want a defender, dont know where to start!

hi guys/girls

New to this forum simply because in the next couple of months i am looking at getting a Defender. I have always had a thing for them and see them as the ultimate Man mobile hahaha. I am finally 21 and have a few years no claims so insurance is sensible now, and i want to get rid of my 08 plate grande punto sport. which dont get me wrong is a nice car and has been brill and fun, but i NEED a defender.

Just wondered if you guys/girls could give me tips on what im best buying with say about £6 - 7k.

im looking at getting a short wheelbase model but other than that not too fussy with hardtop/soft top etc. just need some simple advice on best/most reliable engine, what sort of mileage these machines can do, what i should expect in terms of owning one, common problems etc etc. i will search the forum but just drop any advice in here you can. sorry if this is a re-post of anything smiliar!


Cheers!

best thing to do is search on here,its been coverd a billion times,and pepes will get a tad upset at repeating the same answers over and over again..theres shed loads of info on here.

6-7K should buy you a decent Defender. Dependant on what you want to use it for depends on what body to buy. If like me, you want to use your landy for pay and play days and not really for everyday use, than the truck cab seem to be favoured. (less body to scrap along trees). If you intend to carry more than one other passenger (most truck cabs I've seen have the middle seat repaced with storage). Then go for a station wagon with fold up rear seats.
Truck cabs have poor storage, so hard top vans are always a good option.
It's realy down to what you want to use it for.

As to the spec, personal choice. based on your budget you have the option of two engines. As there are more diesel's available, i've cover these. your options are 200TDI and 300 TDI, there are thousands of posts on which is the best engine. personaly I have a 200TDI and this works fine, i'm sure others will rave on about the best engine. This is done to you.

Apart from that, its down to normal vehicle buyers guide, low milage is better, but need to look over any landy with a fine toothcomb, take someone who knows landys and knows what to look for.

Bottom line, is its personal choice, figure out what you want to use it for and how many people will be traveling in it regularly, than work out the rest from there.

Hope this helps

cheers. more info than the first post!

i just wasnt sure which engines they do in them, but from what you have said and a search i have done seems to be the 200tdi and 300tdi that are mentioned alot. so will look into those and find somebody who knows their stuff to go with me when i look.

still a big maybe yet but its more 80%/20% in favour of yes currently!!

thanks for your reply, i know a lot of it is down to what i need it for etc, just want some re-assurance getting a defender is a good choice going from an 08 plate with no problems to one with possible problems!!

everythign i have read so far is convincing quite well

No problems, good luck. Just remeber defenders are very basic. you won't get the luxury of electric windows/ central locking AC etc, clutch is brutal, road noice is quite loud, unless you Invest in Acoustic matting. Also your only get about 70 mph on motoways.

I was considering a discovery recently, (bit more creature comforts), however, after a recent pay and play day, wouldn't change it for the world.

Defenders are great fun and highly customisable. Nothing else quite like it.

ridgewood12 said:

No problems, good luck. Just remeber defenders are very basic. you won't get the luxury of electric windows/ central locking AC etc, clutch is brutal, road noice is quite loud, unless you Invest in Acoustic matting. Also your only get about 70 mph on motoways.

I was considering a discovery recently, (bit more creature comforts), however, after a recent pay and play day, wouldn't change it for the world.

Defenders are great fun and highly customisable. Nothing else quite like it.

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That depends entirely on the engine that's fitted I doubt a tdi, V8 or TD5 engined defender will be limited to 70mph

I'd get an ex-army one from Witham Specialist Vehicles (just google them). I bought a refurbished 90 LHD afew years back for around £5000 from them - it was fantastic!

110daddy said:

I'd get an ex-army one from Witham Specialist Vehicles (just google them). I bought a refurbished 90 LHD afew years back for around £5000 from them - it was fantastic!

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depends on the age of the 90 really as to whether £5k is a ood price or not. Especially as ex MOD one get well battered whilst in service

ridgewood12 said:

No problems, good luck. Just remeber defenders are very basic. you won't get the luxury of electric windows/ central locking AC etc, clutch is brutal, road noice is quite loud, unless you Invest in Acoustic matting. Also your only get about 70 mph on motoways.

I was considering a discovery recently, (bit more creature comforts), however, after a recent pay and play day, wouldn't change it for the world.

Defenders are great fun and highly customisable. Nothing else quite like it.

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my mates defender has e/w c/l a/c cruise control
even my 200 tdi will easily do 70mph the clutch aint brutal even the mrs can drive it with ease

not saying a 200tdi/300 won't do 70mph +, point is compared to a regular car, speed is not what there built for. As OBrooks hasn't owned a defender before better to lay tthings out straight so he doesn't get a shock when his new defender doesn't do 0-60 in 8 seconds.

My 2.5TD will cruise at 80mph! (and will get there in just over 30 seconds)

Makes a racket mind you

Also worth pointing out the mpg will be arond 30mpg for a 2/300tdi, and 25mpg for a 2.5TD (avoid this engine like the plague - unless like me you a little bit mad)

jamescronin said:

My 2.5TD will cruise at 80mph! (and will get there in just over 30 seconds)

Makes a racket mind you

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how the hell do you manage to get your 2.5td to do 80? mine will only do 70 downhill with the wind behind!

MudHunter said:

how the hell do you manage to get your 2.5td to do 80? mine will only do 70 downhill with the wind behind!

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80 on the Speedo

haha ye thats a point

I can get 90 in my 200tdi (erm, dont try this much, I just wanted to know what it could do, it drinks loads) and I find it really easy to drive. But, the noise (get some music playing) and the blind spots are things to take into consideration. hard top all the way for me, you can store things in it? like a spade

oh and when I got mine, I didn't know anything about landys, still dont really lol. But, check the chasis out, it easily corrodes, but you can protect against it (well help it). Also check for leaks, RE: power steering box as is rather pricey to replace, which is what im about to be doing. I would read read about common problems, then your be informed when you inspect the landy. Get your hands dirty and get under that chasis!

RUDDdefender90 said:

oh and when I got mine, I didn't know anything about landys, still dont really lol. But, check the chasis out, it easily corrodes, but you can protect against it (well help it). Also check for leaks, RE: power steering box as is rather pricey to replace, which is what im about to be doing. I would read read about common problems, then your be informed when you inspect the landy. Get your hands dirty and get under that chasis!

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Brand noo pas box is only £70..

redhand said:

Brand noo pas box is only £70..

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wer from?

Paddocks

edit just looked and they've gone up a bit now £189 Plus vatbut that includes £100 surcharge but you get that back when ya send your old pas box in.

how load do you have the radio when doing 80 in a 19j or do you wear ear defenders. i went from a 19 j to a 200 a little quiter but once you hit 60 its like a wars going on 6-7k will get you a td5 wouldnt it but i belive late 300s hold their money better than early td5s. the 300 is a bit less noisy again than the 200 . and td5s are just beautiful sounding machines . i would go with the 300 less electrics about the last landy that handles diy repairs what else blah blah blah