Twisted - ideal for the station car-park, potholes and 'snow' - he's a fund manager she's a gym member. Apart from a couple of other top end german cars, this is their plaything. That's JLR's new target market

 

[Matt L]

Horrendous thing. Had a drive of one in Wales a few weeks ago. Will keep my tdci thank you very much.
wentcutting firewood today and would never have ventured into the woods with the new one as without a doubt it would still be struggling to get back out of the woods with the loaded trailer.

 

[Tomr10]

A freind used to have a new defender every year he put his name down for the new one as soon as it came up. I think hes going to be disappointed with it's even worse robustness

 

[Chris F]

A family in the village has a top spec Twisted - ideal for the station car-park, potholes and 'snow' - he's a fund manager she's a gym member. Apart from a couple of other top end german cars, this is their plaything. That's JLR's new target market

Agree with every bit of that.

 

[Clive]

A family in the village has a top spec Twisted - ideal for the station car-park, potholes and 'snow' - he's a fund manager she's a gym member. Apart from a couple of other top end german cars, this is their plaything. That's JLR's new target market

of course that’s the market - but i think JLR. have screwed up big time as they appeal to those people because they are so basic and flawed / rare / cool . ..... they make this too good and it’s just another discovery, nothing special

The rich mans toy market has plenty of choice, i think jlr have made a massive mistake when you can. buy a sub 10k miles Maclaren for less £ than a new Defender which “toy” would you choose

 

[Cowabunga]

of course that’s the market - but i think JLR. have screwed up big time as they appeal to those people because they are so basic and flawed / rare / cool . ..... they make this too good and it’s just another discovery, nothing special

The rich mans toy market has plenty of choice, i think jlr have made a massive mistake when you can. buy a sub 10k miles Maclaren for less £ than a new Defender which “toy” would you choose

Defender. If you think LR build quality, reliability and customer service are bad, you would have a real eye opener/wallet lightener if you bought a McLaren. Exclusivity and big bucks does not buy reliability or customer satisfaction.

 

[Clive]

Defender. If you think LR build quality, reliability and customer service are bad, you would have a real eye opener/wallet lightener if you bought a Maclaren. Exclusivity and big bucks does not buy reliability or customer satisfaction.

you have experience of this ?

having run and paid the bills in various “toys” I can tell you a Range Rover can generate bills every bit as big and cost more to service ! - in fact it’s one of the most expensive cars to service i have ever owned and also takes the crown for worst dealer service as well !


The new Defender is not appealing to the market JLR intend S it’s too soft and no longer “cool” but it has made the original Defender a lot more attract to them hence why they are worth such silly money now

 

[Cowabunga]

you have experience of this ?

Indirectly.
By the way, the company is McLaren, not Maclaren.