I just got my Defender 110 (3L) this week. I’m being very careful during the break in period but when I park there is a burning smell like my BMW’s have when you run them hard.

Is this normal break in?

Picture below for fun

 

I don’t remember a burning smell with our MY21 but when my wife got her X5, it had a burning smell. I called the dealer and they said it was normal, for the first thousand or so miles. Seals are heating up and engine dressing burning off is what they said.

 

It's probably all the gook they put on it burning off or someone forgot to attach a clamp somewhere. Either way it will be fine. It's a new Defender so what could possibly go wrong.

 

If it smells like your BMW, it's likely brakes which is normal. I definitely noticed some interesting breaking in smells. If it actually smells intensely like burning oil or plastic, take it in. But if you're not seeing any smoke, you're likely fine. Take a look under the hood and make sure nothing is obviously leaking.