Honesty please

kee · Jul 25, 2012

I want to know that when I get a Defender that i'm making the right choice, I currently have an L200 that's on its last legs and I am now in a position where I can finally get my dream 4x4.

But.....

Am I doing the right thing? Or am I looking at years of pain in the arse moments of breaking down and spending thousands on fixing things?

PLEASE HELP AS I WILL BE BUYING ONE SOON!!!

Thanks

Vagrent · Jul 25, 2012

Depends.

Vagrent · Jul 25, 2012

Mine frequently broke down when I changed the injin.
And I often have to fix things but mine is old

ohitsher · Jul 25, 2012

Depends on what you use it for and what you can fix yourself. Doubtful you'll regret it though!!

1spin · Jul 25, 2012

all depends how much your going to spend ? under four grand, i wouldnt be buying a defender, unless you like getting your hands dirty, and you love spending your spare time fixing stuff , and spending cash...

kee · Jul 25, 2012

Cheers, I was thinking around £4k, but you suggest more? I don't mind that, I could make a few more sacrifices to get the best I can. I don't mind getting dirty but I generally know bugger all when it comes to mechanics. I really want to learn as I go along, so basically my first defender should be £4k plus so I can get to grips with it without it dying on me every 5 minutes?

goonarmy · Jul 25, 2012

it will break down. Regard less of how much you spend. Reliable int a LR feature.

craigyb · Jul 25, 2012

Definatly won't regret it and you will see what it is about them that people love. Unlike anything else a defender or series etc has its own character mine has cost me thousands

but I love it. Nearly all breakdowns can be fixed easily or bodged and don't need a great deal of mechanical knowledge. All ya need is some basic tools and landyzone for help doing things. JUST BUY IT!!!

1spin · Jul 25, 2012

kee said:
Cheers, I was thinking around £4k, but you suggest more? I don't mind that, I could make a few more sacrifices to get the best I can. I don't mind getting dirty but I generally know bugger all when it comes to mechanics. I really want to learn as I go along, so basically my first defender should be £4k plus so I can get to grips with it without it dying on me every 5 minutes?

you will find a good 90 for 4k , but it all depends what you want ? sumit offroad you will get alot of kit on it... something for the family then it will be basic.... DONT BUY THE FIRST YOU SEE... AND GET SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THERE LOOKING AT WITH LANDROVERS , TO VIEW THEM.... or someone will have your pants down , and it will cost you a fortune.... DO PLENTY OF RESEARCH BEFORE HAND

craigyb · Jul 25, 2012

kee said:
without it dying on me every 5 minutes?

you might get away with every 10 minutes

Vagrent · Jul 25, 2012

1spin said:
all depends how much your going to spend ? under four grand, i wouldnt be buying a defender, unless you like getting your hands dirty, and you love spending your spare time fixing stuff , and spending cash...

Eggzaktermundo.

Mine cost 400 quid and now it's wort 2:50

I rarely have clean fingernails and constantly fixing bits
But I like that, it's personal to me and I love driving it.
Everyone has a story to tell about a landrover.
Be ready for random people coming up to you and talking to you out of the blue, just cuz you got a fender.
I bet no one talked to you cause you had a l200
Owning a landy is fooking great

kee · Jul 25, 2012

HAHAHA I think i'm already sold, definitely going to be getting one. I wish I could just give someone who knows loads about them £4k and say come back with a good one! My mate at work is 60 and has had Land Rovers all his life, so I think I should call upon his services. I think my prices range has gone from under £4k to between £4k and £5k in the space of 30 mins!! Love it!! I honestly can't wait to get one. Am I also in need of where to go and buy one, I live in Rochdale currently and I know of a few close by that sell them but I want to go to a dealer and see a few. Does anyone know of a good one?

martin1512 · Jul 25, 2012

Maintain it properly, make sure all oils are in good condition, including diff and gearbox. If you take it off road, clean it afterwards, especially hard to reach areas underneath. Inspect items like prop UJ's frequently and make regular use of a grease gun. Also try and keep the vehicle as standard as posible. Most breakdowns are caused by owner neglect, or modifications that exceed the working tolerances of various components. For example, prematurely worn propshafts and diff seals caused by amateurish suspension lifts, and diffs & halfshafts knackered by using huge aggressive mud tyres. My V8 110 is 27 years old and has done over 170,000 miles. It has never let me down, and I have only ever had to replace parts that have reached the end of their working life through normal wear & tear, rather than breakage. However, If you neglect & abuse a Land Rover, it will not be long before you are stuck at the side of the road in a puddle of oil, or a cloud of steam.

kee · Jul 25, 2012

Thanks Martin, I will be definitely staying on top of it it's one of the main reasons I want one. Ever since I was a kid I've wanted to be a mechanic but was pushed away from it due to colour blindness and other stuff. Wish I would of just stuck to my guns and did what I wanted to, now I'm stuck in the Police hahaha. To be honest if I got any land rover and made sure I found one that had been looked after then continue to look after it I should be ok? Also I need something that can handle long distance travel, am I better with a 200tdi 300tdi or TD5?

martin1512 · Jul 25, 2012

kee said:
Thanks Martin, I will be definitely staying on top of it it's one of the main reasons I want one. Ever since I was a kid I've wanted to be a mechanic but was pushed away from it due to colour blindness and other stuff. Wish I would of just stuck to my guns and did what I wanted to, now I'm stuck in the Police hahaha. To be honest if I got any land rover and made sure I found one that had been looked after then continue to look after it I should be ok? Also I need something that can handle long distance travel, am I better with a 200tdi 300tdi or TD5?

Getting one that has been looked after is always better, as there is less chance of something going wrong before you have a chance to find out what's what with it. In terms of ease of maintenance, I would go for the 200/300 Tdi engined models, but the later TD5 engined vehicles do make slightly better every day drives. But you would be lucky to find a well looked after TD5 for less than £5k

lorri789 · Jul 25, 2012

ooh! A copper. You could come in handy around here.

waldershelf · Jul 25, 2012

goonarmy said:
it will break down. Regard less of how much you spend. Reliable int a LR feature.

Mine 'int never broke down. But I have done a lot to it in the (nearly) couple of years I've owned it.

kee · Jul 26, 2012

Cheers for all the answers its been very much appreciated, and yes i'm in the an unfortunate number in the GMP hahaha I'm always prepared to help if needing advice and stuff

Grit Valve · Jul 26, 2012

If you go in the for sale section looks like your defender is sitting there waiting for you, it is a 200 tdi looks tidy looked after,A long way tho Halifax go take a look he will take 3 k you got a grand to sort out any teething problems

Birdbrain · Jul 26, 2012

Had mine from new since 1992. 110 200 tdi. Regular servicing and under sealing 2 x yearly as it gets driven weekly through salt water and sand. It gets thoroughly jet blasted underneath after every trip. Its also been all over Europe pulling a 3 tonne trailer.

Only mods are a winch on the front and a higher output alternator.

190,000 miles. Original engine, gearbox and clutch.
Minor work
- new rad as viscous coupling fan came off and went through it.
- 2 x new alternators.
- 4 x new heavy duty springs.
- new steering box
- new power steering pump
- new injectors.
- usual ball joints / swivel joints.
- 3 sets of tyres (seriously!)
- 2 new windscreens.
- new hoses all round.
- new clock. (Got new 'old stock' from local dealer for £40 - original price outrageous. Nearly
£ 200 I think)
- new radio (Halfords £ 60. LR wanted nearly £400 for original).
- prop shaft UJ's.
- 2 new batteries.

Major work.
-As usual doors rotted so got good 2nd hand ones and treated it to a quick respray about 5
years ago
-Bulkhead beginnign to go beneath windscreen so that'll need sorting soon.
-Rear door beginning to show its age as spare wheel causing all kinds of welds to start
failing in frame.
- Rear chassis member beginning to shows its age and I've just got price from Pressbrake.

My sisters got a 91' 110 with over 300,000 miles on it but that is seriously shagged out with rotten bulkhead etc but they're going to spend a few grand on it (left in will) as its part of the family and the logic is once they'll know its sound rather than buying a 'better condition' one for the same money and then having to spend more on it.

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