I want a Landrover Defender, help

qcamel · 02 May 2006, 10:27

I know that many of you have Defenders and I would like some advice on buying one please. Will only use for boat stuff, dogs, and occasional popping into town, have another car that I will use everyday.

What should I be looking for that will offer solid towing ability and dare I say it good looks!!

Will £4-6000 do it?

Ollie

Scrumdown · 02 May 2006, 11:23

Used to have defender before the Disco before the shogun! - I'd spend an extra £3-4k on what you have suggested to spend and you'' pick up something quite decent TD5 no at that price - check out Landrover Owner Internationals forum for latest prices! - CHECK THE BULKHEAD AND CHASSIS THOUGH!
Be prepared to walk away from a few you go to see - Ones which farmers have owned usually have the chassis caked in mud and never washed off - look for county spec if you can or ex lcoal authority one that you can add extra seats and windows to.

codprawn · 02 May 2006, 13:01

You can get a pretty good one for that if you shop around.

The best buys are the V8s - nobody wants them. Get a gas conversion and you have the power and smoothness of a V8 with the running costs of a diesel. You can buy a diesel at your price as well. Avoid the old 2.5 turbo - get a 200 or 300tdi.

Old MOD surplus stock are great to have as well - kids love riding in camo Landrovers!!!

Defenders are an aquired taste I suppose. I love them.

Main things to check.

Bulkhead - around the door pillar just under the flap vents.

Rear crossmember.

Chassis outriggers - front on top tend to be the worst places.

Nasty clunks from transmission. I bought my defnder for £2000 because of this - it was worn prop UJs which cost £80 to fix.

Land Rovers need more looking after than other vehicles - for example not many vehicles now have grease nipples - some people mock Land Rovers for this and yet most people with boats WANT proper grease nipples on their trailers cos the sealed for life bearings aren't really sealed!!!

Personal favourite is a 110 CSW - 12 seats. 90 is better off road but not as good on road and doesn't have the road prescence.

Simon B · 03 May 2006, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

You can get a pretty good one for that if you shop around.

The best buys are the V8s - nobody wants them. Get a gas conversion and you have the power and smoothness of a V8 with the running costs of a diesel. You can buy a diesel at your price as well. Avoid the old 2.5 turbo - get a 200 or 300tdi.

Old MOD surplus stock are great to have as well - kids love riding in camo Landrovers!!!

Defenders are an aquired taste I suppose. I love them.

Main things to check.

Bulkhead - around the door pillar just under the flap vents.

Rear crossmember.

Chassis outriggers - front on top tend to be the worst places.

Nasty clunks from transmission. I bought my defnder for £2000 because of this - it was worn prop UJs which cost £80 to fix.

Land Rovers need more looking after than other vehicles - for example not many vehicles now have grease nipples - some people mock Land Rovers for this and yet most people with boats WANT proper grease nipples on their trailers cos the sealed for life bearings aren't really sealed!!!

Personal favourite is a 110 CSW - 12 seats. 90 is better off road but not as good on road and doesn't have the road prescence.

Personal favourite is a 110 CSW convert it to LPG and you'll be running cheaper than diesel, maybe not as cheap as veg oil but if you do this with a V8 think of the power!

As said buy on condition not age, be warned there are lots of rogues (not wave!) out there. 6k will get you a very good one, put a front tow hitch on life will indeed be simple.

Mine takes a full length trailer board inside without projecting into the front seat area. The customisation options are endless, Autotrader is a good place to look, then local independant traders.

Alice · 03 May 2006, 18:36

OK, I'm also thinking LR LWB Defender. The kids and the missus now consider their current 'ride' naff and chavvy!

So guys, what's the one to buy? It needs to be 7 seats, nice spec, diesel or LPG upto £20K.

codprawn · 03 May 2006, 18:49

That will get you an almost new 110 TD5 CSW - try to get one with ABS and traction control and it is unstoppable!!! Some of the crew cab ones are pretty good as well.

In fact if you get an import you could prob get a new one.

All depends what you want to use it for - you could buy a mint expidition prepared one for that with roof tents etc and go to Iceland or Morocco in it!!!

If you want it as an every day vehicle as well you may be better going for one of the last of the TD5 Series II Discoverys - really good on road and amazing off road.

Defenders more fun though!!!

Local boat dealers have just bought another 2 Defenders for towing all around the country - wonder why people who's business depends on them stick with Land Rovers?

Alice · 03 May 2006, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

That will get you an almost new 110 TD5 CSW - try to get one with ABS and traction control and it is unstoppable!!! Some of the crew cab ones are pretty good as well.

In fact if you get an import you could prob get a new one.

All depends what you want to use it for - you could buy a mint expidition prepared one for that with roof tents etc and go to Iceland or Morocco in it!!!

If you want it as an every day vehicle as well you may be better going for one of the last of the TD5 Series II Discoverys - really good on road and amazing off road.

Defenders more fun though!!!

Local boat dealers have just bought another 2 Defenders for towing all around the country - wonder why people who's business depends on them stick with Land Rovers?

Thanks Codders,

It has to be either a Defender or a VW.T5. Apparently Discos are naff also! I'm a slave to fashion!!

donutsina911 · 03 May 2006, 19:01

anyone seen a decent 90 td5 in black/green for less than £8k? autotrader not bringing up much

ADS · 03 May 2006, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

OK, I'm also thinking LR LWB Defender. The kids and the missus now consider their current 'ride' naff and chavvy!

So guys, what's the one to buy? It needs to be 7 seats, nice spec, diesel or LPG upto £20K.

A touch over budget but it is new, not 100% on the colour, would be abit of a shock after an X5!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Land-Rover-Def...QQcmdZViewItem

ADS · 03 May 2006, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by donutsina911

anyone seen a decent 90 td5 in black/green for less than £8k? autotrader not bringing up much

Low mileage this one donuts, there are companys that will put windows in them.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAND-ROVER-DEF...QQcmdZViewItem

Alice · 03 May 2006, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

A touch over budget but it is new, not 100% on the colour, would be abit of a shock after an X5!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Land-Rover-Def...QQcmdZViewItem

I'd buy it in black!

What does a CSW get you over and above a standard Defender?

ADS · 03 May 2006, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

I'd buy it in black!

What does a CSW get you over and above a standard Defender?

Well you get feck all usually so thats probably a radio cassette and mats or something similar, give them a ring or search for the Defender thread a while ago where someone imported one.
Black looks abit drug dealer, I like the slate/ gunmental grey with the big alloys, but each to their own

TJ101 · 03 May 2006, 19:31

£20k, should get you a late 03 / 04 year 110 CSW XS spec ie heated seats/screen, a/con, electric windows, leather,ABS/TRACS etc,, i know, cause i have one

For £ 8k, i would be looking for a late 300TDI county,early TD5's had a few niggles etc

Hugh Jardon · 03 May 2006, 19:35

moving from x5 to a defender....hmmmmm

borrow one for the weekend, drive around, do some distance etc then see if it fits the bill......

would be surprised if it did, and before anyone bleats i ahve had 3 landys for the last 7 years and i know what i would rather be in!

codprawn · 03 May 2006, 19:44

A BMW X5 is a CAR - obviously it will be nicer on the road - as would a Jag S type or an M3 - the Defender is different - it is actually FUN to drive!!!

ADS · 03 May 2006, 19:47

A Landy has a personality. An X5 doesn't.

Hugh Jardon · 03 May 2006, 20:10

i actually like my td5 but would prefer an x5 or a land cruiser or when i can justify it a cayenne

. will probably swap out the 7 for a cayenne next time around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

A Landy has a personality. An X5 doesn't.

codprawn · 03 May 2006, 20:12

Why not get a REAL sports car instead???

Hugh Jardon · 03 May 2006, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Why not get a REAL sports car instead???

bit of a stupid comment isnt it.....if i had a cayenne i can get 2 adults and 3 kids in it and loads of stuff in the back and tow the boat, if i had a real sports car i could get me and the mrs in it and a toothbrush!

i have another vehicle for going fast if i need to

Scrumdown · 03 May 2006, 20:45

I've got a mini cooper convertible - H reg - converted by a firm in dorset that goes like poo off a shovel! also nearly fits in the boot of the shogun sport! Looking for a car trailer for it at the moment so I can tow it places when I need to take more than a tooth brush!