What's it's like to own a defender

Bloody painful and exspensive
But i would not change it for the world, well not yet
ask me when ive done the rebuild

I have no experience of a TD5 Defender. Mine is a 200tdi and I love it. Parts are cheap. most jobs I can tackle myself. I have a cheap LandRover garage nearby for the jobs I can't handle. If I was to change it, I wouldn't know what to get. I have lost interest in car's.
It has recently completed a 7000 Kilometer trip through France , Spain and across Morocco through some extreme conditions without any problems. I have a few jobs to do on it at the moment to get it ready for another trip in 2016. You can't do that with a car.
"Living with Larry" my Land Rover Discovery 1 300TDI: Day 2 Morocco 4x4 off road tour

I've had my 2003 TD5 110 SW for 2 years and other than a replacement power steering box it's run faultlessly. Buy the best you can and keep on top of maintenance either yourself or using a good independent garage. I think describing them as an everyday classic car sums them up perfectly.

mikescuba said:

If I was to change it, I wouldn't know what to get. I have lost interest in car's.

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This sums it up for me :amen:. I have had a 89 90 for nearly 5 years, always "doing stuff" which always ends up with me doing more stuff which was unexpected in order to complete doing the original stuff! :violin:

Its my hobby and passion - your family and friends will never have to think hard on Xmas and birthday prezzies for you - mugs, t-shirts, keyrings, models, clocks, hoodies (which I got all last bday) etc - every year since, and love all of them!!

I seriously would have 90's and 110's galore if I won the lottery (mostly 200's and 300's) not fancy new cars. And thats the truth. (maybe a new RR sport )

I wonder if there is an organisation called 'Land Rovers Anonymous' so that, some might be cured of the addiction if ever they feel the need!

... On second thoughts ...

its like riding a unicorn into the pearly gates where mila kunis and jennifer lopez are waiting for you and there is a endless supply of beer, who am I kidding, it's frustrating, un nerving, loud, scary and a hell of a lot of fun, I wouldnt be without mine

Well said. If Carlsberg made cars...

Brown said:

Of the various Landyzone denizens there are a few who entrust maintenance of their TD5s mostly to a garage and manage to survive, like 110 Woman. And she manages to do it on a nurse's wages too! So it's not impossible.

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Finding the right garage is key - in fairness - apart from the stuff I've broken because I've been throwing it up and down the side of mountains - she really has been very very kind to me in all my years of ownership and very very forgiving of even the lack of any basic maintenance

Am determined this is the year when she's going to get serviced - or maybe early next year


If there was just one thing I could change though it'd be the fact that water pours all over my right foot every time its hoofing it down and my right arm is always bastard frozen from the draft that comes from the gap where the heater slide controls are

110woman said:

my right arm is always bastard frozen from the draft that comes from the gap where the heater slide controls are

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A thicker cardi or wind cheater perhaps

At the moment all it seems to do is cost me money.
My own fault really but will be worth it when it's done.

I've never driven a TD5 tratter so was wondering did LR ever do anything about that ridge on the door card which digs into your right leg..?

..no doubt you still have to open the window for elbow room

The door cards are different for sure though cant comment on leg digging!

They're not that expensive when you think everyone else will buy a new car every 3 years. Just use that money to tart the landie up.

I spent 7k on a 90 SW that had been well kept but needed some work, I'm a further 2k in to it but I haven't lifted a finger. I should really learn.......

there never finished

Question for you all it seen a defender 1999 td5 s reg 5700 new paint job no welding on the chassis and upgraded grille but it's on a cat c due to doors bonnet and rear door being stolen! What do you think of the price expensive or just stay away from a cat c

Probably too much trouble to buy an ex-write off. Unless you're the sort of person who enjoys that sort of thing. There are plenty more out there with perfect histories and HPI clear backgrounds for around the £6000 mark so why invite problems?

is it a 90 or 110 your after

90 td5 I am after

shame ive got a 110 td5 going up for sale soon

What's it like.