Looking at a Defender 90 200TDi this weekend...

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ExcrucioCor

Member
Posts
26
Location
North England
Hey all,
I am heading over near Manchester/Stockport this weekend to look at a 1989 vintage 90... feels a bit too good to be true. Super low mileage on a new (1996) engine rebuild from Landrover, 2 owners, galv chassis that's been waxoiled, hardly moved for the last few years (and stored indoors). Had a few MOT fails, but nothing that makes me too worried (lamps not working, reg plate deterioration, slight deterioration of brake hoses) and, going back a couple of years, worn bushes (not excessive movement) and some brake work. Recent MOT straight through with no advisories.

Pictures look.. well, great to be honest. Bulkhead round vent flaps looks clean and smooth, no obvious signs of bubbling on bodywork that I can see. No photos of undercarriage - I asked, but the seller is a bit old and the weather has been turd. I can check this when I view.

It's had a fair bit of work done to beautify it:

- New face lift grill.
- All the lights changed for LED’s
- New radiator and inter cooler fitted
- Mud guards and brackets
- SS door hinges
- New fuel tank and sender
- Aluminium Sump guard
- New heavy duty clutch
- All glass back windows.
- New battery with isolation key.
- Immobiliser fitted
- Plus lots more (whatever that means...)

My plan: poke underneath with a screwdriver to check for rust. Ask for chassis provenance. Check VIN numbers. Give it a whirl. Lift carpets to look at bulkhead. Look blankly at the engine whilst thinking "I know exactly how an internal combustion engine works... in theory (thanks, A-level physics!)" whilst not admitting to anyone present that I know nothing about the things in practice :confused:

Was hoping you amazing folk could give some tips / pointers for what else to look at 🙏 I have no doubt similar questions have been asked a thousand times, and I have searched (and that's what has fed my 'to do' list so far) - but it's super helpful to have something specific.
 
Last edited:
ExcrucioCor said:
Hey all,
I am heading over near Manchester/Stockport this weekend to look at a 1986 vintage 90... feels a bit too good to be true. Super low mileage on a new (1996) engine rebuild from Landrover, 2 owners, galv chassis that's been waxoiled, hardly moved for the last few years (and stored indoors). Had a few MOT fails, but nothing that makes me too worried (lamps not working, reg plate deterioration, slight deterioration of brake hoses) and, going back a couple of years, worn bushes (not excessive movement) and some brake work. Recent MOT straight through with no advisories.

Pictures look.. well, great to be honest. Bulkhead round vent flaps looks clean and smooth, no obvious signs of bubbling on bodywork that I can see. No photos of undercarriage - I asked, but the seller is a bit old and the weather has been turd. I can check this when I view.

It's had a fair bit of work done to beautify it:

- New face lift grill.
- All the lights changed for LED’s
- New radiator and inter cooler fitted
- Mud guards and brackets
- SS door hinges
- New fuel tank and sender
- Aluminium Sump guard
- New heavy duty clutch
- All glass back windows.
- New battery with isolation key.
- Immobiliser fitted
- Plus lots more (whatever that means...)

My plan: poke underneath with a screwdriver to check for rust. Ask for chassis provenance. Check VIN numbers. Give it a whirl. Lift carpets to look at bulkhead. Look blankly at the engine whilst thinking "I know exactly how an internal combustion engine works... in theory (thanks, A-level physics!)" whilst not admitting to anyone present that I know nothing about the things in practice :confused:

Was hoping you amazing folk could give some tips / pointers for what else to look at 🙏 I have no doubt similar questions have been asked a thousand times, and I have searched (and that's what has fed my 'to do' list so far) - but it's super helpful to have something specific.
Click to expand...
Post a photo of the back body…helps with ID

TDI not fitted in that year. Make sure it has numbers. If none found make sure they state this on receipt they give to you.

Lift carpets for holes in floor. If the chassis is galv you should have no worries on rot for a few years(if they have treated it well)
Make sure the VIN number is correct to the log book. Check engine size & fuel type has been changed

Good luck
 
Hicap phill said:
Post a photo of the back body…helps with ID

TDI not fitted in that year. Make sure it has numbers. If none found make sure they state this on receipt they give to you.

Lift carpets for holes in floor. If the chassis is galv you should have no worries on rot for a few years(if they have treated it well)
Make sure the VIN number is correct to the log book. Check engine size & fuel type has been changed

Good luck
Click to expand...
thank you - typo in main post, it was first registered in 1989, not 1986. Engine rebuild was in 1996 - unclear if there was a fuel change. I did a HPI check for what it's worth, and there is nothing outstanding and no alarm bells. However, it also shows it as a petrol 110 in the maufacturer spec - I could imagine a fuel change, but it would be a bugger to change the vehicle length! :D DVLA registration shows the correct info.

I could post a picture of the rear, however it has been debadged so no useful info...
 
marjon said:
Sounds like it is worth a viewing.

Chassis receipt and proof of original would be a good thing to ask.

Good luck

J
Click to expand...
yes, completely agree - hopefully the galv chassis was manufactured by a proper outfit.

I've got the tingle - nothing quite as equal parts exciting / terrifying as buying a defender!
 
ExcrucioCor said:
thank you - typo in main post, it was first registered in 1989, not 1986. Engine rebuild was in 1996 - unclear if there was a fuel change. I did a HPI check for what it's worth, and there is nothing outstanding and no alarm bells. However, it also shows it as a petrol 110 in the maufacturer spec - I could imagine a fuel change, but it would be a bugger to change the vehicle length! :D DVLA registration shows the correct info.

I could post a picture of the rear, however it has been debadged so no useful info...
Click to expand...
You can check on the vin tag, the numbers etc give build dates,model type, and spec.
 
Hicap phill said:
You can check on the vin tag, the numbers etc give build dates,model type, and spec.
Click to expand...
Will do, thanks.

Any thoughts on what price range I should be looking at / pushing for (assuming it's as sound as it..er.. sounds?)? I've looked at so many recenty, and the prices range wildly from the ridiculously expensive to the disturbingly cheap... Galv chassiss tend to knock the price up a bit (which is fine by me, saves me a job as long as they're looked after!) but it's still difficult to hone in on what is sensible.
 
ExcrucioCor said:
Will do, thanks.

Any thoughts on what price range I should be looking at / pushing for (assuming it's as sound as it..er.. sounds?)? I've looked at so many recenty, and the prices range wildly from the ridiculously expensive to the disturbingly cheap... Galv chassiss tend to knock the price up a bit (which is fine by me, saves me a job as long as they're looked after!) but it's still difficult to hone in on what is sensible.
Click to expand...
No such thing as a guide price, as you have found out the prices are all over the place.
How much is he asking for it, is it reasonable, I guess it is or you wouldn't be going to see it.
Do make sure it has the correct id plate and correct engine before you buy it.
Look forward to the pictures.
 
Anaconda said:
How much is he asking for it, is it reasonable, I guess it is or you wouldn't be going to see it.
Click to expand...

Ha, you’d think so wouldn’t you - sadly I can get a bit carried away and heart rules over head! It’s on for just under £15k, which makes my eyes water but - if the spec is accurate - seems about in line with others I’ve seen with more wrong with them. Sound sort of OK? I am hoping there is some wiggle room, but he seems very proud of it so might not budge.

If I had the skills and time, I would happily go much cheaper and start a project - some of the people on here are inspirational.

Anaconda said:
Do make sure it has the correct id plate and correct engine before you buy it.
Look forward to the pictures.
Click to expand...

Will do and will definitely post piccies if it goes forward.
 
ExcrucioCor said:
thank you - typo in main post, it was first registered in 1989, not 1986. Engine rebuild was in 1996 - unclear if there was a fuel change. I did a HPI check for what it's worth, and there is nothing outstanding and no alarm bells. However, it also shows it as a petrol 110 in the maufacturer spec - I could imagine a fuel change, but it would be a bugger to change the vehicle length! :D DVLA registration shows the correct info.

I could post a picture of the rear, however it has been debadged so no useful info...
Click to expand...
There is a reason for a photo of the back body. You can tell even unbadged if this is correct.
Need to see where the filler neck is. This should confirm chassis. Style

15k is a lot but they are a life style.you need to think long term if this is your daily drive and how many miles you will be doing in it.
Easy to service these(even at the side of the road)
 
Hicap phill said:
There is a reason for a photo of the back body. You can tell even unbadged if this is correct.
Need to see where the filler neck is. This should confirm chassis. Style
Click to expand...

Ok, this is revealing my general ignorance (one day, I will be better!). Pic attached

Hicap phill said:
15k is a lot but they are a life style.you need to think long term if this is your daily drive and how many miles you will be doing in it.
Click to expand...

That was my fear - I’ve seen similar (but less immaculate) for £12k-£13k, not always with a galv chassis, so thought this wasn’t far off the mark… I am honestly a bit in the dark about what a decent price is. Last I bought was in 2014, 110 special for ~£6k and, beautiful as it was, it had issues. And prices only seem to have increased since then!

I know many won’t like it because it’s not quite as authentic as some, but it’s speaking to my hind brain, so I am not responsible for taste
 

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ExcrucioCor said:
Ok, this is revealing my general ignorance (one day, I will be better!). Pic attached



That was my fear - I’ve seen similar (but less immaculate) for £12k-£13k, not always with a galv chassis, so thought this wasn’t far off the mark… I am honestly a bit in the dark about what a decent price is. Last I bought was in 2014, 110 special for ~£6k and, beautiful as it was, it had issues. And prices only seem to have increased since then!

I know many won’t like it because it’s not quite as authentic as some, but it’s speaking to my hind brain, so I am not responsible for taste
Click to expand...
rear tub correct. Later type have a rear tank.
As for prices…
I paid £1k for mine 30years ago. And it’s always a rollling restoration.
View it and be prepared to walk away & have another view later.
 
ExcrucioCor said:
Ok, this is revealing my general ignorance (one day, I will be better!). Pic attached



That was my fear - I’ve seen similar (but less immaculate) for £12k-£13k, not always with a galv chassis, so thought this wasn’t far off the mark… I am honestly a bit in the dark about what a decent price is. Last I bought was in 2014, 110 special for ~£6k and, beautiful as it was, it had issues. And prices only seem to have increased since then!

I know many won’t like it because it’s not quite as authentic as some, but it’s speaking to my hind brain, so I am not responsible for taste
Click to expand...
Someone has spent a few bob on the looks that is for sure.
I personally think 15k is way to much for a 200 90, but that is more to do with me being a tight arse.

Be aware no matter how smart the outside, they are still an old piece of crap on the inside, even when new! they were much the same inside from the first 90 in the early 80s until the tdci came out with the posh dash.
 
I have looked at the advert, I think it's too much.
If I was to spend £15k on a tdi it would need to be stock looking and in very good condition.
I don't understand the new chassis and engine rebuild at 6 years old either. It's pretty irrelevant to the current price.
I am also a tight arse!
Unfortunately almost every 200tdi seems over priced.
 
lynall said:
Be aware no matter how smart the outside, they are still an old piece of crap on the inside, even when new!
Click to expand...

Ah, there’s nothing quite like the love/hate relationship between land rover enthusiasts and land rovers :)

Yes it’s expensive.. i will have to see whether the condition is as claimed. It’s done just over £30k miles since 96 - pretty rare (in my experience) to find one so green. But mileage isn’t everything - rust is key! (or lack of).
 
Anaconda said:
I have looked at the advert, I think it's too much.
If I was to spend £15k on a tdi it would need to be stock looking and in very good condition.
I don't understand the new chassis and engine rebuild at 6 years old either. It's pretty irrelevant to the current price.
I am also a tight arse!
Unfortunately almost every 200tdi seems over priced.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm…. food for thought. I understand about the ‘stock-looking’, it has been on my mind that this has been modernised. I am not particularly against it, but it does lose some of the charm.

I had also wondered about the rebuild - I will certainly ask (assuming they know - it was the previous owner). As you say, almost every 200tdi is expensive, so not really sure where to go there.
 
You seem to know what you’re talking about and what to look for. I have to agree with a couple of the others and suggest that the asking price is too much. The market has definitely cooled down. It’s a 35 year-old Landy that’s been gentrified to make it more modern-looking, so you’re neither getting a classic vehicle nor a modern vehicle!
I’m happy pootling about in a rather beaten-up old OneTen and I could never afford a £15k motor, so my opinion on how much it is worth could be rather skewed!
If you do go to view it, get yourself a couple of Brownie points by referring to it as a Ninety, not a Defender 😉
Happy hunting.
 
bluedog333 said:
You seem to know what you’re talking about and what to look for. I have to agree with a couple of the others and suggest that the asking price is too much. The market has definitely cooled down. It’s a 35 year-old Landy that’s been gentrified to make it more modern-looking, so you’re neither getting a classic vehicle nor a modern vehicle!
I’m happy pootling about in a rather beaten-up old OneTen and I could never afford a £15k motor, so my opinion on how much it is worth could be rather skewed!
If you do go to view it, get yourself a couple of Brownie points by referring to it as a Ninety, not a Defender 😉
Happy hunting.
Click to expand...
I thought they started calling it a Defender when they fitted the 200tdi?
 
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