Description
Professional BMW M57 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission conversion by Laurence & The Machine and tuned to produce a reported circa 400 bhp. Full details of the project can be seen here: https://www.laurenceandthemachine.com/defender90
If the original Land Rover Defender lacks anything, it's performance. The standard diesel engines are fine for bumbling along country lanes, but confront one with a motorway or city traffic, and the driving experience becomes seriously hard work.
That's where this very neat conversion comes up trumps. Retrofitted - very skillfully we might add - with BMW's lauded M57 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel and this 1998 Defender is reported to offer circa 400 bhp, which is an immense improvement. Moreover, gone is the vague manual gear change in lieu of a smooth, modern eight-speed automatic. It's small wonder the M57 conversion has become one of the most sought-after upgrades in the Defender community. Converted by the specialist team at Laurence & The Machine, the mechanical enhancements are comprehensive, and the attention extends beyond the drivetrain to include a retrimmed cabin, upgraded media system, and a range of practical and aesthetic modifications detailed in the sections below.
- Built on a new galvanised chassis
- Black aluminium chequerplate fitted to the front wings, side sills, and lower rear quarter panel
- Aftermarket bonnet with vents, rock sliders, and NAS-style rear bumper fitted
- Black plastic wheel arches
- Smoked clear LED side and taillights
- Masai panoramic tinted windows on the sides, tailgate, and rear quarter lights
- 16-inch 'Sawtooth' alloy wheels in gloss-black, fitted with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tyres
- Interior retrimmed in black leather with contrasting stitching and diamond-quilted inserts on the front seats and transmission tunnel
- Aftermarket steering wheel and custom transmission tunnel with twin cupholders
- A double-DIN media system with reversing camera and Apple CarPlay with uprated speakers
- Folding rear seats by Exmoor Trim
- Steering guard fitted
- 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six BMW M57 diesel engine, stripped with new timing chains, uprated valve springs, hybrid turbo and custom ECU
- Eight-speed automatic transmission with standalone control
- Tuned to a reported circa 400 bhp according to the previous owner (it is bloody quick!)
- Performance-tuned ECU and hybrid turbocharger
- Upgraded high-pressure fuel pump
- Full stainless steel exhaust system
- New intercooler and cooling system
- Upgraded engine mounts
- Completely new wiring and fuel systems
- Two-inch suspension lift with Terrafirma suspension
- Immobiliser and alarm system with tracker-ready installation
With conversion prices upwards of £35,000 plus VAT (and of course the Landrover!) we fee that this represents excellent value for money.....