A nice dilemma - advice please

Thanks Steve. The biggest problem with the galvanised rebuild route seems to be finding one for sale. No doubt if someone does it, they intend to hang on to it.

I would go for one at least 2 years old and well cared for and unmolested. They're about if you look hard enough, as for Liveridge I know nothing about them but must be worth a look

Thanks Nigel.

Does anyone know if it's possible to have a new one built with a galvanised chassis and bulkhead from the factory as a special order? I'll ask LR directly next week, but I just wondered if anyone was able to tell me today.

JoethePlumber said:

Thanks Nigel.

Does anyone know if it's possible to have a new one built with a galvanised chassis and bulkhead from the factory as a special order? I'll ask LR directly next week, but I just wondered if anyone was able to tell me today.

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Try Marshall galvanised chassis makers
Your have more luck than LR .

wow what would i do if i had the money???
i think i would forget the new one. probably if i had time to wait i would either find one a couple of years old with everything i wanted on it (or have it done afterwards),
my other option would be to get a restoration project, get it to liveridge or some other landrover specialist and have it totally built to my specification with galv chassis and bulkhead.
i drive a series 2 (which has had work done to it) which is my daily drive and still going strong on the road...

Like all modern diesels low mileage will be a problem

Diesels are designed to achieve the best fuel economy at a constant speed, the DPF cleans itself when it gets hot , all the problems start when they do short stop start journeys which it sounds like is exactly what you'll be doing

If you're replacing a van with a defender is it suitable for your needs, is it big enough, if you decide not and you want to start towing you're entering a different world

Tachographs etc

My choice would be to find a good low mileage 300Tdi with a lot of history they get a trusted garage to rebuild it on a galvanised chassis

You'd end up with a reliable vehicle, built to your spec, no DPF or dual mass clutch issues for 50% of the cost of a new one

That's what I'd do

Thanks folks, this is all very helpful. I had a look at a new 90 at a dealer today and it hasn't put me off (far from it in fact). They couldn't tell me if the factory can offer the galvanised parts, however they doubted it.

I've enquired of Liveridge and with them supplying exactly what you've described Wack (except they provide the vehicle to be rebuilt rather than me), it costs £17,000, so there's not that much difference from a brand new one.

As there will still be the wear and tear on no end of the components that aren't replaced, the new one with three year's LR warranty appeals more. Good 300Tdis appear to be very hard to find too.

The 110's load area is bigger than my current Berlingo van so that's okay, and as I'm self employed, tachographs aren't an issue. I won't need to tow anything with it either.

As to the DPF, I could take it for a good run each week to clear that out, and I gather the 2.2 doesn't have a DMF, but the Berlingo has neither and it is something I need to think hard about.

Thanks again everyone.

If you've never bought a new car in your life then now is the time to do it.

Call it a treat; you've worked for it!!

It sounds to me as if you really want that new Landy which you will treasure and make yours.

Sod the commen sense approach for once in your life and visit the dealer tomorrow.

SupraAyf said:

If you've never bought a new car in your life then now is the time to do it.

Call it a treat; you've worked for it!!

It sounds to me as if you really want that new Landy which you will treasure and make yours.

Sod the commen sense approach for once in your life and visit the dealer tomorrow.

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Really drive out the forecourt and lose 2 grand wake up !

JoethePlumber said:

Thanks Steve. The biggest problem with the galvanised rebuild route seems to be finding one for sale. No doubt if someone does it, they intend to hang on to it.

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they are about, couple on fleabay (not sure if exactly what you want)

Grit Valve said:

Really drive out the forecourt and lose 2 grand wake up !

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I'm tighter than most and I buy seconds every time but this guy wants a new car. It's clear as crystal.

2k - so what! He deserves a treat in his life and if this means a new Landy then so be it.

Every landrover on here was new once - he just wants the new experience like so many thousands before him.

If he wants something then it's his choice but don't go dictating

IMO If I wanted to spend that much money, I would rather have the cost of a new Defender spent on a complete custom built 200/300tdi. Galv chassis, galv bulkhead, TD5/Puma Doors and loads of mods. For me it would make more sense. But there might be many who prefer a brand new vehicle. But I'd probably never spend more than 10K on a car anyway, unless I win the lottery

bought brand new once but that was only because it was tax free.
my dad would never buy a 2nd hand car, was always new )says you buy other peoples problems, but he could afford to buy new and loose whatever on it every two years.
all dealers will have used demonstrators with very little mileage on and will only have been used for short journies hoping to sell a new one, they will also be connected to probably every main dealer in the country and will know what stock they hold which may be worth while asking them.
going back to buying brand new, if your going to keep it for 30 years then i say jump at a new one if its for your birthday as it dont matter if it depreciates or not, but you may not get the exact one you want.

As you don't already have a Landrover to 'do up', I'd ask first have you driven one, ever? Second, have you driven one far? They don't, whatever people say, drive quite like cars and living with one can very much be a love hate thing ... I'd suggest hire one (SGS4x4?) for a week or so, live with it, use it for work, whatever and then make a decision. Dunno if landrover dealers do it (doubt it, IME they're bastards) but ask for an extended test drive of a few days to do the same.

Personally, I'd probably have a rebuilt galv one .. but then having had a number of brand new cars (Company cars) in the past I found them to be just as reliable, if not worse, than older cars, none of which however were Landrovers!

However .. like you say, a new one appeals, especially to put time in, strip it, _really_ fettle it to be waterproof etc and _know_ you have a great base that won't rot or break (much).

b20wnx said:

bought brand new once but that was only because it was tax free.
my dad would never buy a 2nd hand car, was always new )says you buy other peoples problems, but he could afford to buy new and loose whatever on it every two years.
all dealers will have used demonstrators with very little mileage on and will only have been used for short journies hoping to sell a new one, they will also be connected to probably every main dealer in the country and will know what stock they hold which may be worth while asking them.
going back to buying brand new, if your going to keep it for 30 years then i say jump at a new one if its for your birthday as it dont matter if it depreciates or not, but you may not get the exact one you want.

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who keeps a motor 30 years us humans get boared easy, or worry the smoke is the end .

Buy yourself the best 300 tdi available and a new Suzuki alto for £5995. You will then have two reliable cars, one reliable because it's new, the other reliable because it will be and simple and cheap to fix.
One will be acceptable on fuel, the other will be great.
One will be great for nipping to the shops, the other will be great for anything else.
Please don't buy a new car, you'll lose the vat as you drive it from the forecourt.

The only problem if nobody buys new cars, there will soon be no cars for us tight sods to buy

Grit Valve said:

who keeps a motor 30 years us humans get boared easy, or worry the smoke is the end .

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i know we get bored but when i was looking for mine there were a few 1 or 2 owner cars about, plus they get stuck in a barn for some lucky barstwered to find 40 years later lol

My parents bought a 61 plate County 90 a month or so ago and I have to say that driving wise it is completely different to drive to the 300tdi that I have.

If I was going to buy a defender that I was going to have for the next 20 years or so I would rather have one of the newer ones, as it is just such a nicer place to be and driving is a lot less agricultural.

Not that I don't love my 90

Defo 2 year old I lost 50 per cent on a new Ranger in 2 years and 24k miles!