2025 Model year Defenders
#101
I can afford a Defender but it doesn't have the ideal rim size for the best tires This is great FWP ep. 3 stuff. There is noooooo denying the optics on this are bad. But, what can I say? If I'm spending $80k for a Defender, what's it to JLR to put a good tire/rim set on it? Would it hurt their marketing campaign to listen to customers paying them wheel barrels of money for their SUVs?
#102
#103
Originally Posted by curb-optional
I don't think it's an error - I think JLR pulled the 18" steel wheels from the US market. In other markets you can still order a "normal roof." It's only in the US market JLR mandates that everyone have a glass roof, as nobody here ever loads and uses a roof?! So, yea, JLR does that to the US. We get told "you don't really want steel wheels," and then presto, they are gone from our market. Of course many folks do want 18" steel wheels, but for whatever reason, JLR is not in the business of giving us what we want. They instead send the US only what they want to produce. Very annoying. JLR should appreciate what the GX OT is doing; it's better to make what folks want to buy than to force on consumers what you - JLR - thinks we should be driving.... UGh.
I mean driving around how many Defenders you see that are on 18s? They are very rare in my area. I asked my sales person (they have the largest inventory of Defenders in the country) and he said maybe 2 out of 100 people order 18s and they don't spec them because they are hard to resell.
#104
I think JLR knows exactly what they are doing. They have the extensive data on every sale, every option, every build configuration ever done online (even if not ordered). My guess and likely the reality is they cut these options because simply weren't being ordered.
I mean driving around how many Defenders you see that are on 18s? They are very rare in my area. I asked my sales person (they have the largest inventory of Defenders in the country) and he said maybe 2 out of 100 people order 18s and they don't spec them because they are hard to resell.
I mean driving around how many Defenders you see that are on 18s? They are very rare in my area. I asked my sales person (they have the largest inventory of Defenders in the country) and he said maybe 2 out of 100 people order 18s and they don't spec them because they are hard to resell.
Earlier this week I drove by a Whole Foods. As I drove by, a Defender was waiting to turn in while another one was waiting to turn out. That’s the modern Defender customer. It’s a luxury, comfortable on-road cruiser first with great off-road capability. That’s why I bought one. If I need to occasionally travel off the beaten path or wade thru flood water, I feel confident my truck will take me where I need to go.
#105
I think JLR knows exactly what they are doing. They have the extensive data on every sale, every option, every build configuration ever done online (even if not ordered). My guess and likely the reality is they cut these options because simply weren't being ordered.
I mean driving around how many Defenders you see that are on 18s? They are very rare in my area. I asked my sales person (they have the largest inventory of Defenders in the country) and he said maybe 2 out of 100 people order 18s and they don't spec them because they are hard to resell.
I mean driving around how many Defenders you see that are on 18s? They are very rare in my area. I asked my sales person (they have the largest inventory of Defenders in the country) and he said maybe 2 out of 100 people order 18s and they don't spec them because they are hard to resell.
Last edited by Chief65; 05-15-2024 at 06:28 PM.
#106
It’s fair to say the folks at LR are very good at selling Defenders that are completely castrated by the owners spec. Let them eat 22” cake.
No doubting that. Sales are good.
LR generously offer a variety of ways to glam up that now uselessly shod vehicle.
The whole premise of a Defender in the lineup was to replace the retired old Defender.
now it’s becoming more and more a member of the bloated RR lineup.
A city car that can tackle a gravel road or flood from time to time. They already have loads of those.
grumble grumble.
As to early comments about stuff being available aftermarket. Thank you captain obvious.
that misses the point of the thread. Ie. What’s available from LR. Not what do I have to spend and do to get the vehicle I want because they no longer build it in my market.
No doubting that. Sales are good.
LR generously offer a variety of ways to glam up that now uselessly shod vehicle.
The whole premise of a Defender in the lineup was to replace the retired old Defender.
now it’s becoming more and more a member of the bloated RR lineup.
A city car that can tackle a gravel road or flood from time to time. They already have loads of those.
grumble grumble.
As to early comments about stuff being available aftermarket. Thank you captain obvious.
that misses the point of the thread. Ie. What’s available from LR. Not what do I have to spend and do to get the vehicle I want because they no longer build it in my market.
Last edited by GavinC; 05-15-2024 at 11:35 PM.
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#107
lt's clearly what most people want though.
There's a lot of new Defenders round here and mine is the only one on steel wheels. Most have all the gear, and all in black.
There's nothing wrong with it, but it seems that's what people want.
None of these Defenders ever have mud up the sides or show any signs of off-road use.
There's a lot of new Defenders round here and mine is the only one on steel wheels. Most have all the gear, and all in black.
There's nothing wrong with it, but it seems that's what people want.
None of these Defenders ever have mud up the sides or show any signs of off-road use.
#108
wouldn't that be fantastic news! If the rumors of a KO3 tire fitting a 19" Defender rim are true, awesome news for folks looking to buy the "off road ready" Defender trim. It's only the S Trim remaining where JLR allows any sidewall. You can't have a sidewall without the S trim, and the S trim is pretty lonely as JLR is more hyped to sell the X trim. In the most bizarre act of self-loathing, JLR has worked really hard to eliminate all benefits, comfort, cushion, and protection of sidewalls, almost ensuring that folks won't want to drive Defender off road. If you want to be a fancy gym marketing an awesome tennis court that is NEVER busy, simply build an awesome looking court, then tilt ever so slightly the ground underneath. To the eye it will look great and never be busy. But that's only because if you play tennis on an uneven surface it's not that fun. This is JLR: they build an awesome Defender, then change one little thing just enough to ruin the entire experience....Why they build an off road icon and then restrict it's use as an off roader? Very frustrating for sure, but if you put 22" rims on there and pair it with a V8, you've agreed to pay JLR a boatload of your money to simply be a parking lot icon intent on enhancing JLR branding. Those Defenders are an extension of their marketing arm, and I can't imagine it's going to be a fun drive, particularly if you hit stuff. The big rim Defenders are clearly intended by JLR to be parked at Whole Foods and nothing further. To make sure you have zero fun off road, JLR sells you 22" rims - that will teach you to buy an off roader from us!? JLR must imagine Defender between a G Wagon and a Lexus LX. Why can't JLR realize that some of us would park Defender between a Bronco and Wrangler? They have a bit of a snob problem, for sure. What's so wrong with using an off road equipped SUV as an off road SUV? I don't get JLR fears about allowing Defender owners to fit proper tires on there, but clearly they don't want that. Bye bye 18" rims... On the other hand, all this is banter if the news on the new KO3 is true; a Defender with 19" rims and KO3s would be a HUGE winner for the segment of Defender owners that want to do stuff besides showing off to neighbors. The Goodyear Wrangler All Terrain Adventures with Kevlar also seem sturdy & have good reviews, so there will be at least 2 choices for the 19"s.
The following 2 users liked this post by curb-optional:
Ratledge (05-17-2024),
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#109
lt's clearly what most people want though.
There's a lot of new Defenders round here and mine is the only one on steel wheels. Most have all the gear, and all in black.
There's nothing wrong with it, but it seems that's what people want.
None of these Defenders ever have mud up the sides or show any signs of off-road use.
There's a lot of new Defenders round here and mine is the only one on steel wheels. Most have all the gear, and all in black.
There's nothing wrong with it, but it seems that's what people want.
None of these Defenders ever have mud up the sides or show any signs of off-road use.
The following 2 users liked this post by curb-optional:
Ratledge (05-17-2024),
The Phantom Menace (08-12-2024)
#110
Anybody see the odd commercial with a Defender on 22's with the music producer? Basically says the Defender is "capable of great things" but mostly intended for a wealthy successful music producer to drive from his home to the recording studio. Thankfully those of us that want to use that capability can add better tires, a winch, air compressor, roof rack, bike rack, ski box and drive it as we wish through the woods, in the mountains, through deep snow, soft sand, etc.
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curb-optional (05-18-2024)