Hi,

I'm looking to buy my 1st Land Rover and would be very greatful if anyone could spare me a few minutes, as whilst I've trawled the net looking for answers I'm still no the wiser, infact I've got more questions now than when I started!

I've had my heart set on a Defender 90 for quite some time, but the wife has put several conditions around any potential purchase;

It must be short wheel based (she won't drive it otherwise)
Likewise with power stearing.
It must have some sort of seating in the back (bench or fold down doesn't matter its for very occasional use)
If I spend more than 4k I'm in the spare room for the foreseeable future, if not worse! She fears it may be a passing fad, despite my assurances to the contary.
I have to use it as my daily commute vehicle otherwise she'll see it as an expensive driveway decoration!

From what I've seen though I should be able to pick up either a 1989 or 1990 defender/90 for between 2k and 4k with a 2.5 tdi engine and around 100k to 150k miles on the clock. Obviously on my budget I think a 200TDi or 300TDi is out of the question and the budget is rigid!

My daily commute is currenlty about 40 miles aday in total, but this will soon be reducing to 20 miles maximum, mainly on A roads so I don't see this being a major problem.

Intially I've not got any major off-road activities in mind, but I will be heading to some remote areas in places like the Lake District and Scotland to get some serious hill walking in, by remote I mean dirt tracks, and badly maintained country roads, so that's probably chicken feed to the more hardcore amongst you.

So thus far am I giving the impression of buying my way into an expensive hobby, or does it all sound quite feasable so far?

Jumping ahead slightly would it be foolish to buy a vehicle of such and age and then to consider taking it from the North West of England to South Finland at some point over the winter on a roadtrip to see the in-laws? The road distances covered can be minimal with careful ferry planning! Granted I'd have to make some additions no doubt on the heating and insulation front to be able to cope with the cold tempretures. But it would make the bi-annual trip slightly more exciting than the usual plane trip!

Sorry for the long post I was just trying to be as comprehensive as possible, if you've read it this far, thanks very much! Any help, tips, and advice greatfully recieved.

hi shrek. what can i say. LR have been the benchmark since the start of 4x4's. ppl are using 40 year old lr's on a daily basis or as you will be using to cross countries/continents, so i dont think that will be a problem. like all cars, if its maintained and serviced, it will see you in good stead.

there are some excellent techies on here, so im sure someone will follow up my post with some actual advise for you. i wouldnt part with mine for anything.

Hi im syre if you look you will be able to pick up a disco for under 4k bit more comfy than a defender and the most nedeed heater better in a disco they all cost the same to repair and you can get most parts easily and cheeply,i have a 300 tdi and love it 2 bits tried to buy a merc the other day my wife and kids went up the wall,they also love the disco good all rounder, i was only joking about the merc to her want a new disco really, tiga.

Hi Shrek,

I always wanted a Defender 90, so I sold my BMW for an old 84 Land Rover 90. I wouldn't change back. I do however wish I could go faster but other than that I love it.

If you are not planning to do any major work, you should inspect any vehicle fully.

I would check the condition of the chasis, front bulkhead, crossmembers for rust. Use the hot spanner test, just prod the chasis all over with a spanner and if it punches straight through, then its not a good thing.

I bought mine in a really bad state, and have stripped the whole body to reweld the whole chasis with steel. Pretty much a whole fabricated chassis.

Good Luck,

P.s. The other half hates my Landy, but she has come to live with it.

Thanks for the replys, at least no-one's told me I'm being stupid yet!

Tigapiglet, its got to be a defender, a disco is no good, it doesn't have the same appeal, plus the other half is in agreement for once, well in so much as a disco is ruled out instantly and a defender is very much a possibility!

I'm still looking, but not being an expert its hard to pick out a bargain from a lemon, the price variations on sites such as autotrader seem to be massive with not much visable differences between the vehicles.

Prepare for massive generalisations:
For the money you are quoting, you will find either a dog of a 200TDi (avoid) or a reasonable TD. The dog TDi's will have very high mileage and problems you don't want to inherit. The TD's will most likely be good honest vehicles.

Check all the usual things: Chassis for rot, floors for rot, bulkheads for rot, door pillars for rot......generally check for rot.

Buy a "Haynes book of lies" and get used to the vehicle (where components are located....etc) and make a list of the service items. You can then go to a vehicle, find it's mileage, find out what should have been done for that mileage (e.g. timing chain) and ask the dealer if it has been done.

If you are used to the "weekly checks" section, you will be able to easily tell if a vehicle has been cared for.

Lastly, no you are not mad for taking an older vehicle on long journeys. It will be fine, and you can fix a Landy with bailing twine......whatever the problem.

Before you take it on a really long journey, you should make sure the tyres are OK, brakes are 100% and do a fluids n' filters change.

Welcome to our world, all you can do is make all the obviouse checks as per any second hand car, apart from the 4wd parts, make sure they all work and give it a good road test. If you're buying a 2,5 TD these are not the best of performers and have breathing problems, but are generally quite reliable (apart from cracked pistons), check inside air filter for gallons of oil. and run engine with oil filler cap off, check for excessive back pressure (there will be some), Check for dents on chassis, a sure sign its been offroaded. Give bottom of doors a good check, if they're on the way out water leaks into the cab. If you're going to use the truck for long distances I would suggest a clutch change, the biggest killer is that the clutch release arm wears at the pivot untill it fails, leaving you to drive without clutch (can be done). The point is once you've one got you'll love it or hate it.

Thanks for all the pointers, I've looked at a few so far but not quite found the right one.

Although a friend has pointed me in the direction of a petrol/lpg modified to look like a county (well the back of the cab has been changed to incorporate windows) all in all looks very tidy from the photo's.

Hoping to go and see it in the next week or so, its miles away from home, so I'm just hoping it doesn't get snapped up before I get chance to take it for a test drive!

Thanks again, I'm sure once I get one on the drive way at home, that'll be when the questions really start flowing!

i was after one for ages and looked around all over but there are bargins out there i give myself a limit of spending 4k but ended up spending 5 but that got me a great buy and i never looked back so keep looking till u find the right one for u

Just keep looking. I eventually picked up my 1992 200Tdi D90 with 1 previous owner, every single receipt (including the original purchase order!) and FSH, 38000 doccumented miles, winch, SD cage, full underbody plates and ARB bumper for just £5200, and that was 2 years ago!!! You'll find one for sure, just don't be tempted to rush in and, if you're buying privately, be prepared to haggle the price or even walk away. As for travelling and daily transport? Been there on both counts with Percy and he's never let me down...

Be sure to let us know what you get when you get it, and welcome to the passion of a lifetime!!!

Chris

Hi,
I couldn't help but comment on this one, since I've just bought my first one for a major overland trip. I've learned a lot in 3 months!!!!
I knew nothing when I bought it and I consider myself lucky that I never bought a serious lemon - more luck than judgement, for sure!
I knew I wanted a 200 / 300 TDi, on a smaller budget than you! I was advised not to go for a 2.5TDi by a dealer as they are known for their cracked heads / blocks. Not fun. And if you are doing serious mileage that's the last thing you need to have in the back of your mind the whole holiday!! They do exist within your budget.
These are the things you need to look for (what I know):
1) Chassis. Especially the rear bumper and the pieces between the rear axle and the rear bumper - just look in under the wheel arch behind each wheel. Prod it hard with a large sharp screwdriver and you'll soon know. Also, the outriggers between the chassis and the body. And you won't see this by just cleaning the mud off - I know. Mine LOOKED perfect....

2) Bulkhead rust. Just on the outside of where the hinges would be for the fold down windscreen, both sides, right up to the door hinges. You will see the small bubbles under the paint and you can be SURE it's worse than it looks. If there is none, look at the join between the windscreen and this panel (where the black foam is) and check for a smooth, straight corner VS a wavy edge - a sure sign of body filler and a botch repair. Theres also likely to be some overspray there on the foam. This problem is present on almost all older (say pre 1993) landies. You'll need a plan of action to deal with this, one way or the other. This is NOT the end of the world - especially if it's not too bad (waxoyl or similar may be enough to keep it calm for a while)....but repair will be required sooner or later. Possibly use this as a bargaining tool. I got 350 quid off mine for that. Gonna cost more than that to fix, but you won't find a perfect car so it's a reasonable playoff. There are a pile of other places on the bulkead where it rusts too, but this is good place to check first.

3) Oil leaks. ALL Landies leak oil, so put this into perspective. But...
- Power steering pump. Around £150ish to buy new. Leaks are common.
- Steering box. Even more expensive - and that's for a recon one!
- Gear / transfer box. Very common for a small leak or 2 - don't worry too much unless it's got more oil out than in. Recon fitted = £800 ish for g/box with new clutch kit (see below), + £300 trans/box. Ok, you may not need a complete recon, but if the box is out.....

4) Clutch: Check when it was last done and if the fork has been replaced. It's got to be replaced if not.... Stuck in Europe with no clutch....fun.

5) Cam belt. Recommended to be done at 60000 on 200 / 300TDi. When last was it done? £150 - 200 to get it done for you.

6) Backlash. If there is a heavy 'clunk' when you let the clutch out it can be a few things, but there is a common fault which involves expensive gearbox work...see no. 3.

Those are the main things. But these will follow:
CV joints, front pivot bearings, front pivot seal sets, diffs, U/joints (x 4), turrets (they rust), wheel bearings, fuel tank (they rust), brakes (complete overhaul), clutch master / slave. (those aren't all Landrover specific, but on cars that age they will go....)

One lasty thing: The expression "penny wise, pound foolish" comes to mind. If you spend a couple of quid more now, it may save you a bit in future. On the other hand, most of this will need to be done sooner or later.

Are you sure you still want a Landy??? ))))))))))
If you aren't an amateur mechanic now, you will be one soon!
But we love our Landies all the same!

Hi,

Quick update, thanks to every one that replied, unfortunatly the wife ended up having far to much say in the final decision and ended up going for a freelander.

Can't say I'm overjoyed, but it was better than the alternatives she was suggesting!

As part of the agreement though I'm allowed to swap our now 2nd car for a defender next summer, so all being well the dream is still alive! I've printed off this thread for reference so shan't be asking the same questions again. Who knows though if any bargains come to light over the winter............!!!

Now does anyone know anything about niggly freelanders?!?!?!?

Thanks

Marc