Can you get an OK Series for a grand?
Discussion
Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on buying a Series landie. Probably around Feb onwards next year (I'd love one for dicking around in the winter but I've had 6 cars this year already and think my insurance company would not approve if I had another...) Hopefully that means I can avoid any potential 'snow tax' and/or freezing my nuts off in subzero conditions 
Do you think I could get a 'useable' one for £1000-ish? By useable I mean not rotten(!), with at least a few months MOT and nothing seriously wrong with it. I am not averse to doing some work (I know it's pretty much a certainty some fettling will be required!) but I don't have the skills/tools/space for anything too major. And I certainly can't weld... It's going to be a toy more than anything so I don't mind something that I can tinker with but it would be nice if that tinkering doesn't become a full rebuild.
I'm not completely au fait with the model designations and production runs but I think I'd be most likely to afford a Series III? Probably non-tax-exempt, with a 2.25 of some description. I have an idea of the faults to look for and will be doing more research closer the time, but for now I'd just like to know if it's at all realistic or if I should let this little dream die.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Richard
Do you think I could get a 'useable' one for £1000-ish? By useable I mean not rotten(!), with at least a few months MOT and nothing seriously wrong with it. I am not averse to doing some work (I know it's pretty much a certainty some fettling will be required!) but I don't have the skills/tools/space for anything too major. And I certainly can't weld... It's going to be a toy more than anything so I don't mind something that I can tinker with but it would be nice if that tinkering doesn't become a full rebuild.
I'm not completely au fait with the model designations and production runs but I think I'd be most likely to afford a Series III? Probably non-tax-exempt, with a 2.25 of some description. I have an idea of the faults to look for and will be doing more research closer the time, but for now I'd just like to know if it's at all realistic or if I should let this little dream die.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Richard
I sold my old diesel for £1200, but even that needed new tyres and one or two other bits but even then the guy I sold it to (mate from work) still got a good deal.
I did have a petrol, o/d, tax free one, with galv. chassis but there was something horribly wrong with the transfer box, the paint on it was terrible...few other bits, I put it up for £1,800 (with full description of the faults!) and within 24hours I had the money in my bank without anyone even coming to look at it...found it up on a dealer site for £5k!
Short answer? SWB? No. LWB? Maybe. You might be able to get a SWB for £1,500 if you are lucky but it'll be a less desirable spec; not tax free, no overdrive.
See the 'series III vs Range Rover' thread for some good advice.
I did have a petrol, o/d, tax free one, with galv. chassis but there was something horribly wrong with the transfer box, the paint on it was terrible...few other bits, I put it up for £1,800 (with full description of the faults!) and within 24hours I had the money in my bank without anyone even coming to look at it...found it up on a dealer site for £5k!
Short answer? SWB? No. LWB? Maybe. You might be able to get a SWB for £1,500 if you are lucky but it'll be a less desirable spec; not tax free, no overdrive.
See the 'series III vs Range Rover' thread for some good advice.
Edited by varsas on Wednesday 26th October 08:18
In short, yes. I bought my 1984 88" petrol S3 in December 2009 for £1,000 on the nose. It had been owned by Newbury fishing club for 10 years, towing their lawnmower up and down the banks of the Kennet. Whilst it had been tended to when necessary, it certainly hadn't been loved. It had 6 weeks of MOT left on it, so I figured that if it failed the forthcoming MOT badly, I'd just throw it away.
Surprisingly, it passed with flying colours (and has subsequently been through 2 more MOT's with nothing more than a replacement of front drums and shoes (and only because I gathered a whole load of grit in them when fording a very muddy river).
Every panel on the truck is dented & it looks pretty smashed about, with paintwork peeling off pretty much everywhere. But and it is an important but, the important parts underneath are absolutely fine - this is generally where I spend any money on, as for me, I don't really care what it looks like (in fact, I quite like its dented, scabby look), but I do want a vehicle that is mechanically sound. The chassis has been welded a few times, but nothing shocking & the chap who looks after it for me reckons there is another 8 - 10 years left in the chassis before we need to do major work.
Importantly, it is absolutely reliable. Starts first time, every time regardless of the weather; runs like a dream; all electrics work as they should; no over-heating issues etc.
In summary, yes you will find a workable Series for £1k if you look hard. It won't look pretty, but that isn't what these vehicles are about. Make sure you check the chassis for rot, gearbox & 4WD system and everything else is pretty much cosmetic. Parts are so cheap that if you need to replace the odd thing, it really won't break the bank. It is very liberating driving a truck that really doesn't matter if someone opens a door onto it, or you slide it into a ditch / tree / bank in the snow. I love mine & will never part with it.
Since buying the old girl, all I have done is:
ETA. Here she is in all her glory
Surprisingly, it passed with flying colours (and has subsequently been through 2 more MOT's with nothing more than a replacement of front drums and shoes (and only because I gathered a whole load of grit in them when fording a very muddy river).
Every panel on the truck is dented & it looks pretty smashed about, with paintwork peeling off pretty much everywhere. But and it is an important but, the important parts underneath are absolutely fine - this is generally where I spend any money on, as for me, I don't really care what it looks like (in fact, I quite like its dented, scabby look), but I do want a vehicle that is mechanically sound. The chassis has been welded a few times, but nothing shocking & the chap who looks after it for me reckons there is another 8 - 10 years left in the chassis before we need to do major work.
Importantly, it is absolutely reliable. Starts first time, every time regardless of the weather; runs like a dream; all electrics work as they should; no over-heating issues etc.
In summary, yes you will find a workable Series for £1k if you look hard. It won't look pretty, but that isn't what these vehicles are about. Make sure you check the chassis for rot, gearbox & 4WD system and everything else is pretty much cosmetic. Parts are so cheap that if you need to replace the odd thing, it really won't break the bank. It is very liberating driving a truck that really doesn't matter if someone opens a door onto it, or you slide it into a ditch / tree / bank in the snow. I love mine & will never part with it.
Since buying the old girl, all I have done is:
- Change the suspension to parabolics
- Change the tyres for Insa Sahara's
- Fit the roof spots
- Replaced the front drums & shoes
- Couple of general engine services
- replaced the seats, as mice had made them their home!
ETA. Here she is in all her glory
Edited by schmalex on Wednesday 26th October 11:16
Edited by schmalex on Wednesday 26th October 11:19
4x4 without a club? I go there too! I like the 'steps' near the back, plenty of cars can't make it up but the trusty SIII can.
I think prices have gone up over the last 2 years, and that you where very lucky. V8triumph bought one recently, might be worth asking them.
And since we are posting pics...
I think prices have gone up over the last 2 years, and that you where very lucky. V8triumph bought one recently, might be worth asking them.
And since we are posting pics...
Edited by varsas on Wednesday 26th October 12:34
Yep - I love the steps up the back! I try to steer clear of the bomb holes at the bottom though - that's how I trashed the brakes last time I was there, as the water was full of grit & stones!!
A top little site & very well policed by the marshalls!
Fancy a meet up?
A top little site & very well policed by the marshalls!
Fancy a meet up?
Edited by schmalex on Wednesday 26th October 12:41
schmalex said:
Yep - I love the steps up the back! I try to steer clear of the bomb holes at the bottom though - that's how I trashed the brakes last time I was there, as the water was full of grit & stones!!
A top little site & very well policed by the marshalls!
Fancy a meet up?
Oh right. I managed to drown mine there last time, seeing if we could get water over the roof...A top little site & very well policed by the marshalls!
Fancy a meet up?
Don't know when I'll get there again tbh, lots of work to do on my other cars. I'll let you know though. If you know of any other good pay and play sites nearby I'd be interested, I found these:
http://www.mud-monsters.co.uk/
http://www.piccadillywood4x4.co.uk/
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f12/brick-kiln-farm-...
Sorry to OP for the thread hijack. Hope this helps, my old diesel.
Thanks for the replies, appreciated 
I have been having a bit of a nosey around and spotted a couple of Series going for around a K, but it seems like I'd need to stretch to more like 1500 to get a good 'un. This isn't so bad but I'd rather have the extra cash as a contingency fund...
I think I've seen V8Triumph's partner post elsewhere, and happened to spot their steed on eBay, so have an idea of what they paid (well over my budget!).
I would be very happy with a 109, in fact I think they trump the 88 lookswise at least, and definitely in practicality. Is overdrive really essential? I can't imagine it making a huge difference over short journeys.
For a grand I'm not expecting much more than MOT & runs & stops, but ideally it'd have 2/300tdi, galv chassis, no rot, great tyres all round and a beautiful patina. Not sure that's likely though
Thanks for all the pictures, really doing a lot for my sensible bone...
I have been having a bit of a nosey around and spotted a couple of Series going for around a K, but it seems like I'd need to stretch to more like 1500 to get a good 'un. This isn't so bad but I'd rather have the extra cash as a contingency fund...
I think I've seen V8Triumph's partner post elsewhere, and happened to spot their steed on eBay, so have an idea of what they paid (well over my budget!).
I would be very happy with a 109, in fact I think they trump the 88 lookswise at least, and definitely in practicality. Is overdrive really essential? I can't imagine it making a huge difference over short journeys.
For a grand I'm not expecting much more than MOT & runs & stops, but ideally it'd have 2/300tdi, galv chassis, no rot, great tyres all round and a beautiful patina. Not sure that's likely though
Thanks for all the pictures, really doing a lot for my sensible bone...
I found a very tidy 88" SIII for £1100 for a mate yesterday - via a friend of a friend at a pub. It has been off the road for 2 years as the seller has a Freelander so didn't have any further need for it. It has a solid chassis, immaculate interior, side windows, diesel lump, overdrive, newish exhaust and brand new battery. It is let down by a bit of rot on the bulkhead but it is only £100 to fix.
My 109 SIII cost me £700 - again in a pub. It had a new chassis and bulkhead before it left the army. I spent the same amount again converting it to a 200TDi and adding an overdrive. It really is money well spent if you intend to do any long-distance running, though you soon realise the original engines are well matched to the brakes and steering! I run it as a truck cab as it is so useful, though I also have a V8 90 for playing as the 109 is not so agile off-road .
It shows they are out there - just keep asking around.
My 109 SIII cost me £700 - again in a pub. It had a new chassis and bulkhead before it left the army. I spent the same amount again converting it to a 200TDi and adding an overdrive. It really is money well spent if you intend to do any long-distance running, though you soon realise the original engines are well matched to the brakes and steering! I run it as a truck cab as it is so useful, though I also have a V8 90 for playing as the 109 is not so agile off-road .
It shows they are out there - just keep asking around.
Are these pubs rural ones full of rural types who tend to own a Land Rover or two? Unfortunately the pubs I frequent tend to be full of student types who are lucky to own a pushbike!
When it comes nearer the time I'll probably make wanted ads on LR forums to see what's on offer.
If I were to get a rotten one, how much do the common rust areas cost to fix? I know you can get the parts relatively cheaply but have no idea how much I'd be looking at to pay for them to be welded in.
When it comes nearer the time I'll probably make wanted ads on LR forums to see what's on offer.
If I were to get a rotten one, how much do the common rust areas cost to fix? I know you can get the parts relatively cheaply but have no idea how much I'd be looking at to pay for them to be welded in.
Chassis and bulkhead are your main worries,overdrive is a useful extra but not essential, 2.25 diesels are very slow and petrols are not exactly fast,but thats not what S111's are about you either love them or hate them,i rebuilt one on a galv chassis spent a fortune on parts,then had a drive in a V8 90 i just had to get one, for the money you are looking to spend you should get one that needs a bit of TLC but nothing major like a new chassis,the spare parts are very cheap but i would advise to have a drive in one first,one thing for sure is you will learn how to repair them and there is a lot of help out there,they become part of the family good luck.
Make sure it is good underneath and the bulkhead is good. Mine looks a real mess on all of the outer panels but it is very solid underneath .
You won't get a good SIII Land Rover for £1000, unless you find an absolute bargain, sorry but you will get a good 'un for between £1,500-2,000, it won't be pretty and won't have a 200/300TDi conversion. Mine tops out at about 45-50mph, 4 speed no o/d, 2.25 diesel. A petrol is a bit faster though.
.You won't get a good SIII Land Rover for £1000, unless you find an absolute bargain, sorry but you will get a good 'un for between £1,500-2,000, it won't be pretty and won't have a 200/300TDi conversion. Mine tops out at about 45-50mph, 4 speed no o/d, 2.25 diesel. A petrol is a bit faster though.
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