Series 3 vs Defender

Hi All
I am after some advice. I am thinking of buying a SWB for my daily drive. I am wanting to spend between £3000 and £5000 for either a direct release ex-mod defender or a series II/IIa. I have a dilemma because I like the charm of the series II but the practicality of the defender.
What do you think?

I think people who want to buy 'direct release' ex-mod land rovers have more money than sense....

Get a good 90 private or, for that money, a great series.

I`ve had both and as a daily driver a Defender would be better in my opinion but it depends on how far you go, and what you are prepared to put up with to get a smile on your face.
For direct release Defenders I would definitely want to know its history - what its had done and where it served ideally. I did that with my series 3 - you should be able to get some of the details from the Museum of Army Transport in Beverley if they are`nt offered on release. I did on my series 3 109 and it was worth doing.

I love series vehicles, I had a series 3 lightweight myself.

But to be totally honest, Defenders do everything better than series anyway. Off road they're better and on road they're better too. With the possible exception of nostalgia, or maybe load carrying due to the leaf springs, the Defender is the evolution of the breed, and is generally better.

That's MY opinion ofcourse.

Beverley Army Transport Museum closed down years ago.

The museum closed to the public but they still hold most of the service records for army vehicles and will supply a print out (if they have the record) for a fee - not much from memory I think mine cost £15 a couple of years ago and told me where my 109 had served in terms of regiments.
The EMLRA were also very helpful and are quite cheap to join

I stand corrected. I was told that the buildings on site had been flattened and new developement taken place. Didn't realise the records dept. still had a prescense there. I only managed to visit the museum once and always promised myself that I would go again but left it too late and it was gone!

buy 1 of each simple lol

I thought that buying direct from the MOD was a cheap option for good solid landorver. Is this not the case? I've seen some really good series privately, but not so many 90s in my price range.
Anyway, that's my problem - thanks for the advice though.

Back to the issue of series vs defender. I just can't decide. Clearly the most sensible option would be a good 90. Somebody talk me out of it...

Most, if not all ex mod landys are now sold through a broker. These brokers perpetuate the myth that these landys are far superior...this is not always the case. Whilst they may have been regularly serviced, the parts are generally low quality (read Britpart) and prone to breaking. Apart from this they will have been driven mostly as if they were on fire (or under fire)...The price will also be inflated due to the brokers cut (20% minimum).

Personally...if its for fun and short trips..get a series in very nice condition...if its a workhorse or for longer journeys, get a decent 90.

Thanks for that. I was heading toward a series and I think you might have pushed me over the edge. My next problem...II/IIA or a III?

Shall i choose the colour too?

I was getting to that. Do you think a nice maroon would go with my eyes?

Humbug said:

I was getting to that. Do you think a nice maroon would go with my eyes?

Click to expand...

Pink it is then

How did you know I was albino?

got to be a series 3 109! the muttz nuttz!

welcome to the site

Thanks for all of your advice and the cheery welcome. After months of agonising over the decision I have decided to go for a series. Is there much a difference in the fuel consumption of a 109 and 88? I am thinking of a deisel but wonder if the cheaper asking price and servicing costs of a petrol make up for the extra fuel.
I noticed a lot of wrongly described vehicles on ebay. Is this usual for ebay?
Cheers