Thread: TDI Vs TD5 Vs PUMA

Also another benefit of the 130 is the installation of baby bolts is easier/cheaper
Still need compliancing thou

S

I thought 10P TD5s were Euro 2 and 15P and beyond were Euro 3?

Babys and hot cabins aren't a good idea. I wouldn't drag a baby hundreds of kms on a 30 plus day in my defender. Also i spent $1500 getting my 110 compliant for baby seats.
The puma has to be the most "family accommodating" and friendly defender out of the 3. I think its hard for anyone to argue this point!

5 years ago I couldn’t consider driving anything other that a 110 or 130. After the last desert trip in the 110 I was ready to do a u-turn and go do another 5,000km. But the family flatly refused to do another big trip in it. So I started to look for something more comfortable. I drove a late td5 130. While a bit quieter, it was much the same as my Perentie wagon. I drove a 2.4 Puma, and was impressed with the new interior but not enough to pay $40,000. Now they are more expensive but older. I didn’t like the gearbox. Plus I’d read and spoken to a few Puma owners about the cost of upgrades needed and expensive bits failing. The place with the Puma had a D4 3.0 and was encouraged to take a drive just for fun. My 1st impression was wow, I can’t believe one company makes both. I ended up buying the cheapest L322 tdv8 I could find. Its fantastic on and off road. I still have the Perentie, but can’t see me ever doing a big trip in it. My point is, don’t limit yourself to only a defender. Considering your situation, a D4 is probably better bang for buck than a defender especially with recent prices of defenders. It doesn’t have the rugged capability appeal of a Puma or td5. But IMHO is at least as capable stock standard off road, much better on road, better safety, but doesn’t come close to a defender in load carrying capacity.

I can't speak to the tdi or td5 but own a puma

We (wife +3 kids) took it around Aus in 2015, 40,000km towing a camper trailer. A fair chunk was dirt, so corrugations, Cape Yorke, Fraser Island.

Other than diff protection, second battery and a snorkel it was straight from the showroom.

Whilst the aircon is OK it struggles after a couple of hours driving on a hot day, don't expect to stay cool all day.

Other than that nothing failed or fell off. A spot weld on the roof failed but that may just be the way mine was put together. As a touring vehicle it is excellent.

Does that mean it will last forever? I dont know, I hope so.

I will admit at this point that I have no skills as a mechanic so bush serviceability is lost on me. However the engine bay is tight as a Scotsman's wallet, which I expect could make working on it tricky

Simon

Originally Posted by Simon

I can't speak to the tdi or td5 but own a puma

We (wife +3 kids) took it around Aus in 2015, 40,000km towing a camper trailer. A fair chunk was dirt, so corrugations, Cape Yorke, Fraser Island.

Other than diff protection, second battery and a snorkel it was straight from the showroom.

Whilst the aircon is OK it struggles after a couple of hours driving on a hot day, don't expect to stay cool all day.

Other than that nothing failed or fell off. A spot weld on the roof failed but that may just be the way mine was put together. As a touring vehicle it is excellent.

Does that mean it will last forever? I dont know, I hope so.

I will admit at this point that I have no skills as a mechanic so bush serviceability is lost on me. However the engine bay is tight as a Scotsman's wallet, which I expect could make working on it tricky

Simon

if you get the anti-ice sensor on the evaporator sorted that fixes the problem where the aircon performance reduces after an hour or so in Puma.

Thanks for all the replies and good discussions.

I should clarify, that we will have another vehicle to use daily. So it's a matter of spending our money wisely on a model defender that will suit us. While money isn't the main issue, it's more deciding what is value for money.

The logic is; Do you spend the money on a newer model, or an older model and fit it out etc.

My TDI has done enough kilometres to take her to the moon and I've had a great run with it.

Will keep everyone updated as the hunt continues. Please feel free to share any good vehicles you come across
in your browsing.

Originally Posted by saltynomad

Thanks for all the replies and good discussions.

I should clarify, that we will have another vehicle to use daily. So it's a matter of spending our money wisely on a model defender that will suit us. While money isn't the main issue, it's more deciding what is value for money.

The logic is; Do you spend the money on a newer model, or an older model and fit it out etc.

My TDI has done enough kilometres to take her to the moon and I've had a great run with it.

Will keep everyone updated as the hunt continues. Please feel free to share any good vehicles you come across
in your browsing.

The other issue I'm currently going through is that as much as i love my defender i fear that with the arrival of a second child the rear isnt big enough to accommodate a second baby seat. The car is great with one but 2 (one behind each of the front seats) it my be a bit cramped, at least thats what im fearing. Once they are no longer babys and grow into toddlers for example it would be fine but the seats really reduce front leg room. This may end up being a deal breaker for me and my defender. It is unbelievably good offroad, surprisingly comfortable, relatively economical, carries a load easily.....but the lack of back seat space is terrible. Biggest negative of a defender in my opinion. As some have mentioned a d4 maybe the go.