3

337smile

New Member
Hi.

I apologise if I am posting in the wrong place or doing anything else wrong :) Also I am not an expert on cars or landrovers at all! I can change a tyre and that's about it so please excuse any ignorance.

I am considering buying a 1986 Defender 90 and would like a bit of advice if possible.

Mileage is 100,000

Engine - 2.5 diesel (From what I have read this engine sounds reliable enough but V. slow)

It appears to be in very good condition and owner said it has been rebuilt from the ground up.

Anything I should be asking owner based on above?

Also, what MPG could I be looking at and what price would this vehicle in good condition be fetching?

Thanks in advance


Lee
 
1st thing to remember is if this one doesnt feel right, theres always more to choose from so dont jump in

the 2.5D is slow and noisy but generally reliable, however (and I dont know your budget) check out 200tdi engines

have a poke round undernath on the chassis and check for rot, dont be afraid to give things a knock and a poke.

landrovers are generally noisy, but list for bangs and rattles when accelerating and deaccelerating

is there anyone you can take with you who may be able to help, is it worth shelling out a £100 or so for an AA/RAC inspection

where are you looking at this landrover? there may be someone on here who's local
 
jailon said:
1st thing to remember is if this one doesnt feel right, theres always more to choose from so dont jump in

the 2.5D is slow and noisy but generally reliable, however (and I dont know your budget) check out 200tdi engines

have a poke round undernath on the chassis and check for rot, dont be afraid to give things a knock and a poke.

landrovers are generally noisy, but list for bangs and rattles when accelerating and deaccelerating

is there anyone you can take with you who may be able to help, is it worth shelling out a £100 or so for an AA/RAC inspection

where are you looking at this landrover? there may be someone on here who's local
Click to expand...

Thanks for reply. Just what I was after :)

I'm not jumping in. Saw vehicle on Saturday so having good think and doing plenty research. I emailed garage today and asked about chassis. They are seem to be a fairly reliable garage as my family have bought from them for a while.

I'm in Northumberland.
 
put it this way. you need to know which 2.5 it is

diesel
turbo diesel
200tdi
300tdi

the last two are the better options for mpg and usability
 
I have done some reading on here and found the 200 and 300tdi are best engine option. Pretty sure this is the 2.5 reg, I assume that means the n/a one? Is that engine worth avoiding altogether then?

Thanks for advice so far.
 
It'll be one of the 19J Diesel Turbo engines, one before the 200TDi. They were the 2.5 N/A with a turbo and modifications to help cope with being turbocharged.

From what I found when I was buying, you seem take a gamble with the 19J, you'll either get a good one that'll see you on for a while, or a bad one that'll give you nightmares of raining oil. It's not always apparent which it is until you've lived with it for a while.

200 and 300TDi are good engines, I have a 200 in the Defender and family has 300 in Discovery. 200 is simpler, less electrics and more rugged. 300 is a bit more refined, slightly quieter, but has more electrics (at least, Disco version does) and systems like EGR (can be easily enough blanked off though).

Taken from Wiki, 19J:

However, early engines suffered several failures. Most serious were failed main and big-end bearings and splits or cracks in the block. In 1988 a new block and an improved design of bearing and bearing cap was fitted which solved these issues. The engine's higher internal temperatures meant that the cooling system also had to be maintained to a much higher standard than the earlier engines. The engine also suffered in the hands of operators not used to the maintenance requirements of turbocharged engines, such as the need for regular oil changes and the use of a special grade of oil. Failure to heed these requirements led to turbo failure and internal damage such as cracked pistons (caused by localised overheating).
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Heard from garage.

Engine is 300tdi. Chassis is in good working order - I'll have look to check this.

Heading up for test drive tomorrow.
 
Without seeing pics etc i'd say that was a tad on the steep side price wise, but if it's been built from the ground up then there should be a heap of paperwork relating to parts etc to go with it.

Have a good look around it and get as much paperwork as possible for any work done.
 
I bought my 1984 90 county with a 200 tdi in very clean condition (good chassis and no rust on bulkhead) for around 4k and it has ben great for me over last few years. I would say that 5k sounds a bit much unless it has a galvenised chassis or a new chassis?
 
I bought my 1986 2.5na 90 last Autumn. You're right that they aren't the quickest but are reliable. I paid £1700 for it. It has no problem with chassis rust and had had a new bulkhead fitted recently fitted before I bought it. I reckon I get about 22-23 to the gallon out of it on typical road driving. Seeing as I only really use it for laning probably less but that's to be expected.

If you are going to do alot of road miles the 2.5na might not be the best option. If its mainly for offroad then it would do you fine.

Probably be a bit cheaper this time of year too !
 
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