| Author | Message | ||
     Rich (Rbtrader) New Member Username: Rbtrader Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2003 |
I have had a lot of upscale cars, and understand that sometimes you have to "pay to play" with neat machinery. I also realize that when you own the best, it probably will cost you more to fix it when it breaks. In my quest to own a Defender, however, I am wondering just how often do major components break? The trucks I am looking at have had new steering boxes, new clutches, new transmissions, new rotors, new transfer cases, new alternators, new blower motors, etc. All of these vehicles are under 75K in miles. How common are these types of repairs? Is there a mileage range where things are expected to break? Is it a maintenance issue with some owners, or does it just always happen? Maybe some of you with some experience can suggest some things to look out for, or the truck I should be looking for to have the best Defender repair experience. I would like to stay under $30K if possible. Thanks in advance for your help. Rich Becherer | ||
| Mike Hippert (Mikeh) New Member Username: Mikeh Post Number: 16 Registered: 04-2003 |
I am sure you could find a good Defender for under 30k. I would stay away from the heavily offroaded Defenders as that is what does the most damage. None of the parts are all that expensive, as I have found. I just replaced my T-case for $1400. I did the work myself to save money but I have over 100k on the OD and my Defender has been heavily offroaded. Things don't brake at any specific mileage they brake form heavy use. And as you already now don’t buy the first one you see wait for what you want. Check out www.D-90.com for more info. | ||
| Jonathan Hanson (Jmh) New Member Username: Jmh Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2003 |
Rich, the simple fact is that major components do break on Defenders with much more regularity than their competitors that are subject to equally "heavy use." It's an off-road vehicle, for God's sake--it's supposed to get "heavy use." To appreciate a Defender you need to be aware of its stupendous capabilities AND its depressing quality control problems. For anyone to tell you anything less is misleading. The best way to see what you're in for is to look at East Coast Rovers' site. Look at their Defender projects and they'll TELL you where the weak points are, because those are much of what they address when they work on or modify a vehicle. | ||
| Chris von C. (Chrisvonc) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Chrisvonc Post Number: 232 Registered: 07-2002 |
I don't know what level of experience Jonathan has with Defenders but speaking for myself as a current owner of both a '99 Disco and '94 D90, I completely disagree with his statements with the exception that ECR will point out weak points and that it's supposed to get heavy use. My Disco which is 5 year newer with 1/2 the mileage of our D90, breaks down twice as much as my Defender not to mention that for the past year and a half, we wheel the D90 twice as much as the Disco too. Quite a number of parts on the Disco have needed to be replaced at half the mileage of the same ones on the D90. In my case steering pumps and ball joints more recently. In my area we have plenty of D90s that will never ever see dirt and are pretty much driven very kindly so they may never experience the break downs that someone who regularly wheels (either a disco, d90, or whatever) will start getting earlier on. Again, not knowing what level of experience Jonathan may have with Defenders, but I see no QC problems with the 90's. The Defender is and always has been a very basic vehicle primarily designed for working, not plush comfort. To expect that you are going to get a shorter wheel based version of a Disco or RR comforts is simply unrealistic. Chris von C. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 404 Registered: 02-2003 |
I agree. I think by reading bullintin boards such as this one, the one found @ www.D-90.com you can gain alot of insight as to what can be expected from the D-90 in terms of wear and tear as well as abuse. At any rate I think there are alot of D-90's that have had easy live's and then there is the other end of that spectrum. Also you dont have to beat the shit out of them offroad to appreciate what they are, however I think any owner of a D-90 should take thier truck offroad a few times. I have been suprised as to how well mine has performed when I had it in the woods. As far as general maintinence cost's I think that is largely varible on where the truck has lived in addition to how well it has been taken care of by its owner. I wouldnt mess with one that didnt have the manual or didnt have any of the service records documented but that is just me. Chris how many miles on your D-90? | ||
| Chris von C. (Chrisvonc) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Chrisvonc Post Number: 233 Registered: 07-2002 |
115K | ||
| Mike Hippert (Mikeh) New Member Username: Mikeh Post Number: 17 Registered: 04-2003 |
My 90 has been heavily off-roaded most of its life. That is why it has needed so much work. It has also lived most of its life on the North East coast. And even though parts do brake on it every now and then I find it very easy to work on. As far as "depressing quality control problems” try driving any vehicle threw deep water, thick mud or in heavy rain with no top on while bashing it on rocks it as I have done. You will see the Defender shines on threw. It may have little quirks but nothing major that you have too worry about. When you buy a Defender you should be worried about: 1 How heavily was it off roaded (if at all) and what is the mileage and what maintenance was done on it. The next 3 are very important I suggest numerous test drives. 2 Do you want a soft top or a hard top (I like soft tops much more fun)? 3 Do you want an auto or a manual transmission? 4 What color do you want (very important)? Oh you may also consider what extra add-ons it comes with but most of the time you will want to change it too your own unique likings anyway. |
