DEFENDER 110 1994

[MANTA]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and the world of Defenders. I always wanted one and now thinking of buying a 1994 Defender110 around the $10-12k mark and have a few questions beforehand.
1. What would you guys recommend Diesel or Petrol/LPG?
2. Are the models from that era trustworthy in general? Anything specific to look out for during inspection?
3. Is it easy to get parts at a reasonable price?

I don't know much about cars, so would have to get most serviced and repaired by a professional.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[Wilbur]

Welcome to the forum, fund of all knowledge.

If you are not mechanically inclined, it is IMPERATIVE that you live near a genuinely good specialist LR mechanic. Like every make, Land Rovers do sometimes get labelled unreliable, but in 9 cases out of ten any Land Rover problems are due to incomptent mechanics.

First, both the diesel and the V8 are strong, very long lived engines. The V8 has the longer legs on the highway, but one pays for it in fuel usage unless it is on LPG. Also, I think the petrol ones are very rare if they were available at all in 94.

I will need correcting by other members, but I think it was in '94 that the engine changed from the 200tdi to the 300 tdi. Both are excellent engines, with the 300tdi being a bit more refined. Early 300's had a problem with the timing belts but it is an easy fix, and any still running should have a modification kit fitted by now.

There was a problem with mainshaft oiling whch I think was sorted after '96. Look for excessive drive train free play, which can aslo be caused by worn axle splines.

Altogether, best to take any Land Rover to a specialist for pre-purchase inspection. Someone on this site could advise if you give your location. If in Melbourne, I would take it to Fred Smith.

Since Sir William Lyons sold Jaguar to Leyland, there has probably been no truly moral car maker, or one who actually cared about their customers. At least one section of Land Rover - the design department - does care, and they design cars that are simply more fun to own than any other make. They also do their job wonderfully well. Forget all the little gee gaws and toys in the Jappo 4WD's. The Land Rover is a better car.

Good luck,

Paul

[sclarke]

Well you have a few choices....

The 1994 Defender was the end of the 200tdi engine and the start of the 300tdi engine....

No V8's are avail.....

Get the 94 onwards 300 tdi 110, it has the better engine, R380 gearbox and Vented front Disc and Solid rear disc brakes

[cewilson]

Well you have a few choices....

The 1994 Defender was the end of the 200tdi engine and the start of the 300tdi engine....

No V8's are avail.....

Get the 94 onwards 300 tdi 110, it has the better engine, R380 gearbox and Vented front Disc and Solid rear disc brakes


I'll argue that it has the better engine, I've never had an issue with my gearbox (other than 2nd gear sychro - but 500k plus), and I have front and rear discs as well.

With regards to what has been said - it is bloody good advice. Most problems are caused by mechanics that don't know Defenders.

Cheers
Chris


P.S - 200tDi 93 model :)

[MANTA]

Thanks heaps for your help and advice guys! I will try and find a good defender specialist in Sydney first that can do a pre-buy check up etc. . Just hope that the one I ned up buying wasn't stuffed up by a lousy mechanic already.
Will keep you posted!
Cheers,
Phil