To buy or not to buy...

Hi all,

I am currently considering buying a Defender 90 as my daily driver but would like some opinions from those of you who live with them already.

My wife has a '05 Freelander TD4 which is used mainly as the dog bus but also as her daily drive to work. It occasionally doubles up as a tow car for my boat and although it manages the job, its not the best for it with its limited 4wd capability. Besides she complains about me abusing it.ound:

So, I'm after a decent 4x4 which can be a mid to long distance work van, an occasional family runaround, has a degree of street cred, is easy to live with daily (ie has some mod cons like leccy windows and air con) but can tow 2 tons of boat up a motorway and a slimy wet slipway too!

I looked at a few Discos and they are lovely cars but I prefer something a bit more rugged, simple to work on (not too much electronic gadgetry) and also something which will not depreciate as much. I'm thinking a Defender is the beast for me. However, my question is this: Given what I've said above as to the use of the vehicle, what year, model, engine and options would you suggest? I've a stretched budget of about £15k so hoping to get a good low mileage one for that.

TIA - Bob

I love my 90 have always driven landrovers however do you have a family i have recently (6 weeks ago had a new baby, can fit him and the wife in but a bit of a pain kinda want to swap it for a 110 plus that gives you more room if your going away. A good 90 will do you fine if you just want to tow the boat though. What engine were you thinking of i prefer a 300 or 200 tdi personally, easier to work on than a td5 make sure you under-seal it well if you are using the boat to launch. try find one with a galvanised chassis then you will have less problems where this is concerned you can find a good starting about £7000 let us know how you get on

I reckon a disco would be better suited. More suited to daily life and still has massive capabilities. You wouldn't want to do mid to long distance hauls regularly in a defender unless you can put up with its 'characteristics'. Plus a disco has more toys like you want, can still cut it in town and is generally more civilised.

A defender 110 is more stable for towing and is heavier to offset the tow car to trailer ratio too

With that budget I'd have a 130 Double Cab HCPU because they do everything.. and look awesome.. but if you want to be sensible about it try a 110CSW, it's a much nicer drive than the 90 and will be far more practical in a family situation.

A mid to long distance work van? Thanks to the government running a Landy is getting pricey
A disco be better on long runs for comfort but if you really want a defender then maybe a 110 tdi or td5 would do
My 300 tdi 5 door utility is great and pulls the caravan spot on
Used to run a td5 90 and found it a bit bouncy when towing but the power was good although the ecu packed up at 70mph

Thanks for suggestions.

When I said mid and long distance journeys there's not often over 50 mile I need to go. Occasionally maybe. And having been an owner of a loud mad classic I'm quite used to noisy unrefined stuff but I am getting on a bit now lol. Likewise not sure I can put up with trundling along at 70 Max on the motorway.

I like the space and idea of a 110 or even a 130 but I get the feeling they're just a bit impractical for London streets and parking. I get that the weight may be an advantage for towing though.

I see the recommendations are mostly for the TD5 and 300tdi. Is the newer car and engine (2.2TD) considered a bit pants then? The newer Defenders (2012>) seem to be a little better equipped.

bobtooke said:

Thanks for suggestions.

When I said mid and long distance journeys there's not often over 50 mile I need to go. Occasionally maybe. And having been an owner of a loud mad classic I'm quite used to noisy unrefined stuff but I am getting on a bit now lol. Likewise not sure I can put up with trundling along at 70 Max on the motorway.

I like the space and idea of a 110 or even a 130 but I get the feeling they're just a bit impractical for London streets and parking. I get that the weight may be an advantage for towing though.

I see the recommendations are mostly for the TD5 and 300tdi. Is the newer car and engine (2.2TD) considered a bit pants then? The newer Defenders (2012>) seem to be a little better equipped.

Click to expand...

I like the newer ones, the 2.2 is a lot more refined inside and out to the older engined vehicles. They are just not as good to maintain yourself, and also a Ford Transit van engine!

I would go for a 90 for parking in London, and even then you may struggle with the turning circle....

There's nothing wrong with my ford transit van engine!!! I drive and park a 110 in London every day and it's not as tricky as you might think. I'm not going to comment on the turning circle though.

Just on another subject, addressing galvanisednuts, just wondered if that name was a spontaneous decision, or took some serious thinking?. made me chuckle!

Lol used it for years... It's my eBay name too

Landys are tall but not that big
Park a 90 next to a new mini and compare.....

See quite a few transits in at work with engine in bits and its nearly always the same fault cam timing slipped, as the chain wrap on one of the cams is very poor design, but mainly high milers.

Seen two 2.2 defender engines fail with low miles
Both had oil pump failure, the impellers on the pumps broke up resulting in no oil pressure
Oil in coolant common too with major overheat as a result due to sludging

Remember the old transit DI lumps almost as tough if not tougher than a TDI?

It's a good lump and quite refined
6 speed box is a good cruiser but that issue with the main shaft extension striping itself and eliminating drive to the transfer box is surely a lesson they've not learnt

You both fill me with hope!!!

To be honest, I wouldn't be afraid of a Transit engine. I run a small fleet of Transits and find them remarkably reliable. So much so that they have been replaced with same model when they come up for renewal. The only serious issues I've noticed is the cam sensors tend to be a consumable item and the injectors give up the ghost around 120k miles.

I think I'm being sold on the newer versions

...or maybe still considering a Disco!