130 ute $$$

[Bigbird]

Hi guys looking at a 130 ute 1996 model 140000km 1 owner absolutly mint inside and out full service history never seen a dirt road,they are wanting $10,000 is it worth it,whats a 96 model fetching your expertise will be greatly appreciated....wes.

[d@rk51d3]

Sounds tempting to me.

[PAT303]

If it's mint I'd buy it quick.It's got years of life left in it. Pat

[spudboy]

If the KMs are genuine and it's in mint condition, then $10K is fair I reckon.

[weeds]

sounds like a top price to me

when was the timing belt last done.....its a must do every 80k

[Scallops]

Your description tells me - bargain. ;)

[wally]

Bargain. Grab it.

[justinc]

Hi guys looking at a 130 ute 1996 model 140000km 1 owner absolutly mint inside and out full service history never seen a dirt road,they are wanting $10,000 is it worth it,whats a 96 model fetching your expertise will be greatly appreciated....wes.

Hi Wes, sounds very good at that $$, but even so get it properly checked before you part with the cash:)

JC

[Cliffy]

Paid the same for mine and it's a POS!:mad:

Get it!!!!:)

[lardy]

if you have 10 k what you on here discussing it go rip their arm off or make us real jealous and get it for 9k instead:p:p

[86mud]

AS long as you can see the service history.

Mine cost me $9k to purchase 4 months ago (1998 300tdi with 195,000kms) so far I have spend $16k on it :mad:....and that is just for replacement items...no accessories!

Just be careful and check everything.

Andrew

[Bigbird]

Thanks for your help guys,but they sold the car out from under me,anyway still looking......wes.

[Grumbles]

That's a big $ Ouch 86mud. Most unfortunate. What happened?

[86mud]

I never thought a landrover 300TDi with only 195,000kms would have so many problems. All problems are due to previous owner/s neglect and disregard for service intervals - a big lesson learnt when buying a 2nd hand car with no written service history - just on the word of the previous owner.

Big ticket items have been new gearbox, new transfer, clutch, drive shafts, new axles and drive flanges, new wheel bearings/seals and all new suspension including shocks, springs and all new bushes, tie rods, A arm ball joint. Even had to replace every bolt holding each suspension component as these were worn causing horrible clunking sounds even with new bushes.

Then there was 5 new tyres, service items - oil/fuel filters, coolant system service including water pump new hoses, thermostat radiator cap and temp sender, reconditioned alternator, new batteries, some 2nd hand sill panels.

Still need to replace the rear tail lights back to original units - currently has some dumb faded LED setup for the stop/tail lights.

Also need to do the timing belt, and front oil seal.

It's been a big disappointment after parting with my fully locked and loaded Range Rover that never missed a beat with 320,000kms on the clock.

It's been a very fast way of learning the ins and outs of a Defender.

But now it is nearly the way I want it, I really enjoy driving it.

Cheers
Andrew

[spudboy]

86Mud - that's persistence!! I would have burnt it by now :twisted:

Very stoic of you.

[PAT303]

And that cost you 16K??.Sounds like you've been ripped off twice. Pat

[86mud]

There's heaps of other stuff like a winch rebuild including new plasma rope and solenoid pack, all new HT bolts and two new tow hooks on the bullbar, new llights at the front including upgraded headlight lenses, bulbs and loom, new blinker lights in bullbar, new vacumm pump, new lift pump, 2nd hand clutch pedal box, reco slave and master cylinder.

Then there was some door seals, window tinting, cabin vent seals, 2nd hand floor mats, air con service, new serpentine belts, new tensioner, removed rear muffler, new mudflaps front and rear, new headlight switch/stork, new radio and speakers, new UHF and aerial.

I have done most of the work myself, except the gearbox/transfer case overhaul which cost me $6,500 but that included reco R380, reco LT230, new clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing, new rear main oil seal, resurfaced flywheel, reco slave and master cylinder, 2nd hand pedal box, new tail shafts with new uni's. I didn't have the time to take it all apart myself - the parts cost me $5,000 and there was $1,500 for labour.

I didn't get ripped off. Well...I guess you can say the previous owner ripped me off.

Andrew

[PAT303]

That sounds better,I look at it this way,you have a sound vehicle and most of the stuff you replaced you would have had to regardless what vehicle you bought. Pat

[Grumbles]

That must have been an absolutley soul destroying experience 86mud. It's a bitter taste when you are deceived. Sorry to hear it. Without being glib I imagine the upside is that you now have a vehicle which you know well and will meet your expectations. Wish you well with it.

[Bigbird]

86mud ....i think you have just talked me out of buying a used defender,spending $16000 on one is just insane i wouldnt even cosider such a thing,guys you better start giving me a good reason why i should buy a used defender i am seriously thinking of not buying one now,well should i just buy one of those boring toyotas now im starting to feel sick.....Wes.

[seano87]

86mud ....i think you have just talked me out of buying a used defender,spending $16000 on one is just insane i wouldnt even cosider such a thing,guys you better start giving me a good reason why i should buy a used defender i am seriously thinking of not buying one now,well should i just buy one of those boring toyotas now im starting to feel sick.....Wes.

Things go wrong with toyota's too... I don't understand why so many people think they are so much more reliable. Lack of care = problems on ANY make of vehicle.

For the most part, 300tdi's are a very reliable engine - I've owned 2 without any major issues - just general maintenance stuff. In the case of 86mud, his problems were caused by the previous owners lack of servicing and care for the vehicle and if you read through it all, a considerable amount of the cost came from accessories and not from things wrong with the vehicle.

If a defender is what suits your needs, find one with an impeccable service record and be prepared to search a little for the right one, they're not that rare. The 300tdi is very easy to work on and is a comparably cheap engine if things do happen. One or two bad instances shouldn't paint the picture for the entire range of 300tdi defenders - and I do feel for 86mud and the run he has had.

Seano

[86mud]

I have never bought a new for myself car...I have always bought second hand and previously never had a problem as normally I fix most things myself....but this time I got stung.

Like I said earlier. Don't trust the words of the previous owner. Demand documented evidence of service history and maintenance records...then you know what you have got. From what I have seen when hunting around for the 130, most Landrover owners are particular about their trucks. There are heaps of great trucks for sale. There is no way I would want anything else.

To everyone that responded to my hijack of this thread....it has been a lessoned learnt...albeit a very expensive one. But yes, as long as the motor internals, the fuel pump and turbo hold together, i now have a truck that will last me a very long time.

Now I just need to find time to spend behind the wheel and enjoy it...

Andrew

[VladTepes]

86mud ....i think you have just talked me out of buying a used defender,spending $16000 on one is just insane i wouldnt even cosider such a thing,guys you better start giving me a good reason why i should buy a used defender i am seriously thinking of not buying one now,well should i just buy one of those boring toyotas now im starting to feel sick.....Wes.

Actually it's NOT insane.
Defenders actually hold their value quite well, especialy in comparison with Discos (and Rangies) of the same age. Well looked after they are good dependable vehicles - the occasional "lemon" notwithstanding.

As far as us having to give you a good reason....

Mate it's a free world and if you decide not to buy a Defender well frankly who gives a stuff !

[Bigbird]

vladtepes........thanks for the encouraging response,its nice to have such nice people on this forum..

[lardy]

I have never bought a new for myself car...I have always bought second hand and previously never had a problem as normally I fix most things myself....but this time I got stung.

Like I said earlier. Don't trust the words of the previous owner. Demand documented evidence of service history and maintenance records...then you know what you have got. From what I have seen when hunting around for the 130, most Landrover owners are particular about their trucks. There are heaps of great trucks for sale. There is no way I would want anything else.

To everyone that responded to my hijack of this thread....it has been a lessoned learnt...albeit a very expensive one. But yes, as long as the motor internals, the fuel pump and turbo hold together, i now have a truck that will last me a very long time.

Now I just need to find time to spend behind the wheel and enjoy it...

Andrew

Andrew, i got told a load of bollocks by the previous owner as well and have since worked out that the pile of receipts were from the owner before, as i was doubtful any of the work had been carried out in previous ownership, but i have done a bit of work on mine (still to do the bulkhead) and i am fairly happy where it is now.. . untidy still but getting there, i think you need to be able to reflect upon your purchase and say it's not right now ...but it will be ...it's a land rover ..and it's mine Regards Andy

[lardy]

I never thought a landrover 300TDi with only 195,000kms would have so many problems. All problems are due to previous owner/s neglect and disregard for service intervals - a big lesson learnt when buying a 2nd hand car with no written service history - just on the word of the previous owner.

Big ticket items have been new gearbox, new transfer, clutch, drive shafts, new axles and drive flanges, new wheel bearings/seals and all new suspension including shocks, springs and all new bushes, tie rods, A arm ball joint. Even had to replace every bolt holding each suspension component as these were worn causing horrible clunking sounds even with new bushes.

Then there was 5 new tyres, service items - oil/fuel filters, coolant system service including water pump new hoses, thermostat radiator cap and temp sender, reconditioned alternator, new batteries, some 2nd hand sill panels.

Still need to replace the rear tail lights back to original units - currently has some dumb faded LED setup for the stop/tail lights.

Also need to do the timing belt, and front oil seal.

It's been a big disappointment after parting with my fully locked and loaded Range Rover that never missed a beat with 320,000kms on the clock.

It's been a very fast way of learning the ins and outs of a Defender.

But now it is nearly the way I want it, I really enjoy driving it.

Cheers
Andrew

bugger the led set up look at your timing belt first thing Andrew if you have been led down the garden path with the other bits don't risk that regards Andy

[lardy]

86mud ....i think you have just talked me out of buying a used defender,spending $16000 on one is just insane i wouldnt even cosider such a thing,guys you better start giving me a good reason why i should buy a used defender i am seriously thinking of not buying one now,well should i just buy one of those boring toyotas now im starting to feel sick.....Wes.

yeah bigbird go buy a characterless toyota then there are more land rovers for us to love ....defenders are the best tractors buy far i would put mine up against a magi ferguson anyday ...you should have an understanding of what is entailed in your purchase should you relent and give away the toy... idea (sorry cant write it twice) maybe a basic understanding of basic mechanicing would be useful andy

[malsgoing130]

Hi 86Mud,
That list of yours sounds like mine exactly, except ive been putting off the gearbox replacement. I paid $12k and have spent mucho buckos on it. Its at that point of no return. Keep the old girl going or set it on fire, one of the 2:angel::angel::angel: The only reason i bought it was the for the new motor 30000km on it, pity the rest of it was badly flogged and NOT maintained-this is the key to a Fender:D I did know this at the time of purchase but it was worse than expected.

Ive said it before I think mirroring some one else on here- there is no such thing as a cheap defender!!!!!!!!!!! it will turn out to be a POS.

All I want to do now is stop water from getting in to stop the floor, fire wall joins from rotting out and turning it into a flinstones mobile. I also need to replace all 4 doors as they are rotten and flogged out- hmm spend more money or just live with it ???

Mal

[Scallops]

Heya Bigbird - come on now, just because one bloke got a raw deal....doesn't mean all 2nd hand Defenders are stuffed, does it? Do what the guys are suggesting - check the service history and perhaps have it evaluated by a Land Rover specialist ;)

This is maybe hard to explain to someone who hasn't had/got a Defender, but if you can just as easily feel happy with and buy a Toyota, well perhaps you should. :huh: And I say that without in any way meaning to be rude, or fob you off - I hope you do find a Defender and enjoy it.

I say this because for all the great things about a Defender, they can also be somewhat frustrating vehicles too. Whilst, as I'm sure someone will point out, all vehicles can be this way, it is my experience that Land Rovers are especially quirky. So much so that I'm now looking for a 40 year old Series 2 so I can fully immerse myself in the madness! :blink:

To my mind - Defender owners are a weird breed. But, at the end of the day, we just wouldn't even consider driving anything else! It's just as much (to me, anyway) about the whole essence of what the vehicle represents as the vehicle itself.

I guess what I'm saying is this - if you don't see this as an element in yourself - save yourself from the lure of the green oval and get a Japper.

This might make little sense - but I already mentioned that we Defender drivers are weird. :)

[2stroke]

That's the best I've ever seen it explained, could explain a few things on some other forums!

[wally]

86mud ....i think you have just talked me out of buying a used defender,spending $16000 on one is just insane i wouldnt even cosider such a thing,guys you better start giving me a good reason why i should buy a used defender i am seriously thinking of not buying one now,well should i just buy one of those boring toyotas now im starting to feel sick.....Wes.

They don't all cost money. My Tdi 130 was looked after by the previous owner and has been well looked after by me for the last five years. All I've had to do in that time is replace the alternator and the brake booster and a few other minor things. It's been impeccably reliable and very cheap to own. And would have lost little value in the time I've had it. It's almost a part of me and I wouldn't even consider having anything else.

[dullbird]

I always think if you need covincing to buy a defender then you probably shouldn't be buying one ;)

[lardy]

Hi 86Mud,
That list of yours sounds like mine exactly, except ive been putting off the gearbox replacement. I paid $12k and have spent mucho buckos on it. Its at that point of no return. Keep the old girl going or set it on fire, one of the 2:angel::angel::angel: The only reason i bought it was the for the new motor 30000km on it, pity the rest of it was badly flogged and NOT maintained-this is the key to a Fender:D I did know this at the time of purchase but it was worse than expected.

Ive said it before I think mirroring some one else on here- there is no such thing as a cheap defender!!!!!!!!!!! it will turn out to be a POS.

All I want to do now is stop water from getting in to stop the floor, fire wall joins from rotting out and turning it into a flinstones mobile. I also need to replace all 4 doors as they are rotten and flogged out- hmm spend more money or just live with it ???

Mal

mal there is a new crew who are refabricating exchange bulkheads that have been jigged and hot galvanised i think that maybe a better option than a new one considering what protection do you get with a new one ??
where abouts in perth are you? we should hook up and have a yarn about our rot er i mean lot in the 130 defender world, i am looking at four doors still think mine will be happening bit more comfortably in the summer say 3 months time as to do the bulkhead the roof has to come off and of course front doors off, mine will be slightly different to yours but as mine is getting painted also at the same time ...i like a challenge

[roverrescue]

Lardy,
I have removed the windscreen frame leaving the roof on (1995 - 130DC), should be possible to pull guards, windscreen frame, front doors and then firewall without pulling the lid off??? the rear of cab and B pillar will hold it fine.

S

[lardy]

cool enough just that i was told by someone that it's easier if the roof is gone, i'll give anything a go !!!!

[malsgoing130]

Hi Lardy,
The best news is that I have stopped the leaks:D:D I just replaced the vent rubbers and had to add more rubber tape to the vehicle side of the vent lip, but it seems to work. Will have to see what happens next winter after the vents have been opened and closed alot. My bulk head in general terms is not bad? just a bit of rot on floor bulk head seam, where they all seem to start rotting. At this stage I am going to leave it and perhaps late next year cut out the rot and weld in new bits.

On the list right now:
Tires (tyres), paint and check dico rims that i have-to go with tires. enclose roof rack with ali sides and roof. service winch, it screaches , pray the gear bag holds for another year , also service and or replace front cv's and recon swivel housings, replace aircon compressor- still works but noisy bearing, service or exchsnge altrenator, dont know its age its either 35000km old or 217000?, drop long range tank and fix crack and lets not forget the doors!!
Its alway mechanicals first with these things so each time im about to do something creative an expensive bit packs it in- such is life!

spent 1000's and 1000's still to come
Regards
Mal

Lemon you say, nah its a piggy bank:):):)