What to buy?

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Rorie

Active Member
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I am sure there are many of these posts already... But...

I don't know where to start really, I have a few questions which may help. I want a toy that runs, but I can strip down and modify/fix/renovate. I am looking to spend no more than £5k.

1) I have never done anything like this before? Is there any style (90, 110, 130) easier to work with than the other? Are parts just as available for them all? And likewise for the age/year, does that matter for builability?

2) what engine? Obviously mpg shouldn't be a concern, but I do live out in the sticks, so if one was better than the other, maybe I should go for it. Maybe the 90, being smaller, would be better?

3) I know a lot of people swap engines? Why? How easy is this for a beginner? How expensive is an engine?

4) so, let's say I buy a rust bucket. I need to replace all the broken bits and buy nice shiny new panels, possibly get bits galvanised etc. I know this is fun, but does it not just work out cheaper buying a car that works?!
 
there are.. you need to spend a good few hours searching to get comfy.
1 all the same, yup
2 there's even a poll on it
3 they blow up or are ****
4 buying one predone

for 5k, i think i'd try to buy a 300tdi (no electrics one) or 200tdi with a galv chassis. 90 or 110 depedning on what you want to do
 
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Buy a series with a galv chassis 107... Or a 110 if you want a fender! Just my opinion!
Also I would buy a proper rotten chassis one cheap and replace with a galv yourself and have the fun of a rebuild if it isn't anything more than a toy that way you can make 100% sure EVERYTHING is spot on when you push it offroad!
 
Thanks for the replies

I have seen loads of landys on eBay, and being eBay, I guess they will sell for what they are worth, rather than what the seller wants to sell for. But, where do I look for things like a galvanised chassis and all the oter bits I'll need?

Do you normally look for new bits, or bits off other landys? For example, the chassis?

I was reading that the bulkhead needs to be in good nick or it will cost a fortune and needs a pro to fit it. Is this true? And if so, is it also true for other parts?
 
Rorie said:
Thanks for the replies

I have seen loads of landys on eBay, and being eBay, I guess they will sell for what they are worth, rather than what the seller wants to sell for. But, where do I look for things like a galvanised chassis and all the oter bits I'll need?

Do you normally look for new bits, or bits off other landys? For example, the chassis?

I was reading that the bulkhead needs to be in good nick or it will cost a fortune and needs a pro to fit it. Is this true? And if so, is it also true for other parts?
Click to expand...

Look local and check the land rover out. Depends how much work you want to do and how confident you are! All land rover's are bolt together tonka toys. This forum + patience + some mechanical skill means you can do most jobs on a land rover! If you don't already put a location up and a local member may come with you and help you pick for the price of pie and chips :)
 
If you live in the sticks I would go for something a bit more modern than a Series Landy as you will need something that can keep up with modern traffic.
I have a 200 tdi, 110. Its a purpose built 200 tdi. Its easy to work on. Parts are cheap and plenty about. I use it as my main drive in the countryside here in France. It gets used as a Defender was built for.
 
First decide if you want a 90 or 110. Only difference is numer of people or kit you can fit in it. Similar decision to whether you want an estate or hatchback really. Then decide on the engine - most people would recommend a TDI (200 or 300) as they are easy to work on, have no real electrics and are relativly reliable and powerful enough. The more modern TD5 and TDCI engines are harder to work on as they are modern engnes with laptop plug in etc.

Once you decide on 90/110 and find one with a TDI then you need to look at the condition - this is not like normal car shopping where age and miles are important. My 1984 B reg was in much better condition than 90's that were 20 years younger! If you can get one with a galvenised chassis and bulkhead then that would be good.
 
If you want something reliable and has no lecktrickery to go wrong, get one with a 2.5N/A

Then you can do whatever needs doing without an expensive 'puter to tell you that it's fecked and needs an oil change!

Personally, I'd have a good look at a 110, either the hardtop (with or without windows) or a CSW.

Look after your running gear and it will look after you!

Remember that 90's are very nickable at the moment!
 
All good info.

Is the Estate the one with the second door and seats behind?

The metal work is fine, i know what to look for in that (i think) but i have no idea about the engine. How do i pick a car when all that is stated is the millage? I gather lower is not always better....but what should the limit be on an engines life? Other than what is in the buyers guide, is there any otehr key things to look for that i'd see from a listing (i.e. millage)

That landy looks pretty good for 5k?! Was that just luck? The ones i have seen for 5k are pretty crappy looking haha.
 
Prices firm up in winter, so £5k gets you more in May than it will now. Either way you should still find a nice one.

Don't forget to budget on a good few hundred quid on security. My first one lasted less than 8 weeks before it was stolen.
 
Rorie said:
All good info.

Is the Estate the one with the second door and seats behind?

The metal work is fine, i know what to look for in that (i think) but i have no idea about the engine. How do i pick a car when all that is stated is the millage? I gather lower is not always better....but what should the limit be on an engines life? Other than what is in the buyers guide, is there any otehr key things to look for that i'd see from a listing (i.e. millage)

That landy looks pretty good for 5k?! Was that just luck? The ones i have seen for 5k are pretty crappy looking haha.
Click to expand...

if they look beat up that can mean loved and used and mint looking ones can be dogs underneath to buy a landy you must be able to touch it to check it!
 
I have my eye on a few on eBay just now to see what try go for. I also see there are a few on autotrader which is unusual!

I gather there are series 1 and 3 (not 2?) and then defenders. Is there much difference other than age? Some series have few miles compared to the defenders and look In good nick (from photos).

There is one for sale for £500... 1966... Could be worth a look for that money. But I gather its. Series rater than a defender. No mot or tax- it would obviously be a restoration job. But maybe good to start at zero?
 
And a further, maybe stupid question, but when restoring, what do you do with rusty panels? Is it just a case or replacing with new? Is this expensive? Or is there ways you can tart up beaten up panels without having to replace?
 
We'll there you go! But I have seen photos of foot wells and bottom of doors all rusty?!
 
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