Looking to buy a Defender - opinons wanted!

Malliff · Mar 21, 2013

I have wanted a Defender for absolutely ages. Keen on a 90 (over a 110), purely for the looks, prefer the shorter wheel base. It is going to be used for mainly short journeys a few times a week and the odd longer journey down to Cornwall (from just outside London).

I have a maximum budget of about £4,500, but would ideally like to keep that to nearer £4000. My knowledge is limited at the moment if I am honest. I am in no rush to buy, but when I do, I want to get maximum bang for buck.

I have been looking at this, what are people's opinions on this? If I go and have a look when I am nearer the area next week, what are the essential things I should look out for on THIS Defender? (I have read the buyer's guide on here).

Land Rover Defender 90 2.5TD COUNTY 3dr 1989

Thank you in advance for any help/advice you guys can give.

THEengineer · Mar 21, 2013

check the chassis and bulkhead thoroughly,they can cost big money to put right ,and dont expect them to drive like a car,ask if its got a 200 tdi lump,probably the best you can get

Malliff · Mar 21, 2013

THEengineer said:
check the chassis and bulkhead thoroughly,they can cost big money to put right ,and dont expect them to drive like a car,ask if its got a 200 tdi lump,probably the best you can get

Fantastic, that was the sort of response I was after, was wondering about engines to be going for. Will give them a buzz tomorrow, got a bit of a list of questions building up. Cheers for your help.

disco147 · Mar 21, 2013

Doesn't look to shabby, look absolutely everywhere for rust! Do a search on here there's plenty of threads about buying landies! Also have a good look through service history, if your not sure take a landy enthusiast or an impartialmechanically minded person with you!

Rawly86 · Mar 21, 2013

:welcome2: also I think thats too expensive

look at this one
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f59/defender-90-b-reg-218461.html

Grimmer · Mar 21, 2013

Have a search for Defender buying guide, tell you what, Defender Buyers Guide

There you go

Think theres just about everything there

Andy Land · Mar 21, 2013

THEengineer said:
check the chassis and bulkhead thoroughly,they can cost big money to put right ,and dont expect them to drive like a car,ask if its got a 200 tdi lump,probably the best you can get

Won't be a 200Tdi with the snorkel on the off side ... could be a 300Tdi though!
Looks tidy enough but it's easy to cover up bad bits for a quick sale on a Landy. Buying from a dealer will help though.

Rawly86 · Mar 21, 2013

that year is it not a 19J? I quite possible am wrong. :behindsofa:

Malliff · Mar 21, 2013

Guys, thanks for all the help on this one. I have looked through a lot of the buyers guides already and have got a list of questions to ask sellers based on that, and things to look for if I go and see any. I am going to mull it all over, liking the look of that blue 90, Rawly86

Andy Land · Mar 21, 2013

Rawly86 said:
that year is it not a 19J? I quite possible am wrong. :behindsofa:

That's what it would have had originally but who knows what's been fitted since. A 19j would also have had the snorkel on the near side.
I suppose the engine could have been fitted back to front ... but then it would have 5 reverse gears and 1 forward

THEengineer · Mar 21, 2013

Andy Land said:
That's what it would have had originally but who knows what's been fitted since. A 19j would also have had the snorkel on the near side.
I suppose the engine could have been fitted back to front ... but then it would have 5 reverse gears and 1 forward

was the 200tdi air intake on the RH side?can see your point could be a 300tdi,still good lump though

Pikey · Mar 21, 2013

N/A had no air intake on side of wings.

TD & 200TDi had intake vent on N/S wing

300TDi, V8 & TD5 have intake on O/S wing.

Of course it could have had noo wing fitted???

landowner · Mar 21, 2013

Looks a little too tidy for an 89/90 model

What's the interior like? it's very expensive for a 2.5TD an all

Turboman · Mar 21, 2013

Malliff said:
I have wanted a Defender for absolutely ages. Keen on a 90 (over a 110), purely for the looks, prefer the shorter wheel base. It is going to be used for mainly short journeys a few times a week and the odd longer journey down to Cornwall (from just outside London).

I have a maximum budget of about £4,500, but would ideally like to keep that to nearer £4000. My knowledge is limited at the moment if I am honest. I am in no rush to buy, but when I do, I want to get maximum bang for buck.

I have been looking at this, what are people's opinions on this? If I go and have a look when I am nearer the area next week, what are the essential things I should look out for on THIS Defender? (I have read the buyer's guide on here).

Land Rover Defender 90 2.5TD COUNTY 3dr 1989

Thank you in advance for any help/advice you guys can give.

It always makes me a bit suspicious when I see these old motors done up to look like much later models!
Sppose I always wonder whether the same level off attention has been paid to the areas you cant see.
As stated, its the chassis and bulkhead that is important, the engine and transmission can be expensive to fix major issues. Don't worry too much about appearance, rust is in the chassis and bulkhead, which cannot always be seen, is the big issue here. I think that's all the money for this model, I didn't pay anywhere like that for mine.

THEengineer · Mar 21, 2013

redhand said:
N/A had no air intake on side of wings.

TD & 200TDi had intake vent on N/S wing

300TDi, V8 & TD5 have intake on O/S wing.

Of course it could have had noo wing fitted???

that clears that one up

gemsdad · Mar 23, 2013

Andy Land said:
That's what it would have had originally but who knows what's been fitted since. A 19j would also have had the snorkel on the near side.
I suppose the engine could have been fitted back to front ... but then it would have 5 reverse gears and 1 forward

that would be for the Italian army then.

Andy Land · Mar 23, 2013

gemsdad said:
that would be for the Italian army then.

:5biagree:

RobRainford · Mar 24, 2013

There's a guy selling a black 90 on here. Wants 4.5k but you shouldn't have any problems and its all kitted out.

Looking to buy a Defender - opinons wanted!

Malliff

New Member

THEengineer

whatever

Malliff

New Member

disco147

Well-Known Member

Rawly86

Active Member

Grimmer

THE Winner

Andy Land

Well-Known Member

Rawly86

Active Member

Malliff

New Member

Andy Land

Well-Known Member

THEengineer

whatever

Pikey

Dummy Ejection Facilitator..

landowner

Pensioner Pete

Turboman

Mab An Gov

THEengineer

whatever

gemsdad

NOT BOTHERED.

Andy Land

Well-Known Member

RobRainford

New Member

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