my mates sisters an archaeologist, and is regularly given the use of a decent/recent (2006 or newer?) 110 with the monster TD5 engine in it, she has a 15-30mile commute in it from where she drops her corsa c off and runs the landy.
She hates it, its a menace to manhandle (or girly handle, and she is very girlie, and tiny, has to practically hang her entire body weight off the steering wheel to get it to turn), she literally physically cannot manhandle it into a space let alone any other factor. and once in a bogged out field, its not that much easier!
Often, unless its been raining for days she just takes the standard 1.2 corsa C and just charges the muddy patchs of the fields to get on and off site each day.
If you HAVE to have a 4x4, make sure its one she can get to grips with. Disco 3's are nice, and bargain cheap already, early Disco3 + TD5's are popping up at well under £10k even on dealer forecourts.
How about a HiLux Surf? Fully covered, which does discount the .50cal or rocket pod in the back, but almost indestructible, and your classic insurgent's vehicle of choice.
I know nothing about Defenders, apart from that they look awsum. Sorry for OT, but shurely Landrover would clean up if they found a way to mate the Defender body with a modern 4x4 underneath?
Matt - does lix toll still have the tracked one and the big wheel one ?
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[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3634/3575657581_7ea44b10e7_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/homer----simpson/3575657581/ ]HBW 956D - 1966 Land Rover Series IIA- Forest Rover @ Lix Toll[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/homer----simpson/ ]homer----simpson[/url], on Flickr
my God there is a lot of flannel and bulls**t on this thread!
I ran a 1996 TDI 110 as an 'everyday' car for 6 years between 2000 and 2006, I then ran a Discovery as my only car from 2006 to 2009.
I've also had a lot of experience with Td%'s and various other 4x4s.
The Defender was awesome at some tasks (towing, off-road, camping and other 'jobs') but tough-going on long motorway hauls.. however I did drive it home from Germany to London in one hit, so it is possible to do long days.
If your wife only has a short commute it will be OK.
The important point is that it isn't your only car - so won't be needed for long runs.
only bit of advice I'd give is unless you are either a business user (who buys or leases new) or stinking rich, you need to be an enthusiast.
If you just take it to a dealer/specialist everytime something goes wrong it'll bleed you dry.
They do need more looking-after than some other vehicles, but can be very reliable if you get a good one, and look after it.
Go and look at a few, with an open mind...
(Faps at TJ's pics)
She had a series 2 for 10 years or so before I met her
It is already in her blood - there's nothing you can do now but buy a set of spanners and a Haynes manual.
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ah well, thats it then, if she could put up with an S2 for 10years then she is made of sturner stuff than we are giving her credit for.
Get a decent TD5 90 and a constant supply of tea, biscuits and swarfega, and she'll be in her element.
Seen a real nice 2002 one with low miles but sides look a bit rippled.
I thought they all came rippled from new as a default factory extra 🙂
Try a few, they all drive different. The access team 110 TD5 is at true lemon, slow clutch, bad brakes, shaky steering, sticky turbo, whilst the 110 HCPU ran lovely before we sold it. Our 90 is pretty tidy, although has suffered from some heavy towing. My main work driver is a new 130, but that is a pretty big rare tool. Would happily drive them all the time if never went more than 50 miles, but our 130 tdci is pretty comfortable further.
And the key thing about the 08 is the quantum leap in heater performance
Just checked, the one I am looking at tomorrow only has two seats in the back, so not ideal.
I have lined up a few more to look at. One of them is not a genuine station wagon aparently but has windows and still seats four in the back + the two up front. I suppose it must be a converted van? not sure if that makes a difference though.
Been doing a bit of research and all the late (Puma?) ones have the front facing rear seats and only two so now looking at up to 2004.
Seen a real nice 2002 one with low miles but sides look a bit rippled. Guy selling says most people expect that but I dont on an otherwise nice looking car. Also a friend of a friend has a V8 for sale.I took a look on the way home from work, I know im mad but as it will do very low miles I like the sound of it (literally). Didnt drive it as not insured but he took me up the road in it and it was well..strange but I liked it. Mmmmmm....tempted.!
The 2 seats in the back jobbie is a TDCi (Puma), have a look at it anyway as the dash/heater set ups are a lot better than the TD5's and previous and more like a eurobox.
Forget the V8, the last factory fit V8's were 1986/7ish, so is someones conversion of unknown quality.
All Defender have ripples in the panelwork, its the way they are made unless its localised damage/dents in the soft Birmabrite (aluminium) panels.
Find yourself a nice, as late as possible, unabused TD5, mileage is unimportant but condition and history is.
Don't forget 50th V8
Im on my second defender,
My first was an ex mod 110 ffr tum, basically a military spec 110 on a better chassis but with a 2.5na engine and squaddie interior , not uncomfortable but slow and firsty and very green, miss it ,
Just bought a 2010 puma 110 xs , leather seats , disco dash all the trimmings , lovely powerful engine , fantastic to drive
Really refined , the intake roar takes a little getting used to but would hugely recommend the tdci's,
Still leaks though 🙂 and only does around 450 miles to a tank full of derv, but smiles all round
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OP I'm an offroad nerd and they're pretty decent in the muck but terrible as a car. Just get yourself an old Subaru Forester, it will last forever and cost peanuts.
Well, I have done it.
Bought a 2002 TD5 90. Its got all the bits on it and has only covered 35K miles.
It drives like a tractor as far as Im concerned but wife loves it. Running cost will remain to be seen, it has just been serviced so got a while before it needs another.
Time will tel.
Thanks to all those that have contributed.
Congratulations!
Time to buy the spanners and:
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Good luck, I have a '96 110 and at the moment would not dry it daily but hoping to get that fixed soon. The TD5 though should be a better engine although this could probably be debated here for a week! 😆
If you have the injector harness problem just email me as I can fix it permanently.
I have also been advised that it should be chipped but only the basic upgrade (circa £500) to give it a little more power.
I will be upgrading soon to a 110 like yours so if anyone would like a 17 year old 300TDi 110 then email me - mail in profile.
the thing is if she did 10 years in a series 2 shes obviously a nut ....
i love driving in my 90 , no matter what fast cars ive been in nothing puts a smile on my face like my 90.
trying to mate my 2.5TD with blowing piston ring 90 up to a disco v8 - proving harder than i thought to find a v8 that isnt ****ed or lpg'D !
ran that as a daily driver for a year and it was fine. i think id buy a 110 if i was doing it again though.
Congratulations!
Mine is a 2002 90 as well and im off home now to replace a faulty wiper motor (removed the dash last night) and re-bleed the clutch. What a pig of a job that is!
Like people have said though, you either love them or hate them. I absolutely love mine and would never be without it!
Oh, and now we need pictures of course!
trying to mate my 2.5TD with blowing piston ring 90 up to a disco v8 - proving harder than i thought to find a v8 that isnt **** or lpg'D !
TrailRat - try Bankhead Discovery Spares 07969961385. Last time I was in there they had a Disco 1 with a 3.9V8 they were breaking. BDS are next door to the Lesloe Bike Shop in Thornton Fife. They know their onions. They also have a huge stock of Discovery TD5 parts.
They also trade under bankhead.caravans on ebay.
''shes obviously a nut''
Yep,
Certainly not all the ticket.
I desperatly tried to talk her out of it, took her for a test drive for the second time in a Porsche Boxster S and she prefered the Land Rover, Aparently Its more Her.! Whatever that means.
So Got the Haynes Manual on order. Found a Greese gun in the garage, so...
Bring it on.
OT, and totally irrelevant now given the OP's last posts, but...
not Freelander 2, they might be better
Freelander 2's are much better than the 1. They also come in useful for towing out 'proper' Jap 4x4s when they get stuck:
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Nice one 😀
They're ace!
Nice try with Boxter, it must mean your missus prefers an old overweight unreliable Brit over a faster German model
To OP, enjoy the 4x4 ... take it off road. 😀
zokes - MemberOT, and totally irrelevant now given the OP's last posts, but...
not Freelander 2, they might be betterFreelander 2's are much better than the 1. They also come in useful for towing out 'proper' Jap 4x4s when they get stuck:
LOL! That looks like a Nissan Petrol in the pic ... errmm ... in certain part of the world that is not a proper off roader ...
My friend used to drive a Nissan Petrol and we thought he was driving a tank ...
[i]Freelander 2's are much better than the 1. They also come in useful for towing out 'proper' Jap 4x4s when they get stuck:[/i]
1's are fine (and cheap now), and tbh I'd have suggested that your wife drove a couple before you bought the 'shed'. My Misses has nearly 100k on now and drives pretty well, plus able to tow a box 2 horses across fields etc.
Did you really spend £12.5k on a 10 year old Defender?
LOL! That looks like a Nissan Petrol in the pic ... errmm ... in certain part of the world that is not a proper off roader ...
Well, in the hot, dry, sandy (yet perennially flooded) Great Southern Land, it seems the only thing LandCruiser or Patrol owners can agree on is how crap our beloved Land Rovers are - especially Freelanders. I'm still not entirely sure the driver was happier for being rescued by a Pom in a 'toy' 4wd, as opposed to us just leaving him there. I think his mates were making this an even larger dilemma for him 😉
zokes - MemberWell, in the hot, dry, sandy (yet perennially flooded) Great Southern Land, it seems the only thing LandCruiser or Patrol owners can agree on is how crap our beloved Land Rovers are - especially Freelanders. I'm still not entirely sure the driver was happier for being rescued by a Pom in a 'toy' 4wd, as opposed to us just leaving him there. I think his mates were making this an even larger dilemma for him
Well, it's a Nissan Petrol ... petrol drinking monster ...
It's a Nissan Petrol like this one or also known as Ford Maverick or
Nissan Safari ... [img] 
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I can bet you even beauty saloon Suzuki Vitara can get out of those situation easily ... 😆
I've used one for my commute for 4yrs now.
They are cold, damp, smelly, uncomfortable, noisy things.
You've really got to want one, and if you do, nothing else will scratch the itch.
The Defender is about as comfortable as trying to pogo stick down the road on a garden spade. My Dad had a 90, and he sold it a few weeks after he bought it because it was horrendous. And he's a farmer...
They are cold, damp, smelly, uncomfortable, noisy things.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news... It's not the car... 🙁
Great Basin Rover's t shirt sums it up well;
I can bet you even beauty saloon Suzuki Vitara can get out of those situation easily ...
Well, he was up to his sills, but I think that was mostly driver error. Still quite impressed to have got him out though - over a ton of weight difference between the two, and he was very very stuck...
The trick with sand is to keep moving. His problem is he stopped...
zokes - MemberWell, he was up to his sills, but I think that was mostly driver error. Still quite impressed to have got him out though - over a ton of weight difference between the two, and he was very very stuck...
The trick with sand is to keep moving. His problem is he stopped...
The person needs a lot of skills to drive that heavy gas guzzling monster, and if I can recall it does not come with a power steering too so it's like going to the gym when you drive it. However, it is very fast on the road but off road is entirely a different matter. 😆 I remember my friend told me his father bought it purely on economical terms i.e. cheaper than Toyota Land Cruiser, and that cheaper price was off set by the gas guzzling nature of it ... LOL!
How's it going?
If I had 12k spare itd be a Landcruiser or a 2.5T Forester depending how 'country' that you need.
Shame neither of those are a landy though .
Dunno why , its noisy , slow and uneconomical but it does make me smile always.
I mines does get off road once in a while though ( although its primary use was getting into my house in winter and rescuing my neighbours forrester which was well and truely stuck in our drive , no ground clearance in the snow and all 4 wheels were off the deck.
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Did shit my self going up that as it was my first real foray trialimg ( not my landy mines 10years older)
I do fancy a set up like rusTy nissan praries with roof tent to replace my economical , warm and comparibly nippy van.....Although i have a real hankering for a series 2a 109. Leafer !
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mine looking sad in the back yard. Mice ate my spill rail return line, was gonna change out the engine for a 3.9v8 with auto but cant find a good one that hasnt been gassed for what i want to pay( ie less than a rotten disco ......but dont have the space or time to strip one out a cheap disco my self 🙁 )
Good news is i found out the pipe i need is only 8 quid 🙂
Gonna get it ordered up this week and put it back on the road before end of summer 🙂 looking forward to it already
The answer to your question is yes.
I've had a series two for a few years, and that is very basic! But I have just bought a 1984 90 that has been fully rebuilt with a galvanized chassis and bulkhead and a 200 tdi. I paid just under 7.5k for it but the guy had bills for over 10k for the build which was 4000 miles ago. I've had to do a few little jobs on it but the parts are soo cheap it's unbeliveable.
Yes it is slow by modern 4x4's but it sits on 35" bfg mud tyres and looks the muts nuts, it returns about 27mpg running to and from work (10 miles each way),insurance is £125 pa, steering is as crisp as any modern car (even with it's mud tyres)I tend to use it more than my new vw transporter!
Yes you will need to have/do more work to one than a suzuki or a honda ( and I race a suzuki 413 off road so do know)but the landy raises more waves and smiles and comments than my tvr.
So yes, get one and enjoy it, just look at many till you find the right one and don't be fobbed of with people trying to tell you that "they all do that" and if your any where near shropshire you can come and try mine if you like!
Ade
We / i want photos ade 😉 sounds the mutts
Trail rat, I have spill trail returns if you want. 300 tdi cover wore through one, had to buy the set.
I've had 4 Defenders and now I've got an '03 Discovery. It's newer than my last Defender by 3 years, cost £1500 less than I got for my 110, has electric mirrors/heated screen/roofs/locking/levelling lights, cruise control, parking sensors, self levelling suspension, aircon,etc etc.
All in all a much nicer vehicle to be inside and it does the same job, but better, 95% of the time. As a day to day vehicle I'd NEVER go back to a Defender.
tiger i might be wrong but going by part number differences on paddocks i think the one for the 19j TD(why i wanted to fit a v8 😉 ) is different to the 300TDI one - my fuel tank is under the drivers seat , had the 300TDI gone to rear mounted or was that not till TD5 ?
mines has a 14mm nut olive union at each end.
for 8 quid ill just get the pack from paddocks.
