Thread: Rebuild 200Tdi Defender or go for a Puma?

rebuild the old one...

thats what they were designed for anyway.

I've been doing this with my 110. Had the same question- rebuild or puma. 12 months and many $$$ in I still ask myself, but I glad i did the rebuild. I also did the firewall swap and a new loom, scheelmann seats etc.

Well worth it. The best part is now i know it better 'under the hood' if something happens when I'm out and about it usually doesn't take me long to fix it.

I've been doing my rebuild in 3 stages. Things that had to be done, things that I'd like to be done, and then things to make it more comfortable.

I'm about 70% through now. The best part is that at the start I really didn't know one end of a spanner from the other... and now i know just enough to get me into trouble

Yes - another vote for the rebuild.

I've just restored a 300Tdi 130 dual cab. Really, Defenders are such that you can make an older model as good or better than a newer model without too much hassle. I've upgraded the air conditioning, fitted a VNT, lots of sound and heat insulation, done lots of wiring upgrades, etc, etc. Apart from the lack of a sixth gear, there's not a whole lot the Puma does that mine doesn't, and it's easy as pie to fix when something goes wrong.

.... and, my main justification was that I could have bought a Puma, and it would have depreciated to half it's value in five years. I still haven't spent that much money.

James.

Having a 300tdi and a Puma I can offer my opinion for what’s it is worth.The 300tdi I am currently rebuilding for future trips is taking longer and costing more than expected, however I did hit a cow and roll it! The Puma is quieter (Not much) goes better and has 6 gears which is great, especially for towing, it has idle hold (maintains constant idle revs regardless of load offroad) requiring no throttle input for slow climbing & traction control (Mywife loves it). The interior is nicer but that is about it. The Puma electronics are worrisome especially on a long trip over corrugated dirt roads or in wet conditions, not sure on their reliability as we have some"issues" with them under warranty. In saying that, one could consider the newer the vehicle the more refined and better it should be. But conversely Land Rover has been making mechanics out of owners for years so the simpler the car the less to fix or go wrong, I like that option. My wife likes the newer Puma. I guess it is up to how much you have to spend and how much time you have and the level of mechanical support that is available for either vehicle. Older cars harder for parts newer cars computer analysis required for fault finding and repair. It sounds like your 200 TDI needs major work, have you considered a newer version such as a low mileage 300 TDI or a TD5? Might be a good compromise? I know this is not a high consideration for dedicated Landy owners such as us but woulden't resale value on a newer Defender be better than a rebuilt 200tdi? Regards Flatty

Originally Posted by samuelclarke

The biggest thing I love with the 200Tdi is that I know it well having spent 5 years working on it already - I know most of it's quirks and mannerisms! I've done 130,000kms since I bought Safara and she's never let us down on a trip - maybe the odd small thing, but never something I couldn't fix.

^ Thats the clincher right there. On a big trip, i'd say thats invaluable.

Go the re-build

Rebuilds aren't easy,have you got a shed/tools/knowledge and ability to do the build?,have you got the gumshon to see it through?.The Puma is turn key and no matter how much you spent on the 200 it's still and always will be a 1992 model defender.I'd park it in a shed and buy a TDCI,you can do the 200 while holidaying in the TDCi. Pat

rebuilds are easy, well at least if you've got something that was made to be worked on in the first place..

Grab the manuals and have at it, farm the machining out and enjoy the process.

hell upgrade some bits and pieces while your at it if you want why replace a part with the same bit when a better item can be had at about the same price.

My opinion is stick with the 300TDi or a similar mechanical injection pump lump.

Diesel in Darkest Africa can be diesel, paraffin, power paraffin, aviation kerosene, and even home brew bio diesel depending on who is buying and selling what and where.

Even in South Africa, we have issues getting STABLE supplies of 50ppm, with 500ppm being the norm in remote rural areas.

Most guys use 200ml of good quality 2SO in a tank of suspect diesel, just in case.

A Puma with EGR, DPF etc etc is going to last maybe a couple of thousand kms before something clogs, breaks, or stops working.

In fact, the 300TDi 110 still gets a PREMIUM resale value over here, and not for no reason.