How do i cut running costs

I am currently looking to buy a defender 90 as my first car. the only problem I see with it is that it will be expensive to run. Can anyone suggest how I could cut down the fuel costs for the land rover. I am wondering whether a newer engine will be more fuel efficient.

I would be using the Defender mostly on road but some times off road.

fit or get one with a 200TDi.

and hello to you too

buy a fiesta diesal..

buy my disco and spend the winter repairing it ?

walk and wellcome

douglasfaulkner said:

I am currently looking to buy a defender 90 as my first car. the only problem I see with it is that it will be expensive to run. Can anyone suggest how I could cut down the fuel costs for the land rover. I am wondering whether a newer engine will be more fuel efficient.

I would be using the Defender mostly on road but some times off road.

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seriously tho we admire you for a great choice of vehicle.
but the defender has the aerodynamics of a brick
the comfort of a brick
the fuel efficiency of a barge boat
and all the refinements of a wheelbarrow

smiles per gallon is off the scale
mpg? well if your worried about that then forget the defender.
i also suggest you look at insurance b4 you buy one aswell

run it on chip oil.

Wear a good coat and don't bother with the heater.
Make sure that you stay under 30mph.

That said, defenders are good fun and easy to work on. Try and find a 200 or 300 tdi that has minimal rot. Look after her and she will last you - after all, 75% of landys ever made are still running.

good luck on insuring one for your first vehicle, i had to wait til i was 20 before i could get a landy and the insurance came under £1500

bluehaze said:

Wear a good coat and don't bother with the heater.

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that helps cut down on running costs ?

Takes power to run.

More to the point landys are brill but how do you measure pleasure?

bluehaze said:

Takes power to run.

More to the point landys are brill but how do you measure pleasure?

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turning the dependers heater off is going to cut down on running costs !!!!

your haven't got a Scottish relation called BoB who lives down south have you ?

that's the sort of nonsense he comes out with

The motor for the heater will draw about an amp from the battery, which in therory will cause extra strain on the alt, and hence cause more fuel to be used......

You will have about a teaspoon of fuel every 10,000 miles, but i guess some people like the cold - you would save more if you removed the heater altogether, to save weight est advice is to get a 200tdi engine - around 30mpg, and run on cooking oil - if you can find a free supply, and have the time to filter it - BUT BE CAREFULL -I RAN INTO MAJOR PROBLEMS ON A LONG VERY COLD RUN UP THE M1 A FEW WEEKS AGO WHERE IT GOT SO COLD IT TURNED SOLID INSIDE THE FUEL FILTER - if your going down this route atleast get a heated fuel filter, and DON'T RUN IT IN A 2.5TD - and read all the threads on here

Other option is to get a V8 and get it converted to run on LPG - you can do this with a diesel as well but very expensive and more dificult to find somebody to do the job.

Or get a smart car

B

jamescronin said:

and DON'T RUN IT IN A 2.5TD

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the 19J engine LOVES veggy oil

Douglas - only joking about the heater as it's probably cheaper to run than buying a new thermal hat!

I think it depends on your initial budget. My next door neighbour has a v8 converted to lpg which is quite economical - that said, it was already converted when he purchased it.

200 / 300 tdis do about 30 mpg - not sure about the later models

No matter which one you get, she needs to be regularly serviced. As most of these tasks can be done, if you're prepared to, by yourself. Hence, saving you annual running costs.

If you're after a landy purely for low running costs then I suggest you look else where.

Welcome to the forum.

Disco transfer box, higher gearing means less engine revs - not an issue with off road performance as low ratio is still the same.

Good road biased tyres, less friction than off road tyres - plenty of good ones that will work fine off road too. Bigger overall circumference is good as that increases gearing.

Obviously don't get a petrol, 200tdi, 300tdi or TD5 in a good state should return in the high 20's per gallon - driven carefully I can get 32mpg's from my 300tdi 90 - thats with a Disco transfer box.

Various cheap tweaks will also increase the mpg, such as blanking the EGR valve, keeping tyre pressures up, not carrying loads of rubbish all the time (I must have a good 100Kg of stuff in mine at all times).

Thanks for the advice.
i know the insurance is gunna be high but i think ill cope. just looking into how to reduce some costs like fuel.

some people have suggested free wheeling hubs and overdrive
does that kind of thing help?

douglasfaulkner said:

some people have suggested free wheeling hubs and overdrive
does that kind of thing help?

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just buy a Corsa