defender 90 td5

fatboyrib · 26 July 2013, 16:05

Thinking of buying a early 2000ish year defender 90 td5 to tow a 6mtr searider with twins on, sitting on a 4 wheel trailer, all in weight about 1850 kg, are they anygood to tow with as its a 200 mile trip each way, cheers

TheKommandant · 26 July 2013, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatboyrib

Thinking of buying a early 2000ish year defender 90 td5 to tow a 6mtr searider with twins on, sitting on a 4 wheel trailer, all in weight about 1850 kg, are they anygood to tow with as its a 200 mile trip each way, cheers

Are you any good with a set of spanners?

mister p · 26 July 2013, 16:14

And welding torch and hammer and AA and bank account and hammerite and.............Or just money.

TheKommandant · 26 July 2013, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by mister p

And welding torch and hammer and AA and bank account and hammerite and.............Or just money.

If it was me, unless I specifically wanted a Landy because I was an enthusiast I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.

As a towing vehicle I'm sure it's fine.

For me though, if I'm towing a boat it's because I want to go out on the boat, not spend my time broken down on the way to the slipway.

Chris Caton · 26 July 2013, 16:19

yes, they are great for towing etc, but if you are going to do that run on a regular basis I would go for a similar age disco 2 and enjoy the comfort

take no notice of the land rover bashers on here, they are as good as anything else and parts are cheap and easy to get hold of, go enjoy

TheKommandant · 26 July 2013, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

take no notice of the land rover bashers on here, they are as good as anything else and parts are cheap and easy to get hold of, go enjoy

I shouldn't mock. By all accounts the Navara I currently own go through their own fair share of parts.

Chris Caton · 26 July 2013, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKommandant

I shouldn't mock. By all accounts the Navara I currently own go through their own fair share of parts.

it's nowt to do with make or model, it's just the luck of the drawer how good a motor is, I reckon as long as they have been looked after they all have their good points, challenge is finding a good 2000'ish motor

A1an · 26 July 2013, 16:28

Great little workhorses, unfortunately not the most refined of rides.

Barrowboy · 26 July 2013, 16:40

I've owned two defenders and could never, ever, find a comfortable driving position.... and every time I tried to turn the wheel I had to open the fcek**g window!

Fantastic ability on the beach/mud/rocks etc but the thought of driving 200 miles in one just fills me with horror!

mister p · 26 July 2013, 17:50

SWB Patrol for the journey and launch.

paddlers · 26 July 2013, 19:02

Luck of the draw with motors whatever brand you get ! I did the same a couple of years ago but went for the Merc ML as I needed 7 seats and liked the comfort level plus they're very cheap to buy/insure just like the Disco.
Like the Landies, great car when they're running, just make sure you're a member of the AA or RAC etc.....

mister p · 26 July 2013, 20:26

what about a subaru forester? but patrol swb is still fave, esp for 200 miles

Nos4r2 · 26 July 2013, 20:29

You'd be better off with a 3 litre manual Hilux Surf.

Mine doesn't have any problems towing my Ballistic 7.8m (does 19mpg towing on the motorway at 60mph) and does close to 30mpg when not towing.

mister p · 26 July 2013, 20:33

I'll have to say something here.
In my eyes, the HiLux Surf along with the Allroad must be the ideal cars for RIBing.
Both very cool..........miles of road ability with miles off road ability.
Both super-cool.

Nos4r2 · 26 July 2013, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by mister p

I'll have to say something here.
In my eyes, the HiLux Surf along with the Allroad must be the ideal cars for RIBing.
Both very cool..........miles of road ability with miles off road ability.
Both super-cool.

Except the Hilux is a damn sight cheaper, and has enough room for a lanky git like me to put an airbed in if I want.

I did have to be a bit careful going up Telegraph Hill though, it can't quite cool enough to tow it up there at 50mph. The gauge starts to rise a bit.It's fine if I keep the revs to max 2500 though and go up at 30mph.

mister p · 26 July 2013, 20:53

Ok, if fifth gear didn't rest at bottom right of gate it would be perfect. HiLux, that is.

mister p · 26 July 2013, 20:57

K., don't do a 200 mile journey at 50 in a SWB td5 Def.
Ok do, but don't.
Try it without a trailer first.
It's not a 200 mile car.

PS there are a couple for sale around Lostie. One in Par for 9995 at 60k and one at Penhale for 3885 with a bit more but looks a lot worse.

mick · 26 July 2013, 21:02

My 130 is coming to pasty country so I hope those bends aren't to tight.

Barrowboy · 26 July 2013, 21:10

Mr P said 'what about a subaru forester?'

Good taste, Mr P, good taste.....

2.5 turbo, 200+ bhp, plenty of grip, tow's for fun and when not towing, it's the definition of a wolf in sheep's clothing....

Steve_B · 26 July 2013, 21:53

Have had a 90 TD5 for 3 years now and other than easy, routine maintainance it has run like a dream. I have done many, many long distance miles in it and have never had any driving issues. The drivers door is the elbow rest, but you get used to it.
A good Disco TD5 s a great option, but good ones are getting hard to find. If you do find one, get someone who knows them well to go look with you. The rot is easy to find if you know where to look.
PS they tow great, the cruise at 50/60 is a perfect pace for them