longhaul said:

everything that I have read seems to say steer away from the new engine, I guess that there will be more emission rubbish fitted.

Which of the older td5 were the better models

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The only defender I have owned is the one I've got, so nothing to compare it to - its the current 2.2 "ford" engine, ok its got a bit more techno than previous models but that said it's still only where cars were in the eighties. It's easy to work on as far as routine servicing is concerned, 100% reliable so far and done 18K, used for weekly journeys from Kent to Plymouth, totals about 600 miles a week. Has a chain drive cam so no worries about cam belt snapping. At 6ft tall I find it comfortable, no issues with elbow room, anybody taller would start to find it less comfortable. The only thing I would change (and intend to) is the speakers which are crap. All up it's brilliant and I won't go back to an ordinary car.

Interesting reading this - I'm running an 07 plate SWB shogun which I think I will be swapping against a 90 TD5 Station Wagon. I had hoped to get a 04/05 plate but hell 'Defenders' do command good money. Mine with all its refinement just falls short of where I would like it to be value wise.

Its been a long partnership with reliability (haha) I was getting bored being off the spanners anyway. Had a few run out with the Lanndys over the years and always secretly fancied owning one (I'm coming out)

Just can't make my mind up on what to buy but least this thread and many of the others on here are helping

Cheers All

TDI engines are tough and easy to work on but I wouldn't go back now . gotta love the power and sound of a tweaked up td5 with De cat and middle box out .