Thread: The perfect Defender?

Thanks guys, maybe I wasn't entirely clear at first. I have nothing against 90,110 or Perentie. But a 130 is the winner in my books as it gives me the right platform to use it at as camper one weekend and to haul our mountainbikes, snowboards and/or kayaks the other on a day trip (if we put a slide on camper on it, and that's defintely the end game)

So what would i like to understand is:

I would like to maken an educated guess on finances needed to buy and get it on the road safely for the cheap one compared to a more expensive one. And what would be expected to be 'up for repair' with the 17K option

7K: 1995 Land Rover Defender Dual Cab Ute 300TDi | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Burnie-Devonport Region - Central Coast | 1126562596
17K: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-4305801

Looking at the two examples I posted what can I expect on issues with one or the other? (and what would it set me back approx.)

Thanks guys!

A 300tdi for $7k will be a bucket of bolts. It's even described as being "a good farm hack or resto project"

You'll get some optimists telling you "it won't take much" but you could watch $10k evaporate on a project like that and still have a pile of junk in the drive.

If it was my money, I'd avoid the resto projects and be prepared to pay good money for a well looked after, rust free car.

IMO Td5s seem to be the best value buy at the moment.

Without inspecting the vehicle it's just a guess as to what the cost might be to make it right. The Td5 linked to looks well used. Without a documented service history I'd ignore whatever mileage the speedo is showing and look carefully at the condition of the vehicle.

You might get lucky, but finding a good defender at a good price might take a bit of time. They are out there though.

Thanks. It's clear to me that below 10k or without documented history it will allways be tricky to say the least.

I understood that some repairs are pretty standard around certain mileage? 300k means? Head? Gearbox? Transfer case?

Originally Posted by DutchMick

Thanks. It's clear to me that below 10k or without documented history it will allways be tricky to say the least.

I understood that some repairs are pretty standard around certain mileage? 300k means? Head? Gearbox? Transfer case?

I bought mine with 300k on it. It needed everything and anything I thought I might get away with leaving untouched, proved me wrong.

Suspension was worn out, including all bushes. Anything bolted to the engine was stuffed, clutch was stuffed, gearbox was on its way out, huge amount of slop in transfer. All bearings, hubs, front half shafts, cvs, drive flanges - stuffed.

Cooling system, heater, steering box and pump - stuffed.

Track rod bent, tie rod ends - stuffed

Brakes discs and pads at both ends - stuffed

And the list goes on almost endlessly.

My project was a lesson in it being better to spend more to buy a better Deefer to start with. I thought it would be better to buy cheap and spend lots fixing it. I got the 'lots' bit right and I do have in many ways a new vehicle, but...in hindsight I did it the hard/expensive way.

My Deefer wasn't looked after well by previous owners and finding one that has been is the way to go.

If you are looking at examples with 300k+ kms on them then getting one with recently replaced gearbox and transfer would be a bonus. You see them from time to time. Having said that there are aulro folk who look after their deefers and tc and gb are still going strong with 400k+ kms. How the vehicle has been looked after is everything.

Head gaskets on tdis are a consumable and no big deal to do.

Timing belts (tdis) are every 80-90k kms.

cooling system needs to be kept in top condition.

Like I said though, I think you have more chance of finding a properly nice, reasonably priced td5.

Great info. Found your thread will be a good read over the weekend!

Hi DutchMick,

Why dont you buy the 2000 130 still for sale in your original post?
It still is for sale according to carsales. You might even be able to bargain them down. It looks like its in pretty good nic and it has quite a few options.

I am not the owner nor do I know who they are.

Hi Karl,

Would love to! If I would be around. Still 16.000km away though. And not sure how to buy a car from the Netherlands in OZ and keep it in 'storage' for 3 months But I am open to suggestions As yes, looks to be OK from description and pictures. An independent vehicle inspection would anyway be my preferred option before I buy something like a Defender. But no clue if I can buy a car without being in Australia yet... (FYI; I am immigrating to Canberra in January)

I feel like my perfect Defender comes in two variations;

The daily / tourer: 110 Wagon, turbo diesel, basically exactly what I have now.

The fun car: 90, V8 Petrol, big tyres, roll bars, all the bits, silly.