Thread: 300tdi vs a td5?

As I remember, South Africa did a BMW 6cyl engine for their country too.

So, non LR engines in LR vehicles wasn't unusual.

Must have been pretty insulting to LR engineers when even their dealers are swapping out their motors.

Also remember that both SA and here were assembling/making Stage 1, Series III's and then 110's at the time and just choose to fit more appropriate engines than the UK could supply.
The 4BD1 was 'factory', not an aftermarket conversion.
Australia also made the 120 before Solihull developed the 127.
Again tailoring to local demands.

Cant sleep Rick?

Yep.
Instead of the normal 3:00am, wide awake, just to be different it was 1:30am this morning.....

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Power. Did the tdi have cruise control?

to the question, I think to cruise at 70-80mph, the TD5 would be your only option from the two listed. On the flat the Disco2 TD5 will sit happily on 130kmh all day, faster will really compromise your range, and it will max out at just over 160kmh with a standard or tweaked engine. The Defender has a bit less power and aerodynamics so will be a bit slower.

I did an indicated 145 km hr once in my 300 tdi defender passing truck down a hill, the engine didn't feel comfortable.

I regularly cruise at a true 100 -110 kph, ( by GPS), the LR speedo has over 10km/hr error at 110 km/h.

With a roof rack on I would put the maximum cruising speed of a standard 300 tdi defender at 110 ks, (68 mph), about 125 k/hr indicated on my speedo.

even my car with a VNT, bigger IC, I wouldn't cruise above 110km/hr with a loaded roof rack. ( I load my roofrack "flat and low")

The boost is up an extra 5 psi at cruise because of the roof rack, but even without the roof rack the engine load goes up a lot between 90-110 k/h

The aerodynamics of the defender body are too much for the Tdi above 110 k/h IMV, Canada is a big place, sitting on an A road at 120 kms hr for thousands of kms might be asking a bit much for a 300 tdi IMV.

cheers simmo

Originally Posted by simmo

Canada is a big place, sitting on an A road at 120 kms hr for thousands of kms might be asking a bit much for a 300 tdi IMV.

Speed limit is likely 110kph or less for those long drives through Canada. My TDIs love to cruise at 115kph on the GPS and have done for 100,000s of kms.

Funny you mention 145kph in a tdi. I did the same in mine down hill 'passing a truck', except the TDI felt completly comfortable and at ease. This was with a fully loaded rack and the cargo area packed up to the rafters, heavily laden.

The difference in confidence is probably down to the gearing and perhaps general condition of the car, suspension/bushes/steering ujs etc etc.

If you are in a Defender screaming along at high revs, little to no sound proofing, driveline vibrating and steering wandering all over the place - YOU will limit your speed.

A TDI powered defender in all round good shape and well set up by previous owner will drive better than a neglected TD5 powered defender. So see whats on the market, LHD/RHD, test drive a bunch. If you are lucky you will find a gem (TDI or TD5)

Further to my post, I had a really nice Tdi in my old Deefer 130, particularly after I ported and installed the new AMC head, new pistons, injectors, fully balanced, etc.

It also had a 3" pipe and the fuel turned right up and would cruise easily at a genuine 110km/h fully loaded for work.

I now drive a stock TD5, albeit in a Disco.
It's a nicer drive.