defenders - how many miles are too much?

[petemurphy]

looking at a sub 12k defender. now ive been told to buy on condition rather than miledge but still am nervous of high milers. what would you say is too much miledge wise? when does everything go bang?! eg seen a 54 plate but its done 125k is that bad. am surprised they do such high miledge so quickly seeing as theyre not exactly motorway cruisers!

thanks

[hilly10]

High mileage is fine as long as it's been serviced regular

[petemurphy]

hilly10 said:

High mileage is fine as long as it's been serviced regular

what do you term high!

[A.J.M]

That's a "how long is a piece of string" question.

A defender could show 200k on the clock, but be rebuilt with new chassis, bulkheads, doors, interior, paintwork etc.

You buy on condition, does it drive well. Is the gearbox like stirring a bucket of spanners, can you stick a screw driver through the chassis, does the bulkhead look terrible. Is the interior a mess etc.

I have mates who think 60k is high mileage and above that, a car is effectively scrap. I point to my D3 with 116k and say, that's now run in. It will see 300k easily with proper servicing with good quality parts.

I used to think that, but that's only cause i had a Clio that was pretty much shagged by 60k. Now i see it as a number on the dash, it means little as modern car's are built to take huge miles, it also depends on use.

One that's been used solely for motorway driving will suffer less of the abuse that a city driver will face, less pot holes and stop start traffic on motorways, plus speeds are generally higher and the car will likely run at optimum temperatures. My car usually does short town driving journeys due to the nature of my work.
It went down to the lake district and back from Glasgow a few weeks ago for off roading, it now feels better for having had a long proper run.

[C Lee Farquar]

There is no set rule. I had a new 300 Tdi that grenaded at 38000, just eighteen months old. FMDSH. It's replacement is on 150000 and has had no problems.

Being self employed and VAT registered it's always made more sense buying new for me.

[welshpete]

Hi, I had one of the first Defenders in the country when they first arrived on the scene, a 110 seven seater. It had delivery mileage on it when I got it (27 miles), and when I sold it on to my brother a few years later, it had covered OVER 290k with only a change of clutch, one rear spring and a steering box! He is still using it now, it's done just over 400k, and yes, it still has the original engine, although all the seals have been changed, as has the cam and the shell bearings. Second clutch change was done last year. The secret to its longevity is regular servicing at every 6k, cleaned and wax oiled twice a year, and not driven like it was stolen. Yes, it goes off road regularly with him, he is a forest ranger, and uses it for his work EVERY day of the year! Do not let high mileage put you of, PROVIDED the seller can show you proof of a FULL service history. Also check the stance, I.E. it does not lopsided, don't smoke overmuch on start up from cold, and is not knocking its dangly bits off!
Regards
Pete

[Dave^]

7 seat 110?

90, surely? Or more seats?

[petemurphy]

welshpete said:

Hi, I had one of the first Defenders in the country when they first arrived on the scene, a 110 seven seater. It had delivery mileage on it when I got it (27 miles), and when I sold it on to my brother a few years later, it had covered OVER 290k with only a change of clutch, one rear spring and a steering box! He is still using it now, it's done just over 400k, and yes, it still has the original engine, although all the seals have been changed, as has the cam and the shell bearings. Second clutch change was done last year. The secret to its longevity is regular servicing at every 6k, cleaned and wax oiled twice a year, and not driven like it was stolen. Yes, it goes off road regularly with him, he is a forest ranger, and uses it for his work EVERY day of the year! Do not let high mileage put you of, PROVIDED the seller can show you proof of a FULL service history. Also check the stance, I.E. it does not lopsided, don't smoke overmuch on start up from cold, and is not knocking its dangly bits off!
Regards
Pete

thanks - regarding lopsided does this one look lopsided as i thought that before u mentioned it maybe the camera angle - whats does it indicate?

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Land-Rover-90-Defender-2-5T...

i guess im a bit worried re resale - if i buy a £12k one thats done 125 miles and put on say 40-50k will anyone want it after?

[welshpete]

Hmmm, it does look slightly lop sided, but it could also be the angle the pic was taken, or even a camber on the road it is parked on. Easiest way to check is park it on flat,level ground and measure from the floor to the centre of the rear light. Being lopsided usually indicates either a very weak or even broken spring, and in some rare cases, a twist in the chassis, although I am glad to say this one is very rare to see. This usually follows a big impact, normally seen on ones used for extreme off roading, where they climb an obstacle and come down the other side with a bang. As for the mileage, like I said, Provided there is a FULL service history, it will not worry most people. An example. I just sold a 1996 Audi A3 1.8 non turbo petrol with 225k on the clock, with a full service history, proof of works carried out, which still runs so quietly you cannot hear it ticking over. I got £1200 for it. Just double check the things I mentioned, and you wont go far wrong.
Regards
Pete

[petemurphy]

thanks will check

[lost in espace]

Please check the chassis rails behind the rear springs carefully for rusting inside out. And crossmember condition. That one looks good!

[anonymous-user]

petemurphy said:

i guess im a bit worried re resale - if i buy a £12k one thats done 125 miles and put on say 40-50k will anyone want it after?

Yes.
Treat it well and the only money you won't get back is your running costs.
Zero depreciation is not unheard of if you buy/sell at the right time.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 9th December 08:23

[camel_landy]

Dave^ said:

7 seat 110?

90, surely? Or more seats?

From the description, I'm assuming '07 model. The TDCi (Puma) engined 110s could come with 7x forward facing seats.

M

[300bhp/ton]

petemurphy said:

looking at a sub 12k defender. now ive been told to buy on condition rather than miledge but still am nervous of high milers. what would you say is too much miledge wise? when does everything go bang?! eg seen a 54 plate but its done 125k is that bad. am surprised they do such high miledge so quickly seeing as theyre not exactly motorway cruisers!

thanks

I seriously wouldn't worry too much tbh. Condition is all that matters really. And it's not as if there is a real shortage of Defenders, so if one you are looking at has too high a mileage for your tastes, leave it and move onto the next one.


Seriously Defenders are simple and have to be one of the EASIEST vehicles to check over. Plus every part is replaceable, so even if you buy one with knackered steering or suspension, it'll be easy and relatively cheap to fix.


--Basically, don't worry so much. And just buy one if you want one.

[petemurphy]

300bhp/ton said:

I seriously wouldn't worry too much tbh. Condition is all that matters really. And it's not as if there is a real shortage of Defenders, so if one you are looking at has too high a mileage for your tastes, leave it and move onto the next one.


Seriously Defenders are simple and have to be one of the EASIEST vehicles to check over. Plus every part is replaceable, so even if you buy one with knackered steering or suspension, it'll be easy and relatively cheap to fix.


--Basically, don't worry so much. And just buy one if you want one.

thanks although i'd disagree theres loads out there as i and the chap in the other thread have found out! just want a pref under £10k 90 in a dark colour with good chassis / bulkhead and pref not silly miles

[300bhp/ton]

petemurphy said:

thanks although i'd disagree theres loads out there as i and the chap in the other thread have found out! just want a pref under £10k 90 in a dark colour with good chassis / bulkhead and pref not silly miles

Maybe there aren't so many, but AutoTrader lists nearly 900 Defenders in total and over 250 at £11k or under. I struggle to believe there isn't plenty of choice.

[petemurphy]

300bhp/ton said:

Maybe there aren't so many, but AutoTrader lists nearly 900 Defenders in total and over 250 at £11k or under. I struggle to believe there isn't plenty of choice.

find me 2 that are suitable! go on u know u'd prefer to scan autotrader to work!

[Engineer1]

Defender - triggers broom, I bet on a few the numberplate is the oldest component, Chassis, Engines body panels etc all replaced when needed.

[300bhp/ton]

petemurphy said:

find me 2 that are suitable! go on u know u'd prefer to scan autotrader to work!

I think there are many more than 2 that must be suitable. As said, I'd buy on condition, not mileage.

Personally I'd also be open to other colours and less fussed about age or engine. In fact I'd even be tempted to buy an older tidy 2.5TD and simply get a different engine swapped into it.

[petemurphy]

might go and see this one today do u think its too much price wise?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-90-Defender-2...