Thread: Battle of the titans! 300 vd td5 ....Please help to end the saga!

The td5 was not a new design. It uses the L series diesel as a base and yes there are interchangeable parts. The first td5 prototype even had a timing belt but wouldn't last with the injection system.
As Pat has said both engines have proven themselves.

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If you choose a TD5, I'd suggest you get a diagnostic tool like a Nanocom. There are a lot of electronic components which can play up which makes troubleshooting outside of a Landrover specialist a nightmare.
I had my Td5 for almost a year now and quite like driving it. However, all the electronics make me a bit uneasy when I do trips like the Simpson. I also have to say, so far it has always got me home

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.

Forgive me for ignorance as I'm relatively new to Defenders, but how is a TD5 more refined than a TDi300? Besides the engine, I thought they basically look the same - inside and out. The dash in the TD5 may have a bit more of a centre section where gauges/switches are located, but other than that, how are they more refined? In what way? Just curious that's all.....

I would buy a Td5 or a Tdci one, but I'm learning to fix a Tdi300 first and I'll see where I go from there.....

rob

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Forgive me for ignorance as I'm relatively new to Defenders, but how is a TD5 more refined than a TDi300? Besides the engine, I thought they basically look the same - inside and out. The dash in the TD5 may have a bit more of a centre section where gauges/switches are located, but other than that, how are they more refined? In what way? Just curious that's all.....

I would buy a Td5 or a Tdci one, but I'm learning to fix a Tdi300 first and I'll see where I go from there.....

rob

They are referring to the engine itself rather than the body or interior.

Originally Posted by debruiser

They are referring to the engine itself rather than the body or interior.

OK... cool. Noise wise, aren't they very similar in noise level?

Originally Posted by Robmacca

OK... cool. Noise wise, aren't they very similar in noise level?

dont know... but I do know a TDCI is way smoother, quieter, and pulls harder than a 200tdi....

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Forgive me for ignorance as I'm relatively new to Defenders, but how is a TD5 more refined than a TDi300? Besides the engine, I thought they basically look the same - inside and out. The dash in the TD5 may have a bit more of a centre section where gauges/switches are located, but other than that, how are they more refined? In what way? Just curious that's all.....

I would buy a Td5 or a Tdci one, but I'm learning to fix a Tdi300 first and I'll see where I go from there.....

rob

Yeah my comment was mainly to do with engine refinement Rob. I'm not sure but Td5 may also have a bit more sound insulation?

Originally Posted by woko

The td5 was not a new design. It uses the L series diesel as a base and yes there are interchangeable parts. The first td5 prototype even had a timing belt but wouldn't last with the injection system.
As Pat has said both engines have proven themselves.

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This must be a typo?
The TD5 has nothing in common with the 300 TDi unless you want to include a handful of fasteners.