Defender buying - what to look for?

Defender buying - what to look for?

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Ayahuasca

Original Poster:

27,428 posts

286 months

Friday 13th January 2012
quotequote all
I would love a Defender but there are not that many for sale round my way. This week however I spotted this 2008 110 for sale: http://www.encuentra24.com/panama-en/cars-auto-tru...

I will be going for a look-see at the weekend - and tips for what should I be looking at?


Apologies if this has been done to death previously.

Cheers smile



powerstroke

10,283 posts

167 months

Friday 13th January 2012
quotequote all
Ayahuasca said:
I would love a Defender but there are not that many for sale round my way. This week however I spotted this 2008 110 for sale: http://www.encuentra24.com/panama-en/cars-auto-tru...

I will be going for a look-see at the weekend - and tips for what should I be looking at?


Apologies if this has been done to death previously.

Cheers smile
Being best friends with a mecanic!!!!getmecoat

bakerstreet

4,827 posts

172 months

Friday 13th January 2012
quotequote all
Ayahuasca said:
I would love a Defender but there are not that many for sale round my way. This week however I spotted this 2008 110 for sale: http://www.encuentra24.com/panama-en/cars-auto-tru...

I will be going for a look-see at the weekend - and tips for what should I be looking at?


Apologies if this has been done to death previously.

Cheers smile
Have you put my research into this?

Have you ever driven a defender before? They are noisy, heavy and a bit cramped in places. Still uber cool though.

Plenty of buyers guides on the net. Have a look at landyzone.

Check for rust every where, especially the chassis annd the bulkhead (Seperates engine from passenger compartment). even though its new...ish they can still rust. Body panels are generally ook as they are ali. Door surrounds arent though.

Check car has current MOT and all that jazz. Try and get a new one when you buy the vehicle

Post up pics if you buiy it smile

P I Staker

3,308 posts

163 months

Saturday 14th January 2012
quotequote all
Check its clean tidy and been serviced properly.

It shouldn't be rusting yet (Especially with where you are) but check the rear cross member and bulk head as said.

Check for offroad damage such as a bent gearbox cross member and scraped axle casings, remember these are built for offroad use so don't be put off but you could use it to your advantage when buying.

Also if you are going to use it offroad make sure it has the updated sump with the extra space for the front axle to articulate.

I haven't driven those with the new engine but drive a TD5 often, there's a lot of engine noise, a lot of gearbox whine and a lot of wind noise. The steering is very vague and they are effected a lot by camber in the road. The suspension is very soft with loads of body roll which is a strange feeling for people who aren't used to it. They can be hurried a long but you will find that even if you think you are driving flat out down a back road you will only just be keeping up with someone in a proper car.

If you're a big guy you might find it cramped and uncomfortable.

I don't like driving them on road. smile

ETA: It wont break down as often as you have (Probably) been led to believe.

Edited by P I Staker on Saturday 14th January 23:50

mat777

10,525 posts

167 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
This should be just the ticket for you - the official buyers guide

http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5/rockin_all_...

Ayahuasca

Original Poster:

27,428 posts

286 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
Cheers, thanks guys!