Series buying advice.

Hi,
I don't yet own a Landy but have been looking for a while. I want a Series 3 ideally but would value some advice from people who have one. Initially I was going to get one as a classic investment and keep it in the garage overnight until I measured the garage and realised it would be too small. I have always wanted a Series rag top so thought that unless it was in the garage it would gradually deteriorate if kept outside, rust/canvas etc. My question is this: is keeping a 70s Series on the drive to use to get to work occasionally (I cycle most days) and weekend trips a mad idea? Firstly there's the rust issue. Would anyone keep a breathable cover on it to help this issue? Secondly the theft issue. I don't mind if it looks a bit dented and worn, if anything it'll put a thief off. Do Series get targeted in the same way as a Defender? We live on a 70s housing estate in Dorset. I would fit a hidden battery isolator switch and a decent steering wheel lock. Leading to my 3rd question... I'd have it as a hard top in winter (less leaky) but convert it with an Exmoor kit in the summer to a rag top. Does anyone else keep a rag top outside in the summer? I know each Landy will be different but are they generally reliable enough to be used 3-4 times per week? Thanks very much for your advice. Cheers.

Ok....the Landrover you buy will most likly have lived outside.....if stored under cover its much better for it.....but seems you have no choice.
A rag top will be ok outside....yes it wont last as long as for one kept undercover....prob sunlight does the most damage.....my last rag top lived outside all its life lasted at least 10 years.....

Theft is a problem even for old ones.....Mine now lives in a garage.,...by the way....how about having a new one erected....I got one 18mths ago....just under 30ft long and near 11ft wide....£4300 you dont need one that big....

Anyway if I had to leave mine out side I would get a disc lock.....

Can I ask....have you ever driven an old series.....if not you may not like them.....see so many poor souls buy one after loving the idea to end up burning there fingers....

Mine is a 1975 S3 88" I bought it new....still love it....my rag top stays on all year....prob warmer than a hard top in the winter.

P.S. bought mine aged 23....never even sat in one before.....big investment back then.

Nick.

TimberLandy said:

Hi,
I don't yet own a Landy but have been looking for a while. I want a Series 3 ideally but would value some advice from people who have one. Initially I was going to get one as a classic investment and keep it in the garage overnight until I measured the garage and realised it would be too small. I have always wanted a Series rag top so thought that unless it was in the garage it would gradually deteriorate if kept outside, rust/canvas etc. My question is this: is keeping a 70s Series on the drive to use to get to work occasionally (I cycle most days) and weekend trips a mad idea? Firstly there's the rust issue. Would anyone keep a breathable cover on it to help this issue? Secondly the theft issue. I don't mind if it looks a bit dented and worn, if anything it'll put a thief off. Do Series get targeted in the same way as a Defender? We live on a 70s housing estate in Dorset. I would fit a hidden battery isolator switch and a decent steering wheel lock. Leading to my 3rd question... I'd have it as a hard top in winter (less leaky) but convert it with an Exmoor kit in the summer to a rag top. Does anyone else keep a rag top outside in the summer? I know each Landy will be different but are they generally reliable enough to be used 3-4 times per week? Thanks very much for your advice. Cheers.

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Hi there. Six months ago I was in a very similar situation, wondering if I'd gone mad getting a ragtop Series 2a with no off road parking available. I went for it anyway - because these vehicles seem to defy all sense of reason - and so far I can say it is definitely doable. To your questions:

1. Rust. This will very much depend on the state of your chassis and bulkhead to begin with. Mine had been dip galvanised and was in very good nick. If you've got a lot of rust to start with, then the problem is going to be far harder to mitigate. Almost the first thing I did was apply Lanoguard to the underneath, using the little hose to get inside the chassis members, plus XCP Rust Blocker on prone spots (I've used this on my motorbike for ages and have found to be really excellent). Jet washing the underside after a long run when the roads have been gritted to get the salt off too. During the rain that seemed to go on for ever in Nov / Dec I put a breathable cover to keep the worst of the rain off, not least because I hadn't yet got the door seals sorted. A bit of a faff taking it on and off (and keeping it tied down during high wind - you'll need extra para cord / bungees for sure), but worth it. I live near the sea so obviously I'm acutely aware of the issue, but so far, so good: you just have to keep on top of it.

2. Security. I can't say whether Defenders are more nickable than a Series, I would think they probably are but why risk it - Series vehicles are appreciating classics so assume the worst. I got myself a Disklok - works very well - and was tempted by the pedal lock too. Both feature in this LRM article from 2018 I found pretty useful: https://www.landrovermonthly.co.uk/articles/tested/best-land-rover-security-devices/
A cover would also add to the deterrent effect, especially if it's lashed down well enough.

3. Hardtop vs. soft top. Having driven both, I wouldn't go back to a hard top: colder in winter (think metal box as opposed to canvas tent) and noisier too - the roof acts like a drum for vibrations, squeaks and rattles. More secure, but that's relative on a Landy. A tilt just looks the business in my opinion.

4. Reliability. Blimey, now there's a topic. When looked after, these things will go forever, but you have to expect to get your hands dirty and to get stuck in to the maintenance schedule and having a crack at the repair jobs that, for the most part, are achievable with a bit of time and perseverance. I'm usually only a YouTube video away from disaster, but the wealth of knowledge and experience on forums like this are invaluable. You'll also save yourself a ton of cash in garage bills and learn to understand and appreciate your vehicle even more, but know that - for the early days at least - it'll be a bit of a love/hate relationship when the unexpected happens. Every journey an 'adventure' for sure, but all part of the 'charm', right? Else you'd be buying a T*yota L*********r.

All best,
J

TimberLandy said:

Hi,
I don't yet own a Landy but have been looking for a while. I want a Series 3 ideally but would value some advice from people who have one. Initially I was going to get one as a classic investment and keep it in the garage overnight until I measured the garage and realised it would be too small. I have always wanted a Series rag top so thought that unless it was in the garage it would gradually deteriorate if kept outside, rust/canvas etc. My question is this: is keeping a 70s Series on the drive to use to get to work occasionally (I cycle most days) and weekend trips a mad idea? Firstly there's the rust issue. Would anyone keep a breathable cover on it to help this issue? Secondly the theft issue. I don't mind if it looks a bit dented and worn, if anything it'll put a thief off. Do Series get targeted in the same way as a Defender? We live on a 70s housing estate in Dorset. I would fit a hidden battery isolator switch and a decent steering wheel lock. Leading to my 3rd question... I'd have it as a hard top in winter (less leaky) but convert it with an Exmoor kit in the summer to a rag top. Does anyone else keep a rag top outside in the summer? I know each Landy will be different but are they generally reliable enough to be used 3-4 times per week? Thanks very much for your advice. Cheers.

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My best suggestion would be to drive one, or even better, several, before buying anything.

Series Land Rovers aren't to everyones taste. And you will need to teach yourself to service and maintain the vehicle, unless you have a very deep pocket, and want to pay someone else to do it.

They can be reliable enough for a daily drive, but like all old vehicles they need constant attention. Daily basic checks, oil water and brake fluid, regular checks of transmission oils, steering boxes, etc. Usually plenty of bulb changes, propshaft greasing, odd track rod end, stuff like that.

Consider that most of a Series is 1930s tech with a few later improvements bolted on. The overall experience is more like a vintage car than a 21st century one.

Hi @TimberLandy

plus 1 what’s already been mentioned , also had a few series 2A’s and 3’s , hope u don’t mind me adding but my first series was a diesel, OMG , I swore from then on I would ever buy a diesel again , indeed stuck with petrols after that

has been a good few years but if I remember rightly looking on the engine block if it has thicker rib casting it’s the 5 x bearing

( of course plse correct me guys if I’m wrong ref the engine block )

also plse what ever u do don’t fit extra large tyres or lift it as it will e even worse to drive on the motorway

the front swivels can also leak, if ur not sure what to look for when ur ready ask on here as maybe someone might be near to go with u

as mentioned , security and rust , chassis will rust from inside out , make sure there arnt plates welded everywhere , red flags are also diamond steel plates on the bottom of the doors etc

sorry I’m waffling , lol, if I may add indeed take ur time , don’t be tempted by some that have pristine paintwork,

All the best to u and indeed ur find so many extremely kind and helpful members here, who will also guide unit u get stuck with something , servicing etc

It's worth paying special attention to the ID (as with any vehicle). Check that the chassis number is present and matches the V5C and the VIN plate. Lots of swapping parts goes on with Landys- sometimes legitimate, sometimes not! I am in E Dorset, so if you need any advice about a particular vehicle, just ask. Good luck!

Any car new or old kept outside will deteriorate over time, especially the paint and anything that cannot dry out.
But you can bet your bottom dollar the vast majority of series have spent most of their lives outside.

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your advice, very valuable and much appreciated. Best wishes.

I wanted a land rover series for years but never got around to buying one until a couple of years ago , Bought it unseen restored it and drove it a fair bit to begin with It lived outside and I had no problems with rust or weather related problems . Sure there was water got in but its a land rover .. It always started first turn on the key and idled silently , so much so I often thought it had stalled .. Down side was it was a long wheelbase and great to drive it was a mare to park or negotiate in tight paces .. forget a three point turn, that's not happening anywhere other than a large field or goods yard I always thought it was great on the road and drove really well .

I sold it to a friend and regretted it , so the other day I bought a short wheelbase diesel . Its a non runner but were addressing that small detail

My buddy brought around his 2a diesel so I could take a run in it and decide if the diesel was a good idea as it was, or if I should just save time and effort and fit a TDI engine .. As it happened , the diesel in his was great , had enough go and even managed a decent wohhhhh.. what was really impressive was how good it steered. light and positive even on it larger than standard knobbly tyres. with over drive I managed a steady 55 which is fast enough and about the speed I drive around in my daily driver anyway ..

ITs a car like any other , regardless of its age it is what it is, a lump of steel and alloy that made it so far, so no reason why it wont survive for another 40 years if its looked after . I always leave my VW camper outside over the late spring and summer with just a breathable car cover over it to protect the paint . Leaving outside lets the air get in around and under it and helps dry things out , Have you heard the term driven hard and put away wet .. Put a wet/ muddy car away in a shed it will stay damp for ages .. and thats not good .. I put mine away in winter but only when they have sat outside drying out before they are stored .. the landy was never in doors It was to high to get in the garage and it was never meant to be garaged anyway The new one , which needs a full rebuild will be my daily and it will live outside ..

As far as theft, you just have to be careful where you park, and make sure you have suitable immobiliser , alarm, ( not that anyone pays any attention to alarms ) Thief's look to operate where they can do there deed in private .. so park in well lit busy areas .. door locks are kind of futile on a land rover but they buy a wee bit of time so have them working .. Locks on your sliding windows are easy to overcome but if they are there it slows things down , Remove the battery if its parked up for longer periods , most thief's wont bring one with them

Fit decent immobiliser and a fuel tap .. switch off the fuel if they get it running they wont get far on a fuel line of petrol or diesel .. and fit a quick release steering wheel and take it off. If its to much hassle for a thief they move onto easier pickings ..

Of course I do none of the above .. most times I didnt even lock it ..

Im not convinced the ones you hear about being stolen are really stolen .. maybee some kind of insurance scam.. buy a heap for 3k, insureit agreed for 25k , and low and behold it disappears after a couple years .. slowly sold off for spares over that period so its untraceable .. May bee not but Im sure some are

Great advice, thanks very much.

Has anybody given the advice of DON'T yet

Specific to your wanting a rag top as has been said above they are far superior in every way to a hardtop. I keep mine outside and the canvas is probably coming up for being due a replacement. I will admit to being very poor in my maintenance of it (the roof not the rest of the vehicle) in that I have done absolutely nothing to it since I bought it. I bought it new form undercover covers about 7 years ago, so if that is the lifespan neglected outside I am hoping that if I wax it when new and then re-wax it every couple of years (as I do with my jackets) then it should last longer. There is a great recipe on here somewhere for making an old fashioned wax treatments with turpentine and beeswax that I am going to follow, but lots of people use fabsil to waterproof it similar to tents.

This is an amazingly useful thread, as I'm in much the same position as TimberLandy - looking for a Series III as a first landy, wondering about where I'll store it after I get it repaired/restored. I must admit that a soft top never occurred to me, but dag019 and auld duffer make a good case for them. Thanks all.

Must confess bought my old 109 petrol that was ex British Gas and chassis / bulk head was immaculate , often wonder if there’s still companies around that sell ex company landies

plus talking of later engines if the TD5 is one of the better engines out there

Td5 engine okay in the end, fuel system and engine management less so!

lynall said:

Td5 engine okay in the end, fuel system and engine management less so!

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that’s a great shame , is that the same engine where oil gets into the wiring harness at the ECU plse

gstuart said:

that’s a great shame , is that the same engine where oil gets into the wiring harness at the ECU plse

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Its the same engine that used to drop its oil pump drive bolt off and scrap the engine (big thing at the time) the same engine that the head dowels allowed the head to shuffle sideways blowing the head gasket, leave it long enough and the valve would hit the bore wall and scrap the engine.

But the 200 was no better with its liking for a head gasket or 7!, the 300 with its appetite for cambelts and head gaskets if coolant allowed to run low.

I wont even mention the 2.7 and the 3.0!

So, your really better sticking with the old 2 1/4 petrol /diesel ? What was the 2.5 turbo motor like for performance and reliability ?

auld duffer said:

So, your really better sticking with the old 2 1/4 petrol /diesel ? What was the 2.5 turbo motor like for performance and reliability ?

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2286 cc petrol are a good engine, but a bit juicy, and need an overdrive for motorway use.
2286 cc diesel, I always avoid if possible. Most suffer from a variety of problems, although the later ones with 5 main bearings are supposed to be better. They are all quite slow.

2.5 TD, avoid all without the coated pistons, and later ones need very careful maintenance to avoid trouble. Nobody ever seems to get more than 50k out of a head gasket, and other issues are common.
Power output of a 2.5 TD is about 15hp up on a 2.5 NA, about 20hp down on a Tdi.

I can’t believe no one has suggested putting a Toyota Diesel engine into it !