Originally Posted by
MrLandy
The main difference between the two is obviously the engine and in turn the character of the vehicle. 300tdi is obviously older, it's more agricultural, noisier, simpler. Td5 is a newer quieter more powerful, more refined design. It really comes down to which one you prefer driving, followed by the condition of the vehicle.
I've owned and driven a 300 Tdi all over Australia for 15 years and it has been absolutely bullet proof because it has been well maintained by a specialist Land Rover mechanic at regular intervals, as well as by me in-between and as I have become more capable as an amateur mechanic. (It's also towed many a Toyota out of trouble, of all ages, in its time and never been towed itself, except for one flatbed with an alternator failure out of Port Augusta). I haven't owned a Td5 so not qualified to comment on reliability, but I've driven one and it was basically more refined. I also now drive a puma Tdci, which is more refined, more powerful and quieter again. But it uses 2-4l per km more diesel than my 300tdi to achieve that extra power.