Drive Before I Decide?

J2Landy said:

I'm really loving hearing these positive experiences, and as I'm not one that's huge on modern cars/requiring huge amounts of refinement I think I'll be absolutely fine. I'll still plan to have an extended drive in both the TD5, and Puma, but I'm feeling confident both will put a smile on my face.

How is the airflow/cabin temperature in the TD5 without AC? I was thinking about things I might struggle to not have, and cruise, AC, and decent speakers definitely came to mind - the AC being the most difficult to tackle aftermarket, and probably too expensive to be worthwhile, so I think I need to make a decision on if it's an essential thing to have.

Hugely grateful for all of the replies already!

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If that's the case I reckon a Puma is slightly up market compared to a TD5.

Difference between the two is really

Tdci -
slightly more costly to fix/modfiy
Nicer more car like interior, nicer seats, especially the 110
Underpowered given todays standards, however a simple remap will allow you to keep.up with traffic
Engines can be a pain depending on which one you get.
Exhaust are a ballache
Internal slave cylinders is are a nightmare - 20min job and £30 on a TD5. Gearbox out job on a TDCi

TD5s -
My personal choice.
Incredibly easy to work on, even for a novice. Parts are fairly cheap but quality parts are becoming hard to come by due to the age
Incredibly reliable if looked after well.
Easy to service, easy to fix.
Huge amounts of power can be had from very basic bolt on items.
Interior is very dated and very basic but again easy to live with.
Sounds great for a diesel
Very easy to modify
Can be difficult to get a good one now as they are really showing their age.
Generally the manufacturering of the TD5s was better than than the TDCis (this is a personal opinion based on experience with both models)
Cruise control can be retro fitted for about £120
Without AC its not as bad as youd think as you have the front vents
TD5 AC is basic but works very well for what it is

Overall id say if you want one to drive on tarmac and leave standard and prefer a slightly more modern one then TDCi if you want to go off road, bit of travelling or love to tinker then TD5.

Im a little biased as I absolutely love the TD5s, very easy to make your own, great to drive, make a good noise and very reliable.

If youre ever around Gatwick/Burgess Hill youre welcome to come have a look/drive of mine and chat about the two models.

J2Landy said:

How is the airflow/cabin temperature in the TD5 without AC? I was thinking about things I might struggle to not have, and cruise, AC, and decent speakers definitely came to mind - the AC being the most difficult to tackle aftermarket, and probably too expensive to be worthwhile, so I think I need to make a decision on if it's an essential thing to have.

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You can fit decent speakers. And it you wanted extra and to overpower the general road/wind noise of a defender you can put them in the headlining right next to you ear. That is where I have mine.
Cruise control come into the same catagory of Modern superfluousness as parking sensor in my opinion. Although I know if you are that way inclined you can fit it to the electronically controlled variants you are looking at so you could retro fit if it doesn’t come with it.

In terms of AC the TD5 comes with the original AC they got rid of on the tdci. You move your left hand forward a little and there is a magic lever that opens the cabin to a whole new world of refreshing air flow.



On a more serious not I have done Morocco twice and driven through the Sahara with nothing more than the front vents fitted to my 110. As long as you are moving above about 10mph they are more than sufficient to cool the cabin. And combined with adopting the correct driving position of elbow out an open window regardless of weather I have never missed not having AC.