Thread: LR Total Cost of Ownership / Parts availability and cost

Hi Rob & welcome to aulro.

I can comment on servicing a 300Tdi Defender, the TD5 has electronic issues which may require more specialist care.

A full service kit for a 300Tdi (air, oil, fuel filters) is about $60-$70 on ebay. You don't have to change the air filter as often (depending on where you drive). Oil will cost about the same whatever vehicle you have.

All servicing on the Defender is pretty much DIY (except regassing AC) and most repairs are pretty easy DIY jobs too.

Some spares should be carried on all trips - fan belts, radiator hoses, a set of wheel bearings, a uni joint and a tie rod. All these are small and easy to fit.

Larger parts will normally have to be freighted in, no matter what car you drive. So having a list of Land Rover parts suppliers for each state, and knowing who are best at express freight is a good idea.

To give yourself an idea about parts, check ebay for brake discs, water pumps and fuel pumps for various makes and models as a comparison.

You can always get prices cheaper than ebay, but that should give you an idea.

I've had a SIII for 20 years, a Range Rover for almost 10 years and a Defender for 1.5 years. The only work I've gotten others to do is reco a carby, fit an exhaust, re-gas the AC, dyno tune, grind a cam and I've had help to rebuild a gearbox.

Especially with the Defender, you should find it easy to avoid workshops and the all expensive labour cost.

Rob
Wise question but most for most Land Rover owners these are issues of the heart not the wallet until you understand that you will not feel comfortable in this environment..
Duane

Rob, if economy and reliability are one of your concerns my opinion is go for a Defender Tdi 300 considering economy and simplicity or go for a Toyota Troopy which gives you simplicity and reliability but not economy.
Regarding a vehicle for long exploration trips where a large payload is an advantage I do not think that is nothing out there that is in the same league than the Defender 130.
Shop for one in a good condition, allow $ 5 or 7000 to bring it to expedition trim and you will have a vehicle for many years.
There are plenty of site in the Internet of people that are touring in remote places of the world and you can reed about their experiences with this vehicles.
Cheers

Micheel2 - Thankyou so much for your feedback. I appreciate it very much.

Djam1 - I believe that I have some understanding about what you mean about passion. Unfortunatly, in this world, no passion comes without a price. To avoid getting over my head, I just want some idea of how deep the well needs to be. So to speak...

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Rob, if economy and reliability are one of your concerns my opinion is go for a Defender Tdi 300 considering economy and simplicity or go for a Toyota Troopy which gives you simplicity and reliability but not economy.
Regarding a vehicle for long exploration trips where a large payload is an advantage I do not think that is nothing out there that is in the same league than the Defender 130.
Shop for one in a good condition, allow $ 5 or 7000 to bring it to expedition trim and you will have a vehicle for many years.
There are plenty of site in the Internet of people that are touring in remote places of the world and you can reed about their experiences with this vehicles.
Cheers

Chucaro,
Thanks for your feedback.

My first exposure to LR Defenders was being carted around by ADF 130's with an ISUZU powerplant in 1998.
I've wanted one ever since.
Having seen a friend purchase a Nissan patrol second hand, i've been weary about second hand cars. Not long after his purchase, he had to replace the timing belt, and then gearbox seals.

I'm aware that defenders pretty much don't die, so when I see a second hand one (purely for example, [1]) I wonder what went wrong for the owner to get rid of it, then how much it will cost to bring to spec.

Which also motivated my previous questions.

Rob


[1] - http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/dealer/LAND_ROVER/DEFENDER/details.aspx?Cr=5&State=Victoria&R=5291472&state_i d=903&__Ns=pCar_StatusSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Dec imal|0&__N=4294965541+903+4294964692+789+1216+834+ 285+258+287&distance=25&RegionID=789&trecs=6&__Nne =20&seot=0&silo=1000&__sid=117DF192BD2E&Model=DEFE NDER&__Qpb=true&Region=State%20Wide&Make=LAND%20RO VER

There are few factors than can motivate the previous owner to sell the vehicle.
If it being used for a business, then end of leas or advice by the accountant can be a very realistic factor.
Other factor, specially with the Defenders is that they are not very popular with some wifes because the bulky and ergonomics of the vehicle.
The reason why I found my Disco in so good condition and the previous owner sold it was by the "keep with the John's factor" He replaced by another "better than his mate vehicle"
Defendres and FJ 75 generally are keep by practical people or the one for passion for adventure or simplicity.
If the novelty wears out then the vehicle is on the market.
The defender 130 with and Isuzu 3.9 Turbo is my dream vehicle, get one and I swap it for my disco

best way to learn mechanics is to buy a rover... thats how I got started with my old man....

for bullet proof reliability you might want to think of an Isuzu powered county/deefer with the 4 speed. you cant kill them even if you are trying to.. but in reality I see you more likely winding up in a tdi300 powered deefer or even a disco.

dont discount the discos at this early stage especially the 3 doors if its only you and the significant other your going to be traveling with.