Modern LR Defender 90 - easy to live with day to day?
Discussion
Hi all,
Have a bit of a car shuffle at the moment and wanted to consider something for the "utility" side of life.. Want to be able to go green laning, pay and play sites but also something that will take me, the Mrs the dog and all our gear away for the weekend.
I have always liked and quite fancied a LR Defender 90.. But my only hesitation is what would it be like using it for a long journey? the odd trip to customers etc
Are the modern 2002 onwards vehicles much better than those of old?
Are they easy to modify for any improved performance? diesel tuning etc? soundproofing?
What is the realistic mpg from a diesel 90? or should i consider a cheaper to buy V8 and go the lpg route?
As you can see, lots of questions so any advice greatly welcomed
Cheers
Nick
Have a bit of a car shuffle at the moment and wanted to consider something for the "utility" side of life.. Want to be able to go green laning, pay and play sites but also something that will take me, the Mrs the dog and all our gear away for the weekend.
I have always liked and quite fancied a LR Defender 90.. But my only hesitation is what would it be like using it for a long journey? the odd trip to customers etc
Are the modern 2002 onwards vehicles much better than those of old?
Are they easy to modify for any improved performance? diesel tuning etc? soundproofing?
What is the realistic mpg from a diesel 90? or should i consider a cheaper to buy V8 and go the lpg route?
As you can see, lots of questions so any advice greatly welcomed
Cheers
Nick
I had a 2002 TD5 defender and did about 9K in12 months and although I was not my day to day car (Got the train to work) I did lots of long journeys in it. If doing about 70 MPH I was getting about 27 MPG. If I still had the Defender I would have put an overdrive on if for faster speeds.
It was very comfortable for me and I was happy driving any distance in it. I would recommend one and will be getting other one day.
See my profile for some cost.
It was very comfortable for me and I was happy driving any distance in it. I would recommend one and will be getting other one day.
See my profile for some cost.
Nick
I have had a Defender (2004 XS TD5 90) for 2 months after various cars (Audi A4, Caterham 7, TVR S3c, Volvo S40 diesel and others.
I purchased it to suit a variety of needs eg
Hobby car ( I enjoy tinkering and fixing cars)
British Icon
Longevity
Something Different
I really like my Landy, I have not been off road yet!!
+ve
Driving position is high ideal in the lanes
Image, classless, whatever you want it to be
DIY, loads of modification potential, easy to service yourself, though there is a fair bit to do with the oil checks and grease points
The body lasts but the chassis if non galvanised needs regular Waxoyl
I get 30 mpg, lots of brim to brim checks
Insurance reasonable
The station wagon body is very practical
-ve
Road tax for post March 2001 vehicles rises to £440 next year!!!!
Noise (could fit overdrive but it is £1400 for the unit alone)
Build quality is not Audi (but is not bad)
They all leak a little in the front from the door seals
I have not driven the new 2.4 Puma engined Defender, but it will be more refined - I wanted the TD5 as it was the last LR designed and built engine
The accessories aftermarket is unlimited which is good if that is your taste!! Also they will not fit in a modern garage unless you deflate the tyres (I knew before purchase but may be of interest!!)
I have had a Defender (2004 XS TD5 90) for 2 months after various cars (Audi A4, Caterham 7, TVR S3c, Volvo S40 diesel and others.
I purchased it to suit a variety of needs eg
Hobby car ( I enjoy tinkering and fixing cars)
British Icon
Longevity
Something Different
I really like my Landy, I have not been off road yet!!
+ve
Driving position is high ideal in the lanes
Image, classless, whatever you want it to be
DIY, loads of modification potential, easy to service yourself, though there is a fair bit to do with the oil checks and grease points
The body lasts but the chassis if non galvanised needs regular Waxoyl
I get 30 mpg, lots of brim to brim checks
Insurance reasonable
The station wagon body is very practical
-ve
Road tax for post March 2001 vehicles rises to £440 next year!!!!
Noise (could fit overdrive but it is £1400 for the unit alone)
Build quality is not Audi (but is not bad)
They all leak a little in the front from the door seals
I have not driven the new 2.4 Puma engined Defender, but it will be more refined - I wanted the TD5 as it was the last LR designed and built engine
The accessories aftermarket is unlimited which is good if that is your taste!! Also they will not fit in a modern garage unless you deflate the tyres (I knew before purchase but may be of interest!!)
I can't comment on 90, but last month drove my 110 TD5 from the south coast to Aberdeen with the family aboard. No problem long distance, cruises at 70 fine and kids prefer it to Pug 406 estate as they can actually see out. Another bonus is haven't got close to filling the luggage space yet. We got high 20s mpg. I don't drive every day, but it is my main vehicle.
It's a very different driving experience to a modern saloon. It works for me, but can see why others would hate it.
It's a very different driving experience to a modern saloon. It works for me, but can see why others would hate it.
I have recently replaced the Series SWB that I had for 11 years with a MY2000 TD5 CSW 90 (we also have a newish Mini Cooper and each do around 4K miles per year). I was nervous about the Government's likely use of road tax hikes for recent (post 2001) vehicles and as it won't be used very much opted for the best pre 2001 I could find. So in response to your questions:
The 2002+ TD5s are superficially very similar to the earlier TD5s. But you'll need a more recent one if you want electric windows, heated front seats, heated windscreen or central locking. Apart from that kind of stuff they are very similar.
The power of the TD5 is very easily increased from 120BHP standard to around 180 for around £450 for a re-map. But the 2002+ ones are easier because they have a re-programmable ECU. So the chip needs changing in the earlier ones.
If you get a CSW I don't think you'll need soundproofing. But if you plan to use it on the motorway then the revs are a bit on the high side and a common mod is to change the final drive ration to the Discovery gears. This is quite easy and costs £250 if DIY or £650 if you ask Ashcroft in Dunstable to do it. Or you can pick up a Discover transfer box for £50+ on eBay.
Experience varies between vehicles with TD5 consumption from 26 - 32mpg.
Last point is that they hold their value incredibly well and accepted wisdom is to buy on condition not age. It remains to be seen if high fuel prices and road tax (on the station wagons but not on the vans though the earlier vans cop for the £100 per day London emissions zone charge from 2010)change that. And the pre-computer engined ones also appeal to the 'fix anything at the side of the road' fraternity so prices of the last of them (300 TDi engine) are also quite strong.
The 2002+ TD5s are superficially very similar to the earlier TD5s. But you'll need a more recent one if you want electric windows, heated front seats, heated windscreen or central locking. Apart from that kind of stuff they are very similar.
The power of the TD5 is very easily increased from 120BHP standard to around 180 for around £450 for a re-map. But the 2002+ ones are easier because they have a re-programmable ECU. So the chip needs changing in the earlier ones.
If you get a CSW I don't think you'll need soundproofing. But if you plan to use it on the motorway then the revs are a bit on the high side and a common mod is to change the final drive ration to the Discovery gears. This is quite easy and costs £250 if DIY or £650 if you ask Ashcroft in Dunstable to do it. Or you can pick up a Discover transfer box for £50+ on eBay.
Experience varies between vehicles with TD5 consumption from 26 - 32mpg.
Last point is that they hold their value incredibly well and accepted wisdom is to buy on condition not age. It remains to be seen if high fuel prices and road tax (on the station wagons but not on the vans though the earlier vans cop for the £100 per day London emissions zone charge from 2010)change that. And the pre-computer engined ones also appeal to the 'fix anything at the side of the road' fraternity so prices of the last of them (300 TDi engine) are also quite strong.
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