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

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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

There's a reason someone put that red stuff on the side. And it wasn't just because they liked the look of the red stuff.


I'm always astounded at the prices being asked.

It's got no galvanized bulkhead.
It's got no galvanized chassis.
It's not some original collectors piece either.
It's got stuff stuck on the doors to hide the corrosion.

And it's got some "bling" over it.


...and suddenly it's 15k?!?!
 
There's a reason someone put that red stuff on the side. And it wasn't just because they liked the look of the red stuff.


I'm always astounded at the prices being asked.

It's got no galvanized bulkhead.
It's got no galvanized chassis.
It's not some original collectors piece either.
It's got stuff stuck on the doors to hide the corrosion.

And it's got some "bling" over it.


...and suddenly it's 15k?!?!
Sounds like it has a galvanised chassis, still too much dosh, in my opinion.
 
Ahh, missed that bit. Still not a ‘fender though (although we all know it basically is)!
Is it for sure a Ninety and not a 90?
Most conversions don't look stock, or has it's origin got lost in time.
Either way I think it a van and should it not have roof vents at the back of the roof?
 
Is it for sure a Ninety and not a 90?
Most conversions don't look stock, or has it's origin got lost in time.
Either way I think it a van and should it not have roof vents at the back of the roof?
I think and I could well be wrong here, early roofs had the rear vents plus the ribs on the topside, later ones no vents and the ribs inside the roof.
 
There's a reason someone put that red stuff on the side. And it wasn't just because they liked the look of the red stuff.


I'm always astounded at the prices being asked.

It's got no galvanized bulkhead.
It's got no galvanized chassis.
It's not some original collectors piece either.
It's got stuff stuck on the doors to hide the corrosion.

And it's got some "bling" over it.


...and suddenly it's 15k?!?!
So... You like it? 😜 Here's the link


Definitely listed with galv chassis, not sure about bulkhead but will check. There isn't a spot of rust on the sills that I can see, or round the engine bay... I get the impression it has been well looked after and made pretty to their specific tastes, rather than they have tried to hide something. I could be wrong, and I agree it's a high price... Viewing is everything, I guess, then I need to make a big decision.

The feedback here has definitely given me pause for thought, thanks everyone for your help
 
So... You like it? 😜 Here's the link


Definitely listed with galv chassis, not sure about bulkhead but will check. There isn't a spot of rust on the sills that I can see, or round the engine bay... I get the impression it has been well looked after and made pretty to their specific tastes, rather than they have tried to hide something. I could be wrong, and I agree it's a high price... Viewing is everything, I guess, then I need to make a big decision.

The feedback here has definitely given me pause for thought, thanks everyone for your help
It’s not a bad Landy at all, but I think the general consensus is it should be priced cheaper or you can get a really nice one for £15k.
 
Hi again all. Thought I would give you an update since you were all kind enough to spend time giving me your input!

Had a good rummage around the vehicle today. There are a lot of positives:
- Chassis is solid, only very light surface rust (in my unprofessional opinion - certainly no flaking, no holes, everything robust to my diligent prodding). Sadly it was only waxoiled once, and some years ago, otherwise it might have been even better. Good job it was mostly stored inside!
- Bulkhead is solid (but not galv), no holes, no real rust to speak of.
- Engine started without pause and runs like a dream (from cold - and it was bloody cold!).
- Engine is cleaner than my kitchen :p
- VIN numbers match. All good.
- Immobiliser fitted and working.

Now the not ideal:
- Carpets in footwells were wet through - it's only been outside for a few days so this suggests there is water ingress, maybe through the vent flaps or windscreen? Felt a bit more than just condensation to me, but I could be wrong. Left for too long and the currently solid footwells will start to do what land rovers do...
- Ceiling cover in back has detached and was hanging from the light fittings - not a real issue to sort but harder to poke the ceiling behind. However, roof looked solid from above.
- Bit of a dent in the bit shown in the picture (below where the exhaust bends up on the right). Don't know if this matters.
- Very small amount of rust spots round door bottoms and sills, and a tiny bit on the A pillars - way less than most others I have seen, but not initially visible on the auction pictures.
- a 110 from down the road was fairly recently nicked and not recovered - the bastards never stop! Used a pickup or flatbed of some kind and buggered off with it. Doesn't affect this vehicle at all, it just enrages me! :mad:

Nothing that screamed alarm bells (happy to be told I am wrong - I am here to learn!). However, these minor things, coupled with the exterior mods that have changed the overall feel of the vehicle, the high price (which, at the moment, doesn't sound too flexible) and - in no small part - the lukewarm reception here, have swayed me against going ahead. I might rethink if the price drops, but until then I am still searching!

Thanks all
 

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Well at least you walked away with the "big head" thinking.

You now have a sort of baseline as what to expect from future adds.

Wait till the price drops to around 10k then maybe have another look :).

They will leak, mine does but I let it out cos no carpets:p. That's probably not entirely true but it works for me ATM.

There will be another1 on your list soon don't rush.

J
 
My TD5 leaked like a sieve when I got it, actually I think a sieve would have stopped more water!
It's mostly dry now but not completely, I have removed the factory bulkhead and floor insulation as the amount of water they hold is unreal.
Mine is a proper station wagon, base model though, with a few nice little mods. It cost approx 2/3rds of the one you just went to see.
Out of interest was it a van originally and was it a Defender or converted Ninety with a engine swap?
 
It's worth mentioning that galvanising dosent mean something is going to last forever. Expect the galv to offer protection for 20 years or so, that chassis was from 1996 so it's gonna need attention just like a normal chassis would. I think you made the right decision walking away, would of been a good buy at 6/7k but at 15k it's a joke.
 
My TD5 leaked like a sieve when I got it, actually I think a sieve would have stopped more water!
It's mostly dry now but not completely, I have removed the factory bulkhead and floor insulation as the amount of water they hold is unreal.
Yes, the carpet / insulation had soaked up the water like a sponge. It’s easy to forget how many ‘features’ land rovers have :D

Out of interest was it a van originally and was it a Defender or converted Ninety with a engine swap?
I didn’t get that information in my interrogation, unfortunately - the seller didn’t know, however the chap who did the original rebuild lives a few houses away. He offered to phone him up for me, but by that point I was already close to making up my mind and didn’t want to waste everyone’s time. I was shown some old photographs of the rebuild though, interesting to look through.
 
It's worth mentioning that galvanising dosent mean something is going to last forever. Expect the galv to offer protection for 20 years or so, that chassis was from 1996 so it's gonna need attention just like a normal chassis would. I think you made the right decision walking away, would have been a good buy at 6/7k but at 15k it's a joke.
Completely agree that I should expect some deterioration on a galv chassis after so long (though I do sometimes fall into the trap of thinking the 90’s were only last decade :D). I do think it could have been even cleaner with more care over the years, but it was definitely solid and overall a good, sound motor.
 
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