Thread: Defender 130, TD5 or Puma?

Get a Tdi.

The TD5 also has lots of things wrong with it - a mate who was trained as a LR mechanic reckons they are "disposable".

No idea where the Puma title came from.

A few years back Ford owned Land Rover which is why there's a common link in there, I suspect.

Owned both, though the TD5 was in a disco-manual with a defender transfer. The TD5 revs higher, about 2700@ 100km/h. The Puma sits on around 2000rpm. So quieter and more comfortable at cruising speed using less fuel. The extra gear ratio allows a wider spread and lower usable torque with no turbo lag. Some of the issues with the TD5 were warped exhaust manifold that pulled the studs from the alloy head, EGR valve burning out, oil in wiring harnesses. At the age most TD5's are getting to mechanical failures like alternator which are hard to get to and idler pulleys ceasing mean this vehicle suit people both capable and willing to undertake mechanical repairs. I really really like the Puma though when you pay more your expectations also increase.

Originally Posted by Chops

Question,, Why is a Puma called a "Puma"? And who gave it that tag? The motor is aparrently the same as the Ford Transit (?) and now also comes in the new Ford Teeritory. Is this correct,
Cheers Chops,,

Hi Chops

The Puma tag is the code name for the motor when it was being developed.
It is the motor used in the Ford Transit.
If you order a new one now you will get a 2.2 litre motor not the Puma 2.4 litre.

The motor going in to the territory is the 2.7 V6 out of the Disco III and IV, and Jag.

Can't help you with the TD5/Puma decisions, I still live happily in the last century with my 300Tdi. But I will give my vote to the 130, a great family truck.

Tony

I have a Tdi and Puma,Puma anyday. Pat

I've got a Puma 110 SVX and a TD5 90, both with lots done to them. As a cruise vehicle the Puma wins hand down, it's only done 28000km since new and the dealer has owned it as long as me. On the other hand the TD5 had done 60000km when we bought it, my wife has wanted one for ever, in fact she traded a top of the line Jag v8 for it. It has never had a problem in 2 years. Only things we wanted to update have cost money apart from service and a pair of windscreen wiper blades. I would go the TD5, in fact if I was buying the 110 again I would buy a TD5 and spend the change on all the goodies. The Puma is good but the 300TDI and the TD5 were the last real Land Rover Defenders imho for what its worth, sorry Pat. A statement bound to cop a lot of comments.

Allan

You only ever hear the bad comments about something - but I love my TD5. It's a great engine that was developed by rover, for rover. Sure its had it's issues but what in this day and age doesn't? the only time it's ever stopped on me was when the starter motor and solenoid was caked with mud

As Allan said, spend the money you saved by getting the Td5 on all the goodies

Disclaimer: I'm not provoking war

Without getting involved in the engine debate, there are a few areas that TD5 D'fer can't compete with the PUMA.

1 - Gear box, PUMA is a 6 speed that provides well balanced ratio's, a nice low first gear and a 6 gear over drive that will allow a PUMA to sit 110K's at 2250rpm's (TD5 - 2700rpm's @ 100k's).

2 - Ventilation, The PUMA has fully redesigned /vent/air-conditioned/heater system that is a country mile ahead of any previous D'fer.

The combination of comfortable ergonomics inside the cabin, well designed ventilation and a smooth low rev cruising speed make the PUMA an excellent vehicle.

A couple of comments on the Ford engine. Yes it is Transit engine, but the transit is possible the most driven vehicle on the planet. It may be only just starting to prove itself in the PUMA but in the Transit van it is know for its reliability.

There are also plenty of performance enhancements available for the PUMA engine. Just as many as the TD5, I have a mild BAS remap and De-cat pipe that makes it go extremely well. It has never been on a dyno but approximate power is 120kw/440nm’s, (quoted by BAS).

Originally Posted by VladTepes

The TD5 also has lots of things wrong with it - a mate who was trained as a LR mechanic reckons they are "disposable".

Assuming he failed his training..... what an idiot.

Both have advantages.

If you can afford a new one and want the reassurance of a warranty I would go for that. Especially as you get to choose the colour, spec, etc etc.

The inside of the Puma is far nicer, although I miss the vents.

Personally I would probably go for a late td5, but thats only becasue I know them better, and their would be a fair cost saving. The TD5 engine also had the longest production run of any LR manufactured Diesel I believe so there are more of them about, And I would say spares will be easier to get down the track than the later ones, and also the TDI.

There are lots of similar topics if you search.