Second-hand Defenders - specialists and advice

[Gruber]

I've had my heart set on a Defender since I was 3 years old. 32 years later I've got the opportunity to make it happen.

My budget is £12k tops and I want a tidy 90 CSW - it needs to be LEZ compliant. I've done some reading on the relavtive merits of 300tdis and TD5s and don't really mind which I end up with.

I'm planning to take a look at a few tomorrow, heading down Horsham way towards the Freelander Centre and Johnsons 4x4. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of these dealers? Or other recommendations in that broad neck of the woods?

http://www.surrey4x4.co.uk/

http://www.johnsons4x4.co.uk/used-4x4/

Aside from rear cross-member, out-riggers, bulkhead, general condition and a good service history, is the anything else I should be particularly wary of?

And of course, if anyone is in the process of selling something that fits the bill, please feel free to PM me.

I must say, I particularly like the look of this one:

http://www.surrey4x4.co.uk/used-cars/land-rover-de...

[mikeh501]

Chequer plate attached to the rear crossmember would put me off that one. Not looked at prices recently, but I'd be wanting a galv chassis at that money with whatever engine in it.

What you intend doing with it? Daily driver? Toy? Off road? Greenlane?

[vjj]

LEZ compliant means genuine sation wagon if you go for a diesel, beware conversions

ALL petrol models are automatically granted this exalted status

very easy to verify - go to TFL website, put in reg no and confirm you have a legitimate interest in the vehicle and it tells you there and then.

Johnsons 4X4 unfortunately have taken over the old premises of Reid Landrovers - a name to avoid if ever there was one - now defunct - but Johnsons seem to be doing ok.

The other lot I don't know.

If you are buying the car as a toy/classic car and looking to protect your investment then get one of the following:

a mint V8 90 CSW,
a good 50th Anniversary 90 V8 CSW,
an Overfinch 90 CSW
a 1997/8/9 90 300TDI CSW with low miles and FSH.
a Heritage TD5 90 CSW in Atlantic green.

Do not buy anything with chequer-plate over the chassis without removing it first

Good Luck

Edited by vjj on Friday 15th November 23:02

Edited by vjj on Friday 15th November 23:03

[Gruber]

Thanks gents - very grateful for the advice.

To answer the question about intended use - it'll just be a toy, albeit one that we use to get around the country over winter and I use for work from time to time.

Thanks for picking up on the chequer plate on the cross-member. Good spot. The other Defender I was interested in at the same dealer also seems to have the chequer plate. Coincidence!? And thanks for the advice on Johnsons.

Not quite sure what to do. Maybe it'll all become clear when I've seen and driven a few tomorrow!

Oh and I really fancy the idea of a V8-powered one...

[Sarge 4x4]

You would be best looking at lots first and if possible take someone with you who has knowledge of the brand, so many things to look at.

Don't rush it because if you but a wrong one it can cost you very dear.

There are a few dealers around that have quite bad reputations so be careful.

Always happy to give advice, have been working with/on L/Rovers for over 30 years.

Good luck.

[anonymous-user]

Van conversions can gain LEZ compliance. Just needs photos, copy of the V5 (showing revised number of seats) and a signed statement submitting to TfL.
Has to be a permanent, legally acceptable seating installation too. (Seat cushions laid along the top of the rear wheel arch box sections don't count. Then again, removing or refitting anything to a Defender is never more than a spanner job)

[anonymous-user]

vjj said:

If you are buying the car as a toy/classic car and looking to protect your investment then get one of the following:

a mint V8 90 CSW,
a good 50th Anniversary 90 V8 CSW,
an Overfinch 90 CSW
a 1997/8/9 90 300TDI CSW with low miles and FSH.
a Heritage TD5 90 CSW in Atlantic green.

Not sure any of them will meet the £12k budget
The 300TDi perhaps, but a decent 50th or even an Overfinch? Nah.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 16th November 17:29

[Emily's dad]

Can't offer you any practical buying advice as I've only just started looking around too, but these guys have a selection of Defenders. Over the few weeks I've been looking their stock seems to change quite frequently.

http://www.walton-motors.co.uk/used-cars-in-cranli...

Good luck in your search.

Dave

[Toyocruiser]

Have you ever driven a land rover defender? they are horrible to drive on the road and I would not like to own one that spends most of the time driving on the road even more so if you have MT tires fitted. A discovery might be a better compromise. I absolutely love defenders and I spent years working on them and repairing for my them in my job but unless I needed it to work on a farm, or part of my job orfor some serious off road expedition trips, I would pick a discovery over one every time. As for what you will need one for, it will offer the same and much more, as your defender will spend most of its life on the road. I would advise you to test drive one. No other cars have the same character as a defender imo its just they do have a very specific purpose.

Edited by Toyocruiser on Saturday 16th November 17:13

[petemurphy]

ha how did u get on - am in the same position and went to the freelander centre today although they had just sold the nicest one a blue one- was it you?!

everyone always says 10-11k theres loads better etc but i cant seem to find them! people give me links to a decent 90 under 12k!

[anonymous-user]

Toyocruiser said:

Have you ever driven a land rover defender? they are horrible to drive on the road and I would not like to own one that spends most of the time driving on the road even more so if you have MT tires fitted. A discovery might be a better compromise.

Oh FFS. Not again........
The OP has his heart set on a fking Defender and fking well has done since he was fking three.
If he wanted a fking Discovery it would fking well say so in the first fking post.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 16th November 17:31

[Gruber]

Crossflow Kid said:

Toyocruiser said:

Have you ever driven a land rover defender? they are horrible to drive on the road and I would not like to own one that spends most of the time driving on the road even more so if you have MT tires fitted. A discovery might be a better compromise.

Oh FFS. Not again........
The OP has his heart set on a fking Defender and fking well has done since he was fking three.
If he wanted a fking Discovery it would fking well say so in the first fking post.

Edited by Crossflow Kid on Saturday 16th November 17:31

I know they're agricultural. But as Crossflow says, the Defender is the dream.

And I did drive a Disco today - a nice auto TD5 in good condition. with full service history, nice leather interior, HK sound system, bum warmers, etc. But ultimately, though comfortable and competent, it lacked the magic.

Sadly, today's Defender search has proved fruitless. I looked at a few and drove one, but none of them seemed to be in satisfactory condition for the money being asked. Well, except for one which was lovely, but.... had sold 30mins before I got there

The search continues.

I'm grateful for all the advice.

[Gruber]

petemurphy said:

ha how did u get on - am in the same position and went to the freelander centre today although they had just sold the nicest one a blue one- was it you?!

everyone always says 10-11k theres loads better etc but i cant seem to find them! people give me links to a decent 90 under 12k!

Were you in a Lotus, by any chance?

I was indeed at the Freelander Centre earlier, but they'd already sold that nice 54 plate blue one.

And I'd certainly agree with the last comment. Maybe my expectations are set too high, but I'm struggling to find all these nice sub-£12k 90s as well.

Edited by Gruber on Saturday 16th November 18:03

[camel_landy]

Crossflow Kid said:

Oh FFS. Not again........
The OP has his heart set on a fking Defender and fking well has done since he was fking three.
If he wanted a fking Discovery it would fking well say so in the first fking post.

Look upon it as a quick reality check.

As you know, if ever there was a 'Marmite' car, the Defender is it.

M

[Toyocruiser]

Crossflow Kid said:

Oh FFS. Not again........
The OP has his heart set on a fking Defender and fking well has done since he was fking three.
If he wanted a fking Discovery it would fking well say so in the first fking post.

Edited by Crossflow Kid on Saturday 16th November 17:31

Yes wanting one and living with one is different, I love defenders I spent years repairing them as mechanic, they are my fav vehicle but I did not buy one for a reason. So change your knickers and fk off knobber

[camel_landy]

Toyocruiser said:

So change your knickers and fk off knobber

M

[petemurphy]

Gruber said:

Were you in a Lotus, by any chance?

I was indeed at the Freelander Centre earlier, but they'd already sold that nice 54 plate blue one.

And I'd certainly agree with the last comment. Maybe my expectations are set too high, but I'm struggling to find all these nice sub-£12k 90s as well.

Edited by Gruber on Saturday 16th November 18:03

nope we parked in the pub oppos - was it you with ure wife looking at the black one? he literally took the for sale sign out of the 54 plate one and drove off as i arrived!

black one seemed bit rusty for the cash dont know if thats typical of the age / price?

[Gruber]

Toyocruiser said:

Yes wanting one and living with one is different, I love defenders I spent years repairing them as mechanic, they are my fav vehicle but I did not buy one for a reason. So change your knickers and fk off knobber

I'm grateful for the reality check, but I've a fair idea what I'm letting myself in for. I've driven them, and passengered in them, enough to know they're not the last word in comfort and driving dynamics.

I'm in the fortunate position that it won't be the only car in the garage - it will join a newish M3 that gets used for the longer distance stuff and a Mk2 Golf gti for nipping about in. The Defender will be the winter toy.

[Toyocruiser]

Gruber said:

I know they're agricultural. But as Crossflow says, the Defender is the dream.

And I did drive a Disco today - a nice auto TD5 in good condition. with full service history, nice leather interior, HK sound system, bum warmers, etc. But ultimately, though comfortable and competent, it lacked the magic.

Sadly, today's Defender search has proved fruitless. I looked at a few and drove one, but none of them seemed to be in satisfactory condition for the money being asked. Well, except for one which was lovely, but.... had sold 30mins before I got there

The search continues.

I'm grateful for all the advice.

Most of them you see will need something done, it might be worth looking at a defender with higher mileage that has spent more of those miles on road and less abuse over a defender of the same year with very low miles as they will most likely have covered those off road. I would try and find one with for a lower price that may need a bit of work doing...or mainly buying one on the condition underneath.

[Gruber]

petemurphy said:

nope we parked in the pub oppos - was it you with ure wife looking at the black one? he literally took the for sale sign out of the 54 plate one and drove off as i arrived!

black one seemed bit rusty for the cash dont know if thats typical of the age / price?

Not us.

What time were you there? I bet we must have just missed each other. We had a look round the Landies, then had lunch in the pub and then mooched off at 1.45ish.

And I agree that the black one was a bit on the rough side. I'd want better for over £11k.