Friend buying a Defender

[Redback]

I have a friend buying a 4WD, at first he wanted a Disco but found these 2 Defenders, is there anything in particular to look for in these models, 93 300Tdi 200,000ks and 95 300Tdi 290,000ks, does the year model matter.

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Baz.

[cheyne_r]

Cheers Baz.

[abaddonxi]

I think the '93 is a 200tdi.

Simon

[Chucaro]

I have a 1994 model ex deceased state with 103000km that I bought last December for $ 11000.
This Defs are very good.
I will be concerned with the 290000 km on the White Defe.
Perhaps offer $ 10800 or so to allow some money for the full service including adjusting valves, timing belt, inspect oil pump, inspect rear hub axels and modify is it is required, etc.
If all is well, I would install the engine saver alarm and a oil pressure gauge on it.
Cheers

[wally]

The '93 is definitely a 200. All '93 models are as far as I know but you can tell because the air intake is on the passenger side.

[Michael2]

I'd go for the 300Tdi, the 200Tdi is probably a bit more robust, but parts, like a new head would be hard to get.

The 200Tdi's were different in the bellhousing / gearbox and turbo manifold between the Discos & Defenders, so getting Defender specific parts is even harder. The 300 Tdi's are the same across the Disco / Defender range, so finding parts should be much easier & cheaper.

The 300 is also a little more powerful and a bit quieter, but it will need to have timing belts done at around 70K intervals.

[cheyne_r]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

I'm hoping to find a decent 300tdi for under $15000, the closer to 10 grand the better. Plenty of time to shop around so I'll have to see what pops up.

[Redback]

Cheyne have a look in the markets section as well.

Baz.

[JamesH]

I don't think 290000 on a well kept 300Tdi is anything to worry about at the right price. It seems to have had a quiet life.

My MY96 has 204000 and the way the economy is going it will still be with me when it hits 294000 (and it has done heaps of outback kms :cool:, I don't know what that comment was about, they love it!). My Defender was the first owner's second car, and I walk to work thus it has low km for its age.

Look for receipts for the timing belt and get it done if you can't be told when it was last done. Be prepared for some things to be done as necessary. Clutch? Slap in the drivetrain. Don't expect it's a purchase and forget proposition, your wallet will need to be opened from time to time but it's worth it.

When you pay $15000 for a Defender this old then it is going to have some extras like roo bar, dual battery, aux tanks etc which is all good but it is not going to be much less in kms on the clock.

Defenders qet more on the 2nd hand market. Dare I say you get more 300Tdi Disco for your money (less km for less $) but do not take this as a suggestion to get a Disco.

When you have been chosen by Higher Powers to own and drive a Defender then you disobey at your own risk.

[Chucaro]

Hi James, when I mentioned that I was worry about the 290000 km is if I do not know the history of the vehicle.
I belive that the Tdi is very capable to do 400000 + but at 290000 it is close to have a full engine head service among the other points mentioned. So the new owner have to be ready to do some preventative maintenance and service on the vehicle that can be in the order of $ 2000 or more if the clutch have to be done.
Cheers

[abaddonxi]

Just to ad to Chucaro's post (and to avoid a war :D), it's not unlikely for a well-maintained 300tdi to go for a very long time, and for a poorly-maintained one to require head gasket, etc.

If you are looking at a poorly maintained example, I would start budgeting at $2k for work, and go up to $5k, if as likely you will need a whole bunch of cooling system work, possibly a new head, etc.

Simon

[spudboy]

I'd be voting for the 300TDi. Newer. Full Service History. Air-conditioned. Tacho. Engine is more modern.

Price difference is small. Highway KMs are better than bush bashing KMs. Get a photo of underneath and see what the axles and diffs look like (i.e look for dings and dents in the front of the axle/diff). You will tell straight away if it has had hard offroad use.

My thoughts anyway.
Cheers

[Xavie]

Did the 300tdi 110's come with tachos???

My friends 130 doens't have one.

[Chucaro]

As I am aware people install the VDO tacho in place of the clock.

[spudboy]

Did the 300tdi 110's come with tachos???

My friends 130 doens't have one.

Yep - As Xavie says, they don't come std with one but you can remove the clock and replace it with a VDO unit that even has the TD5 logo embossed on it.

I put one in my 130 and it's surprising how low you are revving compared to what I thought it was. 2,500 actual RPM sounds like about 4,000 imagined RPM before I had the gauge (if that makes sense).

[cheyne_r]

Thanks for all the info guys. I've got a few days off next week so I'll try get out and have a look at a few.

[pommy]

G'day guys can any one tell me where you can get these tacho's from how hard they are to fit ?

[one_iota]

G'day guys can any one tell me where you can get these tacho's from how hard they are to fit ?

:)

The search engine here will reveal a lot and maybe the answer as well.;)

Try an advanced search with the words "Tacho AND Defender".