I have a TD5 90. The original rubber mouldings around the footwell, over the gearbox and under the floor mats are now pretty nasty. Bits have fallen off whilst I was removing it with the intention of soundproofing underneath. The thicker bits are quite perished and probably hold water.

A new set seems to cost over 400 pounds, which I can´t justify. I am thinking of leaving it bare as it is and not even bothering with the sound insulation. Alternatively buying a carpet set for around 200 pounds. What do you guys think? Will the road noise become more pronounced? I have a leak so am worried this will just ruin the carpet and I don´t really use the car very much apart from some offroading fun.

I seem to have fallen into the trap of trying to constantly improve things (I am a bit of a perfectionist) and not actually enjoying the car as it is.

My response to carpeting would be don't. Even if you do not get in and out with muddy boots, as you have alluded to the inherent non-waterproofness of a defedner imo makes carpet a non starter. sound proofing does help but it is does not make it quiet by any means. similarly with the rubber matting, it helps but does not make a huge difference on its own. It is a case of doing everything and each one making a small incremental difference. Rubber mats on the floor rather than bare, a slab of stable matting in the back. as for the rubber covers in the cab I am in the same position as you are. I managed to pick up a later model seat box cover which I trimmed to fit which was in good condtion despite being second hand. but I have not managed to find replacement footwell/tunnel covers. I would either send the full amount fto get the rubber set, or not bother spending anything and put up with the additional noise of having it bare. the middle price bracket of carpet for me is a waste of money and will very quickly be ruined and you will want to replace it again.

I bought a set of Wright off road mats for mine. Expensive but worth it in my opinion.

I stripped out all the rubber and stuff, it just traps water leading to rust in the foot wells.
Defenders are noisy. End.

Carpet ! just don't. Try and get a tunnel cover replacement [ vehicle reclaimers maybe ] and then stable mat cut to fit the floors. Do not bother with the bits above your feet.
But if you are something of a perfectionist then Wright it will have to be.

+1 for the stable matting. Cheap, easy to cut to shape and bomb proof. It does also dampen the sound quite a bit - especially in the rear. I've fitted the 25mm stuff which is probably overkill.

Carpet........ what carpet???
Just traps moisture and leads to premature rust.

Bare metal = easy to clean = happy owner.

Oopsie - wrong thread

Normal car mat in mine and make sure there is a way for the water to drain out as well.

Had a similar issue in mine, the GF insisted on redoing it (she is good with fabric) and redid everything with thick car carpet available on a roll/per meter. Looks like new and even managed to do the gearbox tunnel properly by making incisions in the fabric 'carrier plastic' on the back. Whole front including seat boxes costed around €40. In regard to soundproofing, can't hear if it's noisier or not but also don't care.