Thread: First defender

Hey, not sure if this is the right place for advice but I am looking to buy a Defender soon and am looking for some tips as a first 4x4.

I'm wanting to spend not much more than $12-14k which will probably get me something in the mid 90's with around 250-350k's on the clock.

I'm wondering if you have any tips on what to look out for with the 200tdi's and what common problems I might run into after purchase?

I know that defenders can last 'til a million k's but I don't want to buy the beast then be hit with a whole bunch of hidden costs or parts that need replacing. I'm obviously going to get it checked out by a mechanic before purchase but I figured any advice is good advice

Cheers in advance.

i would go for a 300tdi 95-98? should be some around <$14k

ask for receipts from when the timing belt was last changed, every 80 000km seems to be the agreed, from memory allow approx $600 for a new timing belt

who ever does your check get them to pull the round cover plate off the back of the t-case and check the main shaft the gearbox and t-case

i'm with RVR110, at these km's they need some TLC, mine has just clocked over 310 000km and have owned since 180 000, have replaced the timing belt twice, a clutch, new cylinder and radiator all of which (maybe exclude the cylinder head) you could say are normal wear and tear, other than that i have had trouble free motoring. i drop the engine oil every 5000km and gearbox/diffs every 15 000km