Defender questions, facts, opinions and rumors?

[Bryan01RangeHSE]

I've got a few questions guys.

I'm looking at a Defender I found and wondering if it's a good price or not. It's a 94 D90 soft top with 85k miles on it. The guy seems to have kept it clean and serviced it regularly. Just had a engine tune up last summer and the tranny was replaced at 65k, so thats pretty new. It comes with some extras; Hella lights across the top, some Thule ski and bike racks and 5 different tops including a LR fiberglass hard top. Says all it needs is some new shoes and rotors. He's firm at $20,000. Good deal?

My next question is, I've been hearing rumors of a 2008 US Defender. If that is true, do you guys think it will drop the price of the 94, 95 and 97s?

Lastly, how much did base model D90s cost when they came out in either 94 95 or 97?

[DevilDisco]

There are lots of people that would kill for a deal like that.

[Bene]

that does sound like s fair deal. though no one is really sure if the Defender is coming over here in '08, but it does look promising.

[TerryS]

I think the 94 D90 was about 32500, but Paul Grant can tell you for sure. I do know the NAS 110 was 39,500 base, and the only option was a front winch.
In my opinion, 20K would be fair only if the truck is pristine, with ZERO rust.
Defenders are no less prone to rust than series trucks were, and it shows up in the usual places, as well as under the body cappings.

There's been huge speculation whether the Defender will come back. The 2007 has been featured in recent articals, showing a soft dash which "could house SRS, but others say it won't be coming into the US. I don't think the reintroduction will have much of an impact of NAS trucks.

FWIW, don't place a whole lot of emphasis on odometer readings. Defender speedometers are prone to busting, and mine reads a full, exact,(speed, and and milage)10% high.
Use your eyeballs and brain and inspect the truck thoroughly.

[Jaco]

In my opinion if the new defender replaces the current model, the current model will become a instant colectable. Here in South Africa there is a lot of people that also thinks like this, and people are buying up D90's, this has now lead to D90's becoming very pricey.

A 2006 Defender D90 TD5 in SA costs around 38 000 US$ and a good condition 1998 Defender D90 TDi costs around 17 000 US$ with 95 000 miles on the clock.

[globallandrovers]

Jaco, if you want any defenders for SA email me and let me know what your after and I'll source some from the UK for you. We are currently supplying a client in Sri Lanka too.

[jozg44]

Originally Posted by Bene

Though no one is really sure if the Defender is coming over here in '08, but it does look promising.

Having just this moment got back from a lecture by the guy from Solihull who headed up the 2007 round of updates about the ins-and-outs of the program and the future of the Defender, the word from the man in charge of the 2007 Defender is that it can't take airbags (for many reasons) and therefore will not be going to the North American market.

Jack

[DevilDisco]

Bullocks!!!!!!!!!

[walter4x4]

A couple of questions. First: Do the V8 Defenders have any chronic or common engine problems I should know about (tendency to blow gaskets, etc.)? I'm in the market for a '97 with an auto 'box. Secondly, is there any way to seal the undercarriage and essential bits that are prone to rusting? Finally, I've heard that these earlier Land Rover gearboxes are prone to abnormal wear and tear. True? Any info is appreciated!

[300bhp/ton]

Originally Posted by walter4x4

A couple of questions. First: Do the V8 Defenders have any chronic or common engine problems I should know about (tendency to blow gaskets, etc.)?

Nope it's the same engine as used in the Range Rover/Discovery and many other Rover and non Rover vehciles.

Originally Posted by walter4x4

I'm in the market for a '97 with an auto 'box. Secondly, is there any way to seal the undercarriage and essential bits that are prone to rusting?

Generally I think 90's are pretty good at not rusting, this is ofcourse due to most of the body work being aluminium and not steel. The front bulk head where the top hinge is often rusts, but repair panels are available and easy to fit.

As for the chassis, well generally they are pretty robust, the best thing to do is make sure it's clean and dry and then Waxoyl it. If you use black it will not only look smart but certainly help reduce and corrosion. I usually use about 20 litres to Waxoyl a Land Rover.

There are other coatings such as Kleentec which are very good but also very expensive. Also not sure if they are available in the US.

Originally Posted by walter4x4

Finally, I've heard that these earlier Land Rover gearboxes are prone to abnormal wear and tear. True? Any info is appreciated!

Auto 90's are rare over here, however I always thought they used the same gearbox as Range Rover's and Discovery's both are proven to be fine. If it's taken a lot of abuse then it may be in need of a rebuild.

[walter4x4]

Hey man, thanks! This really cleared me up on the subject.

[SCSL]

Originally Posted by Bene

that does sound like s fair deal. though no one is really sure if the Defender is coming over here in '08, but it does look promising.

Remember, though, that it's important to look at the meaning of the word "Defender". There may be a new 'Defender' coming in '08, there may not be. But either way, it will not be anything like what we call a Defender. You're looking at LR3 platform, independent suspension, etc. A Defender in name only...

[jozg44]

Originally Posted by SCSL

Remember, though, that it's important to look at the meaning of the word "Defender". There may be a new 'Defender' coming in '08, there may not be. But either way, it will not be anything like what we call a Defender. You're looking at LR3 platform, independent suspension, etc. A Defender in name only...

As I mentioned in my post further up this thread, a couple of weeks ago I went to a lecture by the guy who headed up the 2007 Defender upgrade program.

He said that the whole programme has had to be done in 18 months, because up until then (and since 2002) Land Rover had been assuming that any new Defender would use the T5 platform (Disco 3/ RRS). However, it was realised that this plan just wouldn't work because you can't build lots of different variants off a single chassis/platform, like you can with the current Defender. Hence the rather last-minute round of upgrades to the Defender for 2007 to take it up to 'at least' 2010.

So, the line from Land Rover is that the T5 platform isn't suitable for the Defender, so whatever the 'new' Defender turns out to be, it won't be based on the Discovery or RRS. Personally, I doubt Land Rover will bother to develope a brand new platform with independent suspension for a vehicle that manages 25,000 sales a year.

Jack

[WCURoverD90]

Originally Posted by SCSL

Remember, though, that it's important to look at the meaning of the word "Defender". There may be a new 'Defender' coming in '08, there may not be. But either way, it will not be anything like what we call a Defender. You're looking at LR3 platform, independent suspension, etc. A Defender in name only...

You summed that up quite nicely....

[cellulararrest]

That is a killer deal... Take it.