Thread: td5 or new 4 cyl which is better

Puma for me, the engine and gearbox is a lot more responsive than the Td5.

Originally Posted by SVX37

Hi Jon,

Have you ever compared the 2 motors off road, low range, first gear, going up an incline? Serious turbo lag leads to stalling...check the threads too. The Puma is superior in this test. Along with being more driveable on road, with 6 gears at less revs and less noise. I like the TD5 - had a Series 2 Disco... but when all is considered, the better motor is the Puma IMHO.

Cheers,

Yes - I drive them all... alot!

Like I said its a very open ended question - the question asked about the engine, not the car.

If we are talking about the car as a whole...
I much prefer the new gearbox, 1st is much lower than in the R380 and the 6 gears are consequently better spaced, therefore much better suited for towing. The dash is nicer, but less space for rubbish on long trips. Better air-con, better heater (for us UK people). Quieter in the cabin.

There are a few questions that remain un-answered with regard to lifting the vehicles and long term reliability of prop-shafts etc due to the revised prop lengths, but thats a minor thing. As too is induced vibration due to lifting.

As for turbo lag leading to stalling on the TD5 - thats not correct. The anti-stall always kicks in so long as you keep your foot off the loud pedal. Once rolling, then apply the gas. It has never let me down, even when towing heavy trailers up long uphill tracks.

...There could be a TDV6 in my next Defender

Regards,
Jon

It took me just over a week to organise the installation of a baby seat bolt in my new Puma and I couldn't sell my old TD5 until that was organised...so for just over a week there I was driving both the TD5 and the Puma daily and amongst many things, noticed the following;

1. The Puma is much "nicer" to drive, more comfortable seats, quieter etc.

2. The Puma's airconditioning actually conditions the air.

3. The Puma's doors (especially the back door) close like "normal" doors.

4. I don't have to hover around the driver's side door waiting for everyone to dsembark and close their doors before I can centrally lock with the key. With the Puma you just press the little button anywhere near the car and presto...the keyless locking has been a reallly unexpected bonus.

I was extremely happy with my TD5 Defender but after 5 years and 140,000km I was starting to get hassles (diffs, brakes, clutch, engine noises etc) and I wanted a vehicle with a new car warranty. However I would have been perfectly happy with a brand new TD5 Defender...until I drove the Puma.

My advice is... if you aren't sure which way to go...DO NOT TEST DRIVE a Puma. There'll be no going back!!

Hope this helps

Cheers
Mark

Originally Posted by SVX37

Hi Captain Lightfoot.....I am going to start a chip thread soon but what brand did u fit?
Cheers,

Tombraider of AULRO here did the job Until you've driven one you just don't believe it....

With about $700 worth of mods the question isn't whether you can see off a puma... it's whether you can see off a classic rangie V8.

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

Tombraider of AULRO here did the job Until you've driven one you just don't believe it....

With about $700 worth of mods the question isn't whether you can see off a puma... it's whether you can see off a classic rangie V8.

Digressing off topic here a little and also away from what both vehicles are about, but a remapped TD5 will knock spots of a remapped puma - both in torque delivery and get up and go...

No doubt about it though the puma is a comfier and quieter place to be!

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

Digressing off topic here a little and also away from what both vehicles are about, but a remapped TD5 will knock spots of a remapped puma - both in torque delivery and get up and go...

<snip>

Then imagine if you truly equalled them up and fitted a VNT to a TD5 (says he who has a 300Tdi)

Originally Posted by rick130

Then imagine if you truly equalled them up and fitted a VNT to a TD5 (says he who has a 300Tdi)

Yes. A VNT on a TD5 does make the bottom end much more responsive. Shouldnt be long before they are commercially available!

I would concur with the general feeling of the previous comments.

Nothing wrong with the TD5, but I prefer the Puma by a good margin. Both for the engine side of things and the all round higher level of civilization of the Puma.

The 2 small negatives (for me) are that my Puma doesn't get quite as good milage as my TD5 (11L/100 vs 10L/100), although as the kms get a bit higher, the Puma is getting better, and I miss my front vents (if you want air circulation, you have to have the fan on, which I dislike compared to opening vents on the TD5).