Liveridge 4x4

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hutchingsp

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Anyone have any experiences?

I'm looking for a Defender and they're relatively local but, and I guess this is a "getting into the Defender vs. normal cars mindset", they seem to do a lot of build to order so when you're looking around the yard their vehicles are pretty much unprepped because as I had it explained to me, they see little point in putting in all the time/work when a lot of customer will then ask for it to be "undone" in the form of various other work/mods.

The flip-side is that to a green newbie like me it takes one hell of a leap of faith when you're almost being asked to "imagine" what the finished article will look like if you see something that slightly takes your eye.

I freely admit that may sound a bit stupid but hopefully it makes some sense...
 
no experience with them but do you specifically want defender built for you? you could just get one first and add bits later...
 
MrJC said:
Do a 'search' of Liveridge 4x4 (window above) this will help :)
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Thanks, though I've already done that - bit surprised at only 12 matches (and three being threads of mine!) given AIUI they're one of the larger specialists.
 
Okay..... :)There are advantages of getting a Defender prepped but you really do have to be sure it is what you really want. It is as you say.... one hell of a leap of faith. Depends on your budget.
What do you want from your Defender? Will it be your main vehicle from day one? Would you want to or can you do work on it yourself? Is this just a whim? Lets be honest, a Defender is slow, uncomfortable and expensive. You have to marry it... not just shag it!
So before you spend your pennies you need to know exactly what you really want. I would suggest you dont dive in at the deepend... take your time, buy a basic 200 or 300tdi. If you get a good one at a good price and you want to marry her... take her to Liveridge 4x4 and go for it.... by that time you will know what you want and you can do a lot of stuff yourself......if not sell it on and you wont lose money.
 
My car is from Liveridge. Generally good and think they want to sort any issues. I am taking mine in for 1000miles check up on Tues so will let you know how they deal with my issues. Got to say, so far so good but lets see. Where are you from ?
 
I think I worded my original post badly.

I'm used to the "normal car" thing of going to a dealers, seeing a row of shiny cars that are more or less prepped for sale barring a wash down.

Liveridge seem to specialize in custom stuff to the extent that most vehicles they have, even if they look fine spec-wise as it is, aren't prepped, they're just outside on display and they do all the prep/cosmetic stuff when they're sold - essentially it's a bit unnerving even if the reasons they give, and the reputation that they have, doesn't worry me.

For example they've an L-plate truck in blue at £4700, I suspect it would scrub up nicely but it'd be a hell of a lot nicer to see it scrubbed up before taking the plunge but it's just not how they work, their prerogative of course.

Oh and it is as a toy, I would hope I'd use it a fair bit but it's a second car as the main one is a sports with no storage and **** in the snow (not that I'm trying to justify a toy with 2" of snow two days a year :))
 
Chap, further to my earlier response. Dont worry about a scrub up, that is the least of LR probs. Benefit of warranty is you can test the equip and beat it up a bit. I would rather have a dirty car with good under stuff than a shinny pile of pants
 
kwhajh said:
Chap, further to my earlier response. Dont worry about a scrub up, that is the least of LR probs. Benefit of warranty is you can test the equip and beat it up a bit. I would rather have a dirty car with good under stuff than a shinny pile of pants
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Thanks, that does make sense - as I said I think it's a mindset thing :)

I know it's easy to buy a pig in lipstick. I'm near Tamworth and you know how the stock situation seems to be with most places at the moment so impatience is getting the better of me even if it is a toy/no rush etc.
 
Hi. I bought my defender 300tdi 110 from Liveridges about 4 years ago. I specifically wanted a 200 or 300tdi and looked for ages to try and find something I could use as my daily driver. Until you start looking for something decent you don't realise how hard it is to find something. Liveridges sourced a 300tdi 110 hardtop for me and let me spec the rest. It was expensive but I had to come to the conclusion that for me to find a decent example and get a windows out respray myself would of also cost a lot ! But all said and done it is still an old Landrover so has given me aggravation for the last 50k miles and I was dissapointed that the chassis needed welding and a new rear cross member after only 2 years and some the electrics they were responsible for I redid myself. Liveridges famously plaster everything underneath in a very thick coat of underseal so it's very hard to see exactly what your getting unless of course you insist on seeing it before hand or provide your own vehicle. Would I use Liveridges again ??? I'm not sure. I think the more I've learnt about defenders the more I'd be inclined to buy something solid but tatty and do the tarting up myself. I wouldn't be without it thou.
 
I had my land rover 90 rebuilt by liveridge and it was a total waste of time and quite a lot of money. The engine was not serviced all the oils was not change holes in the bulk head which thay covered up with wax oil not a very good body spray the only thing good about the rebuild was the rear cross member. I have learnt my lesson the hard way do the job yourself if you have got the time and space.
 
hutchingsp said:
Thanks, that does make sense - as I said I think it's a mindset thing :)

I know it's easy to buy a pig in lipstick. I'm near Tamworth and you know how the stock situation seems to be with most places at the moment so impatience is getting the better of me even if it is a toy/no rush etc.
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have a chat to tony at alldrive, based in woodville, nr swadlincote, he is sound and may be able to help with a good motor, start with a good solid one to begin and add what bits you need as you gotakes time depending on yr finances but worth it, been adding bits to mine for ages and still got quite a wish list, latest thing is lpg (V8 too thirsty) some great lanes on yr doorstep, used to live in tamworth, know them well around no mans heath, twycross, odstone etc

happy hunting
 
muddyone said:
have a chat to tony at alldrive, based in woodville, nr swadlincote, he is sound and may be able to help with a good motor, start with a good solid one to begin and add what bits you need as you gotakes time depending on yr finances but worth it, been adding bits to mine for ages and still got quite a wish list, latest thing is lpg (V8 too thirsty) some great lanes on yr doorstep, used to live in tamworth, know them well around no mans heath, twycross, odstone etc

happy hunting
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Thanks, not heard of them - will try and give them a buzz.

Still looking but there's a few that look decent (on paper etc.) at either A V Neath, Nene Overland and Dunsfords - be interested in any opinions on those beyond the obvious search/google stuff.
 
Folks, I said I would let you know how 1000 mile check went. So far (pick up car tomorrow) Liveridge ownership has been good and are replacing / resolving the issues raised. The biggest of these being the steering box replacement which has big leak...in fairness post purchase but no debate. They have pushed back on dirty (big style) alternator that has drained battery but given off roading this seems acceptable to me and they have said they will try to clean it out so not cost to me. I can only report on what I experience but I would give them a 8/10 so far, will update if outcome tomorrow changes this.
 
Hi, i rang around alot of private people selling landys and cheekily had conversations with some of them, just to get a good idea of what to buy and what to look for. I was told to check out a site called PistonHeads.com :: Speed Matters The people selling vehicles on there are mostly enthusiasts, this is where i bought my 1991 Defender 90 200tdi from, it was mint and at a good price also (£3850). It's done 213k and has a large box full of receipts etc....The previous owner was an enthusiast.

Also l was told to look through the classified ad's in the monthly landy mags as these people are also enthusiasts/genuine people. I found Liverridge and other landy dealers to be expensive, if you take my landy for instance, at liverridge they would be asking I would say over £5000 with all the extras it has on it, the only difference is the warranty, and three months at that, it's £170 for the extra 9 months warranty at Liverridge.

I would look around and buy private, you will know a knacker from a good one straight away just by checking it's history with the owner, Check chassis as much as you can and bulk head, then when you get it change all the oils and give it a service yourself for peace of mind. There are alot of mint landys out there for the right price, you'll know one when you come across one i can gaurentee it. Just keep looking, I found a guy on ebay selling landys aswell and he had a mint one for the same price i paid for mine with less miles but the downside was it had no off road kit on it. Thats another thing you need to consider, whether you want it off road ready or if your going to spend more money doin it yourself. I'm waffleing on now so am going, just have a think about those few pointers.
 
Without going into detail, got LR90 back today and think Liveridge were ok without being outstanding. I think they stung me for about £50 due to hand break repair which was partly down to me and some down to a necessary replacement (warranty) but suspect I paid for too much labour. They did however absorb the other costs and replaced steering box which is of course significant. So overall, 80% happy.
 
I bought my Defender 110 from Liveridge June last year and it has had a catalogue of problems since. Some problems which occurred during the first 1000 miles and were supposed to have been fixed by Liveridge are still going wrong, in particular electrical problems. One of the most expensive so far was five new wheels, as Liveridge had fitted tubed wheels with tubeless tyres and I was averaging a puncture a week! The landrover was a £15,000 refurb. But all I can say, is the refurb didn't extend to the electrics which are in appalling condition with old wiring and poor and bodged rewiring. Like the authors of previous posts, I've found the whole engine compartment and under carriage has been coated in think black paint. Making it impossible to spot anything. The whole respray is pretty poor too, as the paint work is now flaking back to the original colour. Would I buy from them again? Probably not as you pay far too much for the quality of the landrover you get.
 
I think Liveridge are out the frame anyway mainly due to price and I don't think their target market is the "I want that bog standard unmolested one please" people i.e. me!

The hunt continues and it's ****ing depressing how little is out there unless you live in Wiltshire or Perthshire!
 
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