Thread: D2-4 vs. Jimny (2023) vs. Defender TD5 - 2016 comparison

Jimny effectively a ( fun ) toy compared to the other two.

See Used Suzuki Jimny review - ReDriven

Having owned our D2 with SLS and ACE for 13 years it’s an amazingly capable, comfortable all round family / touring / everyday / remote capable family vehicle and very easy to DIY that can carry 750+kg onboard and still use less than 11 L / 100km.

Not many other vehicles can do this. Pitty they’re old now, as I would probably buy a new one!

Several people here have changed from a Defender to D2.

Defender value is due to classic car look, and cessation of production. Prices sky rocketed recently.

Disco 1s and 2s have also recently had significant price rises too relative to what they were just 5 or 6 years back.

Before I bought my D1(Tdi) I briefly test drove a D3 TDV6. Massively impressed by the power and refinement and the packaging of the interior .. the way the seats folded down, space, etc.
But reading horror stories of the problems of electronics and air suspension, etc, etc.... I ended up with the least electronical D1 I could find.
TD5 D2 with a good remap is quite an awesome thing too. Not exactly as powerful feeling as the TDV6, but really not far off it too. And with 100K+ klms now in our hands, reliability is more than acceptable too. TDV6s major advantage was in refinement compared to TD5 D2.

Defender is crazy unrefined by comparison to any of the above. TD5 can be made to 'go fast' but this feeling is relative as the Defer is so unrefined, even 50kmh slower than any of the above feels faster by comparison. The most major advantage of the Defer is it's narrowness.
If I had a TD5 defender (with remapped ECU too), for sure I'd up the gearing(transfer case). Not a fan of the manual gearbox(by modern standards), and I'd possibly even look to convert to auto too.

No idea of how a Jimny goes. Even at half the current prices asked for, far too small for my liking.

I can never understand the Jimny phenomenon myself too. I see lots of them parked around town. I assume they never see offroad conditions at all, and people buy them for the lifestyle factor. That is, they buy one(or any rugged looking off-roader type body style) because it allows them the 'ambience' of feeling adventurous or something.

Originally Posted by AK83

Defender value is due to classic car look, and cessation of production. Prices sky rocketed recently.

Disco 1s and 2s have also recently had significant price rises too relative to what they were just 5 or 6 years back.

Before I bought my D1(Tdi) I briefly test drove a D3 TDV6. Massively impressed by the power and refinement and the packaging of the interior .. the way the seats folded down, space, etc.
But reading horror stories of the problems of electronics and air suspension, etc, etc.... I ended up with the least electronical D1 I could find.
TD5 D2 with a good remap is quite an awesome thing too. Not exactly as powerful feeling as the TDV6, but really not far off it too. And with 100K+ klms now in our hands, reliability is more than acceptable too. TDV6s major advantage was in refinement compared to TD5 D2.

Defender is crazy unrefined by comparison to any of the above. TD5 can be made to 'go fast' but this feeling is relative as the Defer is so unrefined, even 50kmh slower than any of the above feels faster by comparison. The most major advantage of the Defer is it's narrowness.
If I had a TD5 defender (with remapped ECU too), for sure I'd up the gearing(transfer case). Not a fan of the manual gearbox(by modern standards), and I'd possibly even look to convert to auto too.

No idea of how a Jimny goes. Even at half the current prices asked for, far too small for my liking.

I can never understand the Jimny phenomenon myself too. I see lots of them parked around town. I assume they never see offroad conditions at all, and people buy them for the lifestyle factor. That is, they buy one(or any rugged looking off-roader type body style) because it allows them the 'ambience' of feeling adventurous or something.

That is interesting about the newer D3. It does look quite luxurious with the interior, and also for sure there is an appeal to get the least mechanical engine possible, as in a D1. I was wondering what you mean by getting the ECU remapped with the D2, is that just a EGR delete? Or would this be something in addition to that. Does it improve power and performance?

The jimnys are also quite funny each time i see them.. seems like a really pointless car - though they can do some offroading, however it would worry me if i did a river crossing that i would just be swept away.

Have you seen a Jimny? Sure, very capable off road, and unbelievable reliability ( Toyota is not a patch on them ), but for two adults they might just cope with a weekend on the Mornington Peninsula. Add a dog and you can forget it. A D2 can be a bit awkward space wise, but a Jimny is tiny. And, apart from a box trailer to the tip, don't even think about towing.
I'd love a Jimny to tow behind a motorhome though. I reckon it would be perfect for that.

Originally Posted by Astrid14

I was wondering what you mean by getting the ECU remapped with the D2, is that just a EGR delete? Or would this be something in addition to that. Does it improve power and performance?

Nah. Later TD5s came with the NNN ECU, which can be remapped. Members on here can do it for you. Just a remap can give you a marked increase in driveability and performance over stock. I wish mine had that. Earlier ECUs need to be modified internally. Mine has that, but it's primitive compared to what can be done now. You told me you had bought a Nanocom. That's how you upload the remap.
EGR delete is different. Quite simple.

Originally Posted by Tins

Nah. Later TD5s came with the NNN ECU, which can be remapped. Members on here can do it for you. Just a remap can give you a marked increase in driveability and performance over stock. I wish mine had that. Earlier ECUs need to be modified internally. Mine has that, but it's primitive compared to what can be done now. You told me you had bought a Nanocom. That's how you upload the remap.
EGR delete is different. Quite simple.

AH i see. the jimny reminds me of a dirtbike as a kid. Fun to use over jumps etc, but cant be taken seriously on the road - or for a couple over a certain height.

and for the defender price, its wild how they have jumped, even while interest rates are so high. I dont really get it aside from the FOMO?

Don't listen to the naysayers Jimny is plenty big enough to tour in. Plenty of people toured all around Australia in a Series 1 & 2 SWB , Looking at a Jimny its cargo area is on par with a Series2 . You dont need to carry and bolt on all the crap people think you need nowdays.


I'll never tour in a LandRover again, but It would be toss of a coin if I'd go for a Jimny or a GWM300 . probably go the Jimny.