2022 P300S impressions after ~ 400 miles local and ~ 2,600 mile road trip
#12
08-02-2021, 08:19 PM
Rock Crawling
Nice write-up, I agree with a lot of what you said, I still say JLR made a blunder by giving just about every press car reviewer the P400 for like the first six months, that's about all I ever saw on Youtube. The P300 engine was far too good to be ignored IMO.
The mid-grade of the Meridian stereo that I went for is underwhelming, coming from my Q5 which if I recall was the base stereo system it was a solid notch better than mid grade here. I thought it was a no-brainer to go above the base stereo for like $400 add the Meridian but in retrospect the base stereo can't be much worse than this. If I had it to do over I'd either go with the base and live with it or go all the way up to the full surround Meridian. I mean so far it's ok, that's all it is. Maybe it's something about the acoustics and the cathedral ceiling.
I didn't go for any wood finishers but in retrospect I wish I had seen some more of it on test drives. The rough cut walnut you went with sounds good. For those still getting ready to order they might want to be careful with the wood trim finishers and posted pics because the colors can be 'off', either that or there's a lot of variability in the richness of the colors. With that said I love the vehicle, just adding some thoughts for folks still hanging out with the 'configurator'. It was a really good way to spend last winter. lol
The mid-grade of the Meridian stereo that I went for is underwhelming, coming from my Q5 which if I recall was the base stereo system it was a solid notch better than mid grade here. I thought it was a no-brainer to go above the base stereo for like $400 add the Meridian but in retrospect the base stereo can't be much worse than this. If I had it to do over I'd either go with the base and live with it or go all the way up to the full surround Meridian. I mean so far it's ok, that's all it is. Maybe it's something about the acoustics and the cathedral ceiling.
I didn't go for any wood finishers but in retrospect I wish I had seen some more of it on test drives. The rough cut walnut you went with sounds good. For those still getting ready to order they might want to be careful with the wood trim finishers and posted pics because the colors can be 'off', either that or there's a lot of variability in the richness of the colors. With that said I love the vehicle, just adding some thoughts for folks still hanging out with the 'configurator'. It was a really good way to spend last winter. lol
Last edited by Chief65; 08-02-2021 at 08:42 PM.
#13
08-09-2021, 05:15 AM
Drifting
#14
08-09-2021, 07:54 AM
michaellenzi - I see from your signature photo that you likely have a WRI STI. I had a nicely-modded Evo 9 for quite a while (400+ whp). While the p300 isn't going to keep up with a STI/Evo, it's plenty peppy enough around town. Moving the shift lever over to sport mode in the Defender helps with faster transmission shifts and lets you hold the RPM in a gear longer which also helps.
You're going to love the Defender - congrats!
You're going to love the Defender - congrats!
#15
08-09-2021, 08:32 AM
Drifting
Thanks. Yeah, I have a 2015. Lots of mods. It went from fairly subtle to obnoxious in a heartbeat! You know how it goes.
I am right at 375 hp to wheels with pump gas. I may do built block and slightly larger turbo. Who knows. The Defender is now the new kid so it will monopolize my cash for the near future.
Take care,
Michael
I am right at 375 hp to wheels with pump gas. I may do built block and slightly larger turbo. Who knows. The Defender is now the new kid so it will monopolize my cash for the near future.
Take care,
Michael
michaellenzi - I see from your signature photo that you likely have a WRI STI. I had a nicely-modded Evo 9 for quite a while (400+ whp). While the p300 isn't going to keep up with a STI/Evo, it's plenty peppy enough around town. Moving the shift lever over to sport mode in the Defender helps with faster transmission shifts and lets you hold the RPM in a gear longer which also helps.
You're going to love the Defender - congrats!
You're going to love the Defender - congrats!
#17
08-09-2021, 10:16 AM
Recovery Vehicle
I just passed through 10,000 miles, with quite a bit of off-road use, on my P300 D110 S with Terrain response 2. I have concluded that the AUTO mode in TR2 is the value of the purchase.
AUTO is my default mode now and so I almost never see the (useless?) comfort mode engaged and I find that for all non-momentum based off-roading ( anything not in heavy mud, heavy snow or heavy sand -- where turning off DSC is necessary), letting the computer decide is optimum -- over having to choose the mode as differing surfaces are encountered (required in TR1).
Jumping between off-road modes is necessary in my LR4 (TR1) and it gets old in mixed environements. With TR2, I must only decide if I am in a momentum maintenance situation, choose the mode and turn off DSC (if it is safe to do so).
I continue to fiddle with the TR2 configuration panels and am as yet unable to better the computer in those situation where Auto mode use applies. Possibly if one modifies the vehicle into a rock crawler, some of the detailed control adjustment may be necessary?
AUTO is my default mode now and so I almost never see the (useless?) comfort mode engaged and I find that for all non-momentum based off-roading ( anything not in heavy mud, heavy snow or heavy sand -- where turning off DSC is necessary), letting the computer decide is optimum -- over having to choose the mode as differing surfaces are encountered (required in TR1).
Jumping between off-road modes is necessary in my LR4 (TR1) and it gets old in mixed environements. With TR2, I must only decide if I am in a momentum maintenance situation, choose the mode and turn off DSC (if it is safe to do so).
I continue to fiddle with the TR2 configuration panels and am as yet unable to better the computer in those situation where Auto mode use applies. Possibly if one modifies the vehicle into a rock crawler, some of the detailed control adjustment may be necessary?
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michaellenzi (08-09-2021)
#18
08-09-2021, 10:38 AM
Drifting
I just passed through 10,000 miles, with quite a bit of off-road use, on my P300 D110 S with Terrain response 2. I have concluded that the AUTO mode in TR2 is the value of the purchase.
AUTO is my default mode now and so I almost never see the (useless?) comfort mode engaged and I find that for all non-momentum based off-roading ( anything not in heavy mud, heavy snow or heavy sand -- where turning off DSC is necessary), letting the computer decide is optimum -- over having to choose the mode as differing surfaces are encountered (required in TR1).
Jumping between off-road modes is necessary in my LR4 (TR1) and it gets old in mixed environements. With TR2, I must only decide if I am in a momentum maintenance situation, choose the mode and turn off DSC (if it is safe to do so).
I continue to fiddle with the TR2 configuration panels and am as yet unable to better the computer in those situation where Auto mode use applies. Possibly if one modifies the vehicle into a rock crawler, some of the detailed control adjustment may be necessary?
AUTO is my default mode now and so I almost never see the (useless?) comfort mode engaged and I find that for all non-momentum based off-roading ( anything not in heavy mud, heavy snow or heavy sand -- where turning off DSC is necessary), letting the computer decide is optimum -- over having to choose the mode as differing surfaces are encountered (required in TR1).
Jumping between off-road modes is necessary in my LR4 (TR1) and it gets old in mixed environements. With TR2, I must only decide if I am in a momentum maintenance situation, choose the mode and turn off DSC (if it is safe to do so).
I continue to fiddle with the TR2 configuration panels and am as yet unable to better the computer in those situation where Auto mode use applies. Possibly if one modifies the vehicle into a rock crawler, some of the detailed control adjustment may be necessary?
--Michael
#19
08-09-2021, 11:47 AM
Yes, although I got TR2 as part of the towing pack. I wanted the towing hitch, and didn't want to risk not getting the TR2 software -- in the end it wasn't that much more $$ to just go for the towing pack. I haven't had the chance to do any off-roading yet, so no comments as to the usefulness. Sounds like a great STI -- my advice: never sell it.
Ed
Ed
