Buying a Defender

On or around Mon, 7 Mar 2005 13:28:17 -0000, "dht" enlightened us thusly:

dealers are always more pricey. You may gain something in the way of warranty on a newish one, or you may not. The 1995 300 TDi disco we have came from Likes; in August 2003, was on their forecourt for 7995, but had full history and low (about 75K) miles, we negotiated it down to 7700 and got them to throw in a recon alternator (the original had a noisy bearing).

at the time, that was a touch on the high side - by diligent searching, could probably have got similar condition and age for maybe 6500, I reckon, privately.

luck of the draw what SH vehicles are at any given outlet, unless of course you phone 'em first.

I've heard great things about WINSTON PINCOMBE Tel 01769 580900 Fax 01769 581030 The Garage, Chulmleigh, Devon EX18 7BW but not used them myself, I bought privatly.

110 sw or csw gives you (in practical terms) 2 adults in the front and 3 kids in the mid, the rear is best for dogs/baggage but you can get 4 more people in (6 if they are ickle). 110 hard top gives you 2 in the front and you can add seats to the rear as you like. 300tdi is better than 200tdi. earlier td has an iffy reputation and 2.5 n/a is for those not in a hurry to get anywhere.

anything you go and look at: You want it to be a tdi not a td. Should not smoke noticably when ticking-over when warm (always smokes when starting) Drive it in all gears, high and low forward and reverse. Poke around the chassis looking for masses of rust, ditto the footwells and the bulkhead outside at the far left and right below the screen hinges. Usual preference for service history I suppose, such things never bother me.

Regards. Mark.(AKA, Mr.Nice.)

I'd have to say

but I'd be biased as I work for a part of the group. No really, they are good. Several regulars on here have dealings, not just me.