HELP ME!!! I can't choose!!!

hello all, i am in process of buying a 130 defender on limited budget with box on back to convert to overland camper, i have a choice of 2 and my landy friend who would normally help has dissapeared to morocco!
here are my choices
the one on the site below for 4995 with 300tdi retro fitted
http://www.exmod.co.uk/defender130.html
or the one here that is the white 130 for 2995 2.5td
http://www.mrmlandrover.co.uk/MRMvehicleDetails.asp?filename=296

any advice would be much appreciated, ignore price just wanna know which is best with regards engine etc, ie are retro fitted engines ok...

ps thank you for your time

Cor What a dilema!

Why is MRM quoting in $'s? very strange!
For what it's worth I would go for the 2.5TD as it's an original ONLY!! if it has got a good pedigree cos that's a lot of weight on a spooky at best motor! it needs a FSH if you are about to part with your cash! it's unlikely it's been past 60MPH with that lot on it's back, however if you are looking for something to lug around the country side it could e just the ticket. Need to look at suspect oil leaks, the engine built up a lot of crank pressure when under towing load, so oil seals will have been well stressed! usual suspect re- cam belt etc...

Re- the retro 300TDI, I have always been told to avoid retro fit unless I was part of it so to speak. whilst the 300TDI is fantasic for a 130, from my peace of mind I would also like to ensure that the running gear and BRAKES!! had also been updated (looks like the gearbox has already) Again a lot of weight to stop in a hurry and the TDI ain't half got a lot of grunt!

My opinion go for the 2.5TD (check with the guys on site who have one!)

I think I would go for the 1st one with the 300tdi its a good engine, 111bhp it will move your truck about not bad at all. Retro fitted engines are fine, especialy in land rovers.

A LOT of land rovers have had there engines changed, I nearly had a 2.8 Isuzu in my 90, and it was going to be a doddle to fit.

However the second one with the 2.5TD is a good engine aswell, its simpler, whats the milage like on it?

Hmmm this is a difficult one! I do like the sound of that 2.5

I'd go 300tdi - this engine is still available outside the EU & spares will be simpler to source. In addition it will provide more power when crossing sand lugging a camper body.
Existing brakes should be adequate the 130 was the Rapier 127 - a tow vehicle for MOD.

Get the 300tdi as the 2.5TD is not very good. the engine is ok in a light vehicle and when treated carefully, and not pushed hard. It struggles to shift my 90 let alone a heavy beast like a 130. The engine itself is crude and poorly developed. It has many problems like the ability to produce a huge pressure in the crankcase, which forces oil out of seals, and also spits it into the air filter

When pushed hard (towing or driven quickly) the engine produces an enormous amount of heat as it is not intercooled which leads to very high combustion temperatures. This means the engine is thermally overstressed. this in turn leads to problems with the block, head and the pistons, not to mention the party trick of combustion chambers that fall out of the head into the cylinders....

Hope this helps

nice thanks, drove the 300tdi today and it went well smooth gears nice pull etc all good but the brakes need a bit of sorting... bit spongey. but otherwise pretty keen. will make a great project!
thanks all

so is the 300tdi worth 3500 for bought as seen trade price?

and with poor brakes?

yeah! i either have it at 5k, serviced and tidied or 3.5 and i do it myself...