Hi folks,
I've just bought (about 1 1/2 months ago) a 97 defender Tdi300, and so far I'm LOVING it.
Where I am (Vic, Aust) a good one of these are like hens teeth, but I'm glad I held out... I spent 2 years trying to find a good one at a reasonable price. The wait seems to have been worth it.
Everywhere I go, other 'fender drivers give me a friendly wave or beep. In fact, 10 minutes after picking it up, I got a toot and a wave, much to my amazement. The last time this happened was about 20 years ago when I was driving around in a 71 Peugeot 404, who's owners of the time considered it de rigeur to wave manically, toot and flash at other 404s. It's good to see another marque and model with such cameraderie amongst its owners!
So far, I've been fixing up a few mechanical *issues* like:
- timing cover gasket water leak
- overflow bottle split
- new timing belt
Yet to be addressed:
- the usual gearbox/transfer oil leak
- front drag link replacement
Other than that it's in pretty good nick for an oldie... only 143,000 k's on it. It's got a few bumps and scratches, but who cares... I'm only going to be adding to them, and already my local mechanic is calling them 'character marks'!
I've only taken it off road once so far, but was VERY impressed with how a complete stocker (bar the non-standard tyre dimensions) handles the rough stuff. Four creek crossings and a bit of rock crawling in the space of
60kms... great fun, and even the missus enjoyed it :). It just walked over stuff that the (stock) jappers just don't like. I'm amazed.Anyway, I've been lurking here for a bit, and though I'd better introduce myself.
Go the Landies!
Doug