N

Nellybobs

New Member
hiya folks, right I'm all new to landy's so bare with me!
Early next year I'll be looking for a 90 as a toy for green laning and general fun stuff. Now I know there are loads of variations but what would you guys recommend as the best engine to go for?
Now I'm fully expecting to be told the TD5 (which is probably outside my price range anyway) as its the most modern but I'm taking into the factors of ease of overhaul/repair, cost and also power/torque output.
Any info appreciated folks
 
Best at what?

If you are wanting more modern and more comfy. Buy a Disco. Even an early Disco 1 (1989) is far more modern than even a late Defender in terms of design and NVH.

TBH all the engines used in the Defenders are perfectly fine. Note, pre 1990 and they aren't Defenders, they are Ninety and One Ten. But the reality is, the changes between 1984 and 2015 are only minor and evolutionary.

This means it's easy to swap and change bits on them, including engines. So buy on condition more than anything.

Personally, if it's a toy for doing low mileage a year, then the V8 is the best engine in the Defender/90. Lighter than any diesel, usually more powerful, no lag at all and the best noise.


But seriously don't over look things like the Disco. The chassis, axles, gearbox, suspension and running gear are all the same as a Defender. The big difference is how the body is constructed and fitted to the chassis. It gives far more interior room, a lot more comfort and much better NVH levels. The only down side is the body is a bit bigger with larger overhangs. But for green laning this simply isn't an issue.

You'll buy far more Disco for your money too.

On the flip side, vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee XJ are also brilliant for laning. The Jeep is hardly any bigger than a 90, but with 5 doors and better seating. It also has far better spec, comfort and low NVH like a Disco.
 
Thanks for your reply pal It's defo gonna be a 90 as I love the shape and the way they're all just bolt together like a big mechano set, it's only gonna be a toy so interior space/size isn't an issue.
Very valid point with the V8 though, Iv not even considered them because of the electrical side of the engine and them getting wet? But yeah, a very tuneable poweplant and easy to work on...
 
TD5 isn't exactly the most recent lump but if you're looking pre TD5 then the Tdi's are quite a step up from earlier 19J's in terms of power and refinement (for basic diesel lumps).

That only really matters on the tarmac though. Off road capability is much more to do with gearing and driver ability than power and torque.

Talking of gearing the R380 box fitted to 300tdi's is reckoned to be stronger than earlier LT77's.

V8's don't like water much......or firing on 8 come to that but those that like them love them and can often be found sitting at traffic lights blipping the throttle and challenging 1.1 Fiestas to a burn off :D

TD5's are a decent motor if you don't mind having to plug it in to find out if there's anything wrong with it or whether it just thinks there is.

You can pick up a D2 for far less than a TD5 powered 90 but then you got a whole lot of extra annoying lecky powered bits to go wrong.....and you'll want to check it's got an actual, real working centre diff because LR stopped bothering to connect them up at some point.

Generally they all do the job well enough with the Tdi's being the best of the old school oil burners.

There's lots of other, possibly more sensible options out there but really....

Who cares?
 
Sounds like they're all pretty much of a muchness then? Tbh I do want to steer away from ecu's and any other engine electrics, much prefer good old mechanical oil burners.
So it looks like it's a 200tdi or 300tdi?
I'll have to do a bit more research I think and compare stats..
As for the V8 I know they sound sexy but risk of it dying in a puddle kind of outweighs that.... Plus the fuel economy
 
200/300tdi

Don't worry about the td5 - it's a well proven engine now in reliability terms - I got a mate with one and not hard to work on at all. The only thing that will stop it dead in its track is the crank position sensor
 
Nellybobs said:
Sounds like they're all pretty much of a muchness then? Tbh I do want to steer away from ecu's and any other engine electrics, much prefer good old mechanical oil burners.
So it looks like it's a 200tdi or 300tdi?
I'll have to do a bit more research I think and compare stats..
As for the V8 I know they sound sexy but risk of it dying in a puddle kind of outweighs that.... Plus the fuel economy
Click to expand...
I never really understand the worry about electronics. None of it is overly complex and no worse than what most cars of the 1980's used. And most of are happy to jump in a daily driver full electronics.

Basically -- they really aren't an issue.

Neither is water and V8's. Again I'm not sure where this fallacy comes from. I mean, what are you planning on doing? If you plan to submerge the bonnet, then ok a diesel might be more robust, but both fuel types will need some kind of prep for that sort of use.

One thing, TD5's could be optioned with traction control. now off road this WILL make a difference. There are alternative options on older vehicles, but if you plan to actually off road, TCS is worth having.

As for the bolt together nature -- that's still true of a Disco tbh. The only difference is the body configuration isn't modular, but it still bolts together in much the same way.
 
300bhp/ton said:
I never really understand the worry about electronics. None of it is overly complex and no worse than what most cars of the 1980's used. And most of are happy to jump in a daily driver full electronics.

Basically -- they really aren't an issue.

Neither is water and V8's. Again I'm not sure where this fallacy comes from. I mean, what are you planning on doing? If you plan to submerge the bonnet, then ok a diesel might be more robust, but both fuel types will need some kind of prep for that sort of use.

One thing, TD5's could be optioned with traction control. now off road this WILL make a difference. There are alternative options on older vehicles, but if you plan to actually off road, TCS is worth having.

As for the bolt together nature -- that's still true of a Disco tbh. The only difference is the body configuration isn't modular, but it still bolts together in much the same way.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with electrics but on a 15 year old vehicle you can spend forever chasing a gremlin.

Td5's are a well proven and solid lump but there's no denying they're more expensive when they do go wrong.

It's all personal preference but for a toy I'd go Tdi every time.
 
I'm also new to this Landy lark,I bought a 110 hardtop with a 300tdi engine and I must say I really like it,easy to work on,runs great and plenty of readily available cheap parts
 
Think Steven Walker has hit the nail on the head here, I just want a good solid old bus that's going to be reliable and not cost me a fortune when it goes belly up!
Wiring and electrics are no bother to me really, I was a diagnostic tech at VW and then Merc for years, now I fix trains for a living so an old defender is no sweat!.
The fact of the matter is that whatever I do get it will be a few years old and over time electronics and wiring deteriorate, I just can't be assed with tracking out and replacing old wiring looms and control units because they've had their best days!
But don't get me wrong, if a cheap td5 pops up I'll be all over it like a tramp on chips!!... Haha

Paul...
 
Cheap, Defender and TD5 are words that rarely go together especially with the imminent snow tax on it's way so good luck
 
Nellybobs said:
Think Steven Walker has hit the nail on the head here, I just want a good solid old bus that's going to be reliable and not cost me a fortune when it goes belly up!
Wiring and electrics are no bother to me really, I was a diagnostic tech at VW and then Merc for years, now I fix trains for a living so an old defender is no sweat!.
The fact of the matter is that whatever I do get it will be a few years old and over time electronics and wiring deteriorate, I just can't be assed with tracking out and replacing old wiring looms and control units because they've had their best days!
But don't get me wrong, if a cheap td5 pops up I'll be all over it like a tramp on chips!!... Haha

Paul...
Click to expand...
In that case no Land Rover is probably for you. ;)

Seriously, even the most basic LR has shocking wiring, for simple things like the lights. You'll check the live, it works, you check the earth, it works, you connect the light it doesn't. You repeat, it still doesn't work. You connect the light direct to a 12v to check it works, you check again the positive and earth, they are fine, you connect the light again, it still doesn't work. You swear at the ****ing thing and threaten to set fire to it. You make no changes and connect the light, it works!!! Horay until 6 months later it stops working for no reason.
 
Get the latest low miler 300tdi you can find. They're weirdly priced as some fetch more than 03/4 TD5s but look around and you'll snag a beauty like I did. Try the fire service, St.Johns Ambulance or any Mountain rescue. They get rid of them from time to time and they are stupidly well kept and cheap to buy. I got mine from Mountain Rescue, 39000 miles, full history and loaded with goodies in mint condition for 4 grand. The 300tdi is sweet as a nut and my Landy Mechanic is always trying to buy it off of me whenever I sling it in for something to be fitted.There seems to be a change over of vehicles throughout Mountain Rescue so get calling before they all go.
 
300bhp/ton said:
In that case no Land Rover is probably for you. ;)

Seriously, even the most basic LR has shocking wiring, for simple things like the lights. You'll check the live, it works, you check the earth, it works, you connect the light it doesn't. You repeat, it still doesn't work. You connect the light direct to a 12v to check it works, you check again the positive and earth, they are fine, you connect the light again, it still doesn't work. You swear at the ****ing thing and threaten to set fire to it. You make no changes and connect the light, it works!!! Horay until 6 months later it stops working for no reason.
Click to expand...
That's the curse of Lucas ...
 
Ye I have bloody fog lights like that, they only work when they feel like. At least they came on for the MOT last month.
 
300bhp/ton said:
In that case no Land Rover is probably for you. ;)

Seriously, even the most basic LR has shocking wiring, for simple things like the lights. You'll check the live, it works, you check the earth, it works, you connect the light it doesn't. You repeat, it still doesn't work. You connect the light direct to a 12v to check it works, you check again the positive and earth, they are fine, you connect the light again, it still doesn't work. You swear at the ****ing thing and threaten to set fire to it. You make no changes and connect the light, it works!!! Horay until 6 months later it stops working for no reason.
Click to expand...

Is this not exactly what I said in my previous post??
Limiting the amount of wiring in an old smoker has to be a good thing as most of it will be dust? I understand that they're old and there will be things to repair and replace but tracking out a few wires to fog lights and replacing them is gonna be a lot easier than trying to rip apart an engine loom because you've got an intermittent loss of power when you're turning left going down hill when it's wet..... Because there is a rotten wire to the air flow meter in the middle of a what looks like a perfectly good engine loom!!...
 
Nellybobs said:
Is this not exactly what I said in my previous post??
Limiting the amount of wiring in an old smoker has to be a good thing as most of it will be dust? I understand that they're old and there will be things to repair and replace but tracking out a few wires to fog lights and replacing them is gonna be a lot easier than trying to rip apart an engine loom because you've got an intermittent loss of power when you're turning left going down hill when it's wet..... Because there is a rotten wire to the air flow meter in the middle of a what looks like a perfectly good engine loom!!...
Click to expand...
Working on older models isn't problematic only to old vehicles. A friend rebuilt his 90. Pretty much all new parts. Including the wiring. And he's an electrician. But he had hell of job getting the headlights working.

That said, I don't recall any issues with the wiring loom on Td5's like you are describing. He only issue is the well documented oil issue on the engine loom. Which is pretty cheap and easy to fix.

At the end of the day, obviously do what you want. But you seem to be making up issues that don't exist and don't affect other owners.
 
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