Advice Needed - Defenders

Good morning and a happy new year to you all!

This year it’s my intention to follow my heart and fulfil my dream of changing my car (Volvo V40) for a Land Rover Defender.

I want one to do the following:

• daily commute to work (urban motorway network, roughly 200 miles per week)
• weekly motorway journey of 60 miles round trip
• occasional road trips around the UK/Europe
• occasional off-roading

and it must be capable of having two child seats fitted.

On that basis I think I’m probably best looking at a 110, although I prefer the aesthetics of the 90.

My budget will be circa £15-20k. I have no problem with older models, but it might be harder to convince my wife.

What model(s) of 110 should I be looking at for reliability/durability and best value for money?

• Are there any I should specifically avoid?
• Should I be concerned about the high mileages on a lot of examples, and what are the common faults to look out for?

I know value for money on Defenders is poor now that values have skyrocketed, and I know they are dogs to drive but in an age awash with the bling and status of “SUVs” I want to go old school utilitarian and back to basics.

The sensible bit of my head says go for the new “Defender” 90 on a PCP but then sadly it’s gone a bit bling. Does look cracking though.

Welcome to LandyZone

I wouldnt overlook the new Defender...

Deffo a 110. You cant put child seats in a 90, maybe a tdci but not sure imo. If i could I wouldnt.

Though an old one best bet would be a TD5 XS 2002 - 2005 - to avoid the spendy tax bracket and the weaker 10p engines.

TD5s are good but still at standard a bit tractory. Few cheap mods can be done to improve them massively

- Syncro slickshift - shortens the gear throw and makes the gearbox feel better.

- LOF powerspring & slave cylinder or master clyinder - massively reduces the clutch weight making it a dream to drive

- remap - increases engine power and improves drivability. Usually around £200 - £250 but at least you can think overtaking someon if need be!

The TDCis 2007 on (still a spendy tax bracket for the early ones)

Are good, more care like, more refined but still have their quirks.

Id still do the above to improve things further.

I drive my 04 110 pick up 350miles a week, 60 - 70 miles a day, mixed mway and urban. Its also taken me across europe a few times and used heavily off road. Its comfy, nice and i love driving it but its far from standard!!

Welcome!

Thanks for that! Having the mods done wouldn’t phase me in the slightest (my first car many moons ago was an old mini and I changed just about everything on it) but I can picture my wife going a bit mental with “why would you buy a car that you then have to change everything on?” She’s not a car person, I’m a car nut...she helps keep me in check haha.

I should maybe look at the sensible option of a new 90. I also like the fact they’re launching a petrol model. Shame they’re all autos, any idea what the thoughts behind that are?

bankz5152 said:

I wouldnt overlook the new Defender...

Deffo a 110. You cant put child seats in a 90, maybe a tdci but not sure imo. If i could I wouldnt.

Though an old one best bet would be a TD5 XS 2002 - 2005 - to avoid the spendy tax bracket and the weaker 10p engines.

TD5s are good but still at standard a bit tractory. Few cheap mods can be done to improve them massively

- Syncro slickshift - shortens the gear throw and makes the gearbox feel better.

- LOF powerspring & slave cylinder or master clyinder - massively reduces the clutch weight making it a dream to drive

- remap - increases engine power and improves drivability. Usually around £200 - £250 but at least you can think overtaking someon if need be!

The TDCis 2007 on (still a spendy tax bracket for the early ones)

Are good, more care like, more refined but still have their quirks.

Id still do the above to improve things further.

I drive my 04 110 pick up 350miles a week, 60 - 70 miles a day, mixed mway and urban. Its also taken me across europe a few times and used heavily off road. Its comfy, nice and i love driving it but its far from standard!!

Welcome!

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I agree with Bankz.

A 90 will fit 2 in the back OR luggage. They are fantastic as a second car or for when you may need to go a little further off road. A 110 is far more practical. It has literally twice the load/passenger space in the rear, and is essentially a small van when no seats are fitted.

Age/engine wise, tdi’s are fantastic engines but if this is going to be your primary vehicle you will want a Td5 or Tdci (puma). Modern comforts and much more power. Loads of tuning and modding options.

Whatever you get check it thoroughly for rust and rot. Bulkheads are a big job to replace or have fixed. Rear crossmembers are common rot traps, seconded by outriggers.

Thanks for that. Sounds like a 110 would be a must. 150,000 miles plus on them, any issues with that or not anything to be overly concerned about?

Huddy84 said:

I agree with Bankz.

A 90 will fit 2 in the back OR luggage. They are fantastic as a second car or for when you may need to go a little further off road. A 110 is far more practical. It has literally twice the load/passenger space in the rear, and is essentially a small van when no seats are fitted.

Age/engine wise, tdi’s are fantastic engines but if this is going to be your primary vehicle you will want a Td5 or Tdci (puma). Modern comforts and much more power. Loads of tuning and modding options.

Whatever you get check it thoroughly for rust and rot. Bulkheads are a big job to replace or have fixed. Rear crossmembers are common rot traps, seconded by outriggers.

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Modern auto boxes are smoother and better than manual boxes, including off-road. Not offering a manual will save Landrover money more than anything.

A lot of people hate the new Dedender but I really like it. Seen it in the flesh and been in it, its a nice update to the range.

You wont be able to fix it with a hammer and a coke can but you shouldnt need to haha

Baby Def coming too circa £25k

I think it looks good. I suppose updating a motoring icon is always going to provoke mixed feelings, but nothing lives forever. Hadn’t heard about a baby Defender coming. Got any links to any info on that?

bankz5152 said:

A lot of people hate the new Dedender but I really like it. Seen it in the flesh and been in it, its a nice update to the range.

You wont be able to fix it with a hammer and a coke can but you shouldnt need to haha

Baby Def coming too circa £25k

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theroamingjock said:

Thanks for that. Sounds like a 110 would be a must. 150,000 miles plus on them, any issues with that or not anything to be overly concerned about?

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Generally buy on condition, service history and signs it’s been well looked after. Heavily modified vehicles ‘may’ have been well used off road, generally your better looking for fairly original vehicles. Well cared for they should see well in excess of 250k miles, refurbished engines are available too.

As for the mods they are just what I would do. You may drive one be perfectly happy!

Id say go out a test drive a few, TD5s and TDCis see what you prefer.

Thankfully I have a very understanding mrs that lets me do as I please with the landy

130 all the way, crew cab pick up will do 100% everything you can ever dream of.

Except park anywhere normal

Hello and welcome

Welcome to the forum

Get yerself a Freelander 2

bankz5152 said:

Though an old one best bet would be a TD5 XS 2002 - 2005 - to avoid the spendy tax bracket and the weaker 10p engines.

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To be clear, the spendy tax bracket starts from March 2006 when Defender 110 TD5 manual Station Wagons go from £325 to £570. Before March 2001 (ie 10p engines) tax is £265. I think they were reclassified as LCVs in 2011 and are considerably cheaper.

I don't think describing a 10p engine as weaker is accurate. There were issues with plastic dowels in the head and oil pump bolts, but it is easy to find ones with history showing these have been addressed, and a straightforward job to change if not. ECU works slightly less efficiently and cannot be flashed, but in compensation they are less encumbered by emissions (no cat on mine for instance). Different, not weaker.

Not sure if Defenders ever came with Isofix child seats, but a 110 will take normal child seats. But bear in mind the Defender is one of the least safe vehicles on the road. No air bags, little roll over protection and the other vehicle is the crumple zone. They will probably come off best in any slow speed collision due to mass and the chassis, but anything with serious energy may not be survivable. Not saying don't buy one, just saying drive carefully and think about fitting a roll cage.

Before you commit a large sum, have a look at a good Discovery 2. It will do pretty much what a Defender 90 will do (usually more than a 110), is day to day much more practical as a family car from a comfort and space perspective - especially on a long motorway drive. They can be modified just as much as a Defender and IMHO can be made to look pretty handsome (the picture is from M.DI.4X4). Best of all with your budget you could afford 3 maybe 4 really nice ones.

Newer type with the short stick are much more motorway friendly. My old 90 would pull anything anywhere @55, more than that it would rattle apart and the gearbox was noisier than anything even when new.

Thanks for all your comments! I’m leaning towards a 110 TD5.

Land Rover magazine suggests original Defender prices are going to drop from their silly highs over the next 12 months - to hold off buying right now - as some owners buy the new Defender and there’s a glut of original coming onto the second hand market.

What are your thoughts?