90's Defenders reliable?

[fender22]

Hello. I know this may be a question which is open to interpretation but have long wanted a Defender, standard wagon, Diesel and finally in a position to get one. My budget is limited to under $20k so I'm looking probably at a mid to late nineties model with hopefully under 200k on the clock.

I know they're agricultural etc, and that is the main reason I want one. Toughness, reliability and love the way they look. The more I read though I'm getting the impression they are unreliable, have issues, oil leaks, electrical problems etc. I know the army uses them (with Isuzu engines?) so I would have thought they would have wanted the best. Are the 90's models ok? I know the Freelanders etc had a lot of issues back then. I'm not really the tinkering type, nor do I enjoy fixing cars. Am I looking at the wrong vehicle?

Also could someone enlighten me to the difference between a 90, 110, 130 etc. Is that body shape?

[justinc]

They can be a Very reliable and simple vehicle, IF a good well kept example is found. A neglected one can become a money pit. DO NOT buy one and THEN get it checked out, believe it or not I STILL get people doing this:(

90, 110, and 130 refer to wheel base in inches, my pick is either a 110 or 130.


A V8 90 would be a fantastic toy though:twisted:

JC

[LowRanger]

I think you will find that Land Rovers are no more unreliable than other makes,despite what owners of other makes try and make out.
You just need to be aware of some of the shortcomings of the model you are interested in,and there are fixes for everything.
And as Justin said,the best thing you can do,is get any vehicle you are interested in,checked out mechanically by someone that knows Landrovers......before you buy it.And if the seller won't let you get it checked out,walk away,because they obviously have something to hide.
But be warned......owning a Defender is addictive,so if you think you love them now.Wait till you own one :DThey may be agricultural and slow,but they are still the only vehicle that I have ever driven,where I can honestly say that after driving all day,I can get out and still feel fresh and not feel like I need a chiropractor for my back.

Regards

Wayne

[Reads90]

I have a 1996 90 with 150,000 k's on the clock and a 1998 110 with 250,000k's on the clock and there is no differace in the reliability of either. There are same car, the only differance is the back axle and length of them both


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[weeds]

it might be hard finding oone with under 200 000 km on the clock

mine has just ticked over 300k and all is good, good maintenance is the key

[Xtrem90]

Wicked cars the 90! Enough room for you, the wife and the dog! Reasonbly big enough for camping... Everyone wants to drive one on the track because they go anywhere, a little rough on the kidneys in the rougher stuff because of the short wheelbase.
I have the 04 TD5 and only concern EVER was a leaking fuel cooler...$350 fix, touch wood the only concern... They do say that if your car was built in UK or RSA then there is difference in the quality RSA built cars seem to have lesser issues..The chassis number identifies which country is was manufactured. We are looking at moving ours on soon to upgrade to a Discovery, as we do not do a whole lot of camping anymore and we have fallen in love with the Discoverys looks and drive feel. Happy researching!

[KarlB]

If you are single, a 90 is a good way to go. Great fun to drive, and wickedly capable. If you have kids, a 110 is the obvious thing to buy. The 130's are very very good, but as a first Land Rover I wouldn't recommend one, unless you are specifically after a Landie with a tray back. I believe they are a specialist vehicle for people who really know what they want.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[rick130]

[snip]
They may be agricultural and slow,but they are still the only vehicle that I have ever driven,where I can honestly say that after driving all day,I can get out and still feel fresh and not feel like I need a chiropractor for my back.

Regards

Wayne

Ditto.

[scott oz]

Mate,

Forthe money you've got whatever vehicle you get needs to be checked first. I dont thank a good 90's yerar Defender is bad option. But you will have to maintanin it an preventative maintance is the key.

[Vin Rouge]

I've had my Defender 90 for the last six years. Bought it in the UK in 2004, prior to which it was owned by a farmer who used it to take fodder to his sheep and a lady who used it to tour Ireland. I shipped it to Australia in 2008 and in the last two weeks the wife and I have just completed a 2,700km trip. It's never let me down, although it does drip a little oil (or mark its territory if you prefer). It's a 300tdi with 180,000 on the clock.

For two people the 90 is fine. If you've a family a 110 is better. Unless you really need a 130, I'd avoid it, if only for the reason that its turning circle is akin to the Titanic! Diesel is great, mine turned in 10.3 litres/100km on the trip. You'll need deeper pockets if you go for a V8.

Tip for reliability is regular maintainance. Changing the oil is easy, if a little messy. Greasing the drive train takes 5 minutes at most. Keep the fluids in good order and the car will repay this kindness with reliability.

Tip for getting a good one is to take your time. Take a good look at what's available and perhaps join a LR Owners club. Only when you're happy that the one you're considering is a 'goodun' should you part with your cash.

Hope this helps.

_________

Just spotted that you're in Bris. If you want to take a look at mine and chat LRs, give me a shout

[Michael2]

If you have a financial ceiling of $20K, then you should be able to find a well maintained one with good accessories.

Stop at 1998, otherwise you'll be buying an early TD5. Even if you have 5 cars checked out at $200ea for an inspection, that's still cheaper than buying the wrong car and replacing a gearbox.

I had a budget of about $10K 4 years ago, and I found a 1997 110 Station Wagon with 112,000km, Warn Winch, ARB Lockers, Cargo Barrier, Wheel Carrier, Long Range Tank, Suspension Lift, UHF, IPF Spotties..... for $18K. I stretched my budget and bought it. The extra $8K I had to find meant I saved years to researching, saving, bargaining and fitting accessories. It had some minor dents, as would be expected of a doubled diff locked Defender with winch but no rust or structural damage.

The trick is not to be in a hurry and to search every day on carsales, tradingpost, ebay etc. Mine was advertised in the trading post, but I noticed the advert as it went on line before it got to print, and got in early with my deposit.

In the four years I've had it, I've had to replace a fuel lift pump ($65 shortly after buying), uni joints, rear shocks & tyres (wear & tear items). And I replaced the clutch & Timing belt at 165K km, as well as had the A/C regassed. It's now done 200K and I've got a new set of injectors for it. I maight go out and fit them now, now that I've reminded myself of that.

Since I bought it, a couple of mates have also gone and bought 3ooTdi Defenders and are also very pleased with them.

There's not a lot to go wrong, so start with something structually sound and maintain it.

[Chaps]

We seem to be in exactly the same position fender22. I'm also from Brisbane and looking for a 300 tdi deefer around the 20k mark.

I've completely fallen in love with the looks and simply won't have any other 4b.

My current job is in the mining industry with FIFO so my grand plan is to go over to Moreton island and practically live there on my days off.

[Reads90]

If you are single, a 90 is a good way to go. Great fun to drive, and wickedly capable. If you have kids, a 110 is the obvious thing to buy. The 130's are very very good, but as a first Land Rover I wouldn't recommend one, unless you are specifically after a Landie with a tray back. I believe they are a specialist vehicle for people who really know what they want.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

That is why I have a 90 and a 110

110 is the family car and the 90 is the fun toy and I take the dogs to the park in it

Ali


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[Landy Smurf]

we have a 96 300tdi 110 it has never let us down,only repairs we have done were general ones like belts oil filters so on