Top90

If you mean a new one then I would have thought so, as the log book will state 'Taxation class: diesel car' and will show the emission info to put you in the expensive band.

Exactly. Sidewindows, I am not so sure on this, but from my understanding you have to wait two years (or so I was told) to fit the side windows otherwise the friendly VAT man waits his £3,500 back. EDITED BECAUSE Having just looked it would seem that if you convert by fitting seats or side windows at any time you then have to pay back VAT on the value of the vehicle at that moment, not on it's new price. Additionally you can claim the VAT back on the parts to convert it, such as the seats/sidewindows. But I am happy to be corrected on this. Richard

1. Light Goods - £180 2. No, I said it was light goods, not Private/Light goods. Mine has no emission info on log book like cars(or station wagons) which are taxed on emmisions. 3. Yes, Light Goods (not PLG) £180 PA If in doubt ask a dealer, they put the first years tax on so will be 1000% sure of how much it costs... Also you will not regret changing it. After 5 months and 8,000 miles I am still surprised by how much better the new design is for everyday use. My Td5 was from Oct 05 by comparison. The Air-con works! the side windows demist, the seats are comfy, cruising at 70mph is easy/relaxed etc.. etc.....

Yes, he is. Station wagon Defenders are taxed as diesel cars. So are all currently in the top G band. They all USED to be private/light goods but that does not exist for new vehicles. They are now light goods (commercials) or diesel cars (stationwagons) from new. There is no private/light goods catagory now, unless your vehicle is already in it from years ago.

The taxation class (in a hardtop N1) cannot be removed, I am having this problem with vans converted to disabled access minibuses. They are N1 and the DVLA says there is not way to change them. Not even by SVA! The description can be changed, such as to minibus or disabled passenger vehicle but it will still be N1 class.... so a hardtop may always be a hardtop no matter what you do to it. Side windows anyone?

As a private person you did not reclaim the VAT when you bought it, so you don't charge VAT when you sell it.

If you buy a hardtop you don't pay according to the emissions, like a station wagon. You pay a flat fee as a light goods vehicle. (there is no emission data on my log book - 2007 county hard top) So a new 110 hardtop will not be in band G paying £400 plus, it should be £180.

I used to have something similar. You really need one where the mechanism engages at both ends, otherwise you can lever the end away from the lock open enough to get the pedals out.... I lost my key one day and it took me a minute to do it with a crowbar. I don't personally know if the Full Metal Jacket does this or is stronger metal to compensate, but worth baring in mind.

Soak a tissue in water, leave it stuck over the bird poo for 5 to 10 minutes and then it will wipe off. This works well on crusty dried ones.

Oi, I paid for my truck that had that sticker on it a few years back !!

ORANGE changed to THEY ARE GOING ON ABOUT IT AGAIN.

I've heard people say the 200 is slightly better, but in reality there should be very little difference. I got 28mpg in my 300TDi station wagon a few years back commuting in and out of London. I suggest you get it looked at, mine would do similar speeds to those you quote for the 200 and hills were not much of a problem unless they were really steep. Richard

One other thing I forgot... With the full width one I kept getting mud between the cooler and rad when offroading. Because it's trapped in there it was a pain to get out and several times I had to take the intercooler back off to clean it out proprerly as the defender was running a bit hot. Even with a pressure washer (being careful as it's an intercooler) I could not get it anywhere clean like you can a single thickness rad. As you can probably tell, I would recomend a good quality deep core regular width one. Mine was from Brunnell and I was impressed with the quality and performance. All coolers are not the same so get some feedback before parting with your cash. Richard

In my personal experience I was not impressed with the full width one and went back to a bigger standard width one. I found when off roading that the low speed combined with the intercooler running very close along the front of the radiator actually warmed up the intercooler so it had little benefit. I changed back to a Brunnell uprated one that fits in the standard slot and immediately saw an improvement. The full width one was good on the road though, but hardly better than the deep core normal width. The other problem was the full width required removing the diagonal braces for the slam panel, which fine for 6 months and then I had issues closing the bonnet and had to go over to bonnet pins. Well, that's my 2p.

Before, with a cheap respray for offroading. 2006 After. 2007 Richard

I went there to order a few bits and spent far more than planned on all sorts of cool stuff. Quick delivery and everything present and correct too.

My 303s give an extra 6 inches clearance under the diffs, are easy to get a disc conversion for via Jez (flying spanners) and the conversion changes the stud pattern to standard LR rims. Diff offsets are fine for a standard LR drivetrain. They are also not that heavy... and contrary to popular belief not indestructable. Did not break shafts though, just diff and portal box. I would imagine (no experience of MOG axles) the MOGs are heavier, stronger and at least one of the diffs is on the wrong side. I went for 303 as they were the right width, diff location, not too heavy and are strong. The only time I broke them was playing hard... I never broke anything on the challenge events I did. Also I can't fabricate well so converting the MOG axles would have cost me a fortune in third party labour. Richard

As MOG said it's an argument that has been discussed several times, sometimes by people that have not owned both engine variants.

That's why I use a 90. That and it's great for towing big minibuses.

Looks like anything pre 2001 will probably just go up by a few quid each year. Just as it does now. Richard

Once this has been in place for 5 to 10 years it will seriously restrict the second hand market for big cars. There is no way I would buy an old disco for 3k if it cost over £400 per year to tax it... and that's exactly what they want.

Having read the sections before the table I have to say it does not look good for vehicles registed as 'cars' and with high emissions. Richard

Thanks Chris, but I still can't see anything about back dating band G (or the new bands in 2009) to 2001, which will cost many people a fortune. Richard

Do you have a link to this table, as I can't find it or google it. Thanks, Richard

And only if the newer one is a CSW from the looks of it. My new 90 hardtop as a commercial is around £200. It's cars they don't like.