Land Rover Defenders

[535dboy]

So I decided not to change the lotus because as many people said, including on here, it seemed bonkers to spend £35k plus chop mine in (worth c£28k) for a new version of what I had, particularly when I had upgraded mine so much !

So I have now seen a Land Rover defender that I like

It is a 1999 TD5 90

Up for £10k which I reckon I would mostly get back in a year or two.

Anybody know anything about them, particularly pitfalls?

[pvr]

Plan an overtake with about an hour to spare?  )

Rust is a bit of an issue, and the engine goes through a few gaskets here and there, other than that nothing special to worry about.

[535dboy]

[quote="pvr"]
Plan an overtake with about an hour to spare?  )

Rust is a bit of an issue, and the engine goes through a few gaskets here and there, other than that nothing special to worry about.
[/quote]

Ok. Should still manage to over take you then!!

Presumably quite easy (for somebody else!) to work on ?

[Denis O]

Have a look around here and you'll get lots of good info and advice.

In general though, rust, especially rear X member and outriggers. Td5 engine is pretty bombproof assuming it's had good oil changes. Re-mapped and they're not so slow and can get up to silly speeds with better turbo's, intercooling etc. Depends how much you want to spend.

Try for a county as you can then go into the LEZ area. V5 will say if it's a county station wagon but beware. There are lots claiming to be CSW's just because someone put side windows in.

Injection loom should have been changed as a preventative measure. Oil has a habit of migrating via the loom to the ECU and leaves you with a big bill to replace. The loom is about £35 from memory so look for evidence it's been done; invoice etc. Check the big red plugs that go into the ECU under the drivers seat and make sure there's no oil. If there is it could be too late. Look for one where the EGR has been blanked. Not expensive if it hasn't so not the end of the world.

Driving 1 is a whole new world. No room for your right elbow. Lot's of noise. Heavy clutch and notchy gear change. Bloody marvellous vehicle. My last 1 was a 2002 90 with XS spec (including rudimentary air con) and I sold it a year ago, with 62k miles for £12500. It would probably cost more today as they seem to only increase in value.

Probably above your budget but the 50th Anny is the best Defender ever. Worth looking for 1 as they will only go up in value. It is a V8 auto though so not like a Td5. The best Td5 would be the "Black" edition but they are like hen's teeth and as a 2002 only model, likely to be someway above budget.

Good luck with your search.

http://www.defender2.net/forum/index.php

[535dboy]

Thanks for that post very helpful

Will look at link later

This is the vehicle in question http://m.thethatchedgarage.com/used-car ... 3-door-732


I don't have a budget as such but not going to chuck big money on something that will not be used loads.

I hope to come out of it after a year or two having lost barely anything except maybe the skin on my elbow!?  )

[Denis O]

I forgot to mention that the facelift dash didn't come till 2002. It's much nicer then the 1 in the link and includes electric windows. There were also some engine changes that year which are sort after. The major improvement was for the centre bulkhead (behind the seats) to be replaced with a thick bar. Gives a lot more flexibility for adjusting front seats.

The Thatched Garage are usually bloody expensive and as I said above, get a genuine CSW. That red one is not. Vehicles often come up on the site I linked and they are usually owned by nutters like us who love our X5's and look after them properly; their Defenders that is. I would think a CSW of 2002 facelift vintage would be within your £10k plan.

When you get 1 I hope you are not too far away from Bexhill coz 1 of the best independents in the country are based there. Terrain Vehicles. They've looked after all my LR vehicles over nearly 30 years. In fact, my Jeep Wrangler goes in there in January for an oil change; and they don't do Jeeps!!!

[pvr]

What are you going to do with it? The space in the back looks made for a coffin, so you planning on killing your customers as well as burying them?

[535dboy]

[quote="Denis O"]
I forgot to mention that the facelift dash didn't come till 2002. It's much nicer then the 1 in the link and includes electric windows. There were also some engine changes that year which are sort after. The major improvement was for the centre bulkhead (behind the seats) to be replaced with a thick bar. Gives a lot more flexibility for adjusting front seats.

The Thatched Garage are usually bloody expensive and as I said above, get a genuine CSW. That red one is not. Vehicles often come up on the site I linked and they are usually owned by nutters like us who love our X5's and look after them properly; their Defenders that is. I would think a CSW of 2002 facelift vintage would be within your £10k plan.

When you get 1 I hope you are not too far away from Bexhill coz 1 of the best independents in the country are based there. Terrain Vehicles. They've looked after all my LR vehicles over nearly 30 years. In fact, my Jeep Wrangler goes in there in January for an oil change; and they don't do Jeeps!!!
[/quote]

Interesting sounds like I should look for 2002 with the same kind of money then?

I've got private plate coming via auction in feb so don't care what age it is as they are timeless machines.

I have a client that specialises in them in my village so that could work for me although bexhill is only about an hour away I suppose, even in a defender.

[shadrack]

[quote="Denis O"]
Have a look around here and you'll get lots of good info and advice.

In general though, rust, especially rear X member and outriggers. Td5 engine is pretty bombproof assuming it's had good oil changes. Re-mapped and they're not so slow and can get up to silly speeds with better turbo's, intercooling etc. Depends how much you want to spend.

Try for a county as you can then go into the LEZ area. V5 will say if it's a county station wagon but beware. There are lots claiming to be CSW's just because someone put side windows in.

Injection loom should have been changed as a preventative measure. Oil has a habit of migrating via the loom to the ECU and leaves you with a big bill to replace. The loom is about £35 from memory so look for evidence it's been done; invoice etc. Check the big red plugs that go into the ECU under the drivers seat and make sure there's no oil. If there is it could be too late. Look for one where the EGR has been blanked. Not expensive if it hasn't so not the end of the world.

Driving 1 is a whole new world. No room for your right elbow. Lot's of noise. Heavy clutch and notchy gear change. Bloody marvellous vehicle. My last 1 was a 2002 90 with XS spec (including rudimentary air con) and I sold it a year ago, with 62k miles for £12500. It would probably cost more today as they seem to only increase in value.

Probably above your budget but the 50th Anny is the best Defender ever. Worth looking for 1 as they will only go up in value. It is a V8 auto though so not like a Td5. The best Td5 would be the "Black" edition but they are like hen's teeth and as a 2002 only model, likely to be someway above budget.

Good luck with your search.

http://www.defender2.net/forum/index.php
[/quote]

all that, mainly check the chassis for rust/ rot, if you have to re chasis one onto a galv chasis its an expensive job,

remember also that the wheels don't move in relation to where you move the steering wheel, they both sort of work on a oh thats near enough sort of attitude and go where they please in between,

have you driven one?

[535dboy]

Only a little proper off road on the brother in laws farm down west.

[pvr]

Sounds like excellent preparation then  )

You can come to my place then to put fence posts in the back and bounce around in the fields  )

[535dboy]

[quote="pvr"]
Sounds like excellent preparation then  )

You can come to my place then to put fence posts in the back and bounce around in the fields  )
[/quote]

Shall I come through the gate or just drive straight through the hedge!!!???

[pvr]

Be a man and go through the lake next door  )

[535dboy]

[quote="pvr"]
Be a man and go through the lake next door  )
[/quote]

I'll follow you in your x5!!

[jaynana]

i love defenders!

rear part is a bit odd for general use isn't it - made of tin not glass?