Evening, now looking at buying my first defender and wanted to ask a few things before I go and buy the wrong one. It's not going to be an every day car, just for shooting and a bit of running around.
I need one with 3 seats in the front, not seen many about but have seen a set of the three seats new in flea bay for about £180. If I was to buy a 2 seat and console model can I unbolt the console and fit the seat or is it a lot of work??
Also I've got a budget of £8k ish, I'm guessing the td5 model is the more reliable and probably better one to go for? That might come down to personal opinion tho I guess.
Seen a couple going for that sort of money with sub 100,000 miles on.
And seen you ban bolt on the fold up seats in the back, are these classed as proper seats? Wasn't sure if seat belts can be fitted or not?

Cheers for any help and answers, I expect this won't be the last time I'm asking questions!!
Cheers
 
300tdi is the one to go for and middle seat can be fitted as described.
Proper seats in the back or just remove them or just fit some if none present.
Plenty at your price range but try for one with new chassis just fitted.
 
Evening, now looking at buying my first defender and wanted to ask a few things before I go and buy the wrong one. It's not going to be an every day car, just for shooting and a bit of running around.
I need one with 3 seats in the front, not seen many about but have seen a set of the three seats new in flea bay for about £180. If I was to buy a 2 seat and console model can I unbolt the console and fit the seat or is it a lot of work??
Also I've got a budget of £8k ish, I'm guessing the td5 model is the more reliable and probably better one to go for? That might come down to personal opinion tho I guess.
Seen a couple going for that sort of money with sub 100,000 miles on.
And seen you ban bolt on the fold up seats in the back, are these classed as proper seats? Wasn't sure if seat belts can be fitted or not?

Cheers for any help and answers, I expect this won't be the last time I'm asking questions!!
Cheers
I have a CSW which came with the third seat (since removed and replaced with cubby box). Have a serious think about the practicality of a third seat with the passengers right leg between the transmission tunnel and handbrake lever and also the gear lever between their legs!
 
Plus you only have a lap strap seat belt, in an impact they would headbutt the dash after impairing themselves on the gear-lever!
 
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Sounds like the perfect seat for the mother in law!!!!

Might not bother with that in that case then, going to test drive one at the weekend and have a good look over it. Not in any hurry tho. Cheers for the advice!
 
The middle seat has been taken out of new ones for a reason. God awful they were.
 
Id go for the Td5 at that price! Mines been very reliable to date, and I've put 25000 miles on her in 2 1/2 years! I use it for work (tree surgeon) and play, and as an everyday car. Much more refined than any tdi, and very powerful and torquey, especially with a remap.

I always use the 3 seats across the front, very handy and quite fun for greenlaning and such!

Be extremely careful to check for chassis rust on any td5, as I think they are worse than tdi's in this respect!
 
The middle seat would only be used occasionally if the Mrs and boy are both with me, she's seen the inside of one and said she's off to get a tetanus jab before I buy one!!! Might just stick her in the back tho.
A mates got a 300 tdi so I'm going to have a drive of that at the weekend and looking at a td5 for sale which is only 10 mins away and have a drive of that as well.
Like I said tho, not in any hurry for one, will wait for one I like rather than the first one I see.
 

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