Thread: Finding a 130

Originally Posted by VladTepes

TD5 = disposable.

Harsh!!!

They are good engines and I've had both 300TDi's and TD5's.....

I wouldn't not buy a 130 dual cab just because it had a TD5, that's for sure.

I too am looking for a 130 crew cab and like Wally, I'm not too fussed when I get one.
I have put bids in on a couple of Ex-CFA ones but my bids didn't get through to the auctioneer ( computer problems they told me).
I am very interested in the Tdi/Td5 debate.
Please, tell more.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

I too am looking for a 130 crew cab and like Wally, I'm not too fussed when I get one.
I have put bids in on a couple of Ex-CFA ones but my bids didn't get through to the auctioneer ( computer problems they told me).
I am very interested in the Tdi/Td5 debate.
Please, tell more.

They've fallen silent. This Td5 bashing might be baseless after all.

No, its pretty simple. 300tdi = way less electronics = way less to go horribly and expensively wrong with little to no warning leaving you stranded. European engines have always had their biggest weak spot in electronics.
I can honestly say that I would not own a Land Rover product with a post 300tdi engine. If i was given one i would sell it and buy a 300tdi or Izuzu powered specimen.
If i wanted a vehicle with a complicated electrical engine i would opt for comfort and buy a Toyota. The reason i like landies is because of their owner serviceability and reliability for decades. The newer vehicles dont fit that bill.

Originally Posted by Mick-Kelly

No, its pretty simple. 300tdi = way less electronics = way less to go horribly and expensively wrong with little to no warning leaving you stranded. European engines have always had their biggest weak spot in electronics.
I can honestly say that I would not own a Land Rover product with a post 300tdi engine. If i was given one i would sell it and buy a 300tdi or Izuzu powered specimen.
If i wanted a vehicle with a complicated electrical engine i would opt for comfort and buy a Toyota. The reason i like landies is because of their owner serviceability and reliability for decades. The newer vehicles dont fit that bill.

The thing is, though, the most common Td5 problems, of which most of us are aware, have nothing to do with electronics. Apart from oil in the loom, I hear nothing about problems with Td5 electronics (and we're talking about 130s here so there's no TC/ABS). If you're really concerned you could carry a spare ECU. I'm not here to defend Td5s, I'm just interested in an objective discussion.

perhaps its just a case of, if it's modern it must be crap. If I owned a tdi it would make no difference, I still have no idea how to fix it.
It seems a puma may be similar to a TD5, many of the complaints are mechanical, not electrical that stop them in their tracks.

I think wally its a persistent patience game you have to play, just have the cash in the back pocket ready to jump.

Its just a matter of simplicity. Without the loom and the ECU your problem shooting will be a much simpler process. The 130's are not over endowed with electronics but any that they have are simpy not needed. Diesel engines work perfectly well without the added complexity so why have it? I dont believe that the emissions warrant the disadvantages therefore i do not want the disadvantages. A series 3 diesel with no electrics creates less harmful emissions than any petrol engine.

I'll sit on the fence a bit

My argument comes from a price point of view

Say you overheat your Landy

Both engines have a high chance of warping a head

So Td5 replacement head : approx $3000 for just the head and gaskets
td5 head | eBay

Replacement 300 Tdi head : approx $1200 for a good one
300 tdi head | eBay

Say it gets a few miles on it and the injectors start to play up

Td5 from the dealer about $1000 each, for a reconditioned unit from the UK approx $280 each (5 x $280 = $1400)

Tdi new set (4) for approx $600
300 tdi injector | eBay

One thing I will argue is the diagnostics, yes in the bush it may be easier to diagnose a fault with a 300 Tdi. Basic mechanical fuel sytem

But at home with your Td5, take it to your local specialised Landrover agent. Let them plug their laptop/computer into it, pay your fee and walk out with a piece of paper telling you the fault and with advice from the man on the computer; telling you how to fix the problem. No reason to lift the hood (matter of speaking) How do I know this? Because I have recently done just that on a Td5

(N.B prices were sourced from eBay, it may well be possible to find cheaper prices but the prices will still have a big difference)

On a final note I have a soft spot for the 300 Tdis. Why? because I know mine back to front, I've done the research I know what fails, roughly when it will fail and how to fix it properly

If I were to own a Td5 I'd have to do that all over again

So once again I sit on the fence, if I had started out with the Td5 then I would probably prefer them