Thinking of buying a Defender

[Bob_Defly]

Wondering if you guys could help with some pointers/tips.

My budget is about £10K-£15K, so I'm thinking that would be 1995-2005 ish. I'm assuming they're all diesel, correct?

Do I need to worry about mileage, or are they pretty sturdy? I'm assuming it's going to be roughly 100K miles, +/-25K.

I would prefer/need the 110 size. I'd actually really like a double cab/pick-up model, as I need to have four doors.

Any specific year/model/engine changes to know about?

What else do I need to look out for?

[eliot]

They go for stupid money for what they are. Same budget will get you a 2010 onwards supercharged L322

[Hashtaggggg]

I would be looking for a good td5 over a transit engined one.

Buy on condition rather than age, and as close to original as possible. i.e. no lift kits etc.


As he goes off to look at a L322......

[LaserTam]

Ever sat in one? I wanted one until I sat in and realised how cramped it is. Narrow, limited leg room for the driver. Bought a Discovery instead.

[Bob_Defly]

Yep, don't want a range rover.

[TooMany2cvs]

Hashtaggggg said:

I would be looking for a good td5 over a transit engined one.

That age/price range would be unlikely to have many Pumas in (bulge in the bonnet, no vent flaps, big dash). Earlier end may be 300TDis.

Buy entirely on chassis and bulkhead condition...

[A.J.M]

I would suggest you drive one before you make your mind up fully.

There are a marmite car.

[bakerstreet]

A.J.M said:

I would suggest you drive one before you make your mind up fully.

There are a marmite car.

Yup. On that budget, I would go a buy a decent D4 and add a few nice bits such as bash plate, RAI, remap and maybe some decent 18s with tyres.

As capable as the defender and much much more comfortable. Disco will be more expensive to fix though as its more complicated.

Doesn't sound like the OP has done much research them selves and I'd be interested to know why they want/need a Defender.

[Hard-Drive]

Wondering if you guys could help with some pointers/tips.

My budget is about £10K-£15K, so I'm thinking that would be 1995-2005 ish. I'm assuming they're all diesel, correct?

• *Budget does not equate to year. You may spend big bucks on something earlier but restored which may be a better proposition. It may have a V8 in it if that's what you want but later ones will all be diesel.

Do I need to worry about mileage, or are they pretty sturdy? I'm assuming it's going to be roughly 100K miles, +/-25K.

• *Totally ignore mileage. Buy only on condition and if available history. Anything mechanically/spinny/turny is easily replaced anyway. Rotten steel isn't. IMHO I see far more rust on middle aged vehicles than older ones. My 110 is from 1986 and although the bulkhead is pretty crap the chassis has never had any welding and all the cappings/door frames are 100% solid.

I would prefer/need the 110 size. I'd actually really like a double cab/pick-up model, as I need to have four doors.

• *But if you see a more solid station wagon, buy that instead. Condition is paramount. Remember they are a big Meccano set and you can change a station wagon into a double cab if you really want to. Much easier than a bulkhead or chassis swap!

Any specific year/model/engine changes to know about?

• *I would not be buying anything N/A. 200Tdi and 300Tdi very simple, zero electronics, goes on forever, but a little agricultural (200 more so). TD5 more tuneable, sounds nice, but some electronics to go wrong (hence never adopted by the military). Puma engines from a Transit van...lots of electronics, the most refined, but also mated to a 6 speed box which is unnessesary in a Defender. My ancient 200Tdi vs. a mate's brand new Puma...actually not much in it power and speed wise (although I have a Discovery transfer box conversion that makes the old 200Tdi much more civilised on the road)

What else do I need to look out for?

• *Rust, and stolen vehicles. Google the rest.

[The Wookie]

Don’t, they’re dreadful. I should know I have two.

[DougieMc]

Ive just bought my first Defender 2005 TD5 double Cab Pickup,

Its just awesome love it to bits
Its agricultural but I knew that before I bought
XS spec brings Heated windscreen, Heated Seats, A/C and Traction control which for me was a must.

Ive got a mate that is into them so I got him to look over it for me, ( Was a must as they are specialist and have well known areas to look for )
Big things are chassis condition( Hopefully not hidden by Underseal), Door Frames( I seen a couple of shockers), Td5 engine is better Im told and as above Mileage is nothing mine is 150k and starts on the button and drives sweet.
My car has the newer Puma interior and Bonnet so I think best of both worlds.

Yes comments above about no shoulder space but try it and you decide.
Its just awesome I love it.
Go drive one and decide for yourself

[300bhp/ton]

Bob_Defly said:

Wondering if you guys could help with some pointers/tips.

My budget is about £10K-£15K, so I'm thinking that would be 1995-2005 ish. I'm assuming they're all diesel, correct?

Do I need to worry about mileage, or are they pretty sturdy? I'm assuming it's going to be roughly 100K miles, +/-25K.

I would prefer/need the 110 size. I'd actually really like a double cab/pick-up model, as I need to have four doors.

Any specific year/model/engine changes to know about?

What else do I need to look out for?

What do you need/want it for?

I personally love Land Rovers..... grew up around them and have owned many.


But the Defender is nowadays a fashion icon for mostly clueless people. Not saying you are, but this is PH not a Land Rover forum. Are you just one of the "I've always wanted one of these..." Albeit only since they have been trendy....

Or do you actually want a proper rugged utilitarian based off roader?

A Defender will always be compromised for purely on road use. I personally find the seating position very good in them. Which makes them comfortable to be in. Others however don't. And there is no denying they are more cramped than other vehicles. Their NVH and refinement levels are also likely to be lower than most other vehicles. The newer the vehicle is (Puma over Td5, Td5 over Tdi) the better they are in this regard. But you really do need to understand what you are wanting to buy.

And no, you can't solve these issues with mods either. As they are a result of their fundamental design. The panels are all modular and the body mounts metal to metal directly onto the chassis. The Range Rover Classic and Discovery 1 are 90% the same as a Defender under the body, but both have vastly superior NVH and refinement levels. Lots of little changes made to achieve this, but fundamentally the difference is the use of mainly a 1 piece body tub, that mounts on isolating rubber donuts, not metal to metal with the chassis.



On the flip side, Defenders are easy to maintain because every single part is replaceable on them and available to buy. This means buy 100% on condition.

Body configurations can also be changed, although you need to decide if you want a LWB or SWB (i.e. 90 or 110).

Prices are stupid on Defenders --- because clueless people keep buying them as fashion icons. So you will massively overpay for one vs a Range Rover or Discovery. And in reality all the extra money is only getting you the "shape" of the car and nothing else.

As prices are so stupid and there seems to be an endless supply of clueless wealthy people wanting to buy them. It does mean residuals are very good on them at present. So it results in a low risk purchase.



In terms of checking them out. They are very very very very very very very basic. Anyone with half an interest in cars should be able to give them a once over. If you really aren't sure, take or pay someone to have a look on your behalf.



Rust is the biggest issue. There will be niggles, but all solvable. The mechanicals by and large are fairly robust and easy to maintain or replace.




In reality a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is going to offer a similar heritage, ability and ownership experience to a Defender. But is a much better vehicle in every regard. The JK Wrangler was new in 2005, so has all the comfort of a Disco 3 pretty much, but with all the rugged out door ability and design of a Defender.



If you want to 'off road', then the Defender is still a good choice. And is mostly superior to vehicles such as the D3/4 or L322 Range Rovers. Most of this comes down to the shape of the Defender and its rugged utilitarian construction. The newer models all sport big plastic bumpers, are a lot wider and have big overhangs. So will tend to take far more damage far more easily in most off road situations.