I had a Series 3 as my first car when I was 17, and I spent nearly 6 years tarting it up but keeping it moving as my daily transport. Loved it, learn a lot. Have wanted a 90 ever since, and started looking at ex MOD models but was quickly put off by their condition, price and basic-ness.

Been looking at and test driving lots of older 90's, 110's and Defenders, all I can say is, driving a 200TDi makes you realise just how far the TDV8 has come and how smooth it is.

Well, today I put my money down on a lovely green Defender and can't wait to get it. Will use it as a weekend occasional car for shooting, logging and feel I will want to try out some pay and play offroading days too, especially considering the spec.

Nice and straight, no rust whatsoever, immaculate and low miles. My budget got stretched (ok, doubled) but it's a beauty, ready for me to start tinkering with.

Details:

2002 Defender 90 TD5 Hard top, Belize Green, Predator 17" Alloys with Cooper Discoverer STT's, Tree Sliders, 2" Lift, Sump, fuel tank & Diff guards, De-cat pipe, K&N Filter, Poly bushes, Snorkel, Light bar, swingaway wheel carrier. 64,000 miles

Interior is basic twill, but has a stereo. Plenty for me to do in there and improve upon

Me Likey

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Very nice !

I like those wheels

Sounds like it's had the right stuff done so far, but could do with decent recovery points front & rear before you venture too far off road.

Have fun & enjoy your expensive new hobby

Last edited by Alistair on 11th Jan 2012 9:11pm. Edited 2 times in total

Very tempting indeed

Best of luck with your new purchase

looks great enjoy. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

great looking motor adam.  ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

I originally wanted a 110 defender but after I test drove a very nice 1998 station wagon I was offered a go in a fullfat.. and that's how I got here


I'd love an old 110 station wagon as a second car though but they cost so much

Hope all goes well Adam, like your pimped wheels

Zu's & STT's - nice

I would say Predators, the ZU's look more like a Mach 5.

Sorry yes Predator 17" my bad

The problem with the 17" Predator wheels is the lack of tyre choice, when these are replaced I will probably have to go for the same brand again, but maybe a slightly less aggressive pattern such as the Cooper Discoverer ST Max.

Until I started test driving Land Rovers on MT tyres I never realised how much they affect the way it handles- they just seem to float about all over the road!

There's no doubt though that MT tyres look the best. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Lovely - just check the snorkel has been properlry sealed if you plan to go wading

Looks like a lot of fun  2021 P400 Silicon Silver AB
Gone 2011 Bournville TDV8 VSE
Gone 2008 Black Canadian HSE LUX

Adam, it is likely that the 2" lift is causing the woolly handling / floating more than the mud tyres.

Good looking 90

Update:

Lots of little jobs been done on the Defender (as there always is)

Fixed stereo - bad connections all re-hardwired in (a new skill I learnt)
Fitted roof and side interior insulating sound deadening material from Powerful UK
Fitted rear mud flaps - need to make my fronts one fit around the tree sliders before fitting
Fitted sound deadening under the bonnet too
Replaced the front seats (Unexpected bargain from Dan @ Duckworths couldn't be missed)

Looking much better now, next few jobs are suspension overhaul (dropping back down with Std HD springs and new shocks) new steering damper and one of the UJs on the rear prop needs replacing.

Replacement head lining and the new side panels and lights will go in soon hopefully.

Vogue, you are totally correct, the suspension set up is causing the majority of the handling woes, once back to std spec it should handle better and then I can find out what's still got play in it etc.

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