Any reason to be wary of Sth African build Defenders?

[spudboy]

Am investigating an '04 Defender 90 up in Sydney, and the VIN checks out to be:

LD Model: Defender (for early models: Ninety, or One Ten)
V Wheel base: 92.9 inch, but designated 90
B Body type: 2-door station wagon, or hard top
5 Engine type: 2.5 litre Td5 (EU5 spec)
7 Steering and transmission: Right-hand drive (RHD), 5-speed manual (LT85, LT77, LT77S, R380 or other)
4 Model year: 2004
V Assembly location: Blackheath, Cape Town, South Africa, for 147-specification
054424 Serial number

Have searched here for opinions on SA built defenders but nothing useful turned up.

Anyone had good/bad experiences in particular with SA built models?

Were they exported from LR UK "Completely Knocked Down" (CKD) and just assembled in SA, or were they manufactured over there? Was it BMW running things?

Thanks
David

[ellard]

Hi there

Most of our Under Ground Land Cruisers are now comming from South Africa (6 cyinder Diesels)......as we will not have the V8 Diesel U/G

Wayne

[Newbs-IIA]

Didn't know you could still get the 6cyl diesel cruisers - you are definatly not the only person I know who would rather the 6cyl over the V8 diesel.

sorry for hijacking :p

At least they are not made in Korea...

[spudboy]

Sorry - cancel this question.I just re-searched using different terms, and have found a number of threads on this topic.Apologies

[p38arover]

Any reason to be wary of Sth African build Defenders?


Only if you don't want something better built than Solihull did. :D

[spudboy]

Only if you don't want something better built than Solihull did. :D

I take it you are saying the UK build is better.

[spudboy]

Hey Ron - Did you edit my post and put your answer underneath (still in my post)? Couple of my sentences have gone and now there are 2 new lines at the end :confused:

That's confused me!!!

Never mind. Am going to see if I can speak to the previous owner of the 90 this morning, and see if he has anything interesting to impart.

[p38arover]

Hey Ron - Did you edit my post and put your answer underneath (still in my post)? Couple of my sentences have gone and now there are 2 new lines at the end :confused:

That's confused me!!!

Never mind. Am going to see if I can speak to the previous owner of the 90 this morning, and see if he has anything interesting to impart.

Bugger. I must have hit edit and not quote! Sorry. :(

I'll fix it.

My reply should have been immediately under yours and have read:




Only if you don't want something better built than Solihull did. :D


I take it you are saying the UK build is better.

No.

I think Tata will build better than Solihull, too!

[spudboy]

OK - must have been some other mod.

Doesn't matter :(

[p38arover]

OK - must have been some other mod.

Doesn't matter :(

See my post immediately above - again.

[BMKal]

Neighbour across the street from me has Sth African built Defender. He's from Zimbabwe and bought it across with him. Nice looking unit and he's never had any problems with it.

[Scallops]

Any reason to be wary? I know you like white roofs! You know the rest! :D

[spudboy]

Yes, I'll probably paint the roof white..... :D

[discowhite]

fwiw...i think all td5 90 brought into the country for LRA are SA built.
mine was issue free, they just needed to learn how to use loctite and spring washers:eek:

cheers phil

[loanrangie]

Have to better than the poms, the LR assembly facility is just out of Pretoria with BMW's on one line and LR's on the other.

[Leo]

They're better built, imho. We also got the best ever Defender - the 2.8i. These go for crazy money now.

[slug_burner]

Only problem is you will have to speak like a sufeffrican

[PAT303]

They're better built, imho. We also got the best ever Defender - the 2.8i. These go for crazy money now.

Yep,the 2.8 should have been the only engine in the fender. Pat