purchasing of a defender tips?

[Mr_T]

Hi Guys & Girls

i'm looking at getting a defender (or a range rover depending on what the minister for war and finance says), any tips and pointers to look out for?

[KarlB]

You will have to be a bit more forthcoming in the information department if you want any useful replies: new or used, what will you be using it for, etc. In other words: "tips and pointers " about what? Otherwise, it is a "how long is a piece of string" question.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[baldivistribe]

Hello
Depending on what you want be prepared for a wait if they have nil stock in AU. If you're buying new.
I have a 4-5 month wait apparently for me defender.
However when we purchased the D4 the dealer happened to have ordered what we wanted and was already on the boat.
cheers
Steve

[Mr_T]

i'm looking at 2nd hand 130 utes. up to about 30k
will be used for daily driving and trips away with the boys camping/fishing etc

[perrygamsby]

If you are spending that much then you should be able to get a Td5 version; but consider a good 300Tdi and keep the change for fixing up any issues. Steering play and rattly gearbox, loose bits and what have you indicate wear and tear, of course, so don't be averse to giving the metal bits under the engine that the wheel thingys join a bit of a pull and push and a shake and twist.

We don't get the chassis rust the Brits get but I'd still tap the chassis and look for repairs. Also the bubbles of bauxite barf where the aluminium body meets the steel cappings, door bottoms and so on. Check for play in the wheels if you can jack them up, might be the half shafts or bearings need a look at. With Td5s, I have been reliably informed, run the computer over them, apparently they have electronic bits and the new Puma versions have even more.

Hope this helps. Perry

[cinders]

Also check out the service history. Depending on how many km's it's done will determine things like whether injector harness on TD5's will need doing soon etc.
Cheers