Landrover Defender - which one?

[250kts]

I know everyone has an opinion, but I am going to buy one (even if it's just to get it out of my system). Yes I do like playing with cars and getting hands dirty.

I have got about £14,000 give or take to spend and probably prefer the 90 Stationwagon.
Which engine/spec and where would you go to buy?

Steve

[Simon B]

If you need to carry anything other than a handbag and a pair of shoes the 90 will drive you nuts. Think long and hard about gettig a 110. £14k will buy you a lot of Land Rover for that money.

Even though I have a non-OEM motor in mine I'd reccomend you stay stock say a 200TDi or TD5 and do an uplift performance wise with a bigger intercooler etc etc.

If you really want to play Jeremy Fearn is now doing a conversion with the straight 6 BMW 3.0 litre - a thing of beauty and vast torque.

The CSW spec has loads of expensive ish inetrior panelling which cuts the noise down if you are going to be towing or driving longs distances (you can always put grills over the window or inside for security.

[Max...]

I'm a Landy nut - ran quite a few over the years from Series III to a Disco but currently running a 1986 ex-military Ninety and a slightly more comfortable 1998 110 CSW.

You have a very fair budget, a 110 is far more practical for general family/utility/boat use. 90's are tiny inside and if you stick the kids/family/friends in the back then you have zero luggage space. I also find the 110 rides much better. There is no real advantage to a 90 other than a turning circle less than the 110 - comparable to an oil tanker...

[edit] - for real off road use a 90 is more managable of course - talking trials/pay and play days etc - nothing beats a soft top ex-mod 90 in that situation for fun.

For many enthusiasts (me included) the last great engine was the 300tdi which is why I run a '98 110 - last year they made them. They go for a premium over a slightly later Td5 for this reason. You have plenty of money for a mint Td5 or a Ford engined 110. Problem with the latest ones is the seats - the old CSW with the benches (the '12 seater') has loads of people/gear space - the newer models with forward facings seats are far less practical.

Head over to some of the Landy forums for lots more opinions (Difflock is my favourite).

[willk]

I've been running a 110 Tdi300 Hard Top (van) since 1998 (from new). As a tow wagon and kit carrier, it has been superb. In this time it had done 90k miles and had a few exhausts, a pair of CV joints, an alternator and back shocks. The 110 load bay is 6' long, the 90s are 4'. The 90 fuel tank is a silly amount smaller too, but the car weights are quite similar(ish). There is feck all space in a 90 station wagon and the ride is even choppier than a 110, due to the length.

Offroad. You will hear a lot of bull about how bad 110s are offroad (Relax Max, not referencing you). The army might not agree. I've had my girl around the Iceland Central Highlands a few times and believe me when I say, they do the do offroad too!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Max...

For many enthusiasts (me included) the last great engine was the 300tdi which is why I run a '98 110 - last year they made them.

Snap!

[LWman]

Also up for a TD5 engine, my dads had one in his disco 2 which he has owned for 9 years from new. In that time the only thing he has changed is the starter motor (& a few sets of tyres of course) a couple of months ago & other than that going, its never failed him. Defenders are great motors although maybe not too comfortable. They look really good in stornoway grey fully kitted out. There will be some crackers around for the money your looking at

[Turbodiesel]

TD5 110, i have had a few 90's but always found them just a bit to short, plus the long wheel base i always found better for towing.

[LWman]

Sorry, delayed reply made me look to be agreeing with the 300tdi! haha oh well

[boristhebold]

Well done Steve, good choice. I find my 90 to have plenty of room for carrying loads of stuff. The new 90 have the rear seats facing forward so go for one that's older than new models. Td5 engine is fine, vie had no problems. Look in landy mags and auto trader adds. Perhaps have a chat with the guys down horton road there is a landy service centre there. As to upgrading engine on td5 yes pretty easy, new chip, new bigger intercooler, bypass valve thing and air filter, I'm thinking of doing it sometime myself.

You should get a decent one with 14k and they are great at pulling boats.

[Kernow Buoy]

My 110 V8 is being rebuilt this October, galv chassis & bulkhead, am seriously considering doing her as a soft top, should be fun