The cabin heat that combo will throw would be a disappointment too.Honestly cramming a V8 and ZF into a series is not easy from what I understand as the ZF is long.
I agree, the OP wants a Defender, not a Series. That being said, a fully rebuild series drives really well with a carb, leafs, and drums.
I do like the Disco3/4 platform, we just sold our 2012 HSE earlier this year. I don't think I'd go back to one though. I like straight axle rigs more and have a Ram 2500 set up as a family Truckster if I want functioning climate control, vented seats and smart cruise control. This is helpful though as it's helping me shape what I want the Series to be. I'm imagining an American style drivetrain coupled to the existing body. (I'm grouping the rrc drivetrain into that same category).The cabin heat that combo will throw would be a disappointment too.
LR3’s are getting cheaper. Grab an ‘06-‘09 and let it open up a whole host of options the 109 will respectfully never touch.