Currently in a 2018 Disco HSE with 80,000 miles and looking to make a change.
Starting to look at used Defenders and have some questions.
I’m seeing low mile ’22 X-Dynamic HSE’s out there priced in the mid $60’s.
Trying to interpret what comes with this trim level though.
Do they all have 2 lockers and a front skid plate with exposed recovery point, or is this an add-on package?
I’ve heard that perhaps the double locker models are more prone to issues…something about the rear locker causing problems?
Do they all have the non-carpeted plastic / rubber floor?
This feature seems like a good idea at first but wondering what folks opinions are after living with it…is it slippery, is it loud, etc.?
It appears the X-Dynamic all have the gloss black trim around the wheel arches / bumpers…correct?
Does this gloss black trim get scuffed up as easily as I’m imagining?
Some of the models I’ve seen list Windsor leather and Robustek seats.
I’ve had a couple loaner Defenders over the years that had the original Robustek and it was a cloth-like
material that stained very easily…like if you opened the door when it was raining, the water would leave a
stain on the fabric. The “new” Robustek appears to have more of a coated / vinyl like finish. Is this the case?
Did they change the material and if so, does it wear better and not show stains like the original material did?
Any known gremlins to watch out for?
At some point I recall people advising to focus on the 2020 models because they were pre-covid and were the best builds.
Is this accurate…are there certain model years that are better than others?
The ‘22’s that I’ve seen all appear to have everything (full digital instrument cluster, the big screen nav, sunglass holder, etc.).
How flat do the seats fold?
The Disco folds completely flat and is great for hauling a couple dog kennels.
Do the Defender seats fold flat as well?
I know the boxy shape and upright windshield lend themselves to rock chips on the highway, but does the Defender also
suffer the same leaky windshield issues that plague the Disco?
Can all wheel styles be fitted with good A/T tires or are there certain ones to avoid (22” for instance)?
Are black wheels an issue with regard to scratching / scuffing / showing wear?
Any other features to look for or avoid?
Any other gremlins / issues to be wary of?
Apologies for the long post, but thanks in advance for any intel you all can share.

 

What does CPO include?
If I'm looking at a '22, does it include the balance of the factory warranty plus something additional for the CPO?
Does CPO come with better financing?
The LR site shows "Defender 20-23 model year 12-60 months 4.99% APR".

 

I have a 2020 that I bought CPO. If it hasn’t changed, it adds 1 year and 50k miles to the factory warranty. Freaking great option.

 

They all have skidplates under the vehicle, but the bumper skidplate with the exposed recovery point is optional. I cut a hole in my bumper with a sawzall to expose the front recovery point and wrapped some trim around it wo make it look presentable.






Some people have experienced issues with the rear diff clunking; some have had them replaced. The clunking is some slight friction in the diff, and it is completely normal according to the folks I spoke with at the LR Experience Centers at the Biltmore Estate and in Solihull, UK. One of my friends who was a Development engineer on the D5 and Defender also told me this was normal, and the folks at my dealer haven't had to replace any rear diffs on an L663. Mine has a slight clunk and it hasn't gotten worse since it started clunking. I'm not concerned after speaking with multiple people who are very familiar with this topic. It helps if you flush the rear diff fluid before the recommended 63k mile interval. Also, the rear locking diff is part of the Off-Road pack. It is really nice to have, but by no means necessary. The traction control and ABS is so much quicker to respond in the L663 compared to the other D7 platform cars. Because of this, the rear wheels grip much faster even without the rear diff lock. A Defender without a rear locking diff can go anywhere a Defender with a locker can go, it will just spin its wheels a bit more until it finds traction. All Defenders come with an infinitely-variable locking center diff.
Yes, they all have it. They come standard with carpet floor mats that can be removed. It isn't slippery, but like any hard/rubber floor, it is loud and squeaky with wet shoes.
The original material was called "Robust Woven Textile," which isn't the same as Robustec. Mine has held up fine over the past 3 1/2 years I've had my Defender. While it is prone to staining, the stains are easily removed with fabric cleaner. The Robustec, which is softer and more durable than the textile is so much better, though. I have been in loaner Defenders with Robustec with zero staining whatsoever. Robustec is exclusive to X-Dynamic models.
I have an early 2021MY build. It came with every option and feature that I ordered. Late 2022MY and 2023MY vehicles have most of the missing features. 2023.5MY is when features started returning (like the digital cluster, ClearSight mirror etc.)
Yes, the Defender seats fold flat. However, if you use the third row in your D5, I'd get a Defender 130, as it has a large third row. The 110's third row is much smaller than the D5. I didn't spec my Defender with the third row because I had my D5 if I needed to haul people around.
Defender doesn't have the leaky windshield problem. I'm sure you are aware of the reason they leaked on the D5 - they didn't put enough glue on the windshield at the factory. My D5's windshield leaked, but I didn't know it leaked because no water ever got into the cabin. Once the windshield broke, the tech that replaced it said there wasn't any glue on the sides, and the water leaked out under the car instead of getting in the cabin. Thankfully, after the replacement, there was enough glue used to completely seal the windshield.
See the sticky thread at the top of the forum page for an in-depth discussion on this topic.
https://landroverforums.com/forum/20...ogress-101530/

Also, get one on air suspension. The coil-sprung cars still have excellent ride quality, but the air springs are the way to go. You have significantly more ground clearance and articulation when going off-road, you can lower the car so it is easier to get in and out, and the air springs come standard with adaptive dampers, which constantly adjust 500 times a second always ensuring you have a smooth ride.

 

CPO is basically a used Defender that was inspected by JLR and comes with an extra year of warranty from the original sale date. You can purchase an extra year of CPO warranty on top of that, so the maximum warranty is a 6 year/100k mile warranty. So if you bought a Defender that is two years old, has 30k miles with the full extended CPO warranty, you will have four years and 70k miles of warranty remaining, whichever comes first.

 

This is an important point that I picked up on while shopping. If the vehicle is still relatively new (<3 years old), the CPO isn't getting you much except additional mileage, where as some other manufacturers CPO is above and beyond the base warranty. Ultimately a big reason I just went with new to get the full runway

 

And it is important to note that getting a CPO vehicle is the only way you can get an in-house JLR extended warranty.

 

I just did a deal on a CPO '24. That extended warranty was a major selling point frankly. 5 years and 100k.

 

Thanks Cincy for the comprehensive replies...much appreciated!

 

If hunting for a good quality used Defender, I'll be trading in my 2023 soon to Land Rover Rockland. It's a P400 X-Dynamic with nearly every option, 36,000 miles and in very good condition.

Due to the chip shortage, It is missing the clear view rear mirror camera and USB ports in the back. And it has the 400 watt Meridian sound system, not the 700 watt I ordered.

The only reason I'm trading it in is to take advantage of the section 179 tax break on the new one. My 2025 arrived in Baltimore but maybe the dock workers strike will delay the transport to Boston.