Landrover defender owners input...

[Mick Miller]

Lada Niva now being imported again. I'd take one of these over a Jimny.

But to the original question, if you have the itch you'll have to scratch it, just take someone along that knows what they're looking at, there are thousands of lemons out there.

 

[finnbear270]

Lada Niva now being imported again. I'd take one of these over a Jimny.

But to the original question, if you have the itch you'll have to scratch it, just take someone along that knows what they're looking at, there are thousands of lemons out there.

Arms like Popeye, Used one in Germany, need the ear defenders too, Although they are a consummate bullet proof off roader.

 

[JK89]

I've owned a 90, a series 3 and two Discovery td5's. Although my 90 was my favourite, the current trend of them getting nicked so easily regardless of whatever security owners installs puts me off. Have a look at a Discovery td5. You can get a nice condition one for 3-5grand or one a little rough around the edges for less than £2k like I did.

 

[Ronin]

Had a few D1 with 200/300 tdi and D3 which was v nice but scared me when the warranty ran out

Since then used K74 L200 for four or five years and for the past 5 had a newer shape L200 that’s now done almost 200 k

That doesn’t miss a beat and has been all over the country doing deer work / carrying kit

Whilst I’m not looking to change - I’ve been musing getting a 110 - not for carting deer, the l200 will carry on doing that

Just for towing horsebox and other trips out
Having worked extensively on several 90’110 since early twenties I think if I were to be serious about getting one id look at buying something to restore

Marsland chassis

330 d engine and puma 6 speed box

maybe uorated brakes and quaife diffs

The boys at Mahker In Shropshire would get the work

But I’d have to wind the lottery to commission it

 

[SimpleSimon]

Had a few D1 with 200/300 tdi and D3 which was v nice but scared me when the warranty ran out

Since then used K74 L200 for four or five years and for the past 5 had a newer shape L200 that’s now done almost 200 k

That doesn’t miss a beat and has been all over the country doing deer work / carrying kit

Whilst I’m not looking to change - I’ve been musing getting a 110 - not for carting deer, the l200 will carry on doing that

Just for towing horsebox and other trips out
Having worked extensively on several 90’110 since early twenties I think if I were to be serious about getting one id look at buying something to restore

Marsland chassis

330 d engine and puma 6 speed box

maybe uorated brakes and quaife diffs

The boys at Mahker In Shropshire would get the work

But I’d have to wind the lottery to commission it

I'd like a gold plated bog, but, y'know...

 

[Ooops]

I'd like a gold plated bog, but, y'know...

with a programable, built in warmer for those frosty mornings

 

[Lever357]

Had Land Rover series motors and then 4 90s before switching to a Ranger and now Isuzu DMax.
Still like 90s but if you decide to buy one, take your time, there are thousands out there. My mate's son has just bought his first - it's the first one he sent me a photo of and we both agreed it was a bitsa - lifted, oversize tyres, bigger arches, rough paint job etc etc. Found some really good original genuine vehicles and low and behold he buys the first one!!! He has just got it home and I wouldn't have gone near it with a barge pole!!
Doesn't matter if you are going for Land Rover or a Jap pick up at the minute, the prices of second-hand vehicles has increased greatly recently so not the best time to be buying.
Take your time, something is only original once and do your best to secure it.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Arms like Popeye, Used one in Germany, need the ear defenders too, Although they are a consummate bullet proof off roader.

They do have power steering these days.

 

[User00033]

And a fat zero out of five safety rating. And that was the Russian testing protocol!

 

[Waz77]

I've had a few Defenders, mostly TD5's, never had a problem with any of them until a couple of weeks ago the alternator packed in on one, we used to regularly do 1k miles a week in them and can vouch for them being uncomfortable, although funnily enough I never had a bad back driving one but spend a while in a comfier seat and usually suffer for it, used to service every 6 months, an hours job and about £50 in parts. One I had I did more than 100k miles in it and sold it 10yrs later for more than I paid for it. Had a Hilux but the chassis snapped in half just behind the cab, never a problem with the landy when heavily over loaded. If the landy couldn't manage it I'd bring out the valtra

 

[Utectok]

View attachment 219517View attachment 219517View attachment 219518View attachment 219519View attachment 219520
I've had a few Defenders, mostly TD5's, never had a problem with any of them until a couple of weeks ago the alternator packed in on one, we used to regularly do 1k miles a week in them and can vouch for them being uncomfortable, although funnily enough I never had a bad back driving one but spend a while in a comfier seat and usually suffer for it, used to service every 6 months, an hours job and about £50 in parts. One I had I did more than 100k miles in it and sold it 10yrs later for more than I paid for it. Had a Hilux but the chassis snapped in half just behind the cab, never a problem with the landy when heavily over loaded. If the landy couldn't manage it I'd bring out the valtra

is it me or does you name look like Penis-tone trees???

 

[Foxyboy43]

I remember having a passenger ride in a Jimny up to a long range shoot in Scotland, I was at that time a dyed in the wool lifelong Land rover man, we arrived at the venue, & the Jimny on fairly well worn road tyres, was the only vehicle to make it to the firing line, including all the aforementioned off roaders. I eventually sourced a Jimny myself, as I was arranging payment at the dealers sitting in the motor itself, A guy leaned in & was offering more than I had already agreed to pay.

Yep. Go anywhere and guaranteed to arrive, my all-round favourite shooting vehicle bar none.

 

[Waz77]

is it me or does you name look like Penis-tone trees???

Thats a new one on me

 

[Skogsmannen]

If the landy couldn't manage it I'd bring out the valtra

Smart looking Valtra, and the best colour too. We've an older 8000 in the same colour running the Hypro and a newer N series dragging the Botex. The N is nicer to drive but the old Valmet isbetter suited to wading through brash.

 

[TheCornishman]

Right then...

My Navara popped a hose last week, and whilst I've been waiting for the part to arrive and get it fixed my father in law has very kindly leant me his old Landrover 90. It's not the first landy I've driven, although it is the first SWB I've driven for more than a couple of miles...

Anyway... I kind of like it...
I would never have considered one before in favour of a Jap pickup, when I was covering longer distances for work and needing to transport a fair bit of kit around. Also my truck was, until recently the "better" vehicle out of mine and the wife's, which is now not the case as she's leasing.

So, if I DID want to get one, for a similar budget to what I would spend on a replacement pickup (10k?) what is the model to go for, what do I avoid, and why?

I KNOW they're quirky and noisy and will never be as comfortable or refined or quick or smooth or reliable(?) as my Navara. But they're undeniably fun!

With £10k to play with your not looking at a late model Defender. You will be looking at anything from 200, 300tdi or a td5

The key thing In this price category isn’t mileage or bodywork…it’s all about the chassis, bulkhead and service history

take a hammer or screwdriver to view…be wary of freshly sprayed wax oil!

If you are at all familiar with a spanner you’ll find most jobs on the Defender are within your abilities. They do like to keep you busy on a Sunday afternoon with the latest little quirk to tinker and fettle with but parts are cheap and working on them is easy

if it were me I would go for a 300tdi or TD5 …they are quite a bit more refined that the 200tdi which is a little more tractor like on the road. All are awesome engines and give very little cause for concern as long as treated to greasy filters and oil regularly. Service intervals are much shorter than modern trucks but take a few minutes and they’ll run on anything oil wise.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Smart looking Valtra, and the best colour too.

Pah, go red or go home

 

[SimpleSimon]

Thanks a lot folks, some comprehensive replies which are more helpful than the usual "get one they're great" or "no they're sh1t"

I am going to look at a 300tdi 90 tomorrow and taking a landrover enthusiast and an engineer with me. I'm not concerned by the lack of luxuries, nor by the driving position which I actually don't find that bad, for whatever reason. It will need to get me to work daily, which is 12 miles of rural A and B roads, and take me out on a weekend to go shooting/beating/stalking/dog walking, etc. It won't need to do long motorway slogs or accommodate family road trips, etc as the wife will always have a car that does that stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I like my Navara, but it's dull...

 

[Bavarianbrit]

And a fat zero out of five safety rating. And that was the Russian testing protocol!

For £16K drive more carefully

 

[Reloader708]

I ran a chipped td5 for a while and it was enything but slow, in fact it was the quickest 4x4 I've driven. It did however run out of gears at 70. Off Road they're undisputable, it's just the finer point that they lack like heating and wipers, doors that seal and universal joints that constantly wear out.
Had to walk away from defenders in the end as they were constantly stolen....three in three years!

 

[willowbank]

Thanks a lot folks, some comprehensive replies which are more helpful than the usual "get one they're great" or "no they're sh1t"

I am going to look at a 300tdi 90 tomorrow and taking a landrover enthusiast and an engineer with me. I'm not concerned by the lack of luxuries, nor by the driving position which I actually don't find that bad, for whatever reason. It will need to get me to work daily, which is 12 miles of rural A and B roads, and take me out on a weekend to go shooting/beating/stalking/dog walking, etc. It won't need to do long motorway slogs or accommodate family road trips, etc as the wife will always have a car that does that stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I like my Navara, but it's dull...

My “ refinements” include a pair of raised lip, tray type rubber mats to contain all the mud, shite etc off the boots. Very easy to just tip out the tray and replace,
I also keep a whole newspaper under the mats as it’s surprising how much moisture finds its way into a Defender especially when up to the sills in water

Willowbank