Buying a Defender - what to look for/ask?

[eddiec]

Hi all,

New here - and have already appreciated having a look through the forums to get some advice and information. I'm thinking about purchasing a Defender from the mid 90s period (my price range!) as a second car for camping, etc.

Currently looking at this one: http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/LAND%20ROVER/DEFENDER/Victoria/csn1589245.aspx

And just wondering if I go to look at it, what in your opinion I should be looking out for, what questions I should be asking, basically what do I need to know to determine if this is an ok buy? I'm pretty keen, but the last thing I want is to buy a lemon and then have my Mrs onto me about dumb purchases :(

And of course, if anybody knows of any other defender's for sale out there (need to have 5 seats), that would be great news!

Many thanks...

[incisor]

looks straight..

rust in the firewall and door frames for starters.

clunks in the drive train can be expensive to fix eg gearbox mainshaft and transfer gear.

oil leaks from vacuum pump, rear main seal and transfercase rear seal...

you are best getting anything you are seriously looking at inspected by a land rover specialist in your area. can save you a lot of heartache.....

[JDNSW]

Hi all,

New here - and have already appreciated having a look through the forums to get some advice and information. I'm thinking about purchasing a Defender from the mid 90s period (my price range!) as a second car for camping, etc.

Currently looking at this one: http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/LAND%20ROVER/DEFENDER/Victoria/csn1589245.aspx

And just wondering if I go to look at it, what in your opinion I should be looking out for, what questions I should be asking, basically what do I need to know to determine if this is an ok buy? I'm pretty keen, but the last thing I want is to buy a lemon and then have my Mrs onto me about dumb purchases :(

And of course, if anybody knows of any other defender's for sale out there (need to have 5 seats), that would be great news!

Many thanks...

This should be a 200Tdi engine - no particular nasties about it. With any Defender the first thing you should look for is the service history. Engine should start easily and run and pull smoothly - a puff of smoke when starting is normal, and the engine is probably very noisy compared to anything you are used to. Should be almost no smoke in normal operation. Oil should normally be pretty black, watch for signs of water in the oil or oil in the coolant.

All gears should work normally and change easily, and not jump out of gear. Check high/low for operation. The gears will be a bit noisier than an ordinary car but should not be obtrusive. Steering and handling should be good with no wander or pulling or undue vibration. Brakes are not quite as good as some cars, but should be quite good in ordinary use.

Check for rust in the chassis, especially round the rear cross member, and rust in the bulkhead, particularly round the vents and the windscreen brackets. Water leaks in the body are not uncommon, but can usually be fixed. Check for poorly repaired accident damage, as with any car.

Oil leaks are not uncommon, and leaks from the differential pinions or transfer case output shafts are not a big deal. Oil leaks from the flywheel housing drain indicates expensive repairs, and a leaky steering box is probably going to have to be replaced at considerable expense.

Check that all electrics work properly, not that there is anything very difficult to fix on this model, but problems indicate poor maintenance.

A loud clunk going from forward to reverse (or vice versa) probably indicates a worn ball joint on top of the rear axle, which is fairly expensive if you are paying for labour.

From the pictures and description, the car looks like a quite reasonable specimen. Note that although listed without a roadworthy, it is the vendor's responsibility to supply this, and you would be ill advised (and breaking the law) to buy any registered car without one. And, as with any car - check the title!

John

[mcrover]

First by start asking your self a few questions like,

Can I do without creature comforts,
Can I/SWMBO put up with the weather inside as well as outside being much the same,
Sit in it and work out if you will be comfortable in one.

They are a wonderful vehical and extremely capable off road but they are not for everyone and it would be a shame if you bought it and after a couple of long trips deciding you cant live with the idiosincracies of a Defender.

Check all of the above (in the other posts) and then get it checked by someone in the know but they are pretty bomb proof.

Good luck.

[JamesH]

I'd say from the air intake on the driver's side it was a 300Tdi.

Well maintained they will certainly do that amount of Kms and if they are like any Defender Ive known the odometer overstated by around 6% so they have actually done less. Poorly maintained they become embittered and fractious, they take their revenge served cold and expensive.

Logbooks and receipts would be a big plus so you can see when the timing belt was done etc. Also pay attention to radiator, ask owner when it was last overhauled. They hate being cooked. Has the head been off - ie has it done a gasket?

Wonderful car, though.

[rangieman]

94 Model it should be a 300 Tdi engine and a R380 gearbox is reverse down from 5th gear = R380 gearbox
If reverse is next to first gear its a LT77 gearbox , And if its a LT77 gearbox it will be a 200 Tdi engine:D

[Gillie]

PM sent for 130 for sale. Not mine but another one in the area which I enquired about but wasn't for sale at the time.

[mcrover]

By the decals it is a 300 as the 200TDI had 200tdi decal on the guard and the back.

At least the one that I was driving for work years ago did but the 300TDI had just the TDI decal

They could have been changed though

[Scouse]

It's definitely a 300Tdi, sold 13 July 1994 but it's an MA.


Also, the little side repeaters give it away as a 300Tdi whereas the 200Tdi had the longer type fitted.

[Onethirty]

Price looks a touch on the high side....just an opinion.

[eddiec]

thanks everyone - i really appreciate those tips... He's sent us some more photos (users.on.net/ronjjj) and from my layman's eye, it seems worth a closer inspection. I'm a tad nervous about buying, as the significant other has concerns about 'reliability'... :eek:

Which brings the next question - who's the best specialist in either his area (St Andrews, Vic), or mine (Box Hill, Vic)?

[mojo]

With regards to the price, having just spent a few months myself looking for a Defender, and given that you can probably negotiate down a bit, I don't think he's asking too much. Providing of course it is in good condition and doesn't require any costly work.

That being said, if you're prepared to wait something similar may come up at a slightly reduced price, or perhaps with some extra's this one doesn't have (bullbar, snorkle etc).

Cheers

Sean

[JamesH]

That being said, if you're prepared to wait something similar may come up at a slightly reduced price, or perhaps with some extra's this one doesn't have (bullbar, snorkle etc).

Cheers

Sean

It is one of the most stock standard Defenders Ive ever seen, perhaps he took off the stuff he purchased.

Regarding reliability, the other Defender owners I know love their vehicles like I do mine and find them reliable, but what they are not is cheap to maintain. They don't break down any more than other vehicles but and seem to get you home but by crikey there is always something you are replacing at a service or getting ready for a trip. This added expense more than makes up for the money you save on better fuel economy (compared to other vehicles the same size and capability).

Your Significant Other will more likely start growling at the bills (as you will) than be left stranded anywhere.

You have to want one.

[Onethirty]

I agree with James.....although price wise I recently bought a 1994 TDI 200 110 (to complement the 130) in very good order and paid just over $6,000.

Work on the basis that a car of that age wil require some remedial work, I'd be surprised if it doesn't, especially if you are going to use it for touring/trips etc.

[waynep]

If you want to get it checked over there are a couple of LR only places the guys here use that will put it on a hoist etc and check it over for you )

1. Range Rov Automotive in Mitcham
2. Roverland in Ferntree Gully

Ritters in Highbury Rd Burwood will also do it but they may be a bit more expensive. ( suggest ring around all of them and ask to give you a quote for a pre-purchase inspection )

The contact details will be in the Recommended Vendors section.

[JDNSW]

......
Which brings the next question - who's the best specialist in either his area (St Andrews, Vic), or mine (Box Hill, Vic)?

I'd call Fred Smith in Bayswater - if there is something wrong with it, he'll find it, and give you accurate advice.

John

[eddiec]

bugger!!!

After all that building of anticipation and looking forward to the defender, i suddenly realised a problem - It's too tall to fit in our garage! dammit! Garage door is a smidge under 2 metres, so it's pretty unlikely to fit I think... And I do want to keep it off the street.

Hmm... maybe it'll be a TD5 Discovery instead. Not quite the charm, but hopefully a suitable compromise!

[JDNSW]

bugger!!!

After all that building of anticipation and looking forward to the defender, i suddenly realised a problem - It's too tall to fit in our garage! dammit! Garage door is a smidge under 2 metres, so it's pretty unlikely to fit I think... And I do want to keep it off the street.

Hmm... maybe it'll be a TD5 Discovery instead. Not quite the charm, but hopefully a suitable compromise!

Defender, depending on tyres, spring sag, etc will be around to 2.05m. Obviously you need to think about moving!

John