Trench Rat

Trench Rat

Well-Known Member
Hi Guys,

Having sold my petrol 1968 series 2a back in 2023 to help fund the house purchase, I was sort of in the mindset that I won’t be able to get another Landy again as apparently they’re not child friendly and the other half and I are planning such things in a couple of years.

It turns out that a “fun daily” is now back on the cards as she’ll be getting herself a “sensible and child friendly” car to replace the current one in the near future.

I’m eyeing up either a series 3 or an early 90/110-defender. Essentially something pre1995 but post series 2 (I’d rather a full synchro and servo assisted brakes if driving in morning traffic). Just commuting to work, 5 miles each way through town (rarely traffic) and about 30 seconds at national.

I’m wondering if people would suggest petrol or diesel? My previous 2a was petrol but I feel like the additional mpg of the diesel would be nice. Equally I don’t want to run a diesel on too short of a journey and I’m unsure what the future holds in terms of how long diesel will be available. Equally e5 isn’t available at every petrol station (fortunately the one near me it is but it’s frequently out of stock).

Tl;dr given the below parameters would you go diesel or petrol?

- 5 miles each way daily
- Average speed 25-40mph
- Short stretch on dual carriageway
- Either later series 3 or pre 1995(ish) defender

Ta!
 
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Anaconda said:
I would buy petrol
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Okay cool thanks. I don’t really see many petrol 90/110s. Seems to be predominantly diesel. Series 3s yeah they are plentiful.

We would use it for the occasional weekend trip. Which is where diesel appeals a bit. Occasional trips to Devon from Sussex etc.

I do agree though, short runs of 10 miles a day petrol would be better
 
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Trench Rat said:
Okay cool thanks. I don’t really see many petrol 90/110s. Seems to be predominantly diesel. Series 3s yeah.

We would use it for the occasional weekend trip. Which is where diesel appeals a bit. I do agree though, short runs of 10 miles a day petrol would be better
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Aren't the early diesels just a little bit crap?
 
Anaconda said:
Aren't the early diesels just a little bit crap?
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That’s what I’ve been told 😄 my grandad was very pleased to hear my series was petrol instead of diesel. Having had a few in his time.

What’s the crack with 80s and 90s 90/110s? Still a preference for petrol?

ER1C said:
+1 as soon as you say 5 miles per day
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10 miles a day. 5 each way. Not convinced it’s really long enough to get everything properly warmed up. Tend to let the current jimny warm up for 5-10mins on the drive.

Probably wise to just eat the fuel cost of petrol on the odd longer journeys.
 
ER1C said:
Petrol is so much cheaper now it outweighs a lot of the benefit IMHO.
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True. E10 is £1.30 near me. E5 usually a few pence more per litre. I’m assuming the petrol 2.5L is essentially a 2.25 with bigger cylinders?

The original plan was a 90/110 or series 3 with a 200tdi. Petrol is looking appealing though.

Can always add additives if e5 isn’t available.
 
All the time hgvs are diesel then diesel will be available.

But for the cheapest owner experience I would be going petrol.
 
lynall said:
All the time hgvs are diesel then diesel will be available.

But for the cheapest owner experience I would be going petrol.
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Are 90/110s generally available with petrol? Any specific engines to look out for? My experience is limited to series vehicles unfortunately.
 
Trench Rat said:
Are 90/110s generally available with petrol? Any specific engines to look out for? My experience is limited to series vehicles unfortunately.
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I would imagine early ones had the same petrols as the s3 models 2,25/2.5 and 3.5, as for later ones I have no idea.
 
lynall said:
I would imagine early ones had the same petrols as the s3 models 2,25/2.5 and 3.5, as for later ones I have no idea.
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That’s kinda what I thought. 3.5 being the v8 that may be a thirsty engine.

I imagine the 2.5 is similar to the 2.25 in terms of power/mpg. My old series 2a was clocking around 15mpg much of the time.
 
Trench Rat said:
That’s kinda what I thought. 3.5 being the v8 that may be a thirsty engine.

I imagine the 2.5 is similar to the 2.25 in terms of power/mpg. My old series 2a was clocking around 15mpg much of the time.
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Tbh I would say they are all shocking mpg wise, as a toy that wont make much difference,, but if you do any miles at all then diesel comes back into play.

First factoy 200tdi were 1989 G reg I think so only 4/5 yrs and they will be tax/mot free, plenty of conversions out there, but a lot of them are pretty poor installation wise.
200tdi is a very good engine, crude as hell but a good engine even when worn out.
200tdi will get you close to 30mpg without even trying.
 
lynall said:
Tbh I would say they are all shocking mpg wise, as a toy that wont make much difference,, but if you do any miles at all then diesel comes back into play.

First factoy 200tdi were 1989 G reg I think so only 4/5 yrs and they will be tax/mot free, plenty of conversions out there, but a lot of them are pretty poor installation wise.
200tdi is a very good engine, crude as hell but a good engine even when worn out.
200tdi will get you close to 30mpg without even trying.
Click to expand...
Tax free is nice. I've just got my '85 one registered historic.
 
lynall said:
Tbh I would say they are all shocking mpg wise, as a toy that wont make much difference,, but if you do any miles at all then diesel comes back into play.

First factoy 200tdi were 1989 G reg I think so only 4/5 yrs and they will be tax/mot free, plenty of conversions out there, but a lot of them are pretty poor installation wise.
200tdi is a very good engine, crude as hell but a good engine even when worn out.
200tdi will get you close to 30mpg without even trying.
Click to expand...
I have been seeing that. Whilst I had my series and was more active on here, people were saying the 200tdi was bulletproof and approx 30mpg isn’t that bad. My jimny with its advertised 40mpg just doesn’t happen.

I moved closer to where I work however so going diesel put me off as I thought the low distances with a cat converter would be problematic. Though I believe the older diesels didn’t have cats and it was a case of as long as you take it for a good blast up a hill on the weekend it’ll be fine. I’d just be concerned that 5 miles to work then 5 miles back wouldn’t be enough.

Though if it’s more of a temperature thing I would just leave it idling to warm up on the drive with the gates shut to keep the gypsies away.
 
Trench Rat said:
I have been seeing that. Whilst I had my series and was more active on here, people were saying the 200tdi was bulletproof and approx 30mpg isn’t that bad. My jimny with its advertised 40mpg just doesn’t happen.

I moved closer to where I work however so going diesel put me off as I thought the low distances with a cat converter would be problematic. Though I believe the older diesels didn’t have cats and it was a case of as long as you take it for a good blast up a hill on the weekend it’ll be fine. I’d just be concerned that 5 miles to work then 5 miles back wouldn’t be enough.

Though if it’s more of a temperature thing I would just leave it idling to warm up on the drive with the gates shut to keep the gypsies away.
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I did 5 miles to work and 5 miles home for 8.5 years in my D3, and if a D3 can do that with zero issues then a 200 certainly can, i tis all the later dpf stuff that can cause issues
 
lynall said:
I did 5 miles to work and 5 miles home for 8.5 years in my D3, and if a D3 can do that with zero issues then a 200 certainly can, i tis all the later dpf stuff that can cause issues
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Okay cool thanks. That opens up my options on what I can look at
 
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