Defender
Author
Discussion

foreverme

Original Poster:

569 posts

202 months

Tuesday 5th November 2013
quotequote all
Looking to get a defender to add to my fleet, would like a V8 but been told to go for a TDI 400? My budget is circa 4k or less, do i have a hope??

100SRV

2,329 posts

266 months

Tuesday 5th November 2013
quotequote all
/300BHP mode on/
Buy a Discovery, it is the same as a Defender
/300BHP mode off/

There are 300TDi or 200TDi, V8 factory vehicles are rare in this country - what do you want to use it for?

foreverme

Original Poster:

569 posts

202 months

Tuesday 5th November 2013
quotequote all
I have a D3, soon to be a D4, this is for me to use to get to the station and back in the bad weather/winter rather than using the 911, so fuel economy is not an issue, just need a sound chassis..

100SRV

2,329 posts

266 months

Tuesday 5th November 2013
quotequote all
PH classifieds?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...

Maybe, for that budget I suspect you will pick up an early 2.5 litre one.

CAPP0

20,565 posts

227 months

Tuesday 5th November 2013
quotequote all
Bear in mind no such thing as a 400 TDI (unless it's a custom jobbie). 200 and 300. No 400.

What is it that you want? Do you want a station wagon, a van, a pickup, a soft top? I'd avoid a 110 (or 130!) for a station run, you need the SWB 90, the bigger ones are buggers to park.

It is possible to get a V8 for your budget but you'll have to hunt (and possibly travel) for it.

If this is solid then it's a lot of truck for the money but not everyone's cuppa.

Edited by CAPP0 on Tuesday 5th November 18:15

task

418 posts

195 months

Tuesday 5th November 2013
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For that price I would look to buy on condition above engine/age and anything else.

A factory V8 will either be an early vehicle or one of the 50th's, I would imagine either of these in good condition is outside of the price range you have in mind, certainly the 50th is.

Other things to consider in that price range;

Range Rover Classic - should get an OK condition 4 door for that price, almost all are V8s. Becoming collectible.
Disco 1 - You'll get an immaculate one for this price
Disco 2 - You should get a OK condition V8 for this price

Of course, none of those are a defender.

foreverme

Original Poster:

569 posts

202 months

Tuesday 5th November 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies all, I am not set on a V8 if a tdi gets a better overall car then I would rather go that way, seen a few on eBay any thoughts?
http://bit.ly/1hh1fpK
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251371674292
http://bit.ly/1hh2gxU
http://bit.ly/1hh2oNS

Tbh, I just don't get the pricing, I do like the idea of three seats in the front my kids would love it smile

M3ni

39 posts

213 months

Wednesday 6th November 2013
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I will be putting my v8 90 up for sale in the next couple of days, around the money you're looking to spend, if interested drop me an email.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

214 months

Wednesday 6th November 2013
quotequote all
foreverme said:
Thanks for the replies all, I am not set on a V8 if a tdi gets a better overall car then I would rather go that way, seen a few on eBay any thoughts?
http://bit.ly/1hh1fpK
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251371674292
http://bit.ly/1hh2gxU
http://bit.ly/1hh2oNS

Tbh, I just don't get the pricing, I do like the idea of three seats in the front my kids would love it smile
Prices vary because the Defender and earlier Ninety (they are only Defenders after about 1991) have strong residuals and conditions vary wildly.

Overall the Defender hasn't changed much and £4k is only going to give you so much choice. Personally I'd buy on condition as you could always swap another engine in later.

e.g. with your budget you might well buy a better 2.5TD than you will a Tdi. But a 2.5TD is a lot slower.

V8's are about, but the factory 3.5 isn't very powerful and on short run abouts will be around the 12MPG mark with a high of 15. Even for people who claim not to care about mpg, this usually changes that view.

Also "why" are you wanting a Defender? If it's for the image or look, then fair enough, although if the former I think that's a poor reason. Also I can't understand why you'd want to buy an off road 4x4 and then not use it off road. It would be like buying a track focused Se7en, then only using it to visit Tesco's.

As ever, if you haven't driven one, I would implore you to try one out first. I simply love LR's and especially Defenders. But they aren't for everyone.

And as was hinted at earlier, if you are only wanting a capable off road 4x4 vehicle, then you will simply buy a lot more Discovery, or even Range Rover Classic for your money. They are every bit as capable as a Defender, mostly because everything below the body tub is either identical or very similar to a Defender.

If it's the "look" of the Defender you like, then also check out Jeep Wranglers. Remember the forbearer of the Wrangler is what inspired the forbearer of the Defender. And early LR prototypes were built on a Jeep chassis.

The Wrangler holds it's money quite well, but you'll get more choice for £4k with them. They also out perform the Defender in many aspects and the 4.0 litre one is actually rather rapid for a 4x4, while the 3.5 V8 Land Rover isn't.

foreverme

Original Poster:

569 posts

202 months

Wednesday 6th November 2013
quotequote all
M3ni said:
I will be putting my v8 90 up for sale in the next couple of days, around the money you're looking to spend, if interested drop me an email.
mail sent...

M3ni

39 posts

213 months

Thursday 7th November 2013
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Responded Markthumbup