When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Awhile back now we were driving home from the Sunshine Coast on one of the many roundabouts near Noosa and a guy in his Patrol (Armada for you American folks) got ‘confused’ on a roundabout and kept turning around from the outside lane when we were going straight. Fortunately, we were able to steer out of the way and the only damage being rubbing against the other car laterally instead of pushing into eachother - thus the only thing ‘damaged’ is the little spat on the fender.
… while his car was dented all up the side. Took it into LR and the suspension and body are all good.
and the best bit is we were towing two Jet Skis as well.
While it was in we also got some warranty work done. Two issues: squeaky front passenger head rest (going over bumps and when you put your head on it) and squeaky rear suspension (going over speed bumps, sort of sounded like the hydraulics of a low-rider).
About the headrest, the technician said “Removed Front passenger seat head rest back cover and applied anti rattle tape. Verified concern, rattle noise from front passenger seat while driving on uneven roads. Noise located from head rest. Removed head rest cover, noticed rubbing marks on head rest clips. Applied anti rattle tape.” What exactly the attached photos of is difficult to gauge, somewhere in the headrest I presume, but I’ll attach them anyway.
The suspension: “Corrected Rear 6D suspension hydraulic hose routing. However, 6D suspension hydraulic flow noise can be heard which is normal 6D suspension characteristic. Verified concern, Rubbing noise from rear suspension while driving over the road humps. No related DTCs. During rear suspension inspection noticed rear RH damper 6D hydraulic hose routing incorrect, hoses crossing over and rubbing against to each other. Also rear LH hydraulic hose rubbing with damper dust cover. Corrected hydraulic hose routing and re-tested concern rectified.” Umm, not ideal that the car was built wrong. It’s not even one of the first batches - they are 2024 and this is a 2025. Oh well, it’s quieter now but as the tech said some hydraulic noise is characteristic of the 6D suspension. I just hope no other lines are routed wrong. Here’s the photos they attached:
That milk that we went through at Mount Mee really got everywhere hey! FYI, these services were done back in early October.
This is great info. I'll inspect mine to see how those hoses are configured.
This is great info. I'll inspect mine to see how those hoses are configured.
Would recommend. The rear suspension is much quieter now. If it sort of sounded like a low-rider after you go over one of these parking garage speed bumps when the lines were routed wrong. I don’t know if you have to take the wheel off to get good access though - but I’d say that is likely needed. What MY and landed year is yours?
” Umm, not ideal that the car was built wrong. It’s not even one of the first batches - they are 2024 and this is a 2025. Oh well, it’s quieter now but as the tech said some hydraulic noise is characteristic of the 6D suspension. I just hope no other lines are routed wrong. [/color]
OCTA was new for the 2025MY worldwide. There were no 24MY OCTAs.
OCTA was new for the 2025MY worldwide. There were no 24MY OCTAs.
Yeah, my bad. I meant the year it landed. There were only a few in Australia that landed 2024, but mine landed 2025 so therefore it's somewhat of a later model. See the NDM Defender OCTA
Awhile back now we were driving home from the Sunshine Coast on one of the many roundabouts near Noosa and a guy in his Patrol (Armada for you American folks) got ‘confused’ on a roundabout and kept turning around from the outside lane when we were going straight. Fortunately, we were able to steer out of the way and the only damage being rubbing against the other car laterally instead of pushing into eachother - thus the only thing ‘damaged’ is the little spat on the fender.
… while his car was dented all up the side. Took it into LR and the suspension and body are all good.
and the best bit is we were towing two Jet Skis as well.
While it was in we also got some warranty work done. Two issues: squeaky front passenger head rest (going over bumps and when you put your head on it) and squeaky rear suspension (going over speed bumps, sort of sounded like the hydraulics of a low-rider).
About the headrest, the technician said “Removed Front passenger seat head rest back cover and applied anti rattle tape. Verified concern, rattle noise from front passenger seat while driving on uneven roads. Noise located from head rest. Removed head rest cover, noticed rubbing marks on head rest clips. Applied anti rattle tape.” What exactly the attached photos of is difficult to gauge, somewhere in the headrest I presume, but I’ll attach them anyway.
The suspension: “Corrected Rear 6D suspension hydraulic hose routing. However, 6D suspension hydraulic flow noise can be heard which is normal 6D suspension characteristic. Verified concern, Rubbing noise from rear suspension while driving over the road humps. No related DTCs. During rear suspension inspection noticed rear RH damper 6D hydraulic hose routing incorrect, hoses crossing over and rubbing against to each other. Also rear LH hydraulic hose rubbing with damper dust cover. Corrected hydraulic hose routing and re-tested concern rectified.” Umm, not ideal that the car was built wrong. It’s not even one of the first batches - they are 2024 and this is a 2025. Oh well, it’s quieter now but as the tech said some hydraulic noise is characteristic of the 6D suspension. I just hope no other lines are routed wrong. Here’s the photos they attached:
That milk that we went through at Mount Mee really got everywhere hey! FYI, these services were done back in early October.
When I tried to send you a thank you message last time, I got an error that exceeded the transmittable amount, so I'm only sending it now. First of all, in my case, I decided to replace both rear suspensions. Based on the picture you uploaded last time, I checked all the hydraulic lines, but they are well-equipped and the sound of my vehicle is abnormal compared to other octa (demo cars). So I decided to replace it and They have stock of shock in the UK, so I think we will replace it around February 26th..! I will share it again later. Merry Christmas Thank you again
New member here. After a nice long run in my beloved e63s wagon, I am seriously considering an Octa. Typically I'd start out with asking current owners what are some of the must have options I should include in my owner...but you can hardly pick the interior color that you want based on how restrictive the build paths are on the online configurator. Is all of that correct or do the dealers have more latitude (ie this color interior not allowed with that color exterior, etc)?
Beyond option-ing...anything I should keep in mind going into this? Latest-gen Defenders owners seem like a pretty satisfied bunch from what I've seen, anecdotally.
A bit of a nothing post here, but I am just trying to tease out a bit more real ownership experience feedback as I'm new to the brand and model. Thanks in advance.
Beyond option-ing...anything I should keep in mind going into this?
Its my understanding that if you order it with the street tires, its not speed-limited whereas if you get the A/T wheels/tires, it is computer limited to 99mph which isn't unlockable.
Latest-gen Defenders owners seem like a pretty satisfied bunch from what I've seen, anecdotally.
There are always exceptions but this has been my observation as well. We have had a great experience so far with our L663.
Typically I'd start out with asking current owners what are some of the must have options I should include in my owner...but you can hardly pick the interior color that you want based on how restrictive the build paths are on the online configurator. Is all of that correct or do the dealers have more latitude (ie this color interior not allowed with that color exterior, etc)?
Beyond option-ing...anything I should keep in mind going into this? Latest-gen Defenders owners seem like a pretty satisfied bunch from what I've seen, anecdotally.
I had a look on the configurator and the only times a ‘build path’ is restricted (in terms of exterior color and interior) is when you choose Sargasso Blue. You can’t get the Burnt Sienna leather or Khaki ultra fabric, but can still get black leather or white ultra fabric. I assume this is so their new ‘hero colour’ doesn’t clash with the interior colour.
The only option I strongly recommend getting is Ultrafabric seats, whether White or Khaki. This is because the leather seats crease extremely easily, especially considering how most people slide over the bolsters to get in/out due to the high driving position. I have seen OCTAs with leather seats be creased after ~300km, however my Edition One with Khaki Ultrafabric seats is showing no signs of creasing after several thousand kms. There is also no compromise on comfort. It’s a really nice material.
Its my understanding that if you order it with the street tires, its not speed-limited whereas if you get the A/T wheels/tires, it is computer limited to 99mph which isn't unlockable.
Thanks for the heads up on that. Looking into it more...apparently, its 99mph for the for the "Advanced" all terrain tires, on the 20" rims. You get 130mph with the non-Advanced all terrain tires. on the 20" rims. This is the way I would spec it.
Originally Posted by A1C6
I had a look on the configurator and the only times a ‘build path’ is restricted (in terms of exterior color and interior) is when you choose Sargasso Blue. You can’t get the Burnt Sienna leather or Khaki ultra fabric, but can still get black leather or white ultra fabric. I assume this is so their new ‘hero colour’ doesn’t clash with the interior colour.
The only option I strongly recommend getting is Ultrafabric seats, whether White or Khaki. This is because the leather seats crease extremely easily, especially considering how most people slide over the bolsters to get in/out due to the high driving position. I have seen OCTAs with leather seats be creased after ~300km, however my Edition One with Khaki Ultrafabric seats is showing no signs of creasing after several thousand kms. There is also no compromise on comfort. It’s a really nice material.
Yes, good catch. I was in the blue build path...and khaki interior should not be available with this blue, so no loss there. Maybe the whole thing felt restrictive because there is basically one single ROYGBV color and then a couple grey/gold/black to kick things off with. Appreciate the tip on the ultrafabric...I did see in a few launch reviews where the reviewers commented on how creased up the leather driver seat bolster was. I will give the non-leather a try.
In the hopes of getting another color in the mix, do you all recall when (Sept/Oct/Nov) the next model year color is revealed? As I understand it, there was a green avail last model year, and the blue came in for this m/y.
Last edited by b0rderman; Jan 12, 2026 at 08:35 AM.
In the hopes of getting another color in the mix, do you all recall when (Sept/Oct/Nov) the next model year color is revealed? As I understand it, there was a green avail last model year, and the blue came in for this m/y.
JLR usually announces next model years in the spring. I'd expect to see a 2027MY announcement sometime between April-June. However, sometimes they take a while. The 2026MY RR & RRS wasn't available until this past November.
