I've got an overwhelming urge to buy a defender which I'm trying to justify on the basis that it will pull a trailer, carry things about
while I renovate our house and get us out of where we live in the winter when my BMW just wants to go sideways into a ditches.
I quite fancy having a play with one too.
Anyone any experience of them? Stupid idea?
i run a lada niva, to fill with rubble and abuse.
Keeps my car half decent.
Land rovers are thirsty pigs to live with full time, why not have an older one to use for hauling rubble and winter use, and have your bm to tow with.
Oh dear oh dear....
We have somehow ended up with a disco 200tdi and you can set your watch by how often it breaks.
we've had cam belt snappage, water pump leaks, transfer box failed, leaks galore, clutch slave blew, switches failed, rust everywhere, seized
calipers, steering box seals blew etc etc
Having said that, we've have been immobile for 6 weeks this last winter without it!
The other half puts it like this: "Its like an old family dog that you cant bring yourself to put down"
Oh but when it works it is quite surprisingly good off road, even boggo standard..
Geoff
Wouldn't be without one, got four at the mo 
200 Tdi 90 that I've had for 12 years and is regularly abused off road and has only let me
down once. Fubared the gearbox but was giving it serious grief.
Two 300Tdi Discovery autos (one for spares should need arise). Again been very reliable despite
260k miles on clock.
Td5 Disco 2 that is living up to the Land Rover reputation so needs to go.
Yes they rot, but they're easy to sort. No more thirsty than a similar sized 4x4, can
get 30 out of the 90 and 35 from the 300Tdi Disco.
Get a rangerover classic instead.... the defender is uncomfortable and noisy... especially if you are over 3" tall!
quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
Get a rangerover classic instead.... the defender is uncomfortable and noisy... especially if you are over 3" tall!
Disco 1 or a Defender or a Range Rover
DISCO II - (TD5) - Not worth the money won;t pull the skin off custard.
Defender Good if you have short ish legs and are not over 6'3" as seat don;t go back enough. Best Engine (200 or 300TDI)
200tdi will go better offroad as no ECU to go bang if it get wet.
Range Rover or p38 - good cars watch the v8's for over heating especially sitting on idle. Will cost big if it goes wrong.
Diesel Ranger rover p38's are sluggish and gutsy.
Best for off road - well defender with a little mods as possible. The disco and the Range rover overhangs cause problems and end up with damage.
All will tow somewhere in the region of 3-3.5T. LWB Defenders (110) are better than short ones for towing and still good enough offraod.
Older series vehicles (all leaf sprung) have character and good off road. Basic inside and again suffer from leg room problems.
All defenders / Disco & series RUST.
Discos = Boot and Roof and behind g/box corssmember
Defenders - Rear crossmember and outriggers on chassis and bulkhead near windscreen
Range rover - Taligate and Out Riggers.
Series -- Same as Defenders
[Edited on 16/606/10 by mad4x4]
Just got myself another Series IIa 88"(1969).
Picking up a new galvanised chassis tomorrow.
I will probably replace the 2.25 petrol engine with a 200Tdi (but go normally aspirated).
quote:
Originally posted by mad4x4
Disco 1 or a Defender or a Range Rover
Defender Good if you have short ish legs and are not over 6'3" as seat don;t go back enough. Best Engine (200 or 300TDI)
Oh dear. This isn't helping.
Thanks for the advice.
The Disco just doesn't seem to do it for me. Would love a 3 door range rover but too expensive and nice for what I want.
I fell asleep and ended up not buying
this at the weekend
which I'm gutted about although it might have been a lucky escape with the rising cost of petrol?
I've now found a very straight but old 110 td fitted with a 200tdi 110 just down the road which sounds like it might be the best move. The engine
change was done by a local specialist who has also serviced it all it's life.
Other than rusty chassis, anything else to look out for?
[Edited on 16/6/10 by DavidW]
Better than Land Rover, goes further and is made of bell metal.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-G-WAGON-4X4-OFF-ROAD-VEHICLE-/290445130528?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item439fe0fb20
If you want to leave a Land Rover in the clarts (North East Mud) the G Wagen with centre difflock & front & rear cross axle difflocks as
standard will eat most things.
ANd the heater works !
I've got a 300tdi disco.. the sills are shot its noisy, slow, it costs me 10 quid a day ive already put metal in both rear arches, its leaks
diff/transfer oil and engine oil (very very slowly) changed the gear box and head gasket....but... I LOVE IT. Ive lifted it MT tyres and a few other
goodies and it much more capable than me. Plus the snow is made easy. Plus if your not bothered about paint work go greenlaning
Don't talk to me about Land Rovers! 
As those who have read my recent threads will know I'm having somewhat of an issue with one at the moment (Discovery 300TDi - Auto)
But when all said and done, once it's back on the road I'll be glad 'cos I've really missed the 'old girl'. Does exactly
what it says on the tin and not as thirsty as you might think.
The 300TDi is supposed to be the best of the bunch engine wise, Just don't get an auto if you do!
HTH JB
quote:
Originally posted by Daddylonglegs
not as thirsty as you might think.
HTH JB
quote:
Originally posted by focijohn
quote:
Originally posted by Daddylonglegs
not as thirsty as you might think.
HTH JB
Agreed.
The Best ive had, i put 25 quid of diesel in her to go work and back (previous job) for the week. Used to put the same in my 1.8 petrol focus. I didnt think that was too bad
[Edited on 16/6/10 by focijohn]
morcus - 17/6/10 at 12:41 AM3 door Range Rover for the win, or even better a convertible with a big engine (I once found a website with loads of Convertible Range Rovers for sale including the newest style ones, but I don't remember where).
If you get a defender or series you can take bits of the body off with a socket set and make a convertible for the summer.
coozer - 17/6/10 at 10:11 AMhttp://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/34/viewthread.php?tid=137567
NigeEss - 17/6/10 at 10:41 PMquote:
Originally posted by Daddylonglegs
Just don't get an auto if you do!
All my Discoveries are autos, very smooth, really like them.
It's about the only thing on the TD5 that works properly !
DavidW - 9/7/10 at 08:24 AMSorry to resurect an old thread I thought I'd let you know that I gave into the urge and bought this...
Image deleted by owner
It's lovely old thing - pretty straight, and original with 57k miles and full service history.
I'm now on the lookout for bits to convert it into a soft top any any knows of anything.
David
Ninehigh - 9/7/10 at 02:24 PMAngle grinder?
Although it looks good as it is, don't you want a top for when you miscalculate and go upside down?
JoelP - 9/7/10 at 02:43 PMhow much was it, and does it have the 3.5t tow limit?!