Hi

I intend to join the Landy community and are presently looking at purchasing a 110 SW TD5.

Having never owned a Landy before I need some help as follows please.

All cars have there faults, so what should I look for when viewing?

Also has there been any major recalls that I need to know about?

I intend to drive it through Africa and will be asking plenty of dumb questions later.
(How do I break the news to my wife?)

Cheers

I'll ask first as if you already know about this stuff it get annoying. I've just spent about 200 manhours doing ground work before my purchase. I'm nearly ready to buy but have you got enough info on all the following? Especially carnets as if you buy a vehicle thats too expensive you may not be able to afford to go!

East or West Africa? (west is cheaper)
Carnets?
MOTs?
VED?
Visa's?
300's and not TD5?
Insurance?
Shakedown trips?

Thats by no means all the considerations. I'm complete novice and hang out over at LR4x4 but i've just registered here as there's some posts i need to make. Firstly i read up on carnets on the RAC web site. When you planning on going?

Hi Tweety Duck.

Thanks for your reply and good luck with your trip.

We were lucky enough to transit both East and West Africa as passengers several years ago and had a great time.
It doesn't matter how much paperwork you have, somebody will always want more! (read small bribe not necessarily money)
It doesn't matter how prepared you are, there are always surprises along the way and plenty of police check points to keep you amused!

Don't lose your temper, don't get upset, just keep smiling and doors will open everywhere. The people are fantastic.

Our only major problem was getting an Angolan visa on route. We needed a double entry visa to transit Cabinda and Angola, which proved almost impossible to get on our travels. (We got one in the end after major delays).

Enjoy.

Meanwhile, knowing nothing about Landrovers we do not intend to spend a fortune in case we have to bail out in a hurry. But need advice on the vehicle its self prior to purchase. Major faults, wear and tear, what to watch out for etc etc.

Cheers

have you not cocidered a 300tdi while there isnt anything wrong with a td5 some people prefer the 300 cos of the mimamal electrics

hi dusty boots
land rovers are worse tempered than woman,they have there pms moments(oil leaks), there good times and their bad,
but if you are like me and have some very basic knowledge of mechanics and sometimes do end up with spare bolts and a few screws loose,then definately buy from a dealer that is able to give some form of warranty even if it only 3 months.
i too am planning to drive dwn the eastern side of africa next year but i am now unemployed and that will have to wait,
i have a 110 csw 2002, and if its a small mechanical job i try and sort it out myself, next mission is my clutch witch is on its way out and at €850- for a new one im thinking i should give this a bash...

your decision is hard but there are several landy garages in the uk for yo to be able to buy with sound advice and suretys to put your mind at rest.
good luck