Professional BMW M57 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission conversion by Laurence & The Machine
Tuned to produce a reported circa 400 bhp
Extensively retrimmed cabin with black leather and diamond-quilted inserts
MOT valid to December 2026
The Appeal
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 skilfully we might add - with BMW's lauded M57 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel, our 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.
This is a Defender that has lived a working life and wears its history honestly. It comes to market with an MOT valid to December 2026 and two keys.APB01587.jpg183.88 KB
History and Paperwork
First registered in the United Kingdom in 1998
Purchased by the current seller in February 2025
Previously used as a working farm vehicle
Limited documentation accompanies the vehicle due to its prior working life
Conversion completed by the specialist team at Laurence & The Machine
Two keys accompany the vehicle
MOT valid to 4th December 2026, with advisories for slightly fraying front lower seat belt webbings
The odometer indicates 185,635 miles: the vendor notes a speedometer fault
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