Steviecops

Steviecops

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Full Member
Im going to buy a defender within the next 12 months. What are the pros and cons for each engine? I fancy a 300 tdi, because that's what Im used to in my discovery, but they are getting few and far between. I'm seeing more 200 tdi's and td5's. I don't really fancy all the electronic wizardry that goes with the td5. But I know nothing about them really, same as the 200 tdi's.
 
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TD5 Defender is more refined and better as a car, if that's what you want. You can also get them with electric windows, central locking etc.
l've had no real issues with TD5 in 30,000 miles (2005 110) 45,000 miles (2006 90) and 8,000 miles (2003 90)
Only the things you'd get with any vehicle over a decade old.
I had a 300tdi for six months and it was more of a "genuine" Landy but was more basic generally than the TD5.
 
The 200tdi is a very similar engine to the 300tdi, a decent TD5 will be quieter, smoother, a bit more powerful - but is totally reliant on the ECU and its sensors. Depends what you want to do with it.
 
It'll be a daily drive but, like I say, I'm used to the 300 tdi and like being able to fix it myself. I have no issues with the noise and power, plus, I can run it on my home made bio diesel.
I'd get a td5, but all I read about them on here are problems with electrics.
 
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Steviecops said:
Im going to buy a defender within the next 12 months. What are the pros and cons for each engine? I fancy a 300 tdi, because that's what Im used to in my discovery, but they are getting few and far between. I'm seeing more 200 tdi's and td5's. I don't really fancy all the electronic wizardry that goes with the td5. But I know nothing about them really, same as the 200 tdi's.
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It's got to be the 300tdi! 200 is underpowered, TD5 is too electronic. IHO
 
Late TD5 hands down as nicer interior, quiter and far more powerful and refined engine especially if modded but get a decent drive in both and then decide
 
either way, it'll break down so tdi is the better option as its easier to fix yourself, plus the endless parts you will need to keep it going are cheaper.
 
saxon101 said:
either way, it'll break down so tdi is the better option as its easier to fix yourself, plus the endless parts you will need to keep it going are cheaper.
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No arguement here! I'd always go with tdi. I've had them all. The puma I thought was a great engine which easily cruised at high speed (for a Defender) but I wouldn't want to be in the middle of nowhere when it broke down!
 
300 tdi is the one you want as you know it and you want to fix it yourself.
Other one will be great as well until it starts playing up and you cannot get any codes with a 17mm spanner and a hammer.
 
200 and 300 same power rating 107bhp rings a bell? different can be tweaked for more get up go, a tweaked tdi will be much the same as a std td5, std td5 more go from the start and can make serious power if tuned.
Td5 expensive if it goes wrong.

I seriously reckon 200/300 is underpowered for todays motoring, they do the job just slowly.

As an everyday car I would buy a late manual TD5 disco with no sunroofs, year for year cheaper/more toys/decent heater/air con and more importantly no one wants to nick it!
 
+1 on Lynall unless heavily tweaked just don't have enough power unless you don't mind getting there an hour late or leaving an hour early.

I've only had TD5s for the past 5 years, as for stop dead issues I've had two. One was a bad earth the other was a dead CPS sensor, £40 and 30 mins later all was running smoothly again. Ideally you need a Nanocom/Hawkeye to keep on top of any potential electrical issues. Also only really look at post 2002 TD5s as they come with the stronger 15p engine and more reliable leccy bits.

Overall the later TD5s are more refined and generally better overall,.
 
My understanding...

Little to choose between 200 and 300. Very similar power, although an engine transplanted from a Disco will make slightly more. 300 quieter than 200, although arguably more prone to going wrong (still rare though). Some 200 spares (cylinder head) getting harder to find.

TD5 quieter and more refined, however many more electrics to go wrong compared to 200/300...fact.

TBH I'd be buying a Defender on budget and condition and intended use. No point in going "oooo, it's a TD5 with electric windows" if you can poke your finger through the rear crossmember. If you are using it as a daily, you might prefer the refinement of the TD5. If you plan to do serious off roading/wading or go on an overland expedition to a less developed country, I'd be going for a 200/300 that you can fix with a hammer not a computer.

IMHO the Defender is not underpowered, it's under geared for normal road use unless you are regularly towing really heavy stuff. My own vehicle is a 200Tdi with a Disco transfer box which is the cheap and easy modification that makes it perfectly fine for normal road use at nornal traffic speeds.

Interestingly enough, I, erm, "compared" my 31 year old 110 200tdi (Disco engine) with my best mate's almost new Puma as we were following each other the other week and there was literally nothing in it.
 
Fair point but the TD5 is arguably the best engine LR ever produced. All you need is a Nanocom/Hawkeye plus a couple sensors, the only one that will stop a TD5 dead is the CPS, which is £40 - £80 and maybe the throttle pot but they are pretty robust. It'll run without the rest work, not well I might add but It will run. The ECU itself is also very robust, old indy mechanic I used to use had a TD5 ECU, left it in a bucket of water for a week, pulled it out, let it dry, plugged it in, no problems.

Budget and condition over all though, though you can get solid TD5s for around the same as a 300tdi.
 
Thanks again. If I go down the td5 route, I'll have to factor in the cost of a diagnostic tool. I've had a quick look on eBay and the nanocom is over £400, but there are others on the for just over £100. Are the cheaper ones worth having and will the do the job?
 
Steviecops said:
Thanks again. If I go down the td5 route, I'll have to factor in the cost of a diagnostic tool. I've had a quick look on eBay and the nanocom is over £400, but there are others on the for just over £100. Are the cheaper ones worth having and will the do the job?
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Go direct to Nancoms website, I got mine as part of a group buy for £200.

Hawkeye/Nanocom/Lynx are the best ones. Nanocom has the extra ability to write/read maps and reprogramme keys which i dont think the others can do.
 
I think I'd prefer a td5 -i have a 300tdi, and its great, reliable, and easy to fix, but I am sorely tempted by the tweakability of the td5.

Having just spent a large lump of money on Arnie getting the rear chassis replaced, I guess I'll have to keep him quite a while, or at least till I've saved up several thousand pounds!
 
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