90 Defender Daily?
Discussion
I've got a 1991 200TDi and it's not too noisy at motorway speeds - though it's happier at 65 than 70. You can get soundproofing which helps, but doesn't like off-roading as much (especially on the floors). My previous Landy was a Series 3 and you couldn't hold a conversation with the passenger at town speeds!!!
Mine has just suffered a timing belt failure and the only damage was 6 pushrods - £20 for all 8 and it was job done!!! Sometimes the rockers go as well, but apparently not often the valves as they cone vertically out of the engine so get hit squarely by the pistons, unlike some more modern engines. he timing belt had only been changed 2 years previously which is worrying.
The TD5 came after the 300TDi in around 1998. Some people love it, some people hate it. I an always wary of buying any vehicle with major changes from the first couple of years of production - but saying that, all early TD5 problems should have been rectified by now as these cars are 10 years old.
Mine has just suffered a timing belt failure and the only damage was 6 pushrods - £20 for all 8 and it was job done!!! Sometimes the rockers go as well, but apparently not often the valves as they cone vertically out of the engine so get hit squarely by the pistons, unlike some more modern engines. he timing belt had only been changed 2 years previously which is worrying.
The TD5 came after the 300TDi in around 1998. Some people love it, some people hate it. I an always wary of buying any vehicle with major changes from the first couple of years of production - but saying that, all early TD5 problems should have been rectified by now as these cars are 10 years old.
AshBaldry said:
Evening gents,my first venture into this part of PH!
I currently have a focus rs as a daily drive (2003) and have wondered about taking it off the road to keep for best and getting a 90...why?
My father had a 110 years ago and I just loved the rawness/down to earth appeal..
Seems like it would be a good daily drive? I do 40miles a day,and would be good if we had major snow again,don't want to go fast just want one becuase I can,they look hard as nails and will be a good workhorse!
Am I mad?
Yes, but a good kind of mad I currently have a focus rs as a daily drive (2003) and have wondered about taking it off the road to keep for best and getting a 90...why?
My father had a 110 years ago and I just loved the rawness/down to earth appeal..
Seems like it would be a good daily drive? I do 40miles a day,and would be good if we had major snow again,don't want to go fast just want one becuase I can,they look hard as nails and will be a good workhorse!
Am I mad?
Go for it, Landy's are great!
All the best cars are:
British built mostly by hand.
Aluminium bodied.
Uncompromsing in the truest sense of the word.
Born in the mid 20th Century.
Indentified by <manufacturer><number>
Simple.
Hence I've got a Caterham 7 and a Land Rover 90.
The Landy's a 90 TD5. Although these can get a little hot and bothered on occasions, if looked after they are a smooth torquey unit which can be breathed on a little. Gearbox ratios aren't great for motorways although if you really do need to do 80+ Ashcroft Transmissions can rebuild a Defender 'box using Discovery gears.
Yes it's a bit noisy, yes it lets water in (but conveniently lets it out again) fuel economy ain't great and it needs to be properly driven - you can't just sit there and listen to Radio 2.
That said, when Britain entered a new Ice Age back in January, it paid for itself over and over again, and wasn't the least bit bothered by a few feet of snow, nor the subsequent floods.
They come apart easy enough too (although you may want to invest in some larger size spanners and an even larger sized hammer)
Despite what people tell you about Jap offerings being better, a 90/Defender is utterly phenominal away from the black stuff. I tend to run out of talent/balls before the car runs out of capability.
The winch on the front is also great fun, especially for uprooting tree stumps when my dad was clearing his garden last weekend.
And, much like the Seven, people still call it cool even though it's no concourse winner.
British built mostly by hand.
Aluminium bodied.
Uncompromsing in the truest sense of the word.
Born in the mid 20th Century.
Indentified by <manufacturer><number>
Simple.
Hence I've got a Caterham 7 and a Land Rover 90.
The Landy's a 90 TD5. Although these can get a little hot and bothered on occasions, if looked after they are a smooth torquey unit which can be breathed on a little. Gearbox ratios aren't great for motorways although if you really do need to do 80+ Ashcroft Transmissions can rebuild a Defender 'box using Discovery gears.
Yes it's a bit noisy, yes it lets water in (but conveniently lets it out again) fuel economy ain't great and it needs to be properly driven - you can't just sit there and listen to Radio 2.
That said, when Britain entered a new Ice Age back in January, it paid for itself over and over again, and wasn't the least bit bothered by a few feet of snow, nor the subsequent floods.
They come apart easy enough too (although you may want to invest in some larger size spanners and an even larger sized hammer)
Despite what people tell you about Jap offerings being better, a 90/Defender is utterly phenominal away from the black stuff. I tend to run out of talent/balls before the car runs out of capability.
The winch on the front is also great fun, especially for uprooting tree stumps when my dad was clearing his garden last weekend.
And, much like the Seven, people still call it cool even though it's no concourse winner.
Sat in a brand new puma 110 county today,
Now im not big, 5.8 and 10.4 stone and i found it had almost no right elbow room, crampt, the seat couldnt go back further.
I loved it!
Go for it, you may hate it, but you may also love it. If you hate it, you can sell it back on. If you love it, you will be forever finding new things to add/change on it.
Now im not big, 5.8 and 10.4 stone and i found it had almost no right elbow room, crampt, the seat couldnt go back further.
I loved it!
Go for it, you may hate it, but you may also love it. If you hate it, you can sell it back on. If you love it, you will be forever finding new things to add/change on it.
A.J.M said:
Sat in a brand new puma 110 county today,
Now im not big, 5.8 and 10.4 stone and i found it had almost no right elbow room, crampt, the seat couldnt go back further.
I loved it!
Go for it, you may hate it, but you may also love it. If you hate it, you can sell it back on. If you love it, you will be forever finding new things to add/change on it.
The elbow room never bothered me. I got used to it. As for the seat. Then fit a set of mud rails. And you then have an answer for all your problems.Now im not big, 5.8 and 10.4 stone and i found it had almost no right elbow room, crampt, the seat couldnt go back further.
I loved it!
Go for it, you may hate it, but you may also love it. If you hate it, you can sell it back on. If you love it, you will be forever finding new things to add/change on it.
BLUETHUNDER said:
A.J.M said:
Sat in a brand new puma 110 county today,
Now im not big, 5.8 and 10.4 stone and i found it had almost no right elbow room, crampt, the seat couldnt go back further.
I loved it!
Go for it, you may hate it, but you may also love it. If you hate it, you can sell it back on. If you love it, you will be forever finding new things to add/change on it.
The elbow room never bothered me. I got used to it. As for the seat. Then fit a set of mud rails. And you then have an answer for all your problems.Now im not big, 5.8 and 10.4 stone and i found it had almost no right elbow room, crampt, the seat couldnt go back further.
I loved it!
Go for it, you may hate it, but you may also love it. If you hate it, you can sell it back on. If you love it, you will be forever finding new things to add/change on it.
If you want elbow room and more seat space people should have bought an RR or Disco, same underneath, just a more spacious and comfy cabin.
AshBaldry said:
It's got to be done at some stage! Makes me think back to The Fast Show sketch with "the offroaders" very funny haha
That is quality. I don't really go off road in mine, its somewhat of a Chelsea Tractor but if I go over a kerb or speed bump I usually scream "Lets off road!" much to the missus's dismay.I have a TD5 and hacked down the motorway last week at a fair old rate, much to the bewilderment of the army of Audi drivers! noisy as buggery but thats why I installed decent speakers, tweeters and sub woofer panel.
Do it!!! Very rewarding ownership, always get a friendly reception, great heritage and just so unassuming and quietly cool.
Defender,for my money the quickest vehicle for getting across London. Bit of point and squirt, bit of intimidation and if you get stuck in traffic staight over the central reservation. Motorways are ok as you rarely get to top 70mph due to crowds of morons sitting in the wrong lane. Quite good getting the odd wave from fellow owners, brings a smile to your face in the times of stressful commuting.
Lordsmut said:
AshBaldry said:
It's got to be done at some stage! Makes me think back to The Fast Show sketch with "the offroaders" very funny haha
That is quality. I don't really go off road in mine, its somewhat of a Chelsea Tractor but if I go over a kerb or speed bump I usually scream "Lets off road!" much to the missus's dismay.I have a TD5 and hacked down the motorway last week at a fair old rate, much to the bewilderment of the army of Audi drivers! noisy as buggery but thats why I installed decent speakers, tweeters and sub woofer panel.
Do it!!! Very rewarding ownership, always get a friendly reception, great heritage and just so unassuming and quietly cool.
My old 200 TDi (daily commute of 60 miles from a few years ago).
Landies = brilliant cars
Latest ones (2.4 or 2.2 engine) are much more civilised and happier at motorway speeds - also proper seats for rear passengers.
Maybe not as characterful as earlier ones but as a daily driver a much better prospect.
Also in 90 form good for round town and easy to park due to small size.
Maybe not as characterful as earlier ones but as a daily driver a much better prospect.
Also in 90 form good for round town and easy to park due to small size.
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