New Defender or old Defender?

**lambrover** · 20th May 2012, 05:21 PM

Ha mate welcome.

I reckon you would notice a fare bit of difference between an old cruiser and a defender. Comfort would be much better with coils all round.

As some have mentioned it depends on how you think about electronics,this will determine to a degree which vehicle you end up with.

I would not get a 200tdi, they are a good engine but getting hard to get parts for now.

the 300tdi would be good if you want no electronics.

td5 much better power but electronic.

the big difference between these models are the engines, the late model td5 have a smaller rear diff, so look for one with a salisbury diff, much stronger.

these vehicles are much better onn fuel than the cruiser as you have pointed out as well. they are great for touring and have a great pay load.

The MY= model year

Gruntled · 20th May 2012, 05:37 PM

You guys are very helpful! Thanks! So, would it be worth the expense to buy a new Defender (2011-12) or reducing outlay and buying something pre-2007 (pre-Puma) with a TD5? I must confess I don't have much time to fiddle with engines, although I don't mind doing the fluid changes etc. as required. While it's not always realistic, I'd prefer to have something that is "set-and-forget"; I want minimal maintenance for a few years at least.
One thing I should say is that I use my 4WD's in the correct fashion, i.e. I torture them offroad. And the only vehicle ever to tow me out of a bog in my Troopy was a 2002 (?) Defender XTreme, which did so with ease!

**Disco Muppet** · 20th May 2012, 05:48 PM

I'd go the Td5, but thats just me!
They'll get you wherever you want to go, but they require a bit in return.
If you make sure you keep it well maintained, find a good LR mechanic for services, and look out for the warning signs of the little issues they have and they'll go fine!
Go the Td5....you know you want to....

Cheers
Muppet

**TimNZ** · 20th May 2012, 06:12 PM

Take them both for a drive and see what suits you best. There's plenty for and against for all types of Defenders.

Cheers,

**Marty110** · 20th May 2012, 06:18 PM

Hi and welcome. I have had both - cruisers and landrovers and currently have a puma defender. Previously I had a 300TDi and almost wish I had kept it!! I had it for 13 years and 300,000k with a lot of off road and as daily drive for work and play. Why I like the Defender over the Cruiser - firstly the comfort - for a fairly basic work truck for me they are very comfortable compared to a cruiser. I have a crook back and I just wouldn't still be able to drive a Cruiser. Second - the economy and third - reliability. Yep thats right reliability AND Landrover in the same sentence. The main problem with unreliable Defenders IMHO is lack of preventative maintenance. Do your research on the model you buy - they all have weaknesses - and spend the dollars to upgrade the suspect bits and make sure you do the maintenance. I have never been let down yet (he says touching his wooden head). They are cheaper to buy which means more to spend on equipping it to do what you need and/or want. Hope that helps, cheers and good luck!!

**lambrover** · 20th May 2012, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Gruntled

You guys are very helpful! Thanks! So, would it be worth the expense to buy a new Defender (2011-12) or reducing outlay and buying something pre-2007 (pre-Puma) with a TD5? I must confess I don't have much time to fiddle with engines, although I don't mind doing the fluid changes etc. as required. While it's not always realistic, I'd prefer to have something that is "set-and-forget"; I want minimal maintenance for a few years at least.
One thing I should say is that I use my 4WD's in the correct fashion, i.e. I torture them offroad. And the only vehicle ever to tow me out of a bog in my Troopy was a 2002 (?) Defender XTreme, which did so with ease!

With this I would go a early Puma or low km td5. Test drive both mate they are different.

If you like to punish them offroad upgraded axles are cheap and a good upgrade.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

Gruntled · 20th May 2012, 07:22 PM

But then I read thread like this one and get all scared!
Puma engine Problems

**jakeslouw** · 20th May 2012, 07:51 PM

Puma engine: "The engine, if I am correct has been used in 56 million transit vans and covered 56 billion kilometres."

The weak part on the Puma AFAIK is the gearbox and the diffs.

Get a low mileage, well sorted TD5 and you'll be happy as.

**Disco Muppet** · 20th May 2012, 08:11 PM

PUMA engines seem to be having some issues with fuel contamination, never had any issues with the Td5 i drive.
Take them for a drive, but prefer the Td5. Next choice would be 300tdi for me.
Best of luck
Cheers
Muppet

**Firefish** · 22nd May 2012, 06:23 PM

Owned an FJ40 many years ago. Lots of fun but would try and kill me on a regular basis. Most interesting thing it would do was kill lights and ignition when I flicked high beam and spots on. Very interesting when coming up to a dark bend on a country road at night.

More recently owned an '04 Troopy for some years. Great truck and versatile for one person, but overtaking required some serious advance planning. Also Cruisers are everywhere up here - and no-one bothers waving.

Most recently acquired a 110 Puma and love it. Driving it back-to-back with the Troopy never realised how light the Toyota clutch and box was. Went for the new LR partly because of a lack of used options locally, but also to get a vehicle with a blank slate so to speak. Suspect that at least some problems people have are due to unsympathetic driver technique and questionable servicing history. A new Puma also seemed like great value when I looked at the price of a new Landcruiser.

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