Is it a Land Rover day? It feels like a Land Rover day. So I drove a thing.

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
09/11/2020 at 20:20 • Filed to: New Defender

I like it. A lot. I6 version. Not fast by my standards, quick enough, but I couldn’t go for a slower one. Drives great, still feels like a truck, without handling like a Jeep. Design language, inside and out, to me at least, are what a modern defender should be and it looks great in person.

The only negatives I can give it are: alpine windows are comically small, and response from a stop when the engine has shut off is pretty slow.

If I were to order one, it would be pangea green. To me it looks better in person than t asman blue. I would probably try to get the white roof and white steel wheels, but they seem to only be available on super base trim, but I would probably go for a middle trim. All that being said it doesn’t really matter what I think anyways, at least not right now, I’m not buying one. At least probably not. Or at least not yet...?

DISCUSSION (25)

CB > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/11/2020 at 20:24

You know, I bet if you were to order one, they’d give you white steelies if you asked.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > CB
09/11/2020 at 20:25

I did ask. The sales guy didn’t make it sound as simple as that. But were I to actually order one, I would look more into it.

arl > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/11/2020 at 20:46

I sat in one at the Auto show (re member those, lol) and it seemed a bit basic. But I would like to drive one. Did you go “offroad” on a deal er test track?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > arl
09/11/2020 at 20:53

It’s less basic than a Jeep, but more basic than a G-wagen. Different trim levels can snazz it up of course. I really like the minimalist design of it and think it is reminiscent of the original defender; which says a lot to me having worked on and driven a ton of those. This dealer doesn't have an off-road track, but I did drive it off of a curb!

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/11/2020 at 21:13

Seeing a number of these around here already, locally anyway, it’ll be a hit. This is exactly what the local techies who like overlander cosplay are looking for.

That being said, the vehicle itself has merit, I don’t hate it. I just mock the demographic :)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail
09/11/2020 at 21:17

This is very true. My local dealer has sold a bunch, people have had them on order for a year now. Ordering at this point gets you a 2021. Got me at least, it's a perfect fit for what I do, and more than capable enough to do it. Mercedes doesn't make anything this capable for anywhere near this price, and I can't stand jeeps, so here I am.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/11/2020 at 22:06

Saw one this morning in Evanston

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
09/11/2020 at 22:15

What are your thoughts on how it looks?

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/11/2020 at 22:29

I think the ones I saw at the local dealer a couple month ago were spoken for as well. This might be the “cool” Rover product - not as bedazzled as the Range Rovers, not as oblivious suburbanite as the smaller models. I am sure it can be outfitted to be insanely capable.

If I wanted something like that, I’d be into a new style G (non-AMG) or Landcruiser, as they both have a cult and retain value. But for my needs, snow tires on the wagon would no doubt take me anywhere I’d ever go.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail
09/11/2020 at 23:28

The G is literally twice as much money. LC uses ancient tech and is fugly. This might end up retraining value really well too, defenders of the old variety have quite a cult as well.

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/11/2020 at 23:59

I should have said if money was no object lol. LC probably has the same cruise control switch as a 95 Camry and the infotainment of a 2007 model, but they do have a following.

Definitely it will have some resale, probably better than anything else under the brand umbrella, as Range Rovers seem to hold value like used milk past a certain age.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail
09/12/2020 at 01:39

Lol yeah if money didn’t matter I would just get a new GLS with E-ABC and off-road package, or a new G. But best case that's 90k for a 450 without the off-road package. 580 is a lot more expensive. The LC I think literally has an engine from like 2007, it’s fuel economy is listed as 14-17 I’m pretty sure.

Edgyhal94 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/12/2020 at 12:51

Kinja'd!!!

Had a go in one about a month ago, it’s basically everything I ever wanted from a Land Rover in one package. It’s not a rebadged Discovery, as some might whine about , I was shocked how different they behave on the road and how they feel. Now I’m just waiting for one to get to Ł30k, then I’ll see how I can go about getting it outside my house. Although, I must admit in black they don’t look that great. I’m also a Pangea green fan, with steelies (duh) and white roof, the 90 would basically be the Land Rover of my dreams

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Edgyhal94
09/12/2020 at 13:10

I’m with you on all that. But I really want the I6 with steelies and white roof, pangea green of course, and I need a 110. I'd rather go brand new on one of these to be honest. You can get an extended factory warranty to add a few years on, and that could make a huge difference in long term ownership costs, possibly enough to offset the money saved on buying used depending on price. Honestly I'm already doing financial planning to try to pick one up in about a year. Need to pay my bikes off and sell my E55 first.

Edgyhal94 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/12/2020 at 14:28

I however have the advantage of having access to the Diesels, which I actually trust quite a lot, the ingeniums are a solid step up from the previous Ford stuff, so I wouldn’t mind a D240, which is the one I drove. 0-60 in just under 8 seconds is sufficient for me, plus a solid 30mpg would be very nice too.

I would love a P300 though, I’ve driven a P300 evoque and even though I don’t see eye to eye with the Evoque, it more than proved how good an engine that is.

110s aren’t out of my mind, but the 90s I’ve seen (I live in Coventry so I get to see JLR stuff earlier than most) have really made an impact, plus the retractable fabric roof is something I want desperately, as my current car is a semi convertible (Freelander 1) and I would like an open top vehicle if possible

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/12/2020 at 15:05

Does the GLS have any off road cred, or would it just be more comfortable for your use? I am curious to how much different the new G drives compared to the old one, but still way out of my price range.

Gas is cheap these days! I am really thinking I need no more than the wagon with the right tires - I never see more than a gravel driveway, and even then I complain about getting my tires dirty.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Edgyhal94
09/12/2020 at 16:47

Having that option would be nice, but I’m just not really a diesel person. I may consider that one if available to me, but it’s not. If we got the plug in hybrid I’d very seriously consider that.

I’m sure the P300 engine is fine, but I’m spoiled with power and the defender is heavier than the evoque. I also can’t justify slightly worse fuel economy for 100 less hp.

Aren’t they planning to do a fabric top 110 also? 90's are sweet, but I need the extra seating. How is your freelander still alive!? Diesel with manual trans? Because gas auto ones are so unreliable!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail
09/12/2020 at 16:51

They’re more capable than people realize. The full off-road package gets you a speed transfer case, still skid plates, and the bouncy EABC with terrain options and all that. Certainly more capable than 99% of owners need. But I have no idea how they would compare to anything else.

It is, but fuel cost isn't as much my concern there as waste and frequency of filling up. I love getting my tires dirty!

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/12/2020 at 18:15

It would be kind of fun to get stuck and see if you can bounce your way out of it. Of course, it would stink if you weren’t able to bounce your way out of it. I doubt I have seen a new GLS with the off road stuff - most are built to lease. Wilsonville sometimes has good lease deals on retired demos/loan ers. Now that all E-wagons are going to be in fancy Subaru “all terrain” cladded trim, I wonder if they will get a similar package.

My lack of yearly mileage gives me no bad feelings about waste. I could only have a dirty car if it was a SUV/truck.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail
09/12/2020 at 19:55

I haven't seen a167 with the full off-road package because that only comes in the GLS580. Go build one. Don't drink anything while you look at the cost. Closest I've seen is 450 with E-ABC and metal skid plate, but that doesn't get you the bounce or 2 speed. They would have to make some big changes to the E's to get the bounce, because you can't get E-ABC on them, they're only airmatic.

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/12/2020 at 21:16

I don’t think I have seen a 580 at all - 98% of them will be lease-related 450s I am sure. If we’re getting up into the 120K range loaded, I’ll just spend another 30K and get the brick.

How are modern airmatic systems holding up? It’s a rare option on wagons, tempting, but I wonder about long run issues.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail
09/12/2020 at 21:40

Yeah unless you want more refinement and interior space, and to not look quite so douchey. Not that all G drivers are, but I think you know what I mean.

Really well actually! Mostly struts get replaced for a little noise, not leaks. And even then, not super common.

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/12/2020 at 22:22

The new one is a lot less 1980 , isn’t it? But yeah, the AMG ones especially project a certain image, one of those cars probably not bought new by many “good” people, or even late model used for that matter.

I am already thinking what I will do when the wagon lease is up - as luxury trim is being dropped and all future wagons being all terrain, I doubt I will lease another E. Maybe time to buy a car - I like my car, but a true full load car (airmatic, acoustic, HUD, etc) would be cool too.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail
09/13/2020 at 09:03

It absolutely is much less 1980, but it is still very much a G. There’s a handful less than ten years old not owned by asshats or spoiled spawn of asshats. Some of those handful even get used like a G should be used.

How much longer is your lease?

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/13/2020 at 13:12

I almost never see a post-2012 G even used on a gravel driveway, and never an AMG model (with the suspension tuning on those, probably for the better). It’s almost always grey market 80s-90s material that at least sees a dirt road. Later model examples with the never-used overlander cosplay gear beloved by middle aged techie middle managers desperately yearning to be seen as rough and tough don’t count, of course. If I had a new one, I’d want it to be a non-AMG model in an unusual color combo, and I’d probably do more testing of it in snow than any actual off road stuff (I don’t count trailheads or dirt roads as “off road” either).

I think around 18 months, not counting any pull forward. I am more than happy with the car, so I don’t mind. I am hoping the non-cladded wagons suffer some kind of hard depreciation and are treated like orphans by then, so maybe I can wiggle my way into a deal.