N

Northern_Chimp

New Member
Hi all. Stumbled across this forum like many no doubt when doing some research on buying my first defender.

Having admired them for some time and more recently drove off road and on, as driver and passenger I have decided its time to invest in my own.

Looking for some tips and info from experts for a relative novice such as myself.

Looking for a project for:

Weekend camping
Occasional Green Laning
Using day to day where I live (Relatively remote) in winter instead of my useless in winter rear wheel drive
Possible Conversion Project with pop up roof tent / awning

Happy to renovate internally and externally for the right model.

What do I need to look for AND look out for in terms of performance as well as mechanically, mileage and aesthetically?

Budget will initially be around £5,000 so will no doubt be looking at older, more 'used' models. Any I should avoid? EX MOD or Police or will they be better maintained potentially? Preference is a 110 but open to suggestions.

Don't want anything flash internally, but happy to revamp the exterior further down the line.

Hopefully enough info.

Thanks in advance.
 
Northern_Chimp said:
Hi all. Stumbled across this forum like many no doubt when doing some research on buying my first defender.

Having admired them for some time and more recently drove off road and on, as driver and passenger I have decided its time to invest in my own.

Looking for some tips and info from experts for a relative novice such as myself.

Looking for a project for:

Weekend camping
Occasional Green Laning
Using day to day where I live (Relatively remote) in winter instead of my useless in winter rear wheel drive
Possible Conversion Project with pop up roof tent / awning

Happy to renovate internally and externally for the right model.

What do I need to look for AND look out for in terms of performance as well as mechanically, mileage and aesthetically?

Budget will initially be around £5,000 so will no doubt be looking at older, more 'used' models. Any I should avoid? EX MOD or Police or will they be better maintained potentially? Preference is a 110 but open to suggestions.

Don't want anything flash internally, but happy to revamp the exterior further down the line.

Hopefully enough info.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum, I would have thought you'd find a few blank canvas td5 110`s for that sort of money although I've also seen a discovery td5 where the rear seats have been removed and a bed and small kitchen put in.... Have a look at members projects for some inspiration
 
Marmaduke said:
Welcome to the forum, I would have thought you'd find a few blank canvas td5 110`s for that sort of money although I've also seen a discovery td5 where the rear seats have been removed and a bed and small kitchen put in.... Have a look at members projects for some inspiration
Click to expand...
Thanks very much. My good mate who bought his own spent three times that on his, and said he wouldn't look at anything under 10k. That said his is his first car. Mine would be more for weekends and adventures.
 
Great ambition, loves a Defender misen. Just last week I needed the thing and the clutch had leaked through the slave cylinder, fixed that before the windscreen wipers failed. just go into this with your eyes open, read everything, ask daft questions, buy some decent tools, get some work space, expect it to mark its territory, check the outrigger, bulkhead, rear crossmember, look for diy wiring, VIN etc etc etc.

That said, would not be without mine, good luck.
 
So... Here we are just over 12 months later. Still on the agenda. But got put on the backburner (first child and new job all at once taking priority of course). But still a plan for it! I did coward out and order the disco sport landmark instead. Does a defender still make sense if I have the DS? (Please tell me yes as I am trying to convince myself it is worth the extra outlay). Logically I think the Defender doesn't do anything that I need 95% of the time that the Disco doesn't. And also where it does, probably does it less well. BUT I cant help but love them still.

Any recommendations appreciated on engines. Read various different stuff about the BMW engines, Transit Engines and Rover engines. Any definitely worth avoiding and any that's better than the rest? Personally love both 110s and 90s. Think 90s LOOK better but 110s are maybe more suitable?

Budget probably more than it was 12 months ago. So happy to go up to 10-15k if required. As much as I convince myself I don't need one, I know I wont be happy until I do!
 
My 90 is a toy :) I am in the process of replacing everything that is broken or badly implemented lol.
If you don't need it everyday, they are superb :D
 
Our 90 is a third option if needed, it has it use but really don’t go far. But it is fun and we use it more in the bad weather. Or hay runs:)
As you say not needed as a daily then as ^^^^ have fun:)

J
 
They have probably gone up in price over last twelve months. Disco sport isn’t same fun as a defender. The advice you were given last year is as good as any.

I had 2 rover TDi engined 90’s - dependable everyday workhorses. 1st lasted 15yrs, 2nd died at 19 (both rotted chassis).
The later Tranny engined TD5 defender is still going (56plate) it’s quicker and growly but not as much pull and doesn’t seem so heavy duty. Better suited to onroad than other two but not as good off-road yet still capable.
I now have an L6 DT BMW engined P38 - slow and steady, more heavy duty, and they don’t leak like the others :)
 
Thanks all once again.

Discovery sport will be the every day car. The reality is that the defender will be for the rare occasions mrs is using the DS without me or for a bit of fun. Which is what makes it hard to justify. But as above wont be happy until I do.

Also love the previous generations of full discovery. Especially 3 and 4. Which may seem a decent compromise? Similar boxy look. Great off-road. But comfortable enough.

Oh I dunno ‍♂️ I
 
Northern_Chimp said:
So... Here we are just over 12 months later. Still on the agenda. But got put on the backburner (first child and new job all at once taking priority of course). But still a plan for it! I did coward out and order the disco sport landmark instead. Does a defender still make sense if I have the DS? (Please tell me yes as I am trying to convince myself it is worth the extra outlay). Logically I think the Defender doesn't do anything that I need 95% of the time that the Disco doesn't. And also where it does, probably does it less well. BUT I cant help but love them still.

Any recommendations appreciated on engines. Read various different stuff about the BMW engines, Transit Engines and Rover engines. Any definitely worth avoiding and any that's better than the rest? Personally love both 110s and 90s. Think 90s LOOK better but 110s are maybe more suitable?

Budget probably more than it was 12 months ago. So happy to go up to 10-15k if required. As much as I convince myself I don't need one, I know I wont be happy until I do!
Click to expand...
It really depends what you want to use the vehicle for.

Defenders are a bit marmite on for some people they do everything well, while others will not think they do anything well.

As a family run around, your Sport will likely be better for everything. The Defender wins out on much better off road ability and sense of occasion. But if these two points will be enough to own one, only you can tell.

90's are more nimble, fun and better off road, but less practical than a 110, but a 110 is big and long for some activities.

Defenders hold their money well, this means the price to buy is high, but when you sell you should do so at little or no risk.


Other vehicles, you might want to consider could be Discovery 1 and classic Range Rover's. They are essentially a Defender under the body, but ride nicer on the road. They are also a lot cheaper to buy.

The Santana PS-10 also looks pretty cool. Visually it resembles a 110, although it's actually the final development of the 109. Santana used to build them under licence from Land Rover.

The Jeep Wrangler is also worth looking at. Very similar off road abilities to a Defender, but aimed more at the recreational market rather than utility. This means they have the same sense of occasion as a Defender. But you get a nicer interior, air con, optional automatic gearbox and usually a stonking 4.0 straight 6. Making them a lot faster.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Jeep
Click to expand...
How dare you sir :eek::rolleyes:;)

Don’t rush into a purchase, you will find one you will ‘fall in love with’ if you have the bug, you’ll know when it’s the one :cool:

Replacing my defender with another seemed too expensive so I had a P38 fixer-upper instead. Very similar design but comfier (different to fix) and more heavy duty plus cheaper. They are similar to a D2 which you would like. A D1 is similar to Defender also as is a RR Classic often referred to as a ‘Defender with comforts’.

Best thing you can do is get out and drive some :)
Try a few decent ones see how you feel. The fact it won’t be daily driver gives you options.
 
Welcome to the forum
wave.gif
 
300bhp/ton said:
It really depends what you want to use the vehicle for.

Defenders are a bit marmite on for some people they do everything well, while others will not think they do anything well.

As a family run around, your Sport will likely be better for everything. The Defender wins out on much better off road ability and sense of occasion. But if these two points will be enough to own one, only you can tell.

90's are more nimble, fun and better off road, but less practical than a 110, but a 110 is big and long for some activities.

Defenders hold their money well, this means the price to buy is high, but when you sell you should do so at little or no risk.


Other vehicles, you might want to consider could be Discovery 1 and classic Range Rover's. They are essentially a Defender under the body, but ride nicer on the road. They are also a lot cheaper to buy.

The Santana PS-10 also looks pretty cool. Visually it resembles a 110, although it's actually the final development of the 109. Santana used to build them under licence from Land Rover.

The Jeep Wrangler is also worth looking at. Very similar off road abilities to a Defender, but aimed more at the recreational market rather than utility. This means they have the same sense of occasion as a Defender. But you get a nicer interior, air con, optional automatic gearbox and usually a stonking 4.0 straight 6. Making them a lot faster.
Click to expand...
Thanks some fantastic advice there.

Yeah effectively its for doing what i will probably not want to do in the DS - batter it about in fields, bit of greenlining. But I cant help but love how they look!

Any advice on the Discovery 1s? Definitely do or don't etc?

Thanks again to all
 
PS on the wrangle subject. I do love them tbf. But the price seems much higher as a starting point. Granted they are a bit more refined.

Had a race day today in M2s and Le Mans cars - definitely need the slower pace in life after that haha!
 
Northern_Chimp said:
Update. Looking at this at the minute. Buying a headache or a bargain? I know the garage as it’s local to me and very well regarded. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201810291924220?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bb113du&model=DEFENDER 90&sort=price-asc&page=4&make=LAND ROVER&fuel-type=Diesel&fuel-type=Petrol&fuel-type=Unlisted&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used
Click to expand...
On the surface it looks nice. Check the chassis and bulkhead. Take someone who knows Defenders and what to look for.
Good luck!
 
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