Buying A Defender Advice!

Hi!

So I'm looking to buy a Defender 90, either van back or station wagon. I have just given up on modern cars after my 2008 Volvo V50's engine blew up after 61,000 miles of an easy life and servicing every 5000 miles. I now have £6,000 to "Invest" in a defender and need some advice on what to get. I have been looking at a 300tdi as I don't want too many electrics (i.e TD5) and the parts appear cheaper and more available than a 200tdi. I've read through all the forums/buying guides and watched maintenance/repair video's to prepare myself and get an idea of what I'm letting myself in for.
As far as driving goes I only do around 5000 miles a year so this will be my daily driver. I want to get the best condition/lowest miles that I can as I want to be able to drive the vehicle as I repair it! I don't have the time at the moment for a complete overhaul!
Also I'm only 19 with 2 years no-claims and have been quoted £700 for the year on a 1994 defender 2.5d. Any advice regarding insurance from other young drivers on how to keep the costs down would also be appreciated.

Thanks guys!

Welcome

If you've seen the guides, £6k should get you a tidy 300Tdi around 1994 - 1995 possibly with a galv chassis if you're very lucky

insurance didn't seem too bad considering some of the numbers posted on here!

Thanks!
Any idea on best places to buy one? Prices seem ridiculous at the moment, probably a result of the weather. I would wait till the summer but I have no car at the moment, but can deal without one untill january so have a little time to browse!

To find the right one them be prepared to travel. Mine was a 200 mile round trip to get. eBay and auto trader are a good bet. Make sure you scrutinise the docs and serial no's to make sure engine and chassis match up. There are lots stolen so a lot of ringers.
If it's too good to be true then it probably is
Have a look in the for sale on here as well.

I wouldn't be that fussed about the miles on it. It all comes down to maintenance. I have a 96 110CSW with 221,000 miles on it but it has been , and still is , well maintained

I saw this: landrover drfender 1999 | eBay The other day whilst doing my usual "look at crap on ebay for an hour" then decide you cant afford anything.

No idea what it will end up going for, but with some better sized tyres on could be rather nice.

Van back will go for less than CSW, but be careful if you intend to convert to seats and windows as I'm not sure on legal/tax/insurance implications. Would be worth reading A LOT on here as you make your decisions.

Also, get your self over to the "Intro" sections before the rest turn up and start to attack!!

Stu

Thanks for that! That defender is in lovely nick! I will be looking at that one and keeping an eye on the sales section. I'm not planning on getting more seats ect fitted, I was looking at setting up the back for a small sleeping/storage type arrangement for going away on little trips into the middle of no-where! I'm off to the into section now Stulios!
I can already tell that my experience on this site is going to be a good one!

Stulios said:

I saw this: landrover drfender 1999 | eBay The other day whilst doing my usual "look at crap on ebay for an hour" then decide you cant afford anything.

No idea what it will end up going for, but with some better sized tyres on could be rather nice.

Van back will go for less than CSW, but be careful if you intend to convert to seats and windows as I'm not sure on legal/tax/insurance implications. Would be worth reading A LOT on here as you make your decisions.

Also, get your self over to the "Intro" sections before the rest turn up and start to attack!!

Stu

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Besides the color that is a really nice Landy!

If I am reading the ad right then he says its a 99 300tdi.... Should be td5 if it's a 99 I think....

Higher miles can mean motorway miles whereas lower miles can mean bumping around fields and farms, I'd be more concerned with condition and service history that mileage, mines a 1988 with 88k on the clock cos it used to belong to a game warden and spent a few years of it's life in muddy fields and rivers, hence a well repaired chassis. You should get something pretty decent for 6k though

Thanks for the info! especially chezvegas, I believe it was 1998 they changed so that's a very interesting point. I'm still getting rid of my old car so I'm looking just after Christmas now so may have between 6000-7500 depending on what I get back and time working over Christmas!
That is a good point about mileage as well, I think I have a mental block in my mind about mileage the highest mileage car I have ever had was only 57,000 although a defender is an entirely different league (I've heard of 300tdi's doing more than 400K?!) Its more for piece of mind for me and I will hopefully be keeping it for a LONG time to come so I thought less was best. How many people use their defenders for motorways anyway .
On an entirely different point whats the situation with the R380 box and 4th, 5th and reverse? I've been told bearings can go and cause the box not to shift. Is this just a lack of maintenance, changing box oil etc? or is this the inevitable?

tdi is a tough old unit in either 200 or 300 guise, i was told 250k miles was easily achievable. tbh i have had a few and i havent had any major problems. i bust 3rd gear on my r380 300tdi disco and the cam belt went on the 300tdi rrc ive got now but that was due to being supplied the wrong kit. 55k miles and apart from service items just a gearbox i think is good going.

re your R380 gearbox question

Have a look on Ashcrofts website - some good info on there or pm jamesmartin

paddyred said:

Thanks for the info! especially chezvegas, I believe it was 1998 they changed so that's a very interesting point. I'm still getting rid of my old car so I'm looking just after Christmas now so may have between 6000-7500 depending on what I get back and time working over Christmas!
That is a good point about mileage as well, I think I have a mental block in my mind about mileage the highest mileage car I have ever had was only 57,000 although a defender is an entirely different league (I've heard of 300tdi's doing more than 400K?!) Its more for piece of mind for me and I will hopefully be keeping it for a LONG time to come so I thought less was best. How many people use their defenders for motorways anyway .
On an entirely different point whats the situation with the R380 box and 4th, 5th and reverse? I've been told bearings can go and cause the box not to shift. Is this just a lack of maintenance, changing box oil etc? or is this the inevitable?

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as lr boxes go r380 is a good box ,bearings can go like any ,regular oil changes helps that a lot ,baulk rings wear giving notchy gear change is most common issue usually 2nd then 3rd etc but the cost of a box or to rebuild it isnt that high ( one new door could cost more than gear box )and condition of chassis ,bodywork doors and bulk head ,and general condition of vehicle would be more of a concern ,than engine or box

Thanks for that! The search begins! Im amazed at the help on this forum!

So yet another question, what year did defender 90's change to disc on the back? Is it June 1993? A few places say different things.

94 ,when 300 tdi model came out

thanks! theoretically all factory fitted 300's should have discs then!

paddyred said:

thanks! theoretically all factory fitted 300's should have discs then!

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yes ,300 was when they made many parts the same disco ,rrc and defender