I bought a new defender 130 x dynamic p400 about a month ago and noticed the heavy lean when taking a turn or a corner. I upgraded from a 2017 x5 which had active air suspension to raise the car on bumps and level on turns. I am wondering if the defender has a similar system and if so how to control it.

 

Moved to the correct forum us old defender guys can’t help ya😁

 

The Defender's suspension tuning is nothing like BMW. The X5 is a competent handler set up for on-road dynamics. The Defender isn't tuned for sporty driving dynamics like a BMW. It is tuned for comfort and off-road capability. That said, I wouldn't say it handles like a truck or old-school SUV. If you have the Dynamic-i interface programmed, you can adjust the damper stiffness, but the difference between normal and dynamic is negligible.

 

We traded-in a X5 M50i for one of our Defenders so I know exactly what you are feeling. Unfortunately the Defender can't handle like an X5. Then again, I've see X5s stuck in beach sand so each vehicle has their own capabilities. After a while you will get used to the handling of the Defender.

 

Former X5 owner as well, and I personally find the Defender's overall blend of ride, handling and absolute capability to be about the best there is in the segment. It can't corner quite like an X5, but it does everything else better and while there's nowhere an X5 can go that a Defender can't, the reverse isn't true. I think Land Rover did an excellent job.

 

Cornering in a 130... smh, IMO you're asking a lot with any kind of suspension. If cornering is even mentioned on your list of nice to haves when car shopping then with all due respect you've bought the wrong vehicle.

 

Anyone who has driven 130 vs 110 can comment? Do 130's lean more than 110's? My 110 does not lean in any overly dramatic or noticeably poor way in corners. It handles great for a truck. 110 X w/ air suspension.

 

If I understand your question, are you asking if you have air suspension? Or maybe do you have coil suspension? If you know you have air suspension, then I’m assuming if you do, then you are asking if it is controllable/adjustable. If you don’t know which suspension you have, check your window sticker. As far as cornering, like the others have stated, the Defender is tall and boxy and the laws of physics will dictate its nimbleness. I’m am quite happy with the handling of of my 110, but it can’t hold a candle to my Porsche Boxster, which is slung like a skateboard and seems glued to the ground when cornering.

 

All new Defender 130s (at least US spec) come with the adaptive air suspension. There aren't any changes or inputs that I am aware of to adjust how it adapts to road conditions, its simply supposed to react to changes to smooth out the ride and cornering. However, I guess its all relative. I find it does a superb job, but that is compared to a truck with suspension like a Conestoga wagon and my LR4.

Wilybyrd
'24 D130
'10 LR4

 

I would agree with this ....I thought my 110 was going to have much more body roll.