lightning

lightning

Well-Known Member
I just put a deposit on a nice looking 300tdi, which l thought had done 80,000 miles. But now l found out it has been half way to the moon.....135,000.

I looked at a few and most had done over 100,000. Nobody seemed to think this was an issue but in a car this mileage would be snorted at.

Are Defenders OK with these mileages. Cars are getting tired by then. Is it worth trying to find a low mileage one?
 
its not going to be easy to find a 15+year old vehicle that isnt slightly tired , just find a decent bodied vehicle the rest is easy enough repaired or replaced
 
I bought mine with 120,000 on the clock earlier this year. I expected problems with it due to its age but i have been surprised, i know on my build that i have changed a lot but that is due to me being picky and have the time to do it.

Millage has never worried me (in land rover terms) as everything is replaceable
 
135,000 is nothing for a 200 or 300tdi. Expect to get at least double that if it's looked after. Condition's far more important than mileage or age.
 
My defender 300 tdi is on 198000 so don't panic. It's the chassis and bodywork that are important.
 
As said, mileage isn't really an issue, my 200tdi is on 190k (ish) and was still good.
And as for the rest of it, their isn't much original left or has been replaced by now anyway.
 
Its the same with any high miler car, you end up replacing loads of unusual parts and after a year you begin to wonder whether you should have paid more and got a lower mileage car as after the year the cost would have been the same!
 
Except that high mileage Defenders don't seem to be any cheaper!

Probably as suggested bought on condition rather than mileage.
 
lightning said:
I just put a deposit on a nice looking 300tdi, which l thought had done 80,000 miles. But now l found out it has been half way to the moon.....135,000.

I looked at a few and most had done over 100,000. Nobody seemed to think this was an issue but in a car this mileage would be snorted at.

Are Defenders OK with these mileages. Cars are getting tired by then. Is it worth trying to find a low mileage one?
Click to expand...


80,000 or 135,000k wouldn't bother me. It depends on the condition. Chassis and bulkhead. All the other items can be replaced and are not expensive.
 
Is even the chassis really that expensive? Is it viable to find one with a poor chassis (maybe from boat launching) and put a nice new galvanised one in?
 
Oldfogey said:
Is even the chassis really that expensive? Is it viable to find one with a poor chassis (maybe from boat launching) and put a nice new galvanised one in?
Click to expand...

Suppose it depends how cheap it is.
A new 90 chassis is about £1400.
And if you can't fit it yourself, I'm told the going rate for a chassis swap (body off in one piece) is £1000.
 
Well, the one l put a deposit on is the green 300tdi with snorkel and light bar at "Heritage Land Rover" on sale at £8995 "deposit taken"

If anybody fancies giving their opinion on it. Certainly looks nice enough, after the ones l viewed locally for similar money.
 
£9k is a heck of a lot for a 300ti you can get a decent TD5 for 4 or 5 grand these days. But heritage are known for been expensive.
 
looks very nice mate! but at a high price!

i picked up a 95 plate 300 tdi one owner from new with 110k on it mountains of history for £4800.
 
I know....

But l have looked at dozens and everything under £6k is tired/rusty/ in need of major renovation.

Maybe prices have gone up on the back of stratospheric Series 1 values and rising later Defender values ?
 
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Could be based on locality demand as well. In the market myself at the moment and 6k gets a very tidy example but have seen a few in extremely good nick for <5k which I should've bought. You live and learn I guess.
 
Just had a quick look and it looks very tidy, but still over priced if I'm honest.
Have you viewed it and is it as good as it looks in the pictures?
I think given time you could find something better for the money, just depends how long you hold out for, it's a hard decision.
 
We are going to view it at the weekend.

The missus wants a CSW and that seems to add £2,000 unless it's a converted hard top, which l would be fine with, except l cannot find a good one of those for under £8k either.

One of the larger outfits near here is North West Defenders, and they have a few in the £5-10k range, but they are all solid but scruffy.
They offer rebuilt ones "done to your specification for £10k" but it ends up at £12k when you start talking.
 
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