Value of 1987 Defender 90

[Roadstechno]

Hi
I have been offered a Defender 90 300 with 85k miles - MoT failure with outrigger issues (replacement). Reasonable bodywork and overall condition. Guy wants somewhere between £2 - £3k for it. Any of you guys out there think thats a reasonable price? Would buy as a project and possibly give it a new chassis.

 

[tottot]

Can of worms here. First an 87 would not have had a 300 when new so you may wonder how good the conversion was done. Chassis and bulkhead condition is the main thing.
What you need is someone who knows Land rover's very well to check it out with you.

 

[Turboman]

Can of worms here. First an 87 would not have had a 300 when new so you may wonder how good the conversion was done. Chassis and bulkhead condition is the main thing.
What you need is someone who knows Land rover's very well to check it out with you.

At that sort of price, I imagine the vendor knows it has plenty of issues.

 

[bluedog333]

Difficult to say without seeing it! But I’d say at today’s prices, that’s an attractive price.

 

[lightning]

You don't get much Defender for £2,000 these days.
Anything with an MOT seems to be "worth £5,000"
Do you have any pictures of it? lf the chassis needs replacement then it's going to cost you £5,000.
What's the rest of it like, is the interior reasonable or does it look like a chicken coup?
Is the bodywork alright? No point biffing £5,000 on a chassis if the bodywork looks like it was dredged out of the Bristol Channel.

 

[Zed.]

You don't get much Defender for £2,000 these days.

they are out there, also theres some rough-diamonds hidden away

unfortunately theres a lot of overpriced scrap advertised

Rich.

 

[Henry_b]

Not a Defender either, it'll be a 90/110 at that vintage

Defender name came in 1991

 

[cappers]

£2-3K won't get you much today unless it's mate's rates. My 1985 Ninety with a 2.5P cost me £3.5 four years ago and needed a lot of chassis work.
The one you've been offered isn't a Defender as such (post 1990) but a Ninety and would have come with a 2.5P or N/A or TD so the 300tdi is a transplant.
If the chassis is gone the bulkhead might also be bad e.g windscreen bulkhead corners, footwells etc.
£5K+ for new chassis and probably whilst there springs shocks bushes etc plus??? bulkhead, engine, 'gearbox condition and so on.
But you could be lucky

 

[tottot]

The only way to know is to see it in the flesh so to speak with someone who knows Landy's. Some pics of inside and out and many of underneath may be usefull.

 

[v8250]

@Roadstechno , at this price this is at the arse end of the market. As all the good replies above confirm, chances are it's going to be in poor condition. But, it depends what you're wanting the Ninety for...if as a general hack and the chassis, bulkhead/footwells are in solid condition then I'd say go for it. If not, and you're looking for something smarter you'll either need to plan for big buck expenditure/restoration or simply buy a Ninety already rebuilt/in tip top condition. It will always cost more to pay for and complete the project yourself and a good solid basic Ninety in proper condition can be bought for 10k...which will be lower than the all-in cost for a new chassis - you'll end up buying all new brakes, suspension, fuel tank refurb', 2x axle refurb', underbody refurb' + possible new bulkhead at £2k +fitting +painting + your own time if completing yourself...it's no small task.

As others, post some detailed pics or link to an advert

 

[Roadstechno]

@Roadstechno , at this price this is at the arse end of the market. As all the good replies above confirm, chances are it's going to be in poor condition. But, it depends what you're wanting the Ninety for...if as a general hack and the chassis, bulkhead/footwells are in solid condition then I'd say go for it. If not, and you're looking for something smarter you'll either need to plan for big buck expenditure/restoration or simply buy a Ninety already rebuilt/in tip top condition. It will always cost more to pay for and complete the project yourself and a good solid basic Ninety in proper condition can be bought for 10k...which will be lower than the all-in cost for a new chassis - you'll end up buying all new brakes, suspension, fuel tank refurb', 2x axle refurb', underbody refurb' + possible new bulkhead at £2k +fitting +painting + your own time if completing yourself...it's no small task.

As others, post some detailed pics or link to an advert

Thanks for input(s) form everyone. The vehicle belongs to a farmer friend of my eldest son. Its only been used on the farm hence the 80+k miles only. The guy spend £2k on it last year getting it through MoT and about £500 this year but failed on outriggers and he didnt want to spend £800 getting it sorted so bought a Hilux. Not advertising it but offered it for 'estimated' £2-3k. My son pretty handy with welder and cars generally and has workshop access.....hence looking at it as a 'project'. tells me he will sell it for £8-10k after its finished...... hence my enquiry here. Bank of Dad is funding!
Oh - yes, he has had engine replaced with 300 about 4 years ago.

 

[bluedog333]

Thanks for input(s) form everyone. The vehicle belongs to a farmer friend of my eldest son. Its only been used on the farm hence the 80+k miles only. The guy spend £2k on it last year getting it through MoT and about £500 this year but failed on outriggers and he didnt want to spend £800 getting it sorted so bought a Hilux. Not advertising it but offered it for 'estimated' £2-3k. My son pretty handy with welder and cars generally and has workshop access.....hence looking at it as a 'project'. tells me he will sell it for £8-10k after its finished...... hence my enquiry here. Bank of Dad is funding!
Oh - yes, he has had engine replaced with 300 about 4 years ago.

With a farm vehicle, you really need to give the chassis a good inspection. Mud, piss and shit from livestock can reek havoc on the steel.

 

[Turboman]

Thanks for input(s) form everyone. The vehicle belongs to a farmer friend of my eldest son. Its only been used on the farm hence the 80+k miles only. The guy spend £2k on it last year getting it through MoT and about £500 this year but failed on outriggers and he didnt want to spend £800 getting it sorted so bought a Hilux. Not advertising it but offered it for 'estimated' £2-3k. My son pretty handy with welder and cars generally and has workshop access.....hence looking at it as a 'project'. tells me he will sell it for £8-10k after its finished...... hence my enquiry here. Bank of Dad is funding!
Oh - yes, he has had engine replaced with 300 about 4 years ago.

Highly likely the interior will need complete replacement as well. Farmers are not known for looking after vehicles.

 

[Marmaduke]

Thanks for input(s) form everyone. The vehicle belongs to a farmer friend of my eldest son. Its only been used on the farm hence the 80+k miles only. The guy spend £2k on it last year getting it through MoT and about £500 this year but failed on outriggers and he didnt want to spend £800 getting it sorted so bought a Hilux. Not advertising it but offered it for 'estimated' £2-3k. My son pretty handy with welder and cars generally and has workshop access.....hence looking at it as a 'project'. tells me he will sell it for £8-10k after its finished...... hence my enquiry here. Bank of Dad is funding!
Oh - yes, he has had engine replaced with 300 about 4 years ago.

Where abouts in Warwickshire are you? I'm not far from Twycross if it'd help to have a second pair of eyes on it

 

[payydg]

If you can get it for 2-3k buy it. It will need time and money and work but all Landies do.

 

[lightning]

Too right, l paid £14,000 for a very nice looking TD5 90 XS and still ended up spending £7,000 on it

 

[jonnymac2001]

If you can get it for 2-3k buy it. It will need time and money and work but all Landies do.

Ain't that the truth! My mate reckons they are like owning a stately home. Once you have replaced fixed everything, the first problem needs working on again.

 

[dag019]

Thanks for input(s) form everyone. The vehicle belongs to a farmer friend of my eldest son. Its only been used on the farm hence the 80+k miles only. The guy spend £2k on it last year getting it through MoT and about £500 this year but failed on outriggers and he didnt want to spend £800 getting it sorted so bought a Hilux. Not advertising it but offered it for 'estimated' £2-3k. My son pretty handy with welder and cars generally and has workshop access.....hence looking at it as a 'project'. tells me he will sell it for £8-10k after its finished...... hence my enquiry here. Bank of Dad is funding!
Oh - yes, he has had engine replaced with 300 about 4 years ago.

I am in Warwick so depending on where you are in the county could potentially come and cast an eye over it with you to assess condition of the usual suspects of land rover problems.