Thread: late td5 or early puma?

Thanks fellas, some useful info.

Hmmm... puma. I guess you can overcome most problems/ shortcomings by chucking more money in the pot

Drive a Td5 and then drive a TDCi,the TDCi is better in every way. Pat

Originally Posted by Samblers

Has anyone on here owned both?

Yep,got a '92 D1 200TDI,a '98 300TDI defender,a '99 Td5 D2 and a '11 TDCi in my driveway as we speak,TDCi eats the rest no contest. Pat

Bottom line is you won't go far wrong with either aTD5 or 'Puma' (TDCi).

To keep the mrs happy I suspect you'll end up with the Puma.

There are 2 main deals for me:
1. puma air-con is WAY better.
2. Suspension changes to a TD5 is WAY less problematic.

All other points can be considered more or less equal an cosmetic.

So there you are, either keep you happy or the mrs! Choice is yours

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Solmanic (definitely)/JohnR (I think?) on this forum have had both - send them a PM and ask their opinions - pretty sure both of them will give the Puma the nod - by a country mile.

Yes. TD5 in Disco and the Ford in the SVX.

TD5 is a good motor, unfortunately it is now an "orphan". As far as I am aware there are some issues and others here will be able to add or subtract.

I understand that full overhauls/rebuilds from Crankshaft up are problematic due to engine design for production. Others here will be more familiar.

Plastic head dowels (which may or may not have been replaced with steel,)

Internal head wear around the injectors valve stems and other places requiring a new head. Mind you prices of heads have dropped significantly, and the design has been significantly modified.

I paid for both of the above.

Alternators are expensive unless imported, exchange units are rare in Oz. Denso are not interested! You will need to carry a full rebuild kit, or alternator from the UK as a spare part. TD5s like all "hot rails" will not go far on just the battery.

Having said that my understanding is that in the transition from Transit to Defender there were teething problems in the earlier Puma Defenders; apart from the sump, there were piston cooling problems which required oil jet modifications, and of course the vacuum pump. If all the SBs have been done this shouldn't be a problem. LRA should be able to supply compliance against the VIN.

The Puma engine is current and will be in various guises carry on into the future.

As to the rest of the Defender, nothing much changed forever except for one piece windscreen and coil springs though Puma does have better creature comforts.

As to the kids thing; haven't had to bother with that for over 25 years and you need to get other advice. However, ADRs for child restraint must be met for the "station wagon" perhaps for the 90 4 seat too. Vans Utes etc. would be a different story.

Hope this is helpful.

Originally Posted by Rick Fischer

TD5 is a good motor, unfortunately it is now an "orphan". As far as I am aware there are some issues and others here will be able to add or subtract.

I understand that full overhauls/rebuilds from Crankshaft up are problematic due to engine design for production. Others here will be more familiar.

There is nothing whatsoever hard in a total rebuild on a TD5. It's possibly the easiest engine I have ever worked on. (as long as its not still fitted in a D2 engine bay)

As for the original question I agree with Yorkshire Jon, although would also add that the overall interior is so much better in the newer model

They also have a better range of gearing

This is a really useful thread and there are some very qualified people posting which is good to see...these are the same guys who unwittingly helped me make the very same decision a couple of years ago......and I settled on a 2008 Puma.

The decision was partly based on the fact that I'm a beginner to off-roading and the superior gearbox, higher torque and sublime traction control system would be able to help me learn while hiding some of my rookie errors.

Furthermore, the little things that all 'add up' started to become relevant.....the interior is quieter and more comfortable, heating and aircon are improved, the engine is newer, car was still under warranty (just)...and I just had a better feeling about the Puma from behind the wheel.

The issues I've had with the Puma engine have been related to the EGR valve and that will all go away when I get it chipped soon. Everything else has been terrific.

Whatever you decide, you'll find wonderful people throughout this site who are willing to share their knowledge and help you with any questions you might have.

Good luck Sam.

Bobby