So, I found a Defender on the lot for a decent price with around 90% of the options I wanted on it. The only things it’s missing are the Off Road Pack and the Advanced Off Road Capability Pack. Will I really feel like I’m missing out if I don’t have these? I don’t want to turn down a good deal over a couple of options than may not be worth it. I’m also a little unsure of about tbe Resist seats, as I was hoping to find one with Windsor Leather, but that’s not as big of a deal. Attaching the build sheet also.

 

How much off roading with you do?
Everything in the advanced offroad package can be added with a G4 programmer.
The only thing you'll miss out on is the electronic diff and there are some pros and cons to not having it.
If you off road a lot.. A LOT... that e-diff would be nice.
The con is that there is additional required maintenance for that item. It's not a lot, but does require different servicing than the standard diff.
Without the e-diff the electronics perform a similar function by utilizing the brakes on the wheel that slips. So in effect it's doing the same thing.

 

Need off-road packs or the towing pack, unless your gonna get a GAPID and do it later.

 

Is that a big pain to use GAPID? Expensive? Do you think it’s even worth adding the packs with GAPID if I don’t even have the e-diff?

 

I wasn’t planning on doing any hardcore off roading at all. Taking it camping, but not out to anywhere crazy.

 

I believe with GAP ID you gotta re-add it after getting the service if the dealer wipes the computer.

I'd personally buy the options from factory to avoid warranty issues if you have a picky dealer.

Getting the Towing Pack gets you the off-road pack and it's worth it, even if you're just doing light offloading. It's a great feature.

 

I'm having the absolute hardest time finding an X-Dynamic with the e-diff on the lot. It is practically non-existent for some reason. Is it because this trim level doesn't see a lot of offroading? It looks like there's quite a bit of inventory out there with some good discounts, but this option is nowhere to be found.

 

Your build is nice. I’d negotiate the tow hitch into the deal. At first, I thought I wanted the rear locker but then had a reality check that it’s 99% a commuter vehicle not an off-road overlander for me.

 

Yeah, I'm assuming that's why so many of the Defenders on the lot aren't coming with it, because it's just not an option that matters to most people off the street, I guess? The lack of the e-diff is making me hesitate a little. I've got a refundable deposit down on a Lexus GX 550 Overtrail+ at MSRP that I lucked into yesterday just by calling around. I thought I might as well since it's refundable. It's supposed to be here in July. After driving the demo I was fairly certain I was going with the Defender, but it seems to be really hard to find all of the options I'm looking for.

 

I’m not sure why you would roll the dice on a first year small displacement turbo engined,and fresh new software”experience”. I think it’s a great looking release but these new vehicles from Toyota i.e. Lexus are brand new and I think it would be a mistake to assume they are inheriting Toyotas legendary, mechanical in nature, long-term reliability. These new vehicles are completely different animals and there’s no way to know if they will be anywhere near as reliable as the older models. Whereas the defender has had four years to mature, and has been shown to be largely mechanically reliable. Initial software glitches have been fixed with software updates. Unlike the new Toyota, the defender is proving/ has proven to be reliable.