Thread: Advice on buying first Defender

Service history ,service history and one more time service history, oh and go for the extreme. Good luck and look forward to when you post pics of your new Landy.

Hi Jet - for info on the TD5's issues do a search (here) on:
- Oil in the loom (to the ECU)
- Oil pump bolt coming loose
- Fuel pressure regulator (back of engine) leaking
- Overheating and subsequent head warping issues
- ummmm...... I think that's the biggies.

Good luck with your search. They are a great engine, and in a 110 they are an overall great package.

Cheers
David

Edit - Oh - I forgot one that is currently troubling my 130 - the exhaust manifold can warp and then leaks (squeals like a bad fan-belt slipping)

Sorry boys, but I'm still sinking my teeth into knowing all I can about these machines. It's become somewhat of an obsession...
What of the five cylinder TD5 engines versus the newer four cylinder creations? Reliability is my main concern.
I'm finishing up at my job after seven years to take a sabbatical to drive around Aus, hopefully in a Defender, while I'm dependant and mortgage free.

Twitching to hit the road.

Thanks again for your time and insights.

J

How much cash have you got to spend. From your first post, I was thinking that a Puma 4 Cyl might not be in your budget.....

ATM the TD5 would have the better reliability reputation. I have one of each (luckily - no issues with my Puma), and while the Puma definitely has more grunt and the 6 speed gearbox is brilliant, there is nothing wrong with a nice TD5. And the price is a whole lot lower

Got from $25-$35k to spend. Thanks again for your advice. Pretty damn excited.

You can get a bloody good 300 Tdi for that money, im slowly doing mine up, to suit my lifestyle then head round. Less hassle than the newer fandangle computer engines (if you do head in this direction - the computer should be mooved up to higher ground). Not that I know that much, but I believe if you do your homework the 300 Tdi will be the favourite!
Good luck.

The other differentiators to consider in that range are the rear differential (pardon the pun) and ECU.

Pre 2003 Defender 110s have a Salisbury rear diff which is virtually bulletproof (based on the Dana 60). 2003 onwards have 4 pin rover diffs, which have more diff clearance, but are not as strong.

Similarly, if you're planning to remap you ECU, you'd want to buy 2001 onwards because as I understand, pre 2001 models don't have a flashable ECU.

and now the caveat emptor - I'd confirm both by talking to people that own these. I've never owned a Td5, so its not based on personal exp, but that's what I hear.


Good luck with the search, and have fun reading up!

Bojan

Had some experience with a Defender in the Kimberleys several years ago.

"cough" "cough" Had trouble with the gear box a couple of times

But it would go anywhere and very reliable through rising and falling rivers