Landrover Defender 110 lwb advice
Discussion
After a while considering it we've decided to start looking for a Landrover 110 Defender, unfortunately we cannot afford to go down the new vehicle route and will most likely be buying something that is around the 5 year old mark.
It will be getting a fair amount of off road use but I need the long wheelbase version as it will be carrying a lot of people and kit.
The big problem for me is that I know very little about them, nor do I know anyone who does.
Other than some rot issues the various owners sites seem to offer conflicting advice based on their love of the vehicles.
A bit of non biased advice on what to look for when viewing/testing would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
It will be getting a fair amount of off road use but I need the long wheelbase version as it will be carrying a lot of people and kit.
The big problem for me is that I know very little about them, nor do I know anyone who does.
Other than some rot issues the various owners sites seem to offer conflicting advice based on their love of the vehicles.
A bit of non biased advice on what to look for when viewing/testing would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
My brother had a 110 V8 CSW a few years back. It was a 1984 (I think) so had a few more problems than a 5 year old one! 
As you say watch for corrosion in the chassis, bulkhead and rear crossmember. Check round all the doors (especially door bottoms) carefully. Also check the hinges on the back door if it has a rear mounted spare. Check you are comfy driving it - the door closes right against your shoulder. Also if you are doing serious off roading the 110 has quite a big rear overhang.
Despite all it's faults my brother is on the look out for a 90 V8 now. I think they get you like that! Check the mags/books for buyer's guides.
As you say watch for corrosion in the chassis, bulkhead and rear crossmember. Check round all the doors (especially door bottoms) carefully. Also check the hinges on the back door if it has a rear mounted spare. Check you are comfy driving it - the door closes right against your shoulder. Also if you are doing serious off roading the 110 has quite a big rear overhang.Despite all it's faults my brother is on the look out for a 90 V8 now. I think they get you like that! Check the mags/books for buyer's guides.
I have owned a TD5 double cab 110 black edition from new 52 plate its now showing 46k so ok not a high miler, bit in its life apart from anual service and a mid service oil change has not cost a penny, lives outside all year round used for everything from towing the caterham to trackdays to picking up the granny on a sunday to lugging shooters dogs and sundry round on shootdays bloody fab old bus love it to bits will be buried in it when i pop this mortal coil. forgot to say the old bus still looks like a two year old (after a good wash that is )take your time buy on condition and buy the best you can afford and it will survive doomsday!!!!!
GetCarter said:
I've owned a 110 and three 90s.
How many people do you need to cart around? I've had 6 in all my 90s
MPG on a 110 is pretty bad. Be warned - at speed, all Defenders corner like cruise liners.
ETA pic!
Generally it will only be around 5 and 6 people, but depending on the type of trip it will also have to lug climbing/hillwalking kit plus my german shepherd, a rack with sea kayaks or mountain bikes and and all the associated kit.How many people do you need to cart around? I've had 6 in all my 90s
MPG on a 110 is pretty bad. Be warned - at speed, all Defenders corner like cruise liners.
ETA pic!
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 11th November 09:09
Most of the offroading will be on either beaches or farm land/forest tracks.
I know the mpg on them isn't great and the longer wheel base limits it a bit more but it's a sacrifice I have to make.
G51CAV said:
After a while considering it we've decided to start looking for a Landrover 110 Defender, unfortunately we cannot afford to go down the new vehicle route and will most likely be buying something that is around the 5 year old mark.
It will be getting a fair amount of off road use but I need the long wheelbase version as it will be carrying a lot of people and kit.
The big problem for me is that I know very little about them, nor do I know anyone who does.
Other than some rot issues the various owners sites seem to offer conflicting advice based on their love of the vehicles.
A bit of non biased advice on what to look for when viewing/testing would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
What sort of budget are you looking at?It will be getting a fair amount of off road use but I need the long wheelbase version as it will be carrying a lot of people and kit.
The big problem for me is that I know very little about them, nor do I know anyone who does.
Other than some rot issues the various owners sites seem to offer conflicting advice based on their love of the vehicles.
A bit of non biased advice on what to look for when viewing/testing would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Overall these vehicles should be fairly reliable. But they do like TLC. Many seem to confuse this with being unreliable which in my opinion is mostly nonsense. Buy a solid tidy one and it should be ok. There really isn't much to actually go wrong on them. And the biggest bonus is you can repair every part of them right down to replacement chassis's. So if maintained it'll in theory survive forever. Many of the Jap 4x4's tend to require less constant maintenance so are perceived as more
reliabale. But it's my belief that they reach a certain point when it no longer becomes viable to run them. Hence why you still see a lot of old Landy's going strong and not so many older Japanese ones. In fact you don't even see many from the late 80's early 1990's even when compared to the number of Land Rover based products still on the road at this age.
If you have the time/cash (rather than finance) you could probably buy a much older 110 and do it up to a much better stnandard than a newer one for the same money. This is how easy they are to repair.
How many seats do you really need? Would something like a LWB G Wagen or Wrangler JK be something to look at? If you are going for a 12 seater does your licence cover you?
Also is the vehicle going to be used for anything else? As in would a more purposful vehicle be an option such as a modernised Land Rover 101 or a Pinzgauer?
They are great bits of kit and I love mine although it is a 300tdi not a td5. Take one for a test drive from a dealer to get a good feel of how it drives, the space you have for passengers and the comforts
Maintenance is important but suprisingly cheap. If you are planning off road trips then consider a set of off road tyres. I have 2 sets of wheels, one with everyday all terains for on road and light off road and a set of mud terrains for the heavy stuff. The overhang problem isn't that much of a problem really and can be overcome by sensible driving offroad.
Do a couple of dealers and independants to see what is out there before looking at private sales to see the comparison in presentation.
Maintenance is important but suprisingly cheap. If you are planning off road trips then consider a set of off road tyres. I have 2 sets of wheels, one with everyday all terains for on road and light off road and a set of mud terrains for the heavy stuff. The overhang problem isn't that much of a problem really and can be overcome by sensible driving offroad.
Do a couple of dealers and independants to see what is out there before looking at private sales to see the comparison in presentation.
Just sold my G4 110 for £14.500 53 plate 50000 miles. Perfect working conditions full LR service history apart from one.
Sold to a friend on condition I get first refusal when he sells.
I used mine for lugging camping/walking/kids etc and had brillant fun in it. Perfect reliability.
Sold to a friend on condition I get first refusal when he sells.
I used mine for lugging camping/walking/kids etc and had brillant fun in it. Perfect reliability.
Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 18th November 13:29
superlightr said:
Just curious as to if others think the price I sold my G4 was about right, low, high. Im happy with the figure but an objective view would be good to hear.
Hard to say really. Defender prices are all over the place but my initial reaction was that it was a bit low... I may be talking out of my ass though.
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