Thread: Prospective Defender buyer - Wisdom Required

Welcome Penft to the forum

Just in case that you are interested I spotted 2 new 2008 130 Defes in the Bundy dealer for less than $ 50000 with tray on the road
I am happy withg my Tdi300 but the 130 looks very nice
The Defenders are very capable machine from the box so do not rush in the add ons

Cheers

I have a 300Tdi and a Puma and I owned a Td5 Disco. The Puma is excellent and has a lot more get up and go than the Td5 in the Disco did. That said the Td5 wasn't bad either, but it does have turbo lag. I can't compare gearbox's because the Td5 D2 was an Auto for starters and secondly even a manual D2 is a different beast to a Defender. I will say the more I use the Puma off road the more I like the gearing rations over the Tdi.

Have you driven either? That would be a good start.

Personally I like my Puma for a number of reasons and I'd buy one again, but the Tdi has more "character".

Hi Penft,

I pick up my new Puma tomorrow! 1 more sleep! I too like DM TD5 also owned an auto D2 TD5. I loved the thing but agree the turbo lag was a downfall. In my test drives, I too like the 6 gears to give a more even spread for off road work and highway cruising. I am not trying to sit on the fence here, or try to be biased either, cause ultimately it is your decision to make and be happy with. Look at it this way - either way you will own a Deefer which is a very special 4WD. There is some real bargains to be had from dealers at the moment for stock in showrooms (not as good a deal if they have to order one in for you). My decision would be to buy a new or near new Puma for the money you have budgeted. But if you decide the other way, you will still have a very capable 4WD. Have fun!

Thanks for the responses

Thanks for your thoughts dm_TD5. I have not taken any Defenders for a drive yet, however I did drive a friends D2 TD5 with a manual box about 18 months ago so I understand what you are saying about the turbo lag. I plan on taking both the TD5 and a Puma for a spin before I take the plunge however you can only experience so much during a test drive and you seldom gain an appreciation for what its like to live with a vehicle day in and day out. One of the wonderful things about this forum, I can learn from others experiences and/or mistakes.

SVX 37, as you have pointed out there are some good deals kicking around at the moment that gets the old grey matter going (none in Canberra mind). I need to stay grounded and consider all my options and not rush into the purchasing the wrong vehicle for the moment.

Well here's my take one it...

Drive them both and then see what you think.

A few thoughts...
1. The Puma gearbox is better than the R380 and the gear ratios are better.
2. In standard form the TD5 engine is better they way it delivers the power / torque (aspecially when loaded).
3. The TD5 **may** be more reliable - contensious but I know quite a few people that have recurring problems.. Water getting into the fuel system is one.
4. The Dash - I like the Puma dash much more than the 2002 onward TD5, but the TD5 dash gives more opportunity for storing stuff.
5. Seats - The Puma ones are much better. Many however have no problems with the TD5 ones.


At the end of the day I suspect you wont go wrong with either and as with all used vehicles, pay more attention to the condition and previous use than to the engine variant.

Make sure you look past the cheap bling that people add onto vehicles to make them more appealing. The old addage of buying the best kit and doing it only once is never more true than with Land Rovers.

If you can find a TD5 for good money with proper quality kit on it thats been well looked after then that would probably get my vote, if not, then a standard Puma may be the way to go and you add the quality bits on as time goes by.

For the record, I drive a preparred 110 TD5 Double Cab (one of the last TD5's made).

Hope that helps.
Jon

Penft
Don't you hate having to make decisions like this! Adding to confusion is the advice from a bunch of people all with different opinions and ideas about what is better.

My 2 cents woth...
I went from a 200Tdi to a TD5 and the difference was, comparatively, astounding in engine performance, so I would expect that going from a TD5 to the Puma would be as different again. (Haven't driven one yet because I have to get back into the TD5 afterwards).

I believe the aircon in the Puma is better suited to our climes.

If you have a search around this site for threads on mods to ECU etc, you start to see that this leads to other reliability issues that don't arise if you leave it standard and you don't want these cropping up on trip.

I am happy with the TD5 performs fine as it is.

Cheers
JLo

Tyler, I've had four 300 Tdi Defenders, a Td5 Defender and a Td5 Disco. I love Defenders and I simply wouldn't be without one. The Disco was nice to drive but it gave me heaps of trouble. I personally wouldn't have another Td5. I like Tdis and I'm sticking with them. If I had to choose between a Td5 and a Puma I'd go the Puma.
Great choice anyway. Whatever you get you're going to love it.

I've had a TDI 200 Def and Disco and now have a TD5 Def.

I love the TD5 Def but if anything happens to it I'm going for a 300TDI Def like the simplicity of the motor and electronics.

Haven't driven a Puma but the TD5 is now a proven motor with the faults identified.