How reliable/unreliable has your defender been?
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TBP
Member
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- 22
1997 130 twin cab Defender ex SW elec vehicle, has been left standing over winter for up to three months...started first go, yess a few dents in doors etc loads of miles approx 200,000 on the clock, service it regular with a monkey i trust and do most bits and bobs LOL myself, needs a re spray now as starting to corrode a bit but then i could do with a facial as well. If i had the cash and a workshop, time etc i would do a ground up rebuild. In a nut shell if you look after it it will last for years and miles.
puffin1
Active Member
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- 172
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- St Blazey, Cornwall
I have a P reg 300tdi and have had only one small problem all year so i am well pleased with my 90 , but then i make sure it is serviced when it should be.
Bollytoo
Well-Known Member
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- 12,290
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- The debatable lands
After 18 months, pretty well perfect (loads of wood being touched). Last service and MOT, and a few frittery bits about £130. The Porker was about 10 times that every 6 months, with brake discs made of digestive biscuits and the only engine I've ever had lunch itself on me. That was the most unreliable car I have ever had, and a pain in the purse.
Don't let me get started on the dealers.
Don't let me get started on the dealers.
minimole23
Active Member
- Posts
- 184
- Location
- Dorset
Technically mine has never left me by the side of the road, except when the clutch arm snapped, probably could have limped it home but it was quite a way, so not worth trashing the gearbox for (turned out it was knackered anyway) The lift pump failed a the end of the drive one day so doesn't quite count-though didn't make it to work that day.
The trouble is with defenders is they need a ridiculous amount of maintenance to remain reliable. the Since buying a 1995 300tdi at 136k, I'm now at 148k and have replaced tonnes, Gearbox, all suspension, lift pump, rear diff, rebuilt front hubs, usual prop uj's, steering box, lift pump, fuel tank, bits of wiring, brake servo, clutch. After all that I'm only just beginning to feel like its up together and still have to thump the starter motor with a hammer occasionally as the solenoid on that is now packing up.
Yes were dealing with a 17 year old vehicle but I had a mk2 crx vtec with more miles and even older that didn't put a foot wrong in 2 years!
Having said all that, despite the pain and cost i wouldn't be without it.
The trouble is with defenders is they need a ridiculous amount of maintenance to remain reliable. the Since buying a 1995 300tdi at 136k, I'm now at 148k and have replaced tonnes, Gearbox, all suspension, lift pump, rear diff, rebuilt front hubs, usual prop uj's, steering box, lift pump, fuel tank, bits of wiring, brake servo, clutch. After all that I'm only just beginning to feel like its up together and still have to thump the starter motor with a hammer occasionally as the solenoid on that is now packing up.
Yes were dealing with a 17 year old vehicle but I had a mk2 crx vtec with more miles and even older that didn't put a foot wrong in 2 years!
Having said all that, despite the pain and cost i wouldn't be without it.
The way I see it, you don't 'have' to do something to them, you 'get' to do something to them
We bought the Ninety near the beginning of last year, with a Nissan LD28 motor fitted.
We have been tidying it up, and doing little things to make it more pleasant to live with (carpeting, seats etc.), and have had to do some work on it, but it was all a case of general wear, not unexpected on a 1986 vehicle.
We have also done fluid changes (including gearbox, diffs, transfer box),greasing and a full service (belts etc.) since buying it for peace of mind.
The engine has been great (of course) and we have had a few jokers tell us that we've gotten rid of the main problem when they discover it doesn't have a Land Rover engine.
Apart from the above maintenance, we have had nothing go wrong with the vehicle during our ownership period. It seems to support the general consensus that early Defenders were well built and last better than some newer ones.
We have been tidying it up, and doing little things to make it more pleasant to live with (carpeting, seats etc.), and have had to do some work on it, but it was all a case of general wear, not unexpected on a 1986 vehicle.
We have also done fluid changes (including gearbox, diffs, transfer box),greasing and a full service (belts etc.) since buying it for peace of mind.
The engine has been great (of course) and we have had a few jokers tell us that we've gotten rid of the main problem when they discover it doesn't have a Land Rover engine.
Apart from the above maintenance, we have had nothing go wrong with the vehicle during our ownership period. It seems to support the general consensus that early Defenders were well built and last better than some newer ones.
The other thing I should point out (especially with older Defenders) is the ease of servicing and repairs with basic tools means that you can save a significant amount of money on servicing costs, and if something goes wrong you may well be able to fix it yourself.
Our Ninety is a joy to work on (most of the time...)
These are important considerations when deciding on a vehicle.
Our Ninety is a joy to work on (most of the time...)
These are important considerations when deciding on a vehicle.
My 86' 90 fitted with a genuine defender 200tdi has never missed a beat, its due a clutch soon but in the 3 years ive had it its only had one rear diff.
I use it everyday for work, drive it hard on & offroad, go trialing & pay and play days etc.
It gets its fair share of routine maintenance but I enjoy tinkering with it!
I use it everyday for work, drive it hard on & offroad, go trialing & pay and play days etc.
It gets its fair share of routine maintenance but I enjoy tinkering with it!
Had mine about 6 months now. Had an axle leak first, had the axle rebuilt, then several weeks later the piston rings went in my engine after a fairly long journey. On the way home the seal on the turbo went and the engine tried to runaway on me on the motor way, had a disco engine and turbo 200tdi put in. The water pump leaked on the new engine but the bloke who dropped the engine in put a new water pump in for free. Had minor issues with the winch not being earthed properly but just resleeved some wires sorted that out.
Currently my transmission has a minor leak, however getting a disco tranny on it next week that's in good nick. Not had the best of luck but I still love it and wouldn't of picked another car. Looking forward to saving up for getting my chassis welded up spotless and then waxoiled, get some new shocks on it too. Will be pretty much mint after that
Only other issue I have had is this British summer has brought to light a leak the comes through my footwell, however the floor is stainless steel chequer plate do that's no real issue.
Currently my transmission has a minor leak, however getting a disco tranny on it next week that's in good nick. Not had the best of luck but I still love it and wouldn't of picked another car. Looking forward to saving up for getting my chassis welded up spotless and then waxoiled, get some new shocks on it too. Will be pretty much mint after that
Only other issue I have had is this British summer has brought to light a leak the comes through my footwell, however the floor is stainless steel chequer plate do that's no real issue.
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