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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548   
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Hi everyone, I’m new around here, some of you have probably already seen some of my daft/newbie questions!
I’ve just bought my first Defender, for which we have some plans, so thought I’d share what I do along the way... Although I’ve only just got The Defender, it all started around February 2016 (almost to the day in fact!) – We hired one for a long weekend from SHB. A 2015 90 SW;  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Really enjoyed bashing about in the Defender, it was much more fun than I expected to drive. After that weekend, I really wanted one and started looking online at all the different specs, models, modifications… you get the idea! One of my reservations was fuel economy, especially when towing. I have a small race car which I tow around the country and so wanted to be sure everything would be ok with a defender. There was only one thing for it, hire the defender again over a race weekend and give it a go! We hired the 90 from SHB again. This time, a brand new Defender 90 HT (2016) with just 1000 miles on the clock was presented to us! It had some nice accessories on it, which was strange considering it was a “fleet” car – but a lovely spec nonetheless. We hooked up the trailer and loaded the back of the HT with my spares and off we went to Norfolk (Snetterton Circuit). Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Total MPG for the weekend came in around 26MPG, so not as bad as I feared. After that weekend I was sure we should get a defender, it would be hard letting the BMW go as it was a car I enjoyed owning but I wanted something quirky again, the defender ticks a lot of boxes. The final remaining question was when….With an extension to the house planned April 2017, all our money was going to be set aside for that so I figured I’d be waiting another year. Jump forward to February 2017 – I spotted on auto trader a defender which if I was to list / draw a want list, ticked all the boxes. Timing was of course terrible, but over the next few days convinced myself I had to go and see it. Gingerly approaching the subject with my Girlfriend, she practically encouraged the idea, so off we went on a 600 mile round trip one Sunday morning to Llandudno to view this car; Click image to enlarge It was everything I hoped, except one thing…it had been clocked! I was gutted, and I did toy with the idea of still buying it but my head overtook my heart and I walked (drove, a long) way. But that had really got me hooked, so after some discussions, we decided to continue the search and find something similar (but more standard) and treat is as a project to make our own. I found the car I wanted, a slightly newer 2010 Defender 90 HT, with 40k miles on the clock. It had a few small modifications, not all of them to my choice, but I could see the base car was a goodun. The owner seemed a friendly guy and we arranged a viewing. Just one week after that mammoth journey to Llandudno, we were up early and on the road again to view another defender, another 400 mile round trip. Thankfully this one turned out to be more genuine, the deal was made and I bought this defender home; Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge I even managed to sell my BMW on the way home (really), so we only had the Defender to drive home, and a nice wad of cash back in the bank…doesn’t usually happen like that, maybe it was just meant to be! So that brings us up to today, I’ve had the defender 4 or so days and I’m getting used to driving style and other quirks, but I certainly don’t regret it! I’ll keep this thread up to date with work we do on the car, most of which I hope to do myself but I’m sure there will be specialists I use along the way. First things are a few external cosmetic changes. Then I’ll look at the interior, some security upgrades. I've been speaking with "ZAGATO" and have booked her in for the fully chassis and body protection already 
Thanks for all the advice, long may it continue! Mark My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html |
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23rd Feb 2017 12:54pm |
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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548
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I realised on the way home, the front DRL lights in the bumper and the front spot lamps weren't working.
After a little investigation, I decided to remove the spot lamps and their associated wiring (it was a wiring issue, the lamps are fine) as I prefer the cleaner look without them. Click image to enlarge I got the DRLs working, just a corroded connector in the bumper. However, I've ordered a different front bumper with rectangle DRLs, so this bumper, the a-bar and spots will all be available if anyone is interested. I'll put a for sale ad in the correct section when I can. My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html |
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23rd Feb 2017 1:01pm |
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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548
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The next thing I want to do is change out the wheels and tyres.
I like the gloss black sawtooths, not very original I know but they are good looking. The car currently has factory Boosts and Cooper 285s fitted which are too big for me, so these are to be removed and sold, and in their place a set of replica Sawtooths from 4x4 Tyres in Warwickshire, wrapped in BFG all terrains! 
Old wheels and tyres Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge And look what arrived this morning! Excellent service I must say Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Can't wait to get them fitted My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html |
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23rd Feb 2017 1:09pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7907 
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Welcome to the LR family and especially to Def2
Be warned this site can cost you a lot of money!! I'm sure you already have a long list of things to do, but be warned it will only grow! Nice clean looking 90! James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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23rd Feb 2017 1:17pm |
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| gabe3105 Member Since: 25 May 2015 Location: Grimsby Posts: 237
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A nice read, congratulations on your purchase.
I'd love to know how you managed to sell your Beemer on the journey home....  |
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23rd Feb 2017 1:36pm |
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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548
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Thanks! Andy Yes, I'm finding that already! It's good to see what other's do and how they improve their cars, i'll be taking a lot of inspiration from some of the cars on here! My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html |
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23rd Feb 2017 1:45pm |
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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548
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The short story - I had advertised some fancy parts I had on it, because I wasn't fully committed to selling it. Someone messaged me asking if they could buy the car as it was in the photos (showing the parts). As I was speaking to him, we realised he was within an hour of where I was buying the defender - so we picked up the defender and drove both cars to his house...the rest as they say, is history Lucky or what! My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html |
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23rd Feb 2017 1:47pm |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060  
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Meeerrrk, ccccccongratulations on joining the fold, and introducing yourself with such style.
Good choice! The race car indicates you probably know which end of a spanner to hold. Not essential for Defender ownership, but can be a great advantage. Also a great help that your girlfriend is enthusiastic. They generally only come in two catagories... Keep asking questions, and posting your observations. Stephen 1998 Tdi 90 SW, 2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s, Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons |
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23rd Feb 2017 1:58pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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How did you know that the original one that you viewed had been clocked? Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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23rd Feb 2017 2:30pm |
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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548
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I checked the previous MOTs, they went like this; 38k Miles 46K Miles 66K Miles 58K Miles Strange as you may notice, but I did wonder if it was an innocent mistake, maybe a typo by the MOT station. I've seen that happen before. But when I checked the mileage on the dash.... 51K Miles! the last MOT just 6 months ago was recorded at 58K Miles. I've kept an eye on the advert since and the mileage has changed to 61K, and is now stated as 60K ! So who knows what it really should be?!  My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html |
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23rd Feb 2017 3:20pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17450 
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Curious! It's not easy clocking a Puma and would normally involve replacing the IPAC and ECM.
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23rd Feb 2017 3:44pm |
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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548
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Thanks for the welcome! I have done almost all the work on my MR2 myself, Its fair to say I know it inside out now! Im fully prepared to get my hands dirty with this beast  My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html |
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23rd Feb 2017 3:47pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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As above, great story and welcome
Is the MR2 a track day car or do you race in a series? |
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23rd Feb 2017 4:13pm |
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| meeerrrk Member Since: 12 Feb 2017 Location: Surrey Posts: 548
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Thanks
It was originally a track day car, as with all things (the defender included) it started as a simple, "lets have a bit of fun" but has turned into something far more involved. Last year I competed in competion for the first time ever, the Javelin Sprint Series. This year, with other priorities, I won't be doing quite as much, probably compete in the Toyota Sprint Series which is a little more relaxed and with less rounds, cheaper! My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html |
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23rd Feb 2017 4:24pm |
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