Defender 90 advice required!

Hi people!
Please don't groan, this isn't just another "I'm new and I'm looking for...but haven't searched the forums yet" thread!

I've been reading all the forums for a few weeks, and have read through hundreds of pages and thousands of posts about Defenders.

The trouble is, I'm still confused! I want to get hold of a Defender 90 Station Wagon (back seats and windows?). Preferably with TDi engine. Not a huge budget, probably 3.5-4k if I could find a solid one. I don't care if the inside and outside is a bit tatty, but I want one that is sound underneath!

So this is where I get confused. Reading through requests from other people, general answers seem to suggest a pretty decent example could be sourced for this money, but I can't find much.
Is it because I'm in the expensive South East? Or are there just not many around at the moment? Or am I looking in the wrong places?

I've seen a few at local independents (e.g RCV) but they seem to be flogging very early pre-TD models for 4.5-5k. I'm checking ebay, autotrader etc, within a good radius, and the choice is limited.
Reid Land Rovers in Horsham always seem to have a few, but has anyone got any experience with them? I'd rather spend less privately from an enthusiastic owner who has looked after one, and have spare cash to fix any issues, than buy the same thing for more from a dealer!

I love the Defender for it's simplicity, but for something so simple, there are a lot of things which can trip you over when buying, especially for someone who doesn't know what they are looking for.
I know I need to check the bulkhead for rust, doors, chassis etc, but even knowing what to look for, it is hard to know whether the thing is about to break in half! If a new rear-crossmember has been welded in, is this good or bad for example?!

When I end up with one, I'm absolutely going to put the effort in to keep it in condition, pre and post-Winter chassis clean and waxoyl, frequent oil changes etc, which is why I am looking for the best I can find in the first place (who isn't?!!).

So, any ideas? Anyone know of anything suitable for sale at the moment? I don't mind travelling for the right Landy, but I don't fancy trekking a couple of hundred miles to look at a rust-bucket, which from what I read, seems to be the result of the lottery!

Is it worth paying extra to someone like RCV and getting something that they have looked after for the previous decade, and know it's history for example? Am I hunting for the holy grail?!
I'm in Mid-Sussex. Is there anyone else on this forum around here who knows what to look out for?
After looking through a load of forums, I chose this one to post this onto because it looked most helpful, so I await your responses!

Thanks

Tim

Tim,
The best thing to do is to go and look at some. I'm a welder and when you start talking about new rear cross members i always wonder why they went in the first place (i mean through negilgence). That then beggs the question of what is going to go next?
Unfortunatly you are always going to have to trust a certain element of 'pot luck' when you go and buy one. If you buy private i always look at the condition of the place where you buy it from. if in good condition chances are the truck will be the same. And obiviously visa versa applies.

The position of the spare wheel has some bearing as well. If they have moved it off the bonnet that indicates that the bonnet has spent too much time up in the air! (or the owner is not very tall!!!) If there is any welding lookout for Bird Poo welding. Serves for MOT but actually reduces strenght of the chassie.

I'm sure that someone else will be along to offer some more advice soon!

Good luck Pete

It took me six months to find my 1998 90 TD5 CSW. I bought it privately.
Mine was bought new and had a full service history from dealer that supplied it. A quick call to him confirmed this was genuine.
I looked at a load of rubbish and also overpriced dealer motors and was beginning to loose the will to live. I also looked at some lovely private sales but was unable to cut a deal for what I wanted to pay.
Your best bet for a bargain is a private sale but it does mean travel.
These days most everyone has a digi cam and email so ask for pictures before making the trek.
Dealers give you warranties etc. but you pay for this in the price.
Having said that in the current climate people are getting rid of 4x4s before the impending tax hikes kick the arse out of the market. Dealers will not want to get stuck with un-saleable motors so why not go in with a cheeky cash offer and chance your arm if you see one you'd like. Tell them you dont want it valeted or the tyres painted black etc. and you might just get a deal.

Zeek said:

Reid Land Rovers in Horsham always seem to have a few, but has anyone got any experience with them?

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Hi Tim (good name!)

I bought my 1991 Defender 90 from Reid Land Rovers before Christmas. My advice would be to proceed with extreme caution and if you're not technically minded or not very good at haggling (like myself) then get someone to come and look at it with you. I purchased the car on impulse as I was without a vehicle at the time. I hadn't actually seen it with my own eyes until the day I collected it (a family member saw it an took a few pics though).

When I collected the car it hadn't been cleaned - I pressure washed it when I got home and there was an unbeleivable amount of crud underneath. There was even a birds nest complete with eggs by the fuel tank! This gives an indication of the level of pre-sales preparation.

The garage also 'accidently' cashed a deposit cheque - so just beware of any 'admin errors.' They didn't really seem to care much at all. It came with a 6 month warranty - be sure to check what this includes (mainly things that never break!).

I obviously love my car now. Every time I get the bucket and sponge out I have images of the before and after pictures on the RSPCA adverts!

Good luck on your search though, hope I haven't put you off. I'm sure many other people may have very good stories to tell you about these people.

All the best,
Tim

The Riddler said:

There was even a birds nest complete with eggs by the fuel tank! This gives an indication of the level of pre-sales preparation.

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Nice one Tim! I haven't been down there to see them yet, but I'll have a good look over everything they have in stock!

Thanks for the advice so far chaps. I suppose I just need to look at as many as I can from all angles possible, and will likely have a better idea of what a "good one" is when and if I stumble across one!

RCV were really friendly, and seemed happy to spend time chatting. They even took me into the workshop to show a new galvanised chassis going into an old 90!

Is there a decent buyers guide anywhere? Having worked out what to look at, pics of good and bad examples of the important bits would be really useful!

Some great tips already, so any more are always welcome

Tim

everytime you see one parked up go have a look at it - go have a good look at a few that are advertised local to you - read plenty on the tinterweb and you'll soon get a understanding of whats good and whats not - try and find someone local ish who knows and would come with you to vet "the one" when you find it

whatever you do dont go looking with money burning a hole in your pocket as you could end up with a pile of rust - but be prepared to put down a deposit when you find a J reg minter for less than a grand

Nice looking one on fleabay not far from you
1996 LAND ROVER 90 DEFENDER COUNTY SW TDI BLUE on eBay, also, Land Rover Range Rover, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 11-Jul-08 23:03:58 BST)

Patman1200 said:

Nice looking one on fleabay not far from you
1996 LAND ROVER 90 DEFENDER COUNTY SW TDI BLUE on eBay, also, Land Rover Range Rover, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 11-Jul-08 23:03:58 BST)

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Also noticed that one, and have requested more pics. I'll see if I can go over to view when I get a response from the seller. Just wanted to make sure I knew what I was looking for before booking viewings with private sellers!

Wonder what the reserve it?
Why do people bother with a hidden reserve? If you want a least a certain price for it then start the bidding at that price????

Patman1200 said:

Wonder what the reserve it?
Why do people bother with a hidden reserve? If you want a least a certain price for it then start the bidding at that price????

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Exactly my thoughts. I also noticed that with this one:
1997 LAND ROVER 90 DEFENDER COUNTY SW TDI BLUE on eBay, also, Land Rover Range Rover, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 17-Jul-08 21:09:21 BST)

They say they won't let on the price they want! Well, I'm not going to come and view it if I don't know if it is in budget am I?!

No wonder neither of these has any bids on them.

Sean said:

try and find someone local ish who knows and would come with you to vet "the one" when you find it

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Just in case there is anyone on here who is localish and can make sure the right bits have been hit hard enough to make sure they are solid, I'd obviously make it worth their while!

Hi Zeek,
I have only heard good things about Roberts Country Vehicles, A bit expensive but you get what you pay for.

hello zeek,i bought my "90" from reids,having dealt with them before,thought there would be no probs,I paid over the top so it seems, had a fair bit of work done to get things put to rights,so deal with caution!!! you could try the thatched garage over at east hoathley.got some reasonable ones down there plus the odd "bargain.

This is where mine originaly came from and was serviced there from new.
Used, Pre-owned Land Rovers For Sale - The Man For Landrovers, Sussex UK
I bought privately but he knew the car and was happy to confirm service history etc.
Seemed like a decent sort of bloke on the phone. Even offered me a discount on my next service if I take it back to him.
The guy I bought mine from paid £12k for it in 2007 and I got it for a tad under £7k (he'd had it for a year) including the Hannibal roof rack and five new wheels and tyres.
He wanted best bit of £9k but ready cash speaks for itself.
Good luck and if you come to see any in the North Surrey area (Guildford/Woking/Camberley etc) drop me a line and if I'm able I could come along with you. I work off shore on five week rotations so when I'm home I have time to kill.
Cheers
Steve

Big Vic said:

Hi Zeek,
I have only heard good things about Roberts Country Vehicles, A bit expensive but you get what you pay for.

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Cheers Vic. They seemed pretty genuine and helpful yesterday. They had a D-reg ex-BT 90, which had been hand painted military green! Looked great, but at 4500, definitely over-priced...Looks like they get a good turnover of stock so I'll keep a look out.

viking said:

hello zeek,i bought my "90" from reids,having dealt with them before,thought there would be no probs,I paid over the top so it seems, had a fair bit of work done to get things put to rights,so deal with caution!!! you could try the thatched garage over at east hoathley.got some reasonable ones down there plus the odd "bargain.

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Nice one. I'm going to head over there tomorrow. It's only about 10-15 mins from me...I'll see what they have!

Shifty1962 said:

This is where mine originaly came from and was serviced there from new.
Used, Pre-owned Land Rovers For Sale - The Man For Landrovers, Sussex UK
I bought privately but he knew the car and was happy to confirm service history etc.
Seemed like a decent sort of bloke on the phone. Even offered me a discount on my next service if I take it back to him.
The guy I bought mine from paid £12k for it in 2007 and I got it for a tad under £7k (he'd had it for a year) including the Hannibal roof rack and five new wheels and tyres.
He wanted best bit of £9k but ready cash speaks for itself.
Good luck and if you come to see any in the North Surrey area (Guildford/Woking/Camberley etc) drop me a line and if I'm able I could come along with you. I work off shore on five week rotations so when I'm home I have time to kill.
Cheers
Steve

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Cheers Steve, thanks for the offer, that's great! I've been looking for pics of rusted cross members etc to know what not to look for
I have only just moved over this way from near Leatherhead, so have also been looking at the Surrey places...If you (or anyone) spots anything around them that looks good, let me know!

let us know how you get on, keep a cool head,resist the impulse!!!

viking said:

let us know how you get on, keep a cool head,resist the impulse!!!

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I really should probably leave my wallet at home
Nah, tomorrow should just be a fact-finding mission! Or is this how it works on here? Someone asks for help, and then the next day the "Look what I just bought..." thread appears