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- Birmingham
I used to see them when doing Rescue on the hill rallies, always used to amuse me when Tony Mason turned up with the BBC and would head straight for the sisters regardless of what position they were running in
- Thread starter Premiershipman
- Start date
I used to see them when doing Rescue on the hill rallies, always used to amuse me when Tony Mason turned up with the BBC and would head straight for the sisters regardless of what position they were running in
CompoSimmonite
Member
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- 5,933
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- Werrington, Staffordshire Moorlands.
Nothing to do with the Simmonite sisters. Compo Simmonite is my "hero" from Last of the Summer Wine
waldershelf
Member
- Messages
- 547
I'm on my 4th series/'fender, all of them pretty old. they are poorly assembled, badly designed and made from shockingly poor quality components. if you are prepared to accept this and are happy to spend all your spare time and money just keeping the thing on the road then Land Rover ownership might just be right for you. If not buy a Toyota. (I am currently saving up for a new galv' chassis for mine cos' I know its going to need one sooner or later)
magnet
Member
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- 1,419
Well you live and learn, i never knew compo had a surnameNothing to do with the Simmonite sisters. Compo Simmonite is my "hero" from Last of the Summer Wine
lotus_esprit_s1
Member
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- UK
The Defender is actually now built of good quality components. The series 3 is the low point, they got a lot better with the 300tdi and really sorted them out from 2002 onwards, redesigned the doors properly in 2005. I've had over forty of them and the majority of problems and bad reputation are caused by owners down the line neglecting and budging and using poor quality parts. If you buy a decent one which has been well looked after then you won't have to spend all your time and money on it, I bought my folks a one owner 1997 300tdi CSW which was always garaged and looked after, in 40,000 miles all it has needed apart from consumables is a rear door lock, and it's worth more now than when they bought it.
i woulddnt go that far lol
12 months ago i loooked down the side of a brand new defender and you could see ripples in the bodywork and the door shut line want very good atall
penfold
Ambassador plenipotentiary
- Messages
- 2,116
- Location
- Argyll and Bute, God's own country.
That's more a consequence of the inherent flaws of the design rather than the quality of the individual components; relatively unsupported flat metal panels will always have distortions in them if the edges are crimped around the supporting framework, the absence of location dowels and tight dimensional tolerances mean the bodywork/panel gaps are only as good as the chaps who screwed it together; there's only so much you can achieve with nuts, washers and bolts that are rattling good fits in their holes.
waldershelf
Member
- Messages
- 547
Well you are welcome to you're opinion, even if it is completely at odds with everyone else.
New ones are even worse than the old ones with their Ford engines that even transit lovers don't rate.
Land rover have never fitted a gearbox that is up to the job, the R380 wasn't even good enough to pull a TR7 without giving problems and the 6 speeder currently used is probably the single most complained about component (along with engines and electrics).
Chassis that are rusty from the factory. When you go and by your 41st have a look underneath the one in the showroom the chassis will already have surface rust.
One thing we can agree on, the 300tdi was a high point for Land Rover, up to then it didn't matter if the electrics packed in at least the engine would keep running.
I have spent years working on my own and other people Land Rovers, I've rebuilt engines and gearboxes, chased weird electrical faults, struggled with recalcitrant brakes and spent hours with the welder. The one constant in all this is repeatedly asking myself and others " why did they design it like this" and "why is this highly stressed component made of cheese".
Don't get me wrong I still love my Land Rovers, It's the company I'm not impressed with, A few decisions made at high level in the company could have made a truly great vehicle.
Now where did I put those rose coloured spectacles? I'm going to need them later 'cos once again I have a few little jobs to do on the old girl.
To all the people saying how awful landys are, explain how there are so many everywhere you go, yes enthusiasts keep them on the road but not everyone who owns an old landrover is an enthusiast, if you look at other vehicles of similar ages produced in similar numbers they aren't as common as land rovers
waldershelf
Member
- Messages
- 547
That's an easy one, they break but they are easy to fix and the aftermarket spares market is fully stocked with cheap spares right back to S11's (S1's are more difficult)
As for being an enthusiast, if you buy a Land Rover and keep it for any length of time you are an enthusiast, even if you get someone else to do the maintenance/repairs. Quite simply if you are prepared to put up with the compromises required to own one you must be an enthusiast.
Believe me I know, I am one.
don't get me wrong, so am I, currently have 2 of my own in pieces for different reasons, my step dad's apart to sort the bulkhead along with my mates bulkhead I'm just finishing off, can't get enough of them, they're certainly not the most reliable of vehicles however if they were as awful as some people make out no one would even bother with them they'd all be on a scrap heap!
octo0072000
Member
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- 6,033
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- south yorks
they still make every part for a Ford model T but would i want one no same as a landy ok for running around local
but for a long distance trip no not for me and ive had a few over the years playing in the mud
but for a long distance trip no not for me and ive had a few over the years playing in the mud
- Messages
- 23,309
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- Birmingham
Well they're still building them today and demand is so high they have to work regular overtime to keep up with the orders.
mr migwire
It's more fun with metal.
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- 1,874
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- fife
Tinbasherdan
Bodger in chief
- Messages
- 7,395
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- Bolton, England
I'm on my 7th, a 300 tdi disco, spent more time than it was really worth welding it, but believe me, 5mm box section sills and 3mm boot floor isn't going to rot so quick now. Most people forget that landrovers, even discos are an agricultural tool, and should be treat as such, plenty of greasing to be Done and they like to be worked
No u turn the new defender is about fully finished and ready for production already. No going back now it's dead, very dead.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-land-rover-defender-launch-2016
mr migwire
It's more fun with metal.
- Messages
- 1,874
- Location
- fife
tis the devils work, and its got that horrible rangerover sport looking front end,
Bill Edwards
Member
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- 4,959
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- Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Well I'm certainly one of those with a loud voice when it comes to stating how awful they are.
I've worked on various ones for years that have had different treatments ranging from sheer abuse to the opposite. Yet they nearly all need colossal amounts of work, sometimes major stuff such as engines, 'boxes etc, to the very minor but annoying bits. When you compare this to other motors - I've had cars that have been abused beyond measure and never really needed touching - they really are awful.
But, I do have one of my own. A '58 SII with the 'horrible' old 2.25D that goes up the hills to work at around 30 mph with my foot flat to the floor. It shakes me to death, deafens me, gets me wet, takes up a huge amount of my time (not entirely due to the vehicle being c***, some are down to 56 years worth of bodges) and enough parts and really just about anything else ever made apart from those with the green oval or a French make would be almost guaranteed to give less trouble and be more comfortable, faster and better to drive.
But despite knowing how much I've already spent on it, and despite knowing what is going to be needed (new chassis, bulkhead work etc) and that it's a bad choice to now have as on only vehicle, I do enjoy it and don't wish to get rid.
But that doesn't mean it is a good vehicle!
