What's it's like to own a defender

Hi guys I want to know what's it like owning a defender td5?
Would someone with no mechanic skills survive thanks

Physics apply....the less mechanical knowledge, the larger the wallet must be....
TBH not that up on this model but always research and try and understand your vehicle, even a bit of know how can save you a lot of dosh

Most of the construction is nuts and bolts and spring clips, the same as any other Land Rover. For the most part, they're not mechanically difficult. What's needed more than engineering expertise is the patience to free off rusted or seized components. As the TD5 is controlled by a "computer" (well, a printed circuit board in a case) you may need specialist equipment (or take it to a garage that does) to identify faults and get access to various data that helps you assess the condition of the engine. I have a Nanocom for mine, which was one of the best tools I've bought for it. 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.

They are expensive whether you are handy with the spanners or not.

Running a Landie is like running a classic car, constant maintenance to ensure they stay in good order.

As long as you buy one with your eyes open, buy the best you can afford and you really like em you'll be fine. But don't expect to buy a Landie and just drive it and leave it like a 'modern' car.

As Harry said you have to think of them as a classic, they will need constant maintenance but can be very easy to fix, I am by no means a mechanic but with a bit of help from here and some great walk through threads I have completed a fair few small jobs myself that I would normally given to a mechanic.

The one thing that's hard to describe to someone who has not owned one is how much you will love the ownership experience. They are slow and do not handle t well but its still the best fun you can have on four wheels, just wait till you take it off road for the first time.

If you get a good one you'll be fine.
I had very little knowledge when I got my td5 , but you soon pick things up.
The key is to start with simple stuff and gain confidence. As has already been said getting the old rusty nuts and bolts off is the worst thing.


Well worth it all though.

Bought mine in February this year. A '06 TD5 90 Hardtop. Love it! Engine wise there's not too much I would want to play with, but I did change over the starter motor easily enough.
I done a good bit of research prior to buying mine though. I made up a decent 'What to look for' guide from what I gathered from the tinterweb...Should be attached.

Thanks for all the help guys more welcome

I bought a 90 (1987) about 3 months ago. It hs a 200tdi Disco conversion. Reason I went for this is due to the fact my mate can do virtually anything that needs doing. He's old school and was brought up with Land rovers. He doesn't have all the smoke and mirrors test kit so doesn't do a lot with the more modern vehicles.
I paid £600 for a head gasket replacement, cam belt and associated work involved and a service (he supplied all the bits as well, decent stuff not Britpart). I was quoted over £400 +vat just for the HG from a 'posher' garage so think his price was a good one and I know it was done properly.
I have limited spannering skills but if it wasn't for my mate i think i could do a lot of the basic stuff, he is replacing the prop/track rod ends and brake pads, which i'm sure I could do if i wanted.
As said above, start with the easy stuff, they are like big meccano sets really and never fail to give the owner a big grin

I do everything myself, I've still spent over 2k in a year on a 5k vehicle, in the same time my Audi has done twice the miles and needed £100 service

Defenders are an absolute nightmare that you will learn to love and hate in equal measure.

Eddybjnr said:

Hi guys I want to know what's it like owning a defender td5?
Would someone with no mechanic skills survive thanks

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If you cant do the work yourself, be prepared to pay quite a lot to get good quality servicing and maintenance.
Keeping any land rover going will involve more small maintenance tasks, checks, top-ups, greasing etc. than a modern car, as stated before, more like a classic car. If looked after, and not abused, they can actually be quite reliable.

If you find a good garage, preferably one that specializes in land rovers and off road stuff and have a decent hourly rate you wont pay as much as you think.
Theres a couple within 20 miles of me charge about 20 quid an hour.

But overall be prepared to pay and expect problems to happen

Funny.

I bought my 2 years back with almost zero mechanical knowledge. Since then I have learnt ALOT.

Best bet is to get a post 2002 TD5, little more refined and the electrics are more reliable.

Cheers I've seems a couple of 1999 td5s around the £5995 mark

SteNova said:

I do everything myself, I've still spent over 2k in a year on a 5k vehicle, in the same time my Audi has done twice the miles and needed £100 service

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Thats a very good way to sum up the ownership experience, if thats the right word

For what it's worth (and this is just reflection, not real knowledge), I bought the best I could afford at the time (a 2002 TD5 with 98k on the clock and no rust issues) and am lucky enough to have a very good local independent who services it for me and does the tricky stuff (I have replaced all the main nuts and bolts with stainless, replaced the lights, added steps and an a-bar but would in no way call myself competent at anything serious mechanically).

The Landy has cost me £140 a year for service, £150 for a new front UJ, about £400 for a new lift pump and probably about another £200 in odd bits and bobs (necessary ones, rather than toys). I don't do a huge mileage (aboUt 5k a year) and have it serviced every 12 months. I have really enjoyed having it (I had a 1964 2a back in the 80's and fell in love then) and have learnt a huge amount from lurking on here and being in awe if some of the things people manage to do to their machines.

Best money I have ever spent, and keep on spending.
I get a thrill every time I get in it (her).
Would not trade her for anything else.

Tbh in relative terms my old 1958 beetle actually needed less maintenance and was cheaper to run/repair than my 1992 defender. But the Defender is so much more fun and easy to use day to day.

I'm searching for my next one it'll be no7 defender 90 . I wouldnt be without one . my 99 td5 needs a new home