Land Rover Defender 110 TDI

I owned the defender 110 tdi 300 wagon for 15 years, it's got over 200,000 kms on the clock, but only about 100,000 kms done by me, I'm too busy to use as much as I would like.

Has long range tank,extra 42 liters, comfortable cruising range 1000 ks.

But even the original 79 l tank gives good range

Very simple to service, just tappets and air & fuel filters oil filters etc, It has grease nipples underneath for the drive shafts,

recommend you do servicing your self. (Haynes manual is excellent) I did all my own maintenance for 15 years.( I'm not a mechanic).

Pay attention to axles , swivels , gearboxes oil changes and levels, some small oil leaks are not unusual, but don't worry too much about them.

Provided you don't want high speed cruising, ( above 100-110 km /hr)the noise is not too bad and fuel economy very good, 10 liters/100 km is typical, even fully loaded with a big roof rack I averaged 11 l/100 kms), They are a little under powered, an upgraded intercooler etc is good idea. Factory suspension is too hard, I'm happy with OME shocks and springs.

Once on the secondary roads, desert, beach etc the car is in its natural element, and feels comfortable & safe to drive, surprising stable on and offroad considering the height. You can hose out the inside, (remove seat bases and cover tape deck). Recommend fitting locking axle in the back for slippery conditions. Its not glamorous, but simple, reliable, cheap to maintain and run, but better if you give it some regular attention. check under the bonnet etc each week, check wheel hubs every few months. Nothing I don't really like about the car, It has no electronic gadjets, it's broke down once when the alternator diodes failed and the battery went flat. If you can find a good one with no rust and a good service history, it will go forever.

I had a 110 300Tdi for 10 years which I bought mainly to tow a very large caravan and be a family transport for five people with all their luggage, bicycles etc. The Land Rover performed excellently and did everything with ease. When towing, the permanent 4WD made it very sure footed on the road in any weather. Fuel consumption for a 2.2 ton vehicle isn't bad, typically 30mpg and 25mpg towing. If you are handy with a spanner they are easy to fix and spares are abundant and cheap if you can use pattern parts. My example was generally reliable and I did all my own maintainence. The Landy is as tough as old boots and the odd ding or scratch in the bodywork is desirable to be authentic. There are not many cars that you can simply lift out the mats and hose out to clean it.

The load area in the rear is big or unbolt the bench seats and make it huge. Downsides? If you want japanese 'softroader' comfort forget it. Wind up windows, no airbags, no aircon, noisey and limited leg room for passengers in the rear and really it is only one step up from a tractor. However, if you want a tough, practical, capable load carrier with genuine off roading ability you can't beat it.

You cant compare a defender to a Jeep,thats insane.

Can you think of any other production vehicle that you can hose out the interior and not kill it ?

I live in the French countryside so a Land Rover is more pratical. Don't expect creature comforts and you should not be disappointed. I acquire it from a friend who owned it for 18 years. During it's life it has crossed Morroco several times and been to India. My friend boast that in 18 years it has never been cleaned and very rarely serviced. Oil changes were done religiously but everything else was replaced only when broke. It has covered 110,000 hard miles. It has always been reliable, starts first time on the button, even when left in my barne over the winter when he was abroad.

I have spent some cash on it recently on the drive train but parts are cheep and a lot of the work any DIY person can do themselves. I am planning to cross Morroco next summer. I enjoy driving it, it seems to have soul and has become part of the family unlike most modern cars. And I am not afraid to leave it in a French shopping car park where my cars usually end up getting dented.

For my life style I think this vehicle is a good choice.

Although it is not fast the power still makes it an interesting drive. I think if I were still living in London I might find the lack of comfort and sluggish performance harder to live with.

had my defender 110.300tdi for the last year,it's not let me down yet,it's got a 2" lift.next year i intend to rxchange my H14 POWER WINCH PTO, FOR A NEW ELECTRIC ONE.

Broke down, lag and over run, dealer uncoprative, new clutch, new fuel system, new step, seal fell off, engine rattles like a bag of bolts, fuel consumption around 24, repaint to door surround, genrally a very poor drive.

If I were to be honest, it sits at the top of our yard and has done for 8 months with 7k on clock. I drive an old 300tdi that has failed once in 12 years!!

I don't do off-roading. But my Land Rover Defender 110 TDI is used mainly for work, towing is her main use. She pulls steady and true it saves me the expence of running a lorry. With a 20ft trailer I can load up and go anywhere with almost anything on my non HGV licence. The advantage she has over a lorry is I can take my workforce with me, drop them and the trailer and go into town or wherever as a normal car. The high driving position gives me good advanced warning of bad drivers ahead to, so there easier to allow for. With nine seats I take my family including friends out in her. Comfort is not too bad unlike what some say, its like a vw mini bus with more power. I must admit though I do take of the firestone tyred wheels and use dunlops for family outings it makes for a noticably softer ride and only very rear seats stay slightly uncomfortable. If your using low profiles on alloys,...... well your best ignored. Over 119,000 miles I've been blessed with only two punctures and 4 wing mirrors knocked off is the only trouble I,ve had. (touch wood) I'm about to have her resprayed, her lovely green paint has faded somewhat to a dull yuck! The eight rating would be a ten if one could swap between four and two wheel like my toyota well my wifes toyota. Economy is not bad I drive too slow my wife says so I can turn over 40 to the old gallon obviously it drops when towing. I think shees great. If I wasn't already maried I'd marry her.

Land Rover Defender 110 TDI are very reliable! last for ages! Great fun.. good if you have a dog just stick him/her in back they love it!

On some the seating are a little uncomfy but on most are really nice!

I've owned my Land Rover Defender 110 TDI for 11 years. I bought it new to use in West Africa. It's been to the western end of North Africa , the eastern end of what is now called the Middle East (I think it should still be called the Near East, but that's me) and now it's back in the western end of North Africa.

I have owned an Land Rover Defender 110 TDI, kicked and missed it. The 110 is good don't get me wrong, for what it is designed for. If I had 5K I would buy one tommorow, I love'm. Solid axels, Coil Suspension. Hi and Lo range gears. Center Diff Lock on Defenders, etc.

However, as an everyday driver I would look elsewhere as well. It depends what you want, for comfort factor, though smaller, I would go for a Jeep Cherokee, engine as powerful and a lot lighter, and it can perform off road.

For a similar size then the Izuzu Trooper is good, though has IFS upfront. Perhaps the Patrol or Land Cruiser are other alternatives.

Would I buy another one, probabley yes, if I can get the Trail Boss away from the leather, the air con, a heater that actually heats the whole car, a stereo you can hear, and she can get in it without a fruit box...............