Defender 90 - Priority List

Ok, so im on the hunt for a defender 300 tdi, max price of approx 6.5k. Im looking for one with windows and seats in the back.

While browsing i see most of them have different plus points and some different minus points.

What are the top priorities when looking at these?

For e.g im looking at a 1996 defender 90 300tdi county for £6600 with 158k miles on it and it has a good service history, very clean inside, only rough part seems to be back door. It has Galvanised chasis within past couple of years and everything that goes with it, however the mileage is putting me off.

Land Rover Defender 90 County 300 TDi (galvanised chassis) | eBay

Im also looking at a 1996 defender 90 300tdi county for £6200 with 86k miles on it and seems to be really clean although no pictures of underside or what all has been done, has only had 2 owners and this person has owned for past 9 years.

Land Rover Defender 90 TDI 300 | Hayling Island | Gumtree

Any thoughts on which seems like it is the best buy?

£6200 seems a lot for one that doesn't have a galv chassis, maybe you could ask for more info?

I wouldn't worry too much about mileage, everything on a defender can be swapped anyway. It does look clean and like not much needs doing. I would factor in the cost of a new back door though, if it has had that wheel on it...

james6546 said:

£6200 seems a lot for one that doesn't have a galv chassis, maybe you could ask for more info?

I wouldn't worry too much about mileage, everything on a defender can be swapped anyway. It does look clean and like not much needs doing. I would factor in the cost of a new back door though, if it has had that wheel on it...

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I reckon its probably that price as he sees it as a reasonably clean fender with low miles, could probably barter him down to about £5800-£5900. Im going to phone him later and request more pics though as those tell me nothing really.

Im going to look at the one with the galvanised chasis tonight, any advice on how to check back door needing replacement? Just a lot of play in it when opening and closing or it will be rotten from inside out behind the wheel? I was worried about the mileage on this one though, but nothing to be worried about then?

Lostinspace said:

I reckon its probably that price as he sees it as a reasonably clean fender with low miles, could probably barter him down to about £5800-£5900. Im going to phone him later and request more pics though as those tell me nothing really.

Im going to look at the one with the galvanised chasis tonight, any advice on how to check back door needing replacement? Just a lot of play in it when opening and closing or it will be rotten from inside out behind the wheel? I was worried about the mileage on this one though, but nothing to be worried about then?

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I wouldn't say so, but wait a bit for the more experienced people to come along.

The 300tdi will easily do 250k miles, and even then you can pick up a cheap disco to take the engine out of.

Just make sure you check all of the gears, inc the transfer box and diff lock. Make sure when you put the diff lock on the light on the dash comes on, and it goes back out when you take it back off.

Also, it could just be me, or does it look like there is no serpentine belt on that engine?!

The rear door usually cracks just under the glass on the inside, as the tyre causes it to flex. Also check the bottom of it for rust.

james6546 said:

I wouldn't say so, but wait a bit for the more experienced people to come along.

The 300tdi will easily do 250k miles, and even then you can pick up a cheap disco to take the engine out of.

Just make sure you check all of the gears, inc the transfer box and diff lock. Make sure when you put the diff lock on the light on the dash comes on, and it goes back out when you take it back off.

Also, it could just be me, or does it look like there is no serpentine belt on that engine?!

The rear door usually cracks just under the glass on the inside, as the tyre causes it to flex. Also check the bottom of it for rust.

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Thanks for your help

Will update when i get a look at this one later.

That mileage is okay, mine has 175 thou' on and still pulls strong and cleanly.
All back doors rot from the inside out. MIne has had back wheel on for some time and all is OK with the hinges.
My chassis is solid but I am still muttering to her indoors that a galvanised chassis would be nice ( bulkhead is galvanised ).

So, ignore the mileage side of things. Just check it all drives properly ( brake hard and listen for any clunks...could be bushes or prop UJ's etc ) - I was shafted with a duff gearbox off a fellow member from here when I bought mine (which still irritates me to this day !!!!!! ). Check also for leaks...you've heard it all before "they all do that Sir" and small leaks are acceptable...and I mean small !!! Any larger leaks from gearbox/engine etc, walk away.

Good luck !

Go for the galv one first, Hayling is near the coast and we all know what salty atmospheres do to landies!

Plus the one in Hayling isn't a 'proper' CSW (no roof linings / wrong seats etc)

Lostinspace said:

Ok, so im on the hunt for a defender 300 tdi, max price of approx 6.5k. Im looking for one with windows and seats in the back.

While browsing i see most of them have different plus points and some different minus points.

What are the top priorities when looking at these?

For e.g im looking at a 1996 defender 90 300tdi county for £6600 with 158k miles on it and it has a good service history, very clean inside, only rough part seems to be back door. It has Galvanised chasis within past couple of years and everything that goes with it, however the mileage is putting me off.

Land Rover Defender 90 County 300 TDi (galvanised chassis) | eBay

Im also looking at a 1996 defender 90 300tdi county for £6200 with 86k miles on it and seems to be really clean although no pictures of underside or what all has been done, has only had 2 owners and this person has owned for past 9 years.

Land Rover Defender 90 TDI 300 | Hayling Island | Gumtree

Any thoughts on which seems like it is the best buy?

Click to expand...

Different application but my 300tdi disco is on 235k at the moment. Still pulls like a train. As long as it's serviced regularly they run forever.