Top90

I believe gavanised body cappings started again on the 02 plate late Td5 update... and then stopped again as my 55 plate did not have them. I know a 300Tdi on an 05 plate that does have them though. ALthough I don't know if they continued that long or it's because it's ROW spec being a Tdi. My puma does not have them.

Not really, a 200TDi or 300Tdi is still about £190ish.

I may be wrong here... But I thought the now £400ish top bracket (band G) only came into effect from March 2006, and we knew in advance. So before this date even heavy polluters are in band F and the VED is noticably lower. So before March 2006 the most you can pay is about £210 per year, no matter how much Co2 you pump out.

If you will pay for repairs engine is not the most important thing then, as you say it comes down to condition. Just get the best you can without stretching the budget as there will always be a few bits you want to do, or modifications you would like to make. BUT have a test drive of several different ones first so you don't get one that drives like a dog and think it's normal. I have seen a dealer selling really bad ones, but with the excuse that they are utility vehicles so it's normal.

Wow, you don't like Td5s do you? The oil pump bolt problem is not a big issue, in the same way that the 300 TDi timing belt alignment is not an issue anymore. All these vehicles are old enough now that if they were going to blow up they would have done so already unless it has seriously low milage. Oil in the wiring loom is easy enough to stop and has been talked about on this forum. On the 300TDis and Td5s I've had there has been hardly any difference to fuel economy. With a Td5 you just get a bit more power as the engine is more efficient due to the electronics. In fact my 110 Td5 became the most economical landrover I've ever had as a mild tweak on the ECU gave an extra 2mpg. I also took a Td5 to Africa (Are you planning on doing that often?) and it was fine. After a couple of weeks dust on the throttle sensor caused it to stop giving a reading but a quick check in the workshop manual, blowing it clean and restarting the engine sorted it out. If it's a first car I would still be tempted to go TDi though, simply because they are slower and cheaper to insure. plus easier to fix yourself. Some Td5 parts are a bit pricey. If cost is not so important get a later spec (around 02 plate) Td5. There were several changes made. The bad point of a TDi engine (or older one) is that it is attached to an older car that will probably have had more use, so logic suggests that you need to do a bit more DIY than on a newer one. Between two Td5s I did 70,000 miles including the Africa trip and one needed a clutch cylinder and had it's brake pads changed. Thats it. By comparison the 300TDis I had were older and I was often changing minor parts or fixing little niggles... but that's all part of the fun of Land Rover ownership. That's my balanced view. If price is not a major issue - later Td5, otherwise TDi. Richard

I think it was because earlier euro4 was not standard, so you got a discount on VED as an incentive for buying one. Now it's standard they don't need to offer the incentive anymore.

I can only see up to December 06 listed for euro4 at £120. Would be nice if it's true though. Maybe the bit I found has not been updated since the budget.

Yes please.

I picked up a cheap Vauxhall Astra as a run around. It's reliable, cheap to buy as there are loads out there and even though it's petrol I average 42mpg. Diesels do about 50-55. So they are quite economical too and most models after 99 have aircon etc.. Vauxhall Astras are thought by many as the second choice after a Ford Focus so they are cheaper for the same spec/age.

I believe Headhunter has done this on his 110 and posted on the forum. Maybe he can point you in the right direction. Looked a good conversion from what I remember. Richard

Yes, I moved mine into the middle by about 2cm on my 300Tdi. Much more elbow room, but you need to be aware that the steering wheel is a bit off centre and the handbrake can rub your left leg if you bring your clutch food back to rest it on the floor. I just drilled new holes on the seatbox and moved them over.

Well, you learn something new everyday. I thought an overdrive was an add to the transmission too.

The interesting part would be insuring it and then having a bump. The insurance company could probably find a whole load of reasons not to pay out. Not knowing the vehicle it's hard to specific, but most are cut down old range rovers with a series ID. As FF said, why risk it to save £3.50p per week ?? Richard

Is there a tiny screw that goes in to the back of the barrel and holds them in? When I did the ones on my 1994 Defender I undid this screw and they came straight out. If the 1986 ones are the same (not sure if that's lift up handles?) you may need to drill a small hole in the interior side of the door to get the screwdriver in.

I did the same with all the toys, but it was still much cheaper. Only things I didn't spec were the sunroof and alloys. MJIbex (who posted above) got me a nice discount though... <going off topic> I still can't believe LR want so much for alloys, I gave mine to the dealer to fit before collection. Of course, with a hard top you could also claim back about 3.5k in VAT if you were registered and it was for the busness, so a fully specced one would cost about 19k.

My older defender (I assume you are talking about the Puma?) took a 2" lift no problems, going anymore though needed the cranked arms, prop etc.. Each one seems to behave a bit different. If you are lifting the Puma will it affect the insurance much? (being a new one and therefore more to insure anyway) Thanks, Richard

I expected it to say two anyway, but not heard anything about changes. Can you let me know if you come across any info. Thanks Richard

I still don't see the point unless you collect things like that. 5k to 7k price loading for sat-nav and a fancy stereo.

That's one of the reasons I bought a 90 hardtop. Only need two seats now and I can convert later if needed, but VED class stays the same... Funny thing is the logbook states 4 seats already, same as a station wagon. Richard

I thought roof lights were illegal for use on the road at anytime, but I did wonder why some lorries have them... I got four of those bullet proof, waterproof super beam lights off Jez a while back. I must get round to fitting two on the front of the 90.

One thing that surprised me about having roof lights was how you hardly ever use them, unless offroading at night... which in my case was maybe once a year. Rooflights do look good though IMO.

Was going to use the 07. I am trialling it locally already. I only have the 07 (Top90) and Taz now. The 110 CSW went to buy the 90. I just can't justify the cost at the moment for a day out as I'm so far away... living the 'wrong side' of London.

I'm sure it will be a good event, but I can't justify coming down from Essex at the moment. It works out as an expensive day with fuel, travel lodge etc... Was costing me in the region of £240 to tow Taz down for a Saturday event and stay over. And I'm trying to get Taz back on the road. It's been in the workshop since July. Richard

Me too, I really liked those vents. That's why I went for the air con which I've never bothered with before. Would make a hot summer in commuting traffic or safari trip hell otherwise. My dealer has just had an 07 Defender in with a hole punched in the sump. The customer kept driving with the oil light on until the engine seized. I've sent them a copy of the technical bulletin and will be getting mine changed at the next service...

My dealer is Lookers in Hadleigh, Essex. I have always had a good relationship with them so continue to use them even though I'm now closer to another Lookers dealer. Both defenders I've bought new (the only two cars in my life) there I have always had a good look at before driving away due to what you hear/read about LR build quality. They have both been good ones though. The courtesy car (RR Vogue) came from Enterprise though as they do the service for Landrover Assistance. Richard