This week, we’re purchasing another V8 Land Rover Defender 110 — this one fitted with a 3.5L V8.
We thought it was worth sharing why.
We spend a lot of time advising people on what to look for, what to avoid, and when to walk away. But we believe those standards only matter if we’re willing to apply them to our own decisions as well.
This Defender isn’t special because it’s rare or flashy. It’s special because it represents a configuration many buyers are curious about — and often unsure about.
V8 Land Rover Defender tends to polarize opinions. Some people are drawn to the sound and character. If you’d like to see our previous V8 build, click here.
Others worry about reliability, long-term usability, or whether the trade-offs make sense at all.
The only way to answer those questions honestly is to live with the vehicle.
Buying and owning these Defenders ourselves keeps our perspective grounded. It reminds us that restoration decisions aren’t theoretical — they affect how a vehicle starts in the morning, how it behaves on longer drives, and how confident you feel months after the initial excitement fades.
As this Defender arrives, we’ll be evaluating it the same way we recommend others do: not just visually, but mechanically and structurally. We’ll look at what’s solid, what needs attention, and what matters most for long-term ownership.
We’ll share what we learn along the way — the good, the compromises, and the parts that don’t always show up in photos. If you are following us on our instagram, you can see our stories of inspecting the vehicle pre-purchase.
And if you’re considering a Defender yourself and have questions, you can always get in touch.