Engine Type and running cost

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Slyone

New Member
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3
I'm thinking of buying a Land Rover, probably a 90, not sure if I really have space, or need a 110. I will have up to £7000 to spend on it, once I manage to flog my car. I just read the awsome guide on This thread:
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/buying-2nd-hand-90-a-33194.html
and have been having a good trawl through these forums.

The one thing I am still not sure about though, is the expected running cost of the various engine choices. Just how thirsty is the V8 Petrol, and what is the difference between the 200 and 300 models as far as running costs?

I quite like the idea of getting an ex MOD one, as I like the look of the olive green / camo, matt finish, but I still consider the overall condition, and maintenance costs to be a bigger factor, than purely the looks of the thing, so will still consider the normal civy versions as well. My old man used to have a defender back in the early 80's, but has had a Discovery for the last few years, so I have some limited experience with landrovers. I just really like the style and ruggedness of the defender. I want to get into some off road driving, and I think a slower car than my current one, will help me to keep a clean licence, as I tend to go a bit fast in my saloon car :eek:.

My main questions are:
  1. If anyone has any data on MPG efficiency or reliability of the various types I would appreciate your thoughts.
  2. Are there are any models I should steer clear of. ?
  3. What sort of speeds can you cruse at on the motorway, as they are unavoidable these days?
  4. How Noisy are they when on roads at speed?
  5. Can anyone reccomend any good web sites to look for Ex MOD ones?

Thanks for any input.
 
My 300tdi gets about 27MPG and over 30 on long hauls.

My 2.5N/A gets about the same believe it or not.

The 300 will cruise fine at 70 with the ability to go faster if need be, the 2.5 will do 70 after a short wind up and driving it like a truck; always looking ahead, not getting stuck behind a slow bugger who will take all your momentum, and getting good runs up hills, using brakes only when really needed.

Stay clear of ones that have been used for launching boats in the sea, you get numptys who reverse into the sea with them, not sure if they have heard of salt water and metal not being friends. You can usually tell if the rear crossmember is in a really sorry state.

I get a bit of excess noise with Mud tryes on, but with road tyres its not really that bad, plenty of soundproofing can be got.

Magazines are good for ex MOD, I get Landrover International occasionaly and there is a HEAP of them for sale in there every week.
 
Hi
I had a mint condition ex-army 90 which I bought from Witham Specialist Vehicles. They are the ones to go to for sure - http://www.witham-sv.com/ Apparently ALL MOD vehicles go through them. They then sell directly or sell in bulk to other ex-military dealers.
It had Michelin XCL's which do whine on the road but are amazing off road. I took it to devils pit a few years ago and I was the only one who could drive up the steep muddy hill without even slipping - everyone else either needed towing up or skidded all over the place.
It had a 2.5 litre normally aspirated diesel and was slow up hill but would do 70mph - cruise at a bit less.
 
the v8 are very thirsty. id keep away from them unless your father owns esso or summat.
if your swapping from a normal saloon car do remember that the diesel landy is basically a truck. so you wont be screaming around town trying to impress the girlies.
in fact you wont be screaming anywhere. they are all noisy, just turn up the radio.
enjoy driving slower and see/smell the flowers. enjoy.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I used to drive a great big Merc 308 van for about 5 years, which was kitted out as a camper in the back. That used to slow down when I so much as looked at a hill, so a Land Rover will seem speedy in comparison.

You verified my concerns about the V8, I don't want to have to drive around with a petrol tanker following me. I will keep my eyes on the Witham-sv site you mentioned, I was having a look on their the other day, I just have to resist buying a tank though ;), I'm pretty sure you don't get good MPG in one of those.

And Land Rover girls are lower maintenance, and more reliable than sports car ones, so there should be no trouble there.:rolleyes:
 
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