Tim replied:

Jeff
See if you can get your hands on the June issue of Australian 4WD Monthly, they have a right up about buying 2nd Hand Defenders.
Tim

Mark replied:

Jeff: dont even think of a Land Rover for any real outback work, they are a Sunday drivers picnic wagon and dont stand up to Dinky Di rough roads or harsh conditions-- dont believe the ads !! Buy a Toyota or a Nissan and do yourself a favour !

mark

John replied:

Here we go another one of those people who think cruisers and patrols are the only 4x4 on the plannet. I can just about bet you have never driven an LR. A defender is fare more capable off road then a cruiser or patrol. It has to have one of the largest wheel travels of any standard 4x4. Sure its got its annoying bits (hand brake) but what car doesnt? Thats why they remain the choice of most armies throughout the world.

To answer your question jeff if your after a VERY cabable 4x4 thats as tough as nails then the defender is it. The extreme has some nice additional features. Try to get your hands on the september issue of "4wd monthy". It has a comparo between Defender xtrm and Cruiser 78.

Lets not turn this into a heated discussion on 4x4s. Ive got nothing against cruisers or patrols i just hate it when people bag-out LRs because of somthing they heard and base it off no actual experience. Visit www.discoweb.org
The sites devoted to Discos but it will show you just how much people love their LRs. Ask the question there and the guys will give you a million reasons to buy one.
Sorry its so long

Dave S replied:

Have a look at this review .. http://www.fishingmonthly.com.au/4wd/landrover/defender'98/Landrover-Defender.html

Defenders are great trucks.. very strong and excellent off road. The TD5 engine is very complex though, you might be better off with the 300Tdi version. Dave S

Russell replied:

Hi Jeff: Pity about some people not appreciating a good vehicle. I've had a defender in the past and have had no trouble with it and it was awesome in the rough stuff and left a lot of other rivals behind. Off the shelf they have far more ability then the average cruiser/patrol. Their only downside (if any) I believe is build quality. The TD5 motor is exceptional and the peformance is great both at the bowser and humping around the big loads.

Cheers

jeremy replied:

Mark I would happly challange you in any Jap Vehicle standard off the factory floor with my LR. To put them even close to the ability or class of a LR is a joke, The Defender would have to be one of the toughest trucks on the market and Jeff, I can't tell you why you should by a Defender or any LR, but when you do you will know what I mean and I can garentee you will never buy any other make of 4WD !.

Tim Fitzgerald replied:

i owned tdi disco 1995 to 2000 good to drive great off road but known as the least reliable 4wd in aust.just check resale values.
REPAIRS FROM NEW
transfer case out 5 times
3 sets of breaks
rust in chassis due to water leaks from windows
two wheel bearings
two diff seals
universal joints
vacuum pump
electric window mechanism
interior mirror fell off
oil leaks
rusted hinges rear door
splines front axle
transfer case finally replaced
gearbox replaced
how much was left to replace???

now have 3.0 nissan 70000 klms in 18 mths no problems cant remember what the dealer looks like.

Darren Carr replied:

Jeff we don"t envy you me and my wife are going thru the same problem and are also leaning towards a Defender or Disco the milage speaks for itself if you can help us with some facts please do!

Mike replied:

Jeff, I always amazes me, if LR owners are so confident about their trucks, why must they always jump in so quickly with savage defence of the product. I was in the army, and drove many Landies, that would not persuade me to buy one as they buy them for a completely different reason to the general public. The unqestionable fact is , BUILD QUALITY is and has been a major problem with L.R. If you are prepared to take part in a lottery as to whether you'll get a good one, go ahead. If you don't ever intend to trade it in, go ahead (resale value) Otherwise, buy Japanese! Happy trails, Mike.

Ian replied:

If it has Electronic Traction Control, just note that it is not suited to loose shale etc, as found in Qld 4WDing. It will sit on a hill & alternately spin opposite wheels, not going anywhere. They are even worse reversing back down a hill (truly scary to watch).

One guy in my 4WD club had a Disco with ETC and he liked it for touring (very economical etc) but as he then wanted to do weekend trips, he sold it & bought a 3.0L TD Patrol instead.

What do you want it for? That is what determines the vehicle for you.

Ian

John replied:

Sure ETC is going to have its problems its a computer. Its always going to have certain types of terrains which it can handle better then others. Its merly an abs system. But the defender unlike the disco still has a center diff lever. Allowing wheels to be locked at the same speed. LR has come along way since the early to mid 90s. Late model LRs had BMW quality
control implemented. And in reply to the high-tech engine i think the theres other things which are likly to fail first. The TD5 is a BM engine. Parts like the radiator etc are much more likly to fail.

peter replied:

i hane a defender 96 300 td1 and have had minor probs. however i did the cape and the gulf no probs,in fact we were called on to go first for most of the difficult bits.i am in a club and attend many weekend trips. i am a bit dubious of the td5 electronics though.
enjoy the backblocks

Peter Barnard replied:

Jeff, I own a Defender 110, may 98, 300 tdi model. I have found it to be a very capable and versatile vehicle. With two young children, ages 2 and 4, They like nothing better than going out in the "truck". As far as I know the TD5, is a good choice, however, as someone previously said the electronics are not user friendly, and doing out in the field repairs on the engine or electronics itself are just not possible, without specialised equipement. The TD5 motor is slightly quieter than the 300 tdi motor, and a fraction more powerful, some 30 Nm. It does have a problem if you are thinking of get a HF set installed, because the electronics creates interference in the set. I think the most important question you need to ask yourself is; What do I want the vehicle for??? and what do I want it to do???. My wife, children and I love our landie and would not have anything else. We have travelled interstate and being four wheel driving in it. I have also towed some quite heavy loads utilising my trailer and defender,and have found it to be quite dependable. The build quality is a issue but often it is the case with any automotive manufacturer. Also the defender is assembled here in Oz from CKD's (completely knocked down Kits)that are sent from the UK. This assembly process in OZ is not a fully automative process that other companies have, in fact a fair amount of the assembly process is done by hand. Hence the variance in the build quality. So I think that here in Oz the quality is slightly better than UK. I trust that this info helps and if you would like more info just email me.
I have also found a magazine called "Land Rover Enthusiast" which is quite useful and would also recommend contacting your state landrover club. ie in nsw, try www.lroc.com.au