To Buy or Not To Buy!

Alright Guys

In the market for a 4 x 4 that will tow the Mrs's Horse trailer. Top weight to tow around 3000kgs.

Budget of around 5-6k. Originally started looking at some Discos and ML320's (around the 10k mark) but thought to myself she doesn't really need that much comfort.

Would a 90 300Tdi do the job? Don't want to spend my time looking for one only to realise it won't be worth it. Only started looking this week on the web Autotrader and Ebay. Came across this site as a couple of the 90's I liked were being sold by a guy called Yan The Van Man, googled it and up pops LandyZone saying avoid him at all costs.

So question is, Should I go for the 90 to tow with? Will it be reliable enough for her if its looked after? What one would you recommend?

Unless your missus has a strong left leg I doubt any of the tdi defenders is a good idea.
People will tell you they pull like a train blah blah blah, they are in reality underpowered and will struggle.
You can mod them etc but unless you want to spend loads of money I would look elsewhere

Cheers I appreciate the advice

Thing with buying a defender is you really need someone who knows what they are looking at to give it the once over.

The chassis can be a weak point as they rust. Doors too.

If you post on here where the vehicle is usually someone with knowledge will offer (maybe for beer/fuel money) to come look with you.

As for towing 3000kg. From experience a 90 will do it but being pushed on a downhill can be a lil scary. I would consider a 110.

Its heavier to a bit better for towing. Has a stronger rear axle i believe. Also if you are chucking saddles and kit in a 90 it soon gets full.

A 110 will feel more secure and stable towing a horse box. They are possibly under powered but will do the job in a smooth manner as you don't get that sudden surge of power which sends the horse flying up against the back door of the box.
The 110 up to 2004 I believe have Salisbury rear axles which are stronger. A 90 has a Rover rear diff which are not as good. On a recent trip across the Sahara with a ninty in the convoy, the 90 managed to break both diffs. No problems with the 110's. Something like a Land Cruiser or Shogan will provide more comfort and will also do the job.
Now lets see how much you love your wife.

Or a trusty p38 although I'm not sure of the towing capacity ?

You don't get much for your money with a defender but once you have one you'll be hooked!

A 90 but have to leave the horse out, or a 110 and include the horse I would guess.
Your restricted speed wise anyways towing so am sure a 110 would be good, not an N/A engined one though, I have one, love it but towing that weight....nah

lurch915 said:

Or a trusty p38 although I'm not sure of the towing capacity ?

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Surely you are kidding no sensible person on the planet would want one of them, deluded and deranged maybe the perfect car in their not quite right mind!
The Ml wont be cheap but will do the job plus auto so doddle to drive
Fantasy ****s reckon defender bast car for job proper full on hand full
Religion has a lot to answer for!

lynall said:

Surely you are kidding no sensible person on the planet would want one of them, deluded and deranged maybe the perfect car in their not quite right mind!
The Ml wont be cheap but will do the job plus auto so doddle to drive
Fantasy ****s reckon defender bast car for job proper full on hand full
Religion has a lot to answer for!

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Either you have been drinking or i have.. I didnt get the last two lines mate lol.

Another point. A 90's towing legal limit is 3000kg 110 3500kg. So if she's moving a big horse or two be over 90 axle limit.

IamRobbie said:

Either you have been drinking or i have.. I didnt get the last two lines mate lol.

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Aye thats a good point reads terrible!
Second to last line I meant to say some people reckon defender is the best and only car for any job when as we all know theres better for the job especially if a womans got to drive it.
The op would buy the defender and he or his wife would then drive it and realise what hard work they are and then quite rightly slag off land rovers to all and sundry
Last line was meant again to be a dig at all the land rover owners and was meant to exact some proper argy bargy obviously it failed

Your horse would not choose a Defender as it's tow vehicle. Can't remember a Defender ever making the ranks of "Best tow car". But just go and buy a 110 anyway.

lynall said:

Aye thats a good point reads terrible!
Second to last line I meant to say some people reckon defender is the best and only car for any job when as we all know theres better for the job especially if a womans got to drive it.
The op would buy the defender and he or his wife would then drive it and realise what hard work they are and then quite rightly slag off land rovers to all and sundry
Last line was meant again to be a dig at all the land rover owners and was meant to exact some proper argy bargy obviously it failed

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Now i understand mate lol..

lurch915 said:

or a trusty p38 although i'm not sure of the towing capacity ?

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3500 kgs

lynall said:

Surely you are kidding no sensible person on the planet would want one of them, deluded and deranged maybe the perfect car in their not quite right mind!
The Ml wont be cheap but will do the job plus auto so doddle to drive
Fantasy ****s reckon defender bast car for job proper full on hand full
Religion has a lot to answer for!

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We'll the p 38 I have quite comfortably towed my disco to pay n play days , probably did more miles towing than not and the only problem I ever had was the radiator splitting. And at all times sat compfortably with the air con on cruising at 70. I own a defender now and it isn't half as comfortable as p38 , I love the way people jump on the p38 band wagon. Had three years of trouble free driving.

lurch915 said:

We'll the p 38 I have quite comfortably towed my disco to pay n play days , probably did more miles towing than not and the only problem I ever had was the radiator splitting. And at all times sat compfortably with the air con on cruising at 70. I own a defender now and it isn't half as comfortable as p38 , I love the way people jump on the p38 band wagon. Had three years of trouble free driving.

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Ive known a few people who owned a p38 and all without exception had major issues several times, both diesel and petrol versions, so not so much a band wagon just what I have seen with my own eyes.

Hi Pariah

I have 25 years of horse towing experience as well as land rover ownership. I am also a British horse society regional access officer.

What I am sure about

Any Land Rover including the freelander will tow most horse boxes in most situations

Automatics are easier to drive and smoother for the horse

Nothing commands a fully laden horse box at speed and in a blustery motorway cross wind like a range rover - the combination of body mass - wheel base - electronic suspension and powerful engine leads to effortless towing. As such avoid the p38 diesel especially chipped - petrol is great.
If you aren't doing long trips and just tow locally - anything will do.

What I am unsure about

What trailer you have? I am guessing the Ifor Williams HB505/506 in which case look / check with a dealer about using a freelander td4 auto which you could get for £4k - 6k

Where in the country you are - there a a few good specialists and you will need one at some time even if you don't buy the vehicle from them
Go and seek their advise and have any purchase inspected

Over buying

A nice disco 2 td5 should be in budget and will tow anything and give you auto and electronic rear suspension

I don't have much experience of the merc ml but theyfeature poorly on jd powere surveys. I do have a Vito and a Atego and I am very happy with them.

For a bit more I sold my last petrol 2003 l322 with 60k on the clock for 7k and had a small queue of buyers.

My wife and 17 year old daughter drive a tdci defender no problems for towing. Unless this has changed in recent years I think the limit for a defender 90 is 3500 kgs and not 30000 as stated above but I will let someone else verify. The 300 tdci will tow fine but the td5 or tdci is much better. Any older Landrover especially pree 2003 needs chewing carefully for rust

I use a L322 TDV8 and a defender 90 towing a Ifor Williams hb511


If you are after a budget bargain and are not a Land rover worshiper check out the daewoo musso. 1/2 the price of a LR equivalent and with Mercedes engine arguably a better proposition

Give me a call if you want to chat this through

Mario
07721480000

mariocostasa said:

Any older Landrover especially pree 2003 needs chewing carefully for rust

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Is it a bit like tasting cheese and fine wines and checking for texture and mouth feel?

I would avoid any land rover owner who smells of cheese!