Defender90td5
Active Member
So do yo.u think that a td5 is better for an all round daily driver?
There is a very simple answer to this question:-
Can you deal with electronics ?
- and by "deal with" I mean that you must have proper diagnostics and the patience to use them .....
If yes then the Td5 is an option - it is a fine engine, and with proper maintenance AND diagnostics will serve you well.
If no, then the 300Tdi is the way forward.
SWMBO and I have 300 Tdi's simply because, living high up in the Pennines, electronic "stuff" does not like the climate ( ask me how I know ) - so, you should probably add a second question to the first one I posed given you appear to live in a quite remote location (?) .....
BOTH are fine engines, and both are eminently tunable - the Td5 by re-mapping, and the Tdi by more conventional means ... Mine is tuned to 145HP, and is very nice to drive IMHO .... I have had it up to 164, but the intake noise was boring, and I CBA'd to find a solution... they are tunable well beyond this - to about 200 ..... BUT you will fry the head in an instant unless you are very VERY VERY careful.
That said - as already mentioned above, buy a Deafener on condition.
Can you deal with electronics ?
- and by "deal with" I mean that you must have proper diagnostics and the patience to use them .....
If yes then the Td5 is an option - it is a fine engine, and with proper maintenance AND diagnostics will serve you well.
If no, then the 300Tdi is the way forward.
SWMBO and I have 300 Tdi's simply because, living high up in the Pennines, electronic "stuff" does not like the climate ( ask me how I know ) - so, you should probably add a second question to the first one I posed given you appear to live in a quite remote location (?) .....
BOTH are fine engines, and both are eminently tunable - the Td5 by re-mapping, and the Tdi by more conventional means ... Mine is tuned to 145HP, and is very nice to drive IMHO .... I have had it up to 164, but the intake noise was boring, and I CBA'd to find a solution... they are tunable well beyond this - to about 200 ..... BUT you will fry the head in an instant unless you are very VERY VERY careful.
That said - as already mentioned above, buy a Deafener on condition.
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
I would say yes, probably.
I use mine as an everyday work vehicle, family vehicle and recreational vehicle on the weekends (greenlaning etc), I bought mine with 100k on the clock, and had to put a galv chassis under her within 3 months. Im just under 135k now, and she's neve r ever let me down.
Rigorous maintenance will see you through with either vehicle, mine is remapped for lots of torque and power is around the 160bhp mark. It pulls trailers loaded up to thr gunnels very well, much better than a standard tdi could.
I must say though, whatever you choose, tdi or td5, the chassis is the most important factor to consider, if you buy one on a galv chassis, that is at least peace of mind.
The relative ease of tuneability makes the td5 a no brainer for me, also they are much more of a refined engine. Both are equally easy to spanner on in regards to self maintenance.
A cheap diagnostic tool is easy to use and in fact makes dealing with some faults easier, although I've yet to use my diagnostic kit in anger as there has literally been no need apart from to clear faults to see if they returned. It can be very interesting to use and quite fun just out of curiosity. Good luck with either, you'll have fun in both.
Defender90td5
Active Member
That makes sense to me! I live roughly 10 miles from the nearest big town. I live in a hamlet of about 6 houses, I’m ‘okay’ with electronics but I’m way better with the raw mechanical sides to an engine.
Defender90td5
Active Member
Thankyou for your opinion, much appreciated. I love the tunability of the td5 but the electronics worry me.
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
They really shouldn't, on an early defender like mine (99) there is no abs, electric windows rubbish or aircon. It's as basic as you can get away with whilst being infinitely more refined than any tdi.
Also, I've never once had a problem with electrics, and they are a very basic loom compared to other offerings from the marque.
I do understand your concerns, but the td5 has proved to be one of the most reliable units ever produced, I'd buy another in a heartbeat!
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
Actually having said that the ecu does have a lifespan and doesn't necessarily give you any warning when it's going to die, which is a shìte design, and if the crank sensor or flywheel sensor dies or gets damaged, you have no way of starting until you replace the part.... Always in the back of my mind.... So I know what you mean! 
Defender90td5
Active Member
The mechanical side doesnt bother or worry me at all as thats what ive been brought up with (fixing tractors,combines etc) but the electronics are a bit out of my league, i mean i can fix simple things and i can solder etc. I think the td5 shouldnt be too hard for me to look after as they are agricultural which is what im used to. I like the fact that they dont have any electric windows or air con as to me a window that opens is more than enoughActually having said that the ecu does have a lifespan and doesn't necessarily give you any warning when it's going to die, which is a shìte design, and if the crank sensor or flywheel sensor dies or gets damaged, you have no way of starting until you replace the part.... Always in the back of my mind.... So I know what you mean!
The best advice is buy on condition. Usually, I’d also say try to drive a Tdi and Td5 and see what you prefer. I’ve had both, and prefer the Tdi for the Defender, but that’s my own opinion. The head gasket went on my Td5 disco and it cost quite a lot to sort out. Given your age, you might need to see if you can get access to one of each and try off of the public highway to see what you prefer.
Again, bear in mind Defenders are expensive to run and insure. Your age will count against you.
But I answer to your original question, Tdi for me.
Again, bear in mind Defenders are expensive to run and insure. Your age will count against you.
But I answer to your original question, Tdi for me.
Pappasmurf
Well-Known Member
The way I see it, the military turned the td5 down in favour of the 300tdi, mainly to make it easier to service and repair in field conditions. If the 300tdi is good enough for her majesties armed forces, it's good enough for me. I certainly liked the 300tdi in the Wolf, especially after they were fitted with the Wright off road rubber matting system.
Dragonwalker
Well-Known Member
You met the British Army Spanner Monkey then ?
Defender90td5
Active Member
Defender90td5
Active Member
I dont know if this makes a difference at all but to get out of my valley i have to go through 2 fords (roughly about 30-40cm deep), would this affect the td5's electrics over time?Actually having said that the ecu does have a lifespan and doesn't necessarily give you any warning when it's going to die, which is a shìte design, and if the crank sensor or flywheel sensor dies or gets damaged, you have no way of starting until you replace the part.... Always in the back of my mind.... So I know what you mean!
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
Shouldn't do matey. That's well within the capability and recommended wading depths, I've driven through very deep flood water and some rivers that were deeper than initially thought, with no I'll effects.
I'm pretty religious about giving everything under the seat box (where the ecu is located and main fuses) a good squirt of silicone spray, so this helps massively! I also went around every connector when I did the chassis swap and covered them with the silicone stuff!
Pappasmurf
Well-Known Member
Yes, I also used to service army Wolfs.
Defender90td5
Active Member
Sounds good! I love silicone spray, I use it on my dirt bikes a lot.
Galladog
Well-Known Member
I have owned a 300tdi and now a Td5, the Td5 in my opinion is a better drive but not by much.
Early Td5's had the same dash as 300 tdi;s.
For work I have to cross up to 14 fords ( there and back ) and have had no problems with the Td5's electrics. ( up to bonnet depth )
Also the Td5 has a timing chain not a rubber belt which I think is a bonus.
Good luck with your choice.
Early Td5's had the same dash as 300 tdi;s.
For work I have to cross up to 14 fords ( there and back ) and have had no problems with the Td5's electrics. ( up to bonnet depth )
Also the Td5 has a timing chain not a rubber belt which I think is a bonus.
Good luck with your choice.
Defender90td5
Active Member
Thankyou, it’s definatly a tough one to decide! Thankyou for your input
Defender90td5
Active Member
Agreed!
