130 ute $$$

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Originally Posted by Bigbird

86mud ....i think you have just talked me out of buying a used defender,spending $16000 on one is just insane i wouldnt even cosider such a thing,guys you better start giving me a good reason why i should buy a used defender i am seriously thinking of not buying one now,well should i just buy one of those boring toyotas now im starting to feel sick.....Wes.

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Things go wrong with toyota's too... I don't understand why so many people think they are so much more reliable. Lack of care = problems on ANY make of vehicle.

For the most part, 300tdi's are a very reliable engine - I've owned 2 without any major issues - just general maintenance stuff. In the case of 86mud, his problems were caused by the previous owners lack of servicing and care for the vehicle and if you read through it all, a considerable amount of the cost came from accessories and not from things wrong with the vehicle.

If a defender is what suits your needs, find one with an impeccable service record and be prepared to search a little for the right one, they're not that rare. The 300tdi is very easy to work on and is a comparably cheap engine if things do happen. One or two bad instances shouldn't paint the picture for the entire range of 300tdi defenders - and I do feel for 86mud and the run he has had.

Seano

I have never bought a new for myself car...I have always bought second hand and previously never had a problem as normally I fix most things myself....but this time I got stung.

Like I said earlier. Don't trust the words of the previous owner. Demand documented evidence of service history and maintenance records...then you know what you have got. From what I have seen when hunting around for the 130, most Landrover owners are particular about their trucks. There are heaps of great trucks for sale. There is no way I would want anything else.

To everyone that responded to my hijack of this thread....it has been a lessoned learnt...albeit a very expensive one. But yes, as long as the motor internals, the fuel pump and turbo hold together, i now have a truck that will last me a very long time.

Now I just need to find time to spend behind the wheel and enjoy it...

Andrew

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Originally Posted by Bigbird

86mud ....i think you have just talked me out of buying a used defender,spending $16000 on one is just insane i wouldnt even cosider such a thing,guys you better start giving me a good reason why i should buy a used defender i am seriously thinking of not buying one now,well should i just buy one of those boring toyotas now im starting to feel sick.....Wes.

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Actually it's NOT insane.
Defenders actually hold their value quite well, especialy in comparison with Discos (and Rangies) of the same age. Well looked after they are good dependable vehicles - the occasional "lemon" notwithstanding.

As far as us having to give you a good reason....

Mate it's a free world and if you decide not to buy a Defender well frankly who gives a stuff !

vladtepes........thanks for the encouraging response,its nice to have such nice people on this forum..

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Originally Posted by 86mud

I have never bought a new for myself car...I have always bought second hand and previously never had a problem as normally I fix most things myself....but this time I got stung.

Like I said earlier. Don't trust the words of the previous owner. Demand documented evidence of service history and maintenance records...then you know what you have got. From what I have seen when hunting around for the 130, most Landrover owners are particular about their trucks. There are heaps of great trucks for sale. There is no way I would want anything else.

To everyone that responded to my hijack of this thread....it has been a lessoned learnt...albeit a very expensive one. But yes, as long as the motor internals, the fuel pump and turbo hold together, i now have a truck that will last me a very long time.

Now I just need to find time to spend behind the wheel and enjoy it...

Andrew

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Andrew, i got told a load of bollocks by the previous owner as well and have since worked out that the pile of receipts were from the owner before, as i was doubtful any of the work had been carried out in previous ownership, but i have done a bit of work on mine (still to do the bulkhead) and i am fairly happy where it is now.. . untidy still but getting there, i think you need to be able to reflect upon your purchase and say it's not right now ...but it will be ...it's a land rover ..and it's mine Regards Andy

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Originally Posted by 86mud

I never thought a landrover 300TDi with only 195,000kms would have so many problems. All problems are due to previous owner/s neglect and disregard for service intervals - a big lesson learnt when buying a 2nd hand car with no written service history - just on the word of the previous owner.

Big ticket items have been new gearbox, new transfer, clutch, drive shafts, new axles and drive flanges, new wheel bearings/seals and all new suspension including shocks, springs and all new bushes, tie rods, A arm ball joint. Even had to replace every bolt holding each suspension component as these were worn causing horrible clunking sounds even with new bushes.

Then there was 5 new tyres, service items - oil/fuel filters, coolant system service including water pump new hoses, thermostat radiator cap and temp sender, reconditioned alternator, new batteries, some 2nd hand sill panels.

Still need to replace the rear tail lights back to original units - currently has some dumb faded LED setup for the stop/tail lights.

Also need to do the timing belt, and front oil seal.

It's been a big disappointment after parting with my fully locked and loaded Range Rover that never missed a beat with 320,000kms on the clock.

It's been a very fast way of learning the ins and outs of a Defender.

But now it is nearly the way I want it, I really enjoy driving it.

Cheers
Andrew

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bugger the led set up look at your timing belt first thing Andrew if you have been led down the garden path with the other bits don't risk that regards Andy

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Originally Posted by Bigbird

86mud ....i think you have just talked me out of buying a used defender,spending $16000 on one is just insane i wouldnt even cosider such a thing,guys you better start giving me a good reason why i should buy a used defender i am seriously thinking of not buying one now,well should i just buy one of those boring toyotas now im starting to feel sick.....Wes.

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yeah bigbird go buy a characterless toyota then there are more land rovers for us to love ....defenders are the best tractors buy far i would put mine up against a magi ferguson anyday ...you should have an understanding of what is entailed in your purchase should you relent and give away the toy... idea (sorry cant write it twice) maybe a basic understanding of basic mechanicing would be useful andy

Hi 86Mud,
That list of yours sounds like mine exactly, except ive been putting off the gearbox replacement. I paid $12k and have spent mucho buckos on it. Its at that point of no return. Keep the old girl going or set it on fire, one of the 2:angel::angel::angel: The only reason i bought it was the for the new motor 30000km on it, pity the rest of it was badly flogged and NOT maintained-this is the key to a Fender:D I did know this at the time of purchase but it was worse than expected.

Ive said it before I think mirroring some one else on here- there is no such thing as a cheap defender!!!!!!!!!!! it will turn out to be a POS.

All I want to do now is stop water from getting in to stop the floor, fire wall joins from rotting out and turning it into a flinstones mobile. I also need to replace all 4 doors as they are rotten and flogged out- hmm spend more money or just live with it ???

Mal

Heya Bigbird - come on now, just because one bloke got a raw deal....doesn't mean all 2nd hand Defenders are stuffed, does it? Do what the guys are suggesting - check the service history and perhaps have it evaluated by a Land Rover specialist ;)

This is maybe hard to explain to someone who hasn't had/got a Defender, but if you can just as easily feel happy with and buy a Toyota, well perhaps you should. :huh: And I say that without in any way meaning to be rude, or fob you off - I hope you do find a Defender and enjoy it.

I say this because for all the great things about a Defender, they can also be somewhat frustrating vehicles too. Whilst, as I'm sure someone will point out, all vehicles can be this way, it is my experience that Land Rovers are especially quirky. So much so that I'm now looking for a 40 year old Series 2 so I can fully immerse myself in the madness! :blink:

To my mind - Defender owners are a weird breed. But, at the end of the day, we just wouldn't even consider driving anything else! It's just as much (to me, anyway) about the whole essence of what the vehicle represents as the vehicle itself.

I guess what I'm saying is this - if you don't see this as an element in yourself - save yourself from the lure of the green oval and get a Japper.

This might make little sense - but I already mentioned that we Defender drivers are weird. :)

That's the best I've ever seen it explained, could explain a few things on some other forums!