J2Landy
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I think this is where I'm at - I've been charmed by the landy for years. It almost seems surreal that I'm looking to own one.
Drive Before I Decide?
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I think this is where I'm at - I've been charmed by the landy for years. It almost seems surreal that I'm looking to own one.
J2Landy
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- Sussex, Southeast
I think I've pretty much ruled out the 300tdi due to the age, and also due to a lack of power compared to the TD5, and Puma. I am also having a difficult enough time just deicing between TD5, TDCI 2.4, and TDCI 2.2..
Exactly this as well, even with the TD5 I think it's clear to see the age of them makes finding a good one a little more difficult.
Just decide on the specification you want (Station Wagon, Hard Top, Truck Cab) and then whether you want aircon/electric windows etc,
Fix a budget, and leave aside around £2,000 for initial jobs and other things you'll decide you want to do to it.
Then buy the first one you find that matches your needs and is in good condition, and obviously looked after, whether it's TD5, 2.2 or 2.4
They're all 100% Defender through and through and all have their good/bad points compared to other versions.
After you buy one, stop looking. As a "better" one will always come up, for less money.....and will make you feel fed up that you didn't keep looking.
Trouble is, if you just keep looking and waiting for the elusive "perfect Defender" you'll never buy one.
Fix a budget, and leave aside around £2,000 for initial jobs and other things you'll decide you want to do to it.
Then buy the first one you find that matches your needs and is in good condition, and obviously looked after, whether it's TD5, 2.2 or 2.4
They're all 100% Defender through and through and all have their good/bad points compared to other versions.
After you buy one, stop looking. As a "better" one will always come up, for less money.....and will make you feel fed up that you didn't keep looking.
Trouble is, if you just keep looking and waiting for the elusive "perfect Defender" you'll never buy one.
This is important and very sage advice. One of the big advantages of the defender is that you do not buy the perfect one you build the perfect one, whether you are doing that yourself or paying someone else. All you buy in the first instance is the starting platform, just get the one nearest to what you want that has the parts that are difficult or expensive to retro fit e.g. the unnecessary aircon/electric windows (sliding ones are better anyway).
land1974joyer
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I was in a similar position not too long ago, torn between the TD5 and the Puma. I ended up test driving both over a couple of days, including some long stretches on the motorway and a bit of rural backroad stuff. Honestly, both were great in their own way, but the TD5 felt a bit more raw (in a good way), while the Puma was slightly more refined.
A big part of my decision came down to what I could realistically upgrade or fix myself. The support and parts availability for both is solid, but I found it easier to find guides and retrofit options for the TD5 – things like adding cruise control or improving sound insulation.
If you're not fussed about modern car comforts, you'll be fine either way. Once you accept them for what they are, they're incredibly rewarding to drive – and like others have said, they really grow on you.
A big part of my decision came down to what I could realistically upgrade or fix myself. The support and parts availability for both is solid, but I found it easier to find guides and retrofit options for the TD5 – things like adding cruise control or improving sound insulation.
If you're not fussed about modern car comforts, you'll be fine either way. Once you accept them for what they are, they're incredibly rewarding to drive – and like others have said, they really grow on you.
A good Puma Defender is okay to drive on road, it will happily sit at motorway speeds and in relative calm.
They can also be further improved by adding extra sound proofing and cruise control, better audio system etc if that's what you want to do with it.
You have to drive the vehicle for what it is though, better to sit on the inside lane at 65mph you'll still get there and a lot less stressful than fighting it out in the fast lane.
We went to Scotland in my TD5. Sat at 60mph my friends who set off just after us soon overtook in their C-Max.
However after 400 miles we arrived first at the destination. Where was the C-Max? Turns out they've made one extra stop.
They can also be further improved by adding extra sound proofing and cruise control, better audio system etc if that's what you want to do with it.
You have to drive the vehicle for what it is though, better to sit on the inside lane at 65mph you'll still get there and a lot less stressful than fighting it out in the fast lane.
We went to Scotland in my TD5. Sat at 60mph my friends who set off just after us soon overtook in their C-Max.
However after 400 miles we arrived first at the destination. Where was the C-Max? Turns out they've made one extra stop.
J2Landy
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Definitely all great advice, and I do certainly fall into the overthinking category - I’ll be fairly decisive once I settle between TD5/Puma though.
I love this aspect too, it’s great.
Ok so the DIY aspect swayed you a lot which is the same for me, but may I ask how did you compare the 2 for long and drawn out motorway use?
Is this with a standard defender transfer box, and you found the journey to be pleasant enough? These are the trips I’m very keen on doing - but also a little further afield which is partly why I’m being cautious.
Thanks a lot.
That is a very subjective question and one that only you can answer. I do about 25k a year in my 200tdi 110, this has reduced from the last few years were it was high 30k's. My stand point is my 200tdi is fine for long distance motorway journeys and causes no issues, but lots of people, even on here, would say it is too crude and not suitable. favouring newer models and engines.
I drove it to Morocco covering the 1500miles through France and Spain in 36 hours to no ill effect and regularly drive it to Scotland and back, a journey I am doing as a day trip in a couple of weeks time.
There are plenty of people who believe any defender is unsuited to motorway cruising, and even I will admit the last generation with the transit engines are possibly slightly better at it, but do not write off the older ones based motorway mileage because they are more than capable of doing the job. and as you are choosing between a td5 and a puma (having ruled out the superior full mechanical tdi engines) then both of those are more than capable of covering large motorway miles with no issue.
Yes standard TD5 transmission.
You can fit an overdrive which adds a sixth gear, but it costs over £2,000
Alternatively you can fit a Discovery transfer box but that raises the gearing in every gear which means higher intermediate gears.
At 60 mph with the standard transmission it's okay on the motorway, around 2,500 rpm. At 70mph it's a bit more noisy (doing 3,000 rpm) and uses more fuel.
lt's not worth it, just sit at around 63mph. That way you won't get the trucks having to overtake you. You'll still get there, and you can pass the time watching all the idiots doing 90+ in the outside lanes.
You can fit an overdrive which adds a sixth gear, but it costs over £2,000
Alternatively you can fit a Discovery transfer box but that raises the gearing in every gear which means higher intermediate gears.
At 60 mph with the standard transmission it's okay on the motorway, around 2,500 rpm. At 70mph it's a bit more noisy (doing 3,000 rpm) and uses more fuel.
lt's not worth it, just sit at around 63mph. That way you won't get the trucks having to overtake you. You'll still get there, and you can pass the time watching all the idiots doing 90+ in the outside lanes.
Last edited:
Stone56
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Have the Roma overdrive unit fitted to are TD5 for long haul trips makes a big differences in fuel, noise and comfort no effort at 70 but also wish I had fitted CC would have made it even more usable, but now we no longer do the 1250 mls non stop so will not be needing it
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