Advice on 90s

I am looking at buying a 300Tdi 90 with a van back and then upgrading, what do people think? 300 or 200Tdi? I was looking at spending around £4500 on the 90 and then upgrades of a respray, side windows and generally giving it a County upgrade in time, anyone done this and any ideas on what I really need to look out for.

I am returning to the fold after many years away, my last Landrover was a 90 on an F plate and prior to that was Lightweight!! Now older and want a bit more comfort.

the only advice i will give you is "don't buy a red one". they struggle up hills(see previous posts)

He'll be OK with a red one 'cos he's having it resprayed!

is there any connection between the shade of red and the ability to get up hills?

yup, red ones are crap at going up hills, its a proven fact

so does it make any difference if it's dark red or bright red??...................
........... i was gonna paint my landy , when i asked in the paint shop for a colour that wasn't too bright and that spread easy, the shop dude said i should try 'blonde'

nope, any red landy, dark or light bright or dull. if yer buy a red one then paint it a different colour then thats ok.

ok ..do you think i should go with the blonde colour or will it tend to get lost and do silly things?

ffs slob keep clear of the blonde paint, i can guarantee it will have that feckin annoying giggle and that vacant stare

i never thought of that. what about american paint or would that be tooooooo loud

nope, american paint just wouldn't get the joke, eat cake all the time and brag about how everything is better "back home"

and it would be too thick for me spray gun

the biggest drawback with american paint is that you have to strain it cos its full of ****e

I can see you've had many sensible, helpful replies.....!! Worth it trying to figure out what the hell that woman is doing, though.. The 200 and 300TDi's are basically the same engine and power output is the same (111bhp). Apart from the engine, nothing will have changed from your last 90, so don't expect any comfort. If it's comfort you want, go and buy a Disco. You will get a younger one for the same money as a 90 (IMHO) and everything underneath is the same but the Disco final gearing, ride and sound deadening is more 'car-like'.. You'll be glad you did. I've had 3 Discos, one 200TDi and two TD5's and about ten 90's, mostly V8's but two TD5's and a 200TDi.
I'm still trying to turn my 90 TD5 into a Disco but it's a waste of time..! Disco prices are depressed but 90's buoyant. By the time you've spent all that money on a 90 and 'doing it up' it still won't be as comfy as a Disco.. If you're a masochist (like me) and insist on a 90, I suggest looking at some of the mags, esp. LRO for a buyers guide. Basically, the bulkhead and chassis rear crossmember (which a towbar would bolt to) and anything else made of steel are prone to rust and the bodywork is prone to oxidisation and 'different metal reaction', especially on the doors - the alloy skin reacts with the steel frame, result, little bubbles, white dust and then holes. Avoid high mileage engines and ignore the 'it's a diesel it'll run forever' remarks, recon. engines are not cheap. Windows for the back are easy to install with a jigsaw, think about rear headlinings and trim, almost impossible to buy them secondhand and pricey new. I don't believe it's possible to sit comfortably in the back of a 90 on any seat.. You can't see out the side windows for a start and granny will never get in it. Buying an old one and spending a fortune is all very well if you're into vehicle DIY and have plenty of time, a good, big garage and a very good tool kit, and you know what you need to spend (priced a respray recently?) and what you're doing, but I'd rather save the dough until I've got enough to buy one that's 'ready to go'.
I'd also like to know what 'Grunt' was holding... Or do I.......?

I'd also like to know what 'Grunt' was holding... Or do I.......?

Click to expand...

What I was holding wasn't the point (though Gareth could turn it into a caption competition if he wants). Slob kept posting "whats he done pictures", I thought I'd post a "its healed up picture", but I don't seem to be able to post pictures other than as an avvitar

I bought a 300tdi 90 Van about a year ago and have slowly turned it into a SW as funds allow. The Windows are cheap and I had 'em fitted at a reasonable cost. Worth a mention is the fact that the rear trim ie back headcloth / window surrounds are like hens teeth second hand and a bloody fortune to buy new. I put cheap BLRS bench sets in the back instead of 4 separate seats which was a mistake as although they are cheap every bugger that has to ride in the back bitches about how damned uncomfy they are and end up bruised. I will be putting the proper seats with belts in when and if i can ever afford


Oh aye and white ones do go up hills.