1999 Defender 300tdi are they any good??

[Swannie]

Hi Guys, not after the whole toyota, nissan, jeep thing....

But I have come across a good value 1999 defender  for around 10k. it has bullbar, duel batteries, rooh rook, snorkel, warn winch, 2 spare etc etc and has about 220k on the clock.

I iwll be using mostly just for the bush on the weekend, was noy looking for a deefer but price and options caight my eye?

If anyone has one can they give me some feedback or anyone that has a view either way form experience?

Cheers
Greg

[Psimpson7]

99 is very late for a tdi. Most 99's would be a TD5.

Firstly, aulro.com is very good for LR stuff.

Next, general stuff on a Defender.

R380 5 speed manual gearbox. Likely to be a suffix J version if it is tdi. fairly strong. The later boxes were slightly stronger, especially the layshaft and rear end bearings.

Transfer case: LT230 - Probably one of the best transfer cases fitted to a production 4wd. Very very strong. early ones had an oil feed issue where the input shaft could fret the spines but this was sorted in the mid 90's when they cross drilled the input gear. The high range will be 1.4:1 and low range will be 3.321:1

Rear Diff: Salisbury (Basically a Dana60) again almost unbrakable. They stopped using these in about 2002 or so.

Front Diff: basically the same as a Discovery 1, apart from the fact it will have larger brake callipers. CV's and axles are a bit of a weak point if you run larger tyres. but places like Rovingtracks in the USA or Ashcrofts in the UK supply upgraded items if you did break something.

300tdi engine: Very basic. Mechanically fuel injected 2.5l turbo diesel. not much to go wrong. have a cambelt which needs to be changed as and when the service schedule suggests. very good on fuel. should get 10l/100km

Chassis: very strong ladder chassis

Other stuff: 3500kg tow capacity, 33" tyres will fit with no lift really, massive payload. GVM should be 3500kg I think. (it may be 3050 depending on age and a few other things)
 
Thats a start anyway! 10k sounds like a good price.

They are pretty easy to work on in general.

cheers
Pete

[Psimpson7]

Couple of extra thoughts....

You will hit your elbow on the drivers door window.

If it has factory aircon it will be a stupid underdash thing that will get in the way in the passenger footwell. Its better not to have it and open the window and that solves the above issue aswell 

The seats dont go back that far. There are some brackets around that lift them up slightly and allow them to go back another couple of inches which is handy if you are tall.

The handbrake is in a stupid place.

Cheers
Pete

[Swannie]

Cheers mate. It was built 98 rego 99 and is a 300tdi.  All the accessories alone would be in excess of 5 k. Bit weary as to whi it's so cheap but will definitely have a good look. Purely want it to go bush on weekends only.

Cheers
Greg

[kranky al]

i bought an older disco to use while my cruiser is getting some much needed tlc - generally impressed with how it goes but geez they are horrible things to work on if you have even slightly larger than normal  hands - i struggled to change a battery and gave up on the door handles - id imagine there is tricks for doing stuff that someone more mechanically trained would know - but its put me right off owning another one despite the fact that i really like it.

[Redback]

i bought an older disco to use while my cruiser is getting some much needed tlc - generally impressed with how it goes but geez they are horrible things to work on if you have even slightly larger than normal  hands - i struggled to change a battery and gave up on the door handles - id imagine there is tricks for doing stuff that someone more mechanically trained would know - but its put me right off owning another one despite the fact that i really like it.

The Defenders are much easier to work on, lots more room in the engine bay and much simpler in regards to door handles and the like.

Baz.

[disco1]

  Have a 1995 2door 300tdi have just done 7,400km so far on the Cape trip have used nil oil
  and have no mech problems so far, i paid the same price for it 12 months ago.(126000km)

   Mauri 

[Wortho]

There are plenty of TDI300 Landys on AULRO with 500,000km + on the motors and even a few that have hit the 1 million KM's mark with minimal engine work. As mentioned the main issues are regular timing belt changes and good idea to fit an engine temp monitor to catch a failing head gasket etc. I bought my 300TDI Disco new in 97 and have only done cam belt changes and replaced a fuel lift pump so far. Had a few gearbox issues (Auto) due to overheating while towing but got that sorted with a bigger cooler now.
Cheers
Mark

[Swannie]

It's also a one owner with all scheduled service one by land rover.

[Psimpson7]

Jump on it!!!

[BigJules]

You'll have to dig out all your AF tools. I'll give you $50 for all your metric spanners and sockets .

[Redback]

You'll have to dig out all your AF tools. I'll give you $50 for all your metric spanners and sockets .

Sorry Jules but they are all metric, have been for quite a while

[Psimpson7]

Yep as Baz says all Metric.. well apart from the tailshaft bolts I think which are 3/8 unf!

[BigJules]

Really? I could actually own one then.

[Swannie]

I got both.. Most of my Torana is af 

[scott oz]

I admit to being bias. I’ve a TD5 Defender and had a 200TDI disco and Defender.

All the bugs should be out of a 98/99 model  by now and being the last of the TDI’s a lot of the engineering bugs relating to the timing belt were well and truly resolved.

The LRO forum has a huge amount of info tips and tricks.

For camping they have no equal. A couple of years ago one of the 4X4 mags did a comparison on the the 110, Toyota 100 nissan patroal. On road the 110 came in last but not by much and was put down to 1950 design. Off road and on tracks it came out in front. Off road abiltiy came in front and from just throwing stuff in to go camping in front.

Put a set of draws in and level the back and you can comfortably sleep in them. I’ve taken the back seat out of mine and a self-inflating mattress fits perfectly. It’s a box on wheels.

They’re no speed machine and best economy is between 90 to 100KPH. My TD5 will return 10L/100klm around the city. Hwy low 9L/100.

Interior noise some people don’t like but goes with the Defender along with exhaust heat into the cabin. Both can be improved on just a matter of priorities and if it matters to you.

Enjoy.

[seqfisho]

I have a soft spot for Landys and have had 2 Defenders, and thinking back would most likely do it all over again, in fact when the Rodeo comes up for replacement I could see a 130 Defender Double cab in the driveway.

They are simple reliable honest bush capable 4wds, most people that complain about them or have troubles expect them to be more than they are and dont service or maintain them.

There's a reason why you still see them in use in foreign countries where the terrain is unfriendly and the job still needs to be done.

A 98/99 300tdi with a full factory service history and tasty accessories should be a perfect pick up at that price.

[Swannie]

Thanks guys for the heads up.. Attcahed are a couple of photos. I'm currently getting it mechanically checked before I sign the paperwork. They also said they can frieght it form Port Lincoln to Melbourne plus put it on 3 month SA rego so i can frive it around a little for $400.00.

[GeoffA]

Looks the goods in the pics, Greg. Very neat and well cared for.
One owner, with books......doesn't get much better than that.
Lots of good info posted above. Dunno how it would go on the highway with a Swan hooked on the back.

I was impressed with Mauri's bus on the Cape trip. Went real well.

Keep us posted.........

Geoff

[Mr Ploppy]

We have a 1995 tdi, and love it.It is always worthwhile getting it checked by someone who knows Land Rovers well. If it has had regular servicing then you are off to a good start.

[speewa158]

My 2c worth
As its a coastal car zip over it for rust in the tucked away places . Just a thought 
Looks like a sweet ride 

[dazzawhipple]

Sorry Jules but they are all metric, have been for quite a while

Apart from the 9/16 AF bolts on the driveshafts

[Mr Ploppy]

My 2c worth
As its a coastal car zip over it for rust in the tucked away places . Just a thought 
Looks like a sweet ride 

Good point. Definitely check out the bottom of the doors, front bulkhead, and under the windscreen vents.

[Swannie]

Looks the goods in the pics, Greg. Very neat and well cared for.
One owner, with books......doesn't get much better than that.
Lots of good info posted above. Dunno how it would go on the highway with a Swan hooked on the back.

I was impressed with Mauri's bus on the Cape trip. Went real well.

Keep us posted.........

Geoff

Hi Geoff, the tow capacity is 3500kgs... although as you suggested with the 1.5T swan I would probably just chug along .. Mostly if I'm doing the CP thing I'll contonue towing with teh Kluger, the defender is for weekeknds away like we just went on at mitchells crossing.

Greg

Speewa, Its getting the once over by an independent LR specialist today... The dealer gave me the original owners phone number spent about an hour chatting last night.. he seems like he has spent alot of time looking after it, had done the cam belts etc on time and siad every reciept he has spent on it it in the glovebox. He also said he regulary gets underneath it and beleives theer is no rust anywhere.. always garaged and he lived about 100km inland form the coast, used on the farm and getting the kids driven around... did a trip up to the kimberly last year without a problem. Only reason for selling is he bought a BT50 diesel to pull his new 2.5T caravan.
Greg

[Psimpson7]

That looks to be a really nice example. Hopefully the specialist check comes back positive.