Thread: Defender vs 80 series reliability

Originally Posted by Russrobe

True, but seeing as we're talking diffs, surely km has more weighting than age, so half as old. I'd like to see an 80 series that got anywhere close to 200k kms with a working LSD. Seeing as you can get a tidy D3 for $10,000, which is the same as "half decent" 80 series is going for.


2007 Land Rover Discovery 3 S Auto 4x4 MY08-SSE-AD-5581229


1996 Toyota Landcruiser GXL Manual 4WD-SSE-AD-5703948

Fair comparison there, there's a few flogged out old 80 series there for $5-7k with half their paint missing, but that's hardly a fair comparison. Dollar for dollar, i have no idea why someone would buy a 80 series over a D3.

They do realise the 1HZ still eventually requires a rebuilt right?? It's not magic.

*Swapped the $10k D3 for another TDV6 model for diesel vs. diesel.

Since when did the D3 have an LSD? E-locked or open diff with traction control on the brakes is hardly a fair comparison in terms of wear compared to a mechanical LSD. Cheers

Originally Posted by ozscott

Since when did the D3 have an LSD? E-locked or open diff with traction control on the brakes is hardly a fair comparison in terms of wear compared to a mechanical LSD. Cheers

True, one is designed to work long term, the other is not. If you're talking reliability, then yes i think it is a fair comparison, all that matters is it does that job and lasts the test of time. One does, one does not.

Yeh...an 80 is the one I would take to a remote place over a d3. I love LR but we have to be realistic
Cheers

One matter that I haven’t been addressed in this thread is ‘cost benefit’. Tojo might be better than a Deefer in some respects but it is inferior in others. The Tojo chassis would be able to win a Mt Puniverse competition when compared with the Deffer chassis. The Defender can carry a heavier load and tow a much heavier trailer. The Defender is cheaper to buy, insure, register and operate. On a value for money basis the Defender runs rings around any Tojo you like to put up. My Defender cost half as much as the closest comparable Tojo yet it has done everything and more than I would have asked a Tojo to do.

Originally Posted by ozscott

Yeh...an 80 is the one I would take to a remote place over a d3. I love LR but we have to be realistic
Cheers

Before i started doing my own maintenance, and got confident with the car, yes i'd agree a simple 80 Series would be better. But with how old and tired 80 series currently are, and the ridiculous price they're commanding, nope. I have backups for backups in nearly every single thing that could go wrong without opening the engine, a much comfier vehicle, and a vehicle that's 10x as versatile for my use. It's faster, more well refined and much safer.

Personal preference IMO. If you can justify the money, go for it.

The number one thing people say about D3's being non suitable, is the air suspension, yet all you need is a bunch of airlines, fitting and your tyre compressor which is already on board to get up and running again.

If i think about what i've seen break on others when 400km of dirt track from the next town, the main thing is blown out tyres and snapped wheels studs (one was on a 80 series). These things can happen to any 4x4.

So if i knew a defender like i know the D3/D4, it would be Defender > 80 series any day.

Russ I agree about safety, comfort and all those things but I'm talking purely reliability in a remote place. If that were the only criteria its 80 series hands down. Cheers

I don't agree the 80 is more reliable. Defenders are very reliable, which is why they get flogged all around the world and are popular with overlanders.
Incidentally the bonnet and roof of the 80 will need repainting because Toyota's clear coat isn't right for the tropics.

I’d look at a NA 100 series as 80s are getting a bit of age on them. They are no rocket but reliable and more likely to find tyres and spares if required. Just about any mechanic would have done something on them.

I remember a long time ago having a fuel issue in the middle of no where and rocked up to local mechanic who flatly refused to look at it saying “sorry don’t know anything about Land Rovers and don’t carry spares”. When i pointed out it was an Isuzu under the bonnet, he instantly became interested and pulled out an after market lift pump that was common to toyotas and other motors that fixed the problem.

Expect to be self sufficient in a Land Rover.