1998 Land Rover Defender 90 2.8i

One of only 656 ever made and only offered between 1997 and 2001, this South African-built Defender has the benefit of a factory-fitted BMW straight-six, 2.8-litre, fuel-injected M52 engine. Yes, that’s right; this Defender has the same engine as the BMW 528i, 728i, and Z3. Land Rover, which was, you’ll recall, owned by BMW at the time, was under pressure to offer a high-power, petrol option in SA alongside the more usual diesel TDi after the demise of the in-house V8. This was the result.

First sold new in 1998, this lovely example was bought in South Africa almost four years ago by the vendor when he lived out there. Imported into the UK and fully road-legal with all fees paid when he moved back here a couple of years ago, it has now covered 272,000kms, or 170,000 miles. This means that it’s just about run in and is now limbering up for the long haul; after all, that gorgeous 192bhp/207ft/lb engine barely breaks into a sweat in this application.

The total production for the BMW-engined 2.8i was just 1395 units, which comprised 656 Defender 90 models and 739 of the long-wheelbase Defender 110.

Reluctantly being offered for sale, the vendor welcomes viewings from potential bidders in order that they can appreciate the condition and rarity of this vehicle for themselves; he knows of only one other in the UK, which means you’ve got a chance to bid on a true unicorn of a Defender.

The Land Rover was fully Waxoyled and resprayed here in the United Kingdom in 2017, so it’s looking wonderful and now is fighting fit and ready to do battle with whatever the next two decades bring. It’s kept garaged when it’s not being used, so you’ve no need to worry about any paintwork degradation due to tree sap, bird poo, or any other environmental pollutants.

The panels themselves are straight and free of ripples, and the gaps and alignment are excellent, too. The Aintree Green paint was clearly applied by a professional who knew what he was doing because the finish is fabulous, which isn’t always the case with Defenders as the metal they’re made of can be tricky to work with.

New exterior fixings were used, which only adds to the professionalism of the finish; we think the subsequent bill for just over £5,000 was worth every penny.

The owner has also upgraded the lights with LED versions, including a new LED front bumper along with a new rear wheel carrier and a set of side steps. It also has a rear step and tow-bar fitted. Chequer-plate trim protects the vehicle’s extremities. Eagle eyes may notice a second fuel cap, this is for a supplementary fuel tank – it can be a long way from town to town in the South African bushveld.

The alloy wheels are all in good condition and fitted with five matching General Grabber AT all-terrain tyres, all of which have plenty of tread on them as they’ve only covered about 1,000 miles since being fitted. (By the way, we applaud the choice of tyres for this application as they offer a good balance between grip off-road, and low noise levels and a decent ride on it.)

Oh, and you don’t need us to remind you (again) of the importance of buying a car that has matching tyres, do you?

All the carpets and linings were replaced and the front seats were re-upholstered while the Defender was in South Africa. A centre console, complete with armrest and two cup-holders, adds an element of comfort for long journeys.

The front-facing rear seats are from a Puma Defender and fold away when they aren’t required, which is a very neat way of adding carrying capacity while still retaining the functionality for which the Defender is famous.

The headlining, door cards, and dashboard are all in a good condition, although the interior could do with a quick valet to bring it up to the same standard as the rest of the vehicle.  

The Defender has needed nothing other than routine servicing since the vendor has owned it. The vehicle was fully checked over by a specialist when the bodywork was refurbished and found to be in good order; the seller knows of Defenders with this engine having covered half-a-million kilometers on the original engine, so this one is just nicely run in!

We are told that the underside is good and strong, not suffering the usual sort of UK rot, presumably a legacy of life in a hot, dry climate. Feel free to arrange a viewing prior to auction end to inspect further.

A new exhaust was fitted in February 2017. The MOT certificate expires in June 2019, and the owner tells us that it is tested under pre-1994 standards due to it being an imported vehicle.

The online MOT history shows nothing of concern and confirms the car’s recent mileage. Current MOT through to June 2019. The car comes with a number of expired MOT certificates plus a couple of invoices and bills to confirm the recent work that has been done to it. It also has a nicely stamped service history book from South Africa.

Please note that the vendor is removing his personal number plate from the Defender and it will revert to its previous number. 

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained in recent years to the very highest standard.

The prices being asked, and occasionally even achieved, for top-quality Land Rover Defenders peaked some time ago. While they still represent a safe place to put your money, the market has returned to a more sensible level, bringing this iconic off-roader within the reach of many who thought they’d never be able to afford one again.

Which is good news for you, because we think this unusual and highly collectable example will sell for between £10,000 and £15,000, which is the sort of money people were forking out for knackered examples only a year or so ago.

Yet now, that same lowly five-figure sum will get you behind the wheel of a right-hand-drive, straight-six powered example that has had a recent respray and full Waxoyl treatment! And, let’s not forget, the chance of you seeing another is slim to non-existent…

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen in York; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.