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Tell me why I SHOUL...
 

[Closed] Tell me why I SHOULDN'T buy a Land Rover Defender

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Favourite thing in the world, good at everything,

Except turning, being able to steer without the window down, general comfort, performance, well.... everything. For anything other then a farmers off roader or a bit of fun they're awful.


 
Posted : 16/01/2015 9:10 pm
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OP - at less than 5k miles a year, you'll never get the heater up to temperature. Doing 50k a year wouldn't help either. Unless you get a tdci.
Great vehicles at work, but nice to go home in the car.

Years ago, work used to have a Unimog, it was warmer and faster than the Land Rovers.


 
Posted : 16/01/2015 10:28 pm
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I should filter all Land Rover threads as they defy all rational thoughts. Finds myself bidding on an ebay 110.


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 8:51 pm
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lolz


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 8:54 pm
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Stoner, I've reread your entire rebuild thread and should be fully aware of the folly. 😯


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 9:11 pm
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From 2003-2010 i had an ex army 110, I got it direct from service it was a 1986 ffr from the signals had a new engine 36k on it and was without a doubt 1 of the best vehicles I ever owned,
Easy to work on, cheap to fix only broke down once when the clutch failed and I paid 5k for it and sold it for 2.5k.

We had wanted a CSW for years so with that money and a hefty chunk more I bought a 2010 defender top of the line 110 XS with all the trimmings. Leather interior, landrover expedition kit etc.
It was without a doubt the worst vehicle I ever owned.
The thing that got me rattled the most was the rot. At 6 months old I expected none and at first it stayed at bay then over the first winter it literally started rotting in front if my eyes. Pain failing on the bonnet a hideous leak elbow the screen on the left side where the seal is and rust inside the cab blowing through the metal inside the cab.
I had it all done under warranty but they did a terrible job and the leak was worse than ever.
Had it done again and still no good, then the bumper started to bubble so I thought sod that and sold it.
I paid 27.5k for it with 6k miles on the clock and sold it at 24k miles for 18k.

My advice don't buy a new'ish one go for an older model. I still miss my ex mod wagon


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 9:30 pm
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Skiboy, thats what i tell everyone that asks why i aint buying a new one instead of building my 87 back up with new stuff


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 9:38 pm
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[img] [/img]

This is mine. 31 years old and far far better than when it was new 🙂

Will cruise all day at 80 (when I go to Germany of course) and you can still hear the radio.

Rebuilt over the course of a year and just about every negative aspect of the original has been dealt with.


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 10:28 pm
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They are great but avoid the V8, I have a 1972 s3 lightweight with a 3.5V8 it does 8mpg, frequently 2-4 cylinders decide to have a rest, but I love it, I do not know why


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 10:35 pm
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Whats the engine welsh farmer 200? More so whats the exhaust.....


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 10:42 pm
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300 tdi with Alisport intercooler and pump mods. Exhaust is a complete big bore Janspeed Stainless system that was on my old Disco, that I remodelled to suit.


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 11:09 pm
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Ah stuff that , there be no stainless here .

I just liked the look of the bck box as it looks quite compact

Im sticking mine out behind the passengers wheel 🙂


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 11:12 pm
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Janspeed Stainless system that was on my old Disco, that I remodelled to suit.

They usually have to be remodelled to suit the vehicle originally intended for 😉


 
Posted : 19/01/2015 11:29 pm
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Specially after reversing the disco into a bank! Silly original design was quickly modified 🙂

Nowt wrong with stainless trail_rat. I just buy bends/straight bits in same grade/size and weld it up with a normal Mig. Welds a treat & easy to work with.


 
Posted : 20/01/2015 12:13 am
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Being driven around in this was an experience when I was back in the UK! Super early Series 1, with a V8 stuffed in it. No room in the engine bay for the cooling fan! One had to be placed in front of the radiater and was operated by a switch. It sounded like the Industrial Revolution on wheels 😀 No mod cons (like door handles....).

[img] ?oh=99aa694e0382caa4f73bc182c9f991c0&oe=55313338&__gda__=1432776029_c7078bdf6986c596c58dd0c6e1103bc3[/img]

[img] ?oh=ac67ed9ec95c79bb21f32ca34646b642&oe=552FFB35[/img]


 
Posted : 20/01/2015 8:53 am
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Thanks to all of you for your views.
Admittedly, I like an easier life and currently have no space, time or knowledge to be doing any work to such a vehicle. Chapeaux to those who do.
Perhaps if I attain that as yet elusive lotto win I shall buy a pimped example...and some land to use it on.


 
Posted : 03/02/2015 4:26 pm
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Strangely drawn to [url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201501180261354/usedcars?logcode=visc ]THIS ONE[/url] which on the face of it seems very reasonable.

Opinions please.


 
Posted : 07/02/2015 3:28 pm
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Screams rot box.

Says he cant take it for mot....... only one reason someone wouldnt put a new mot on a car they are selling

If you look at it pay particular attention to bootfloor front an rear inner wings , body mouns. Sills and round the windscreens.

Its been a leaker so if those aint done already itll resemble a flintstones car


 
Posted : 07/02/2015 4:12 pm
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Cheers tr. MOT excuse seems reasonable but like you I'm very sceptical as to the [b]real[/b] reason!

I might go and have a look at it but there is also a 4.0 Jeep Cherokee with LPG conversion which is dirt cheap and the owner has described the faults which need rectifying and obviously knows his stuff. It's really down to whether I have enough time for the faffage which will undoubtedly come with buying either of them!

Jeep is on [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jeep-cherokee-Orvis-1999-LPG-converted-Spares-or-repairs-/221682852446?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item339d53e25e ]Fleabay[/url]


 
Posted : 07/02/2015 4:21 pm
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The Discovery isn't worth more than a grand. Check the condition of the sills, rear wheel arches, boot floor and inner wings. Check the chassis for rust.

Panels for the sills inner and outer are about £120 as side if you can fit them yourself.

Brake parts aren't expensive again if you can fit them yourself. Its a little more involved as you have to remove the hubs to fit new discs. Might just be a brake pipe or hose that needs doing.

Parts for a Discovery are cheap and readily found. Without knowing the figures I have no doubt the Discovery will be able to tow a whole lot more than the Jeep.

If you have the tools and inclination the Discovery is an ok buy. I have one that I've replaced the sills on, the chassis has never been welded on it. I don't do a huge mileage in it, but when I do use it, it get hammered towing a heavy trailer. I think they are much better value than a 90 or 110.

The Jeep looks more of a money pit repairs wise.


 
Posted : 07/02/2015 5:24 pm
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That Disco will be a pile of rust underneath. Unless you can weld yourself to a high standard I would leave well alone. Worth £600 max without MOT for spares. An early Disco WITH an MOT is still no guarantee that it will not need welding. At least the200/300 tdi ones are generally only really rotten in the body, the TD5 have terrible problems with rusty chassis'.


 
Posted : 07/02/2015 5:48 pm
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