Ok, so it doen't actually cough, but that's what it feels like the vehicle is doing until it reaches normal temperature. I've read loads of posts on this forum that describe various ailments when starting off from cold, but I haven't seen this particular condition described.

It's a 2008 registered, 2.4 Defender, with just under 30K on the clock. It starts perfectly well but it feels almost like the wheels are slipping then catching until the engine is warm. It's quite a jerky feeling and although I know these are rough beasts, this feels just a bit too rough. It seems to have been serviced fairly well (not all main dealer, and not all on time, but regularly enough I suppose) and the MOT runs until the end of next year.

I'm going to get it looked at but wondered if there is any common knowledge of this issue and what I might look at first.

Many thanks for any replies.

Bit out of my experience but sounds like it could be MAF sensor.

I have a 2013 2.2 and have just has the MAF changed- unrelated issue.

On a real cold morning not that we have had many my 90 runs lumpy.

Thank you both for your replies.

Pillar, to me, as this is my first Landy, it runs "lumpy" even when it's warm. I think that's what it's meant to do. The trouble is, ditinguishing between "normal" lumpy and the lumpy I've got when the engine is cold. Cold "lumpy" is more like "jerky"; picture a learner driver kangarooing down the road on a driving lesson. Not that bad, but that's what it feels like.

I'm learning and (to my mind at least) creating new words and I've only owned the thing for a week and been on here for a day. Brilliant. Thanks again.

I'm away to Africa in the next couple of weeks but if your still struggling when I'm home in March I'll come down and show you lumpy/ jerky in mine!

Wow, even if it's a) fixed or b) not a problem, that's an exceptionally generous offer.

Thanks.

A quick update if it's any use to people in future. As suggested above, the fault was the MAF. It's been replaced and it's like a different beast now.

Thank you so much to those who contributed to this.