Noob wanting a Defender 130 twincab

[djambalawa]

Hi folks I currently own a Disco 4 and a falcon and am looking at getting rid of the falcon and getting a ute for my 2nd car. The practical way to go would probably be just to get a old 2wd hilux but I've pretty much decided to follow my heart and not my brain and fulfil a long desire to own a defender :)

I don't really need a 2nd 4wd but it would be handy when doing rougher trips that I do sometimes do - don't want to scratch the D4 too much! But yeah tbh its mainly a romantic thing of driving a defender around :)

I have driven a defender but only on test drives etc. I have driven a lot of old cars in my buffalo catching days like Nissan G60s and tojos etc so I do know I'm not buying a limo. Just so folks know they don't need to ensure I'm aware not buying a typical modern car. I like the AK47 anology - might not be the most refined gun but it keeps working when theres a bit of sand and muck in it :)

Anyways to the point... I don't know anything about the various models of defenders - well very little. My budget is $15-$20k. I see advertised 300tdi, td5, pumas etc but don't know the difference between them.

Also although I can do basic maintenance like oil changes etc I'm not the most mechanical bloke so I'd probably depend on paying a mechanic to fix anything beyond basic stuff.

Also I read about things like some of the running gear probably isn't as strong as it should be in some of the models and folks upgrade bits with 3rd party parts.

So what model would be good for me - or what are the pros and cons of what would be in my range to get and what should I look out for?
I should mention also it'll be my daily driver to work (the wife drives the D4).


I see on gumtree etc theres a couple with quite a few upgrades for around $18k and around 150k km on the clock which sounds good to me.

Any help much appreciated!
Regards
Paul

[MLD]

I suspect the reason no one posted a reply is because its such a comprehensive topic. There is lots of info about the pros cons and differences of the various models. Sad reality is you will need to simply trawl through the info. Some would say that is time well spent.

For your budget forget the Puma. The only Puma's in the 15k to 20k range are wrecked.

The budget will get you a late year 300 Tdi or a high mileage early TD5. The 130 is a prized truck and expect to pay a premium by comparison to the 110. Both are great trucks for their own reasons. Both engines will give you half a million kms if looked after. As a daily driver both the 300Tdi and TD5 will test your love for the brand. During the wet season you will have a wet right foot. You will likely find rust in the door frames. Despite extensive sound-deadening and replacing seals you will experience heat soak from the transmission, excessive noise and vibration and be able to watch the dotted white line through the door seals and misaligned doors. Notwithstanding the testing character of the defender it is a great truck and you'll join a fraternity of people that wave to each other and stop at the first sign of trouble.

Don't worry about drive train weaknesses and all that. If you leave the truck standard you will not find a shortcoming, save to say the rear drive flanges will develop play as they wear. Not an expensive repair every few years.

parting words: be satisfied that the truck has a good service history and hasn't been abused. Budget a few thousand for replacing bushes, wheel bearings, coolant hoses and other odds and ends to satisfy yourself the basics are in good nick.

MLD

[VladTepes]

I own a Tdi 130.

I love it.

And in my opinion anyone who buys a 130 as a daily driver, is mad.

[djambalawa]

Thanks for the reply. I must admit I did a lot of reading after posting that so I guess I did it in the wrong order... after going back over 100 pages in this forum I have a better idea of the different models and opinions on them!


I take the point of perhaps it not being sensible or desirable as my daily driver to work... when I weigh up the pros and cons unfortunately I'm probably better of with a hilux or something.. not that they don't have their problems.. but they're a lot more refined and all that.


Problem is I want a defender and I can't run 3 cars... and I can't get rid of the D4 I'd lose to much on it... and I'd like a ute anyways...


A 2wd hilux would be sensible.. but boring!


So yeah I'm really keen on it.. but I must admit I wonder if I'd be happy driving to work every day in it....

[marko66]

Hi Paul

I had a 130 and loved it, I didn't have it for long and didn't do a lot of mileage but yes it was good. As a daily driver for me it was fine but I never used it as a shopping trolley

Regards Mark

[Cruiserlux]

I own a Tdi 130.

I love it.

And in my opinion anyone who buys a 130 as a daily driver, is mad.

I have a tdi 300 130 as a daily driver and am currently doing 1700 k's per week to Melbourne and back. I love it
and yes I am mad!

[tazd]

I have a 2003 td5 130 flat tray. daily drive and work/play ute. ive had a 110 ute and a tub back 130 300tdi. sometimes i miss the simplicity of the 300tdi but the fact i can cruise along at 110km on the highway easily makes the td5 so much easier to live with.
Ive taken the 40% rear seat out and put an arb fridge in there, makes life easy deciding whats for lunch on hot days and alway a cold one on hand at the end of the day.
Love the 130 and will never change, rides well, handles well, turning circle!!!! get some off set rims makes a huge difference.
put some sound deadening on the panels and its a totally different beast.

[jboot51]

I own a Tdi 130.

I love it.

And in my opinion anyone who buys a 130 as a daily driver, is mad.



Well there's another label I must wear with pride.
350 km's per week isn't too bad though.

[VladTepes]

Don;t get me wrong.... I'm mad too !

Butif you were buying it as a daily driver and NOT for its off-road prowess then you would be insane.

[Killer]

I own a Tdi 130.

I love it.

And in my opinion anyone who buys a 130 as a daily driver, is mad.

That would make my Mrs mad then, she drives the 130 daily, does 40 to 50 k km a year and loves it.:)
Me, I drive the Game around as my daily driver, and love it. Mrs draws the line at that though.:angel:

Cheers, Mick.

[VladTepes]

Mick that's not all that makes your Mrs crazy after all she's punching below her weight with you I reckon... :lol2: