Hello all,
Just contemplating selling my Disco and buying a Defender.
I have to own and drive one at some stage in my life and I think now is the time.
Just wanting some opinions on the 2003 model 90 defender and as to what general issues I need to look out for.
I know it will be a massive change from my current Disco 4 which I am preparing for.
Cheers
There is a huge number of posts on buying advice for Td5's on the forum, including a fairly recent one. I'm by no means a specialist on the Td5 Defender and their owners will be able to pass much better advice than I can offer.
It is worth keeping in mind that there is no specific issues inherent to the 90 over the 110 as Land Rover has actually made very little changes to the rear axle and cross member of the 90 over the last 25 odd years and no actual issues have been experienced or reported.
All advice and opinion would therefore basically circle around the engine and electronic management system and more responses should follow on the Td5 in general.
Yep as Loubrey has said not a lot of difference mechanically between the 90 and 110, so it's down to searching for issues with the lump. I love my 90 and use it as a daily and touring, we tow a camper trailer so no issues with space. The only thing I would like is a bigger fuel tank but the amount of time I would actually use it rather than taking jerry cans I can't justify the expense.
The good news is your looking at the best model/year Defender produced! As long as it's got ABS/Traction control not much will stop it, if it hasn't fit lockers . The TD5 engine has issues but it has been one of the longest produced engines for the defender and it is the most tune-able, some basics mods and a new map can produce massive gains in power .
If you want to search for - Fuel regulator leak, Injector harness oil, head shuffle (although this won't affect the one your looking at). That's the common ones (and relatively cheap to sort).
Thanks guys. I will try and do some searching for appropriate Links.
I just purchased the 2003 D90 and yes it does have TC and ABS.
It also only has 38k Kim's on the clock.
I'll try and attach a photo.
Cheers
Beautiful colour and I'm loving it more day by day.
U just have to sell my disco 4 which I love so much.
I think I will do a few small mods to start with like nicer seats and some sound deadening material in the cabin.
Also maybe rust proof underneath and paint some sound deadening paint under there.
The sound of rocks hitting under the rear guards scared the crap out of me. It some like glass breaking or getting stone chips.
Lovely looking motor, always had a soft spot for the 90's and after owning one for nearly 2 years I still look back after I've parked up
Tinting the rear glass was my first mod, I having stopped adding too it since Been up powerlines near Mundaring in WA a few times and haven't managed to get it stuck yet, the ABS and TC is great but you have to get used to it. It doesn't react as fast as the Disco's and needs a far amount of spin to activate, so just remember not to back off awesome little things in the dirt and you'll never get tired of embarrassing the big boys with their massive lifts and tyres
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. The TD5 engine has issues but it has been one of the longest produced engines for the defender and it is the most tune-able, some basics mods and a new map can produce massive gains in power 
enjoy it mate!
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