Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Any LR Defender Owners?

I am aware that we have some Defender owners on the forum (Graham, if I am not mistaken is one?) and I wondered if I could get some basic advice.

I'm looking at the 90 and wondered if there are some simple dos and don'ts? My budget is low teens and diesel engine the preference.

I know little about these fine vehicles other than it seems the best option for a work horse [I'm doing some renovations on my property which will include work in the fields and garden as well as the house].

Any basic advice welcome.

I have a 90 td5 hardtop with privacy metal to rear [ok its a van]

go for well maintained rather than low mileage
servicing is expensive so avoid trucks with incomplete history backed by invoices
road tax is less for commercial versions, td5 available with 3 front seats, later transit engined 90's only have 2 seats
td5 has a good record of reliability but later td4 with transit 6 spd box has ongoing 'issues' with gearbox
tyres are not cheap but should last 60,000 miles per set
td5 returns 28-32 mpg if lightly driven but this plummets to 18-22 mpg if thrashed
low teens ££ should buy you a really tidy hardtop or pick-up, station wagons are more expensive, avoid electric windows/air con/abs/traction control- just something to go wrong
heaters are rubbish - take 10 miles to get hot
make sure it has a tow hitch but avoid a winch unless you can't manage without
tdi versions are best for diy but getting old now
main dealers very hit and miss, many miss, rather sell a loaded RR Sport to a WAG with all the bling than deal with impoverished peasants

If by low teens you mean £10k then you should be able to find a very tidy TD5 commercial, either pick up or hard top in that price range. But, be a little wary of the early ones - there was a problem with an oil seal that allowed the ECU to fill with oil (more of a problem on similar age Discoveries I think) - not a good move!

As Richard says a good service history is important. Plus, look for evidence of previous use - if the underside is coated in mud you're probably best to walk away - if not regularly cleaned the chassis will rot in short order. Pay particular attention to the rear cross member (it's right at the back) the back of the chassis legs themselves and what are still referred to as outriggers. Anything that is in direct line of fire of salt thrown up by tyres in winter is in for a hard time. So is the front bulkhead - bottom of the door pillars below the bottom door hinge, front of bulkhead near top door hinges and around the opening vents - all rust. Take a magnet with you...

Possibly your best bet is to talk to a specialist like Bob Hyde Land Rovers - he doesn't deal but will troll the country searching for the right motor (normally station wagons, but anything LR - non-Chelsea tractor - is fair game). That said, at present he is rebuilding the cottage, so might not be able to check anything for a while...

"avoid electric windows/air con/abs/traction control- just something to go wrong" I include Td5s in that, but they aren't as bad as many make out - just prefer to stay away form ECUs and the like. My 200Tdi will be fully rebuilt rather than changed for a newer model.

Good luck!

A 90 soft top td5 is my daily car since 2003.



I agree with that, simplest is the best.


Regarding the electronic in the TD5 engine, I never had any trouble with it. The ecu box looks sturdy and is located under the seat, away from the engine and its humidity and heat. (furthermore it's dedicated to the engine only, not to other tasks, like lighting, cruise control, air conditionning or such other gizmos you can find in more modern cars. It's a simple system)

The 122 hp, and the torque, of the td5 is a real plus, comparing with the precedent engines.

I have had an '01 TD5 90 for 4 Years - but I have done low-mileage due to the Jersey factor. So far no mechanical issues whatsoever (including the Air-con) Check the chassis thoroughly, and watch the bodywork. The ali panels can get electrolysis issues that are as unsightly difficult and expensive to fix as good old fashioned rust.
The 90's have surprisingly little storage space, and extensive test drives are a must, they do not drive or ride like cars, they are trucks.

But beware they are (almost) as frustrating, addictive and sheer fun as Mogs

Thank you one and all. You have given me something to think about and excellent advice.

I do not know if these links will work but this is the sort of 90 I was looking at

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1674440.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1644422.htm

I would like the back seats because I can always remove them, couldn't I?

I am buying it as a utility vehicle and this is what I am worried about

If you're buying as a utility vehicle the last thing you need are the likes of carpets / leather interior...

Unfortunately, due to the leisure market, the Defender lost it's way since the 300Tdi...

Point taken but many later models seem to have these bits fitted.

I have pin pointed a few on Autotrader and they all have similar trim. I do not need the frivolous bits but have a preference to buying as new as my budget will allow.

I had a 200TDi CSW and my mate had a 90 3.5 V8. I ran this as my main car for a couple of years and my findings are as follows:

Pro's
1, Go anywhere,
2, Pretty reliable,
3, The 110 get's a lot of people in them,
4, Image

Con's
1, Not economical on Diesel (and the 200Tdi was the most efficent),
2, Dodgy handeling at anything other than pedestrian walking pace,
3, Smaller than they look,
4, Back seats in the 110 result in passenger knees in your back the entire time,
5, Bench inward facing seats unable to sensibly accomodate adults,
6, Loading area not flatbed so pretty useless at getting things you'd expext to get in it...in it.
7, Easy to damage body/paint.. they can look rough easily
8, Rust... everything underneath rusts!
9, Rear floor can easily warp or dent if you carry heavy loads regularly.
10, Poor performance, prepare for a slow life.

On retrospect... either go for a 130 or 110 Hi-cap (if you can cope with the size and are dead set on a LR).. or get a Toyota Hilux or Nissan (not an L200) which is vastly more capable, usable and easier to live with.

Sorry..