Malliff

New Member
I have wanted a Defender for absolutely ages. Keen on a 90 (over a 110), purely for the looks, prefer the shorter wheel base. It is going to be used for mainly short journeys a few times a week and the odd longer journey down to Cornwall (from just outside London).

I have a maximum budget of about £4,500, but would ideally like to keep that to nearer £4000. My knowledge is limited at the moment if I am honest. I am in no rush to buy, but when I do, I want to get maximum bang for buck.

I have been looking at this, what are people's opinions on this? If I go and have a look when I am nearer the area next week, what are the essential things I should look out for on THIS Defender? (I have read the buyer's guide on here).

Land Rover Defender 90 2.5TD COUNTY 3dr 1989

Thank you in advance for any help/advice you guys can give.
 
check the chassis and bulkhead thoroughly,they can cost big money to put right ,and dont expect them to drive like a car,ask if its got a 200 tdi lump,probably the best you can get
 
check the chassis and bulkhead thoroughly,they can cost big money to put right ,and dont expect them to drive like a car,ask if its got a 200 tdi lump,probably the best you can get

Fantastic, that was the sort of response I was after, was wondering about engines to be going for. Will give them a buzz tomorrow, got a bit of a list of questions building up. Cheers for your help.
 
Doesn't look to shabby, look absolutely everywhere for rust! Do a search on here there's plenty of threads about buying landies! Also have a good look through service history, if your not sure take a landy enthusiast or an impartialmechanically minded person with you!
 
check the chassis and bulkhead thoroughly,they can cost big money to put right ,and dont expect them to drive like a car,ask if its got a 200 tdi lump,probably the best you can get

Won't be a 200Tdi with the snorkel on the off side ... could be a 300Tdi though!
Looks tidy enough but it's easy to cover up bad bits for a quick sale on a Landy. Buying from a dealer will help though.
 
Guys, thanks for all the help on this one. I have looked through a lot of the buyers guides already and have got a list of questions to ask sellers based on that, and things to look for if I go and see any. I am going to mull it all over, liking the look of that blue 90, Rawly86
 
that year is it not a 19J? I quite possible am wrong. :behindsofa:

That's what it would have had originally but who knows what's been fitted since. A 19j would also have had the snorkel on the near side.
I suppose the engine could have been fitted back to front ... but then it would have 5 reverse gears and 1 forward ;)
 
That's what it would have had originally but who knows what's been fitted since. A 19j would also have had the snorkel on the near side.
I suppose the engine could have been fitted back to front ... but then it would have 5 reverse gears and 1 forward ;)

was the 200tdi air intake on the RH side?can see your point could be a 300tdi,still good lump though
 
N/A had no air intake on side of wings.

TD & 200TDi had intake vent on N/S wing

300TDi, V8 & TD5 have intake on O/S wing.

Of course it could have had noo wing fitted???
 
Looks a little too tidy for an 89/90 model

What's the interior like? it's very expensive for a 2.5TD an all:)
 
I have wanted a Defender for absolutely ages. Keen on a 90 (over a 110), purely for the looks, prefer the shorter wheel base. It is going to be used for mainly short journeys a few times a week and the odd longer journey down to Cornwall (from just outside London).

I have a maximum budget of about £4,500, but would ideally like to keep that to nearer £4000. My knowledge is limited at the moment if I am honest. I am in no rush to buy, but when I do, I want to get maximum bang for buck.

I have been looking at this, what are people's opinions on this? If I go and have a look when I am nearer the area next week, what are the essential things I should look out for on THIS Defender? (I have read the buyer's guide on here).

Land Rover Defender 90 2.5TD COUNTY 3dr 1989

Thank you in advance for any help/advice you guys can give.
It always makes me a bit suspicious when I see these old motors done up to look like much later models!
Sppose I always wonder whether the same level off attention has been paid to the areas you cant see.
As stated, its the chassis and bulkhead that is important, the engine and transmission can be expensive to fix major issues. Don't worry too much about appearance, rust is in the chassis and bulkhead, which cannot always be seen, is the big issue here. I think that's all the money for this model, I didn't pay anywhere like that for mine.
 
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That's what it would have had originally but who knows what's been fitted since. A 19j would also have had the snorkel on the near side.
I suppose the engine could have been fitted back to front ... but then it would have 5 reverse gears and 1 forward ;)

that would be for the Italian army then.:D
 

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