Thinking of getting a Defender 90

Not been on here since I sold my freelander (not sure why I did that tbh)..

I'm thinking of getting a project car and I'm leaning towards a Defender 90.

a few questions:

• Is there any that I should avoid?
• Can the rear body panels easily be changed? for example if I wanted one with rear windows can I just buy a roof and side panels etc?
• What sort of mpg should I expect from the diesel (2.5?) TDi?

Cheers for now.

op2:

question 2 answered with a quick browse of the forum.. back to some more reading..

Edit: Can this be moved to the 90 / 110 Section Please.

You learn quickly grasshopper.

Bonus.
2.5N/A 22-25mpg
200tdi 25-30mpg

Thanks Storm.

200dti looks a little more economical then.

lofty69 said:

Thanks Storm.

200dti looks a little more economical then.

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Its the engine of choice for most people...loads of threads on it. More power and more economical basically. It will be more expensive to buy a 90/defender with a 200tdi in it...however if you're confident enough its not too hard a swap...can find an engine for 250ish...then 200 for pipes and a new clutch etc.

I'd buy a truckcab model as theres always loads of van sides on ebay cheap..finding a good cab is a little harder.

how lofty are ya lofty?Maybe ya right arm wont fit in, maybe ya heed wont fit in....

Dont let the disco army put you off...i'm 6'1...but not a lard-arse.

goonarmy said:

how lofty are ya lofty?Maybe ya right arm wont fit in, maybe ya heed wont fit in....

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Lofty in name only

Avoid one with a rotten chassis unless you like welding or can aford a new one.

defender economical!!!:hysterically_laughi

wiltshire landyman said:

defender economical!!!:hysterically_laughi

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my defenders super econimical.i get 30mpg and no running costs at the daft stealers to plug it in.It just costs me fuel.I use it for work so its kinda self propelled and personally find it the most economical vehicle for where i live.

My old disco 300 was fairly economical, for what it was, couldnt complain, i drove it like a landy nice and sensible

I loved the engine, just a shame the disco fell apart all around it, i sold it to a guy who was going to re build it, galvo chassis etc, seemed like a lot of work to me, but apart from the rust the rest of the car was spot on, and he reckons he has a mate who rebuilds these piece of ****

I too am looking for a defender, my choice will be a 300tdi as the engine was faultless on the disco

i know where there is a nice red 200tdi defender

Any idea what year power steering was introduced on the defender.. Had a quick look on google but can't see anything.

i think the defender/90/110 always had it as an option as my old 1988 110 had it

my 1988 has PaS (90), the 200TDi is the choice for motor, but you will pay more for one with it fitted than you would buying it seperately and fitting it yourself ( a fairly straightforward job so i've heard ).

Economical as a 2.5TD? It depends on how you drive and what you use it for, personally i use a mix of veg oil & diesel and it costs virtually nothing to run but i did change a few bits first to be sure ( filter, pump & injectors ( on their way! ) as well as new glowplugs soon).

To fill my tank up costs me £20 in diesel, the rest in veg oil which has been filtered a few times and other than taking your time starting her, she runs very well.

Yes i sit on the motorway @ 60mph with the wind behind me, but it doesn't bother me, again it's how you drive depends on what engine you want. I would love a 200 or 300 in mine but atm I'm a poor fooker due to unforeseen bills landing on my lap, but that's life

Check the chassis, it's been covered here loads of times on how to, check the docs, check the owner, and get as much history of it as you can. I bought mine and it is in good nick but the list of stuff i want to do to her is huge....but that's the fun of owning an old 90

Cheers Paul, much appreciated.

lr110 said:

i think the defender/90/110 always had it as an option as my old 1988 110 had it

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That's good to know, don't need to go as new then.

goonarmy said:

how lofty are ya lofty?Maybe ya right arm wont fit in, maybe ya heed wont fit in....

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I'm 6'2" and bordering on a lardy. Took me by surprise when I first started to drive my 90 at how small the cab is, but it's a good sitting position and you soon get used to it.