Thread: Best model Defender?

Over the years, in the Defender department, I have owned an Isuzu (Series3 Stage 1) , a 200 TDi, a 1999 Defender and now have a 1996 Defender.

The Isuzu was a brilliant vehicle - probably the best all round car, bought it new, but a bit rough around the edges. We went to all corners of Australia many times with this and eventually parted with it when it appeared it would start to require a fair bit of maintenance (at about 350,000kms) - the hardening on the diff sun gears were showing signs of wear, the front guards were cracked again, the gearbox was whining, bushes were flogged, etc, etc. The engine was as good for another 350,000 kms. We bought a 200TDi with 30k kms on the clock.

When we sold the 200TDi, it had about 300k kms on the clock - again an excellent vehicle, brilliant fuel economy but a bit short on torque, especially for sand driving or taking off on steep inclines. This vehicle went everywhere - to the Cape 3 times, across the Tanamai and beyond 3 times, etc etc.

We bought a 1999 TD5, a much more sophisticated vehicle, far more power, a bit less fuel economy than the TDi but IMHO a better vehicle. We departed with this at 180,000k kms (still in the family)

We now have a 1996 TD5, which is very similar to the 1999 - a precious few refinements, but a great vehicle. We hope to keep this for a few years yet (currently just clocked 60k kms)

None of the cars have EVER failed to get us home. We have had a few issued along the way, but always fixed things as they came up. We have not been held up more than a few hours for any problem (except once - 2 days at Rainbow beach).

What ever vehicle you chose, pick a well looked after low kms vehicle, do your maintenance more often than required, rectify any problems immediately when they occur and you should be OK.

Erich

Originally Posted by Disco44

Attached is the results of a poll conducted on The UK Land Rover forum last year

where they could never buy a 4BD1 in a 110...

personally, I'd be buying a top shelf TDI300 or rebuilding a 110 with 4BD1t into something pretty special with my $20k

Originally Posted by Disco44

Attached is the results of a poll conducted on The UK Land Rover forum last year

That poll is so outdated as they didnt make V8 or petrol 4's for a long time and they havent included the 2.4ltr puma model .

I've owned a few different models over the years, but the Isuzu County never fails to put a grin on my face and it's definately my favourite all rounder. 480,000 k's and still purring along

with the sort of money you are talking about, get an isuzu and go over the running gear and cosmetic stuff, i have seen plenty of 110s 130s etc with only 150K on the clock haveing to fix much more than the isuzus seem to have to do

Originally Posted by flagg

Hi Tim,

Welcome to the land of coil springs!

Of course, the correct answer is the best defender is the one that isn't really a defender! The One Ten County Station Wagon with an Isuzu up front will give you the best of everything.

I'm sure there will be a lot of people who jump up shouting in disagreement, but I wont be able to hear them as I'm going deaf due to driving my Isuzu 110.

Buy the best buy a 300 tdi 130 or a good 110 if you already do the mechanicals on your series you will have an ungradeable vehicle that you will be able to stamp elements of you all over it

Thanks everyone for posts so far. I guess I mean the best defender in terms of the one that:

a) Doesn't require a lot of on going maintenance (other the the usual stuff on a LR)

b) Enough power to put the car along with my No 5 trailer on tow.

c) My old IIA, for example, has whats generally regarded as a better gearbox than the series III? So, are there better model defenders in terms of year model for drive train, engine etc. I hate going to the mechanic and he says "Oh you've got a 91 model, you poor bastard... if you had just bought the 92, you'd be laughing!" Grrr!

c) I'm a bit scared of all that 'electronic traction control' ****, sounds like just another thing that can go wrong, so should I keep away from the extreme models (asuming I could raise a bit more coin)?

thanks for your input.

tim

Late model Tdi,don't believe the people who say they don't last. Pat