Thread: Is it a lemon? Or the "character" of a defender?

d'uoh! yeah, the title always help doesn't it. I'll put it down to the fact I type the way I live; fast with a lot of mistakes
I know this is like one of your mates always telling you about his fantastic sex life but I'm feeling really fortunate right now, after reading all these problems you guys are having and I really sympathise with your troubles cos I bought a 2nd hand 95 110 last August and apart from the usual wear and tear issues, (rear axles, ball joint on diff, brake booster pump, timing belt, shocks - god, even this is starting to sound bad) and the accompanying rust in the doors and passenger footwell, I've had no other troubles. Starts every time and no mystery sounds - every problem easy to find and solve. I must have been really lucky to get what I consider to be a good one. It was one of the reasons I was a bit wary in the first place.
cheers gerald

I bought a 95 Defender 130 two and a bit years ago. The first thing I noticed was that my feet got wet when it rained. The second thing I noticed was the skin rubbed off my right elbow on the door trim when driving off road (I had previously a long association with two successive 60 series Toyotas. I did not get wet feet or skinned elbows in them). The third thing I noticed was how much further it went in difficult terrain than my old Toyos and how much smoother it did it). I purchased a machine that had been regularly serviced by the previous owner (it was a one owner) and I have not had a single mechanical issue, it has been smooth, quiet (of mechanical noise) and reliable. The fourth thing I noticed was how much I have come to love my Defender, I shall keep it til I die.

Now, if you are still reading, the point of this diatribe is that a defender seems to be the 4x4 version of a Moto Guzzi motor cycle (had a 2nd hand one of those too). As many motorcyclists will know, you do not buy a new Moto Guzzi. You let someone elso buy a new one who will soon sell it due to all the quality issues and breakdowns under warranty. The point being you, as the second owner, get a bike with all the problems fixed and have an excellant bike that is ultra reliable. Hmmmm, see the parallels?