Thread: TD5 or wait for the new Defender ???

When do they arive in Aus?

Get a Td5 it might take 6 to 12 months to sort any bugs out in the new vehicle. i know it a Land rover but most new vehicles have trouble first off. but the Td5 it a bloody brilliant motor and its proven everyone knows the main problems and what to look out for. Well thats my advice hope it helps

Greengumby,

One question on where your 9 week trip would be. If Air conditioning is important, it might be worth the wait on the new model. The current bolt on style barely cools mine in Melbourne. The front passenger has no foot room. I am looking into pulling my under dash air-con out, and replacing it with a mini-van air conditioner in the roof of the back. There are also no front vents in the new model, so get some input from any County owners, if they miss them.
Good luck in your search.

Ken

Depends on when you're planning on going away. I reckon you'll be lucky to get a new model Defender by the end of October.

Before you go away you probably want to rack up at least a couple of thousand kays just to know that everything is running right between you. So that would probably mean you want to get the car by early to mid August.

Earliest arrival I've heard is April or June. then there's the business of ordering and shipping over and all that stuff.

And the problem on top of that, is even if you go down to the dealer tomorrow and put down a deposit, you know they'll assure, while you're signing the deposit cheque, that you'll be first cab off the rank, that they'll also be lying through their teeth.

But if I had the option I'd go with the new one. Just think of the epsiode of Top Gear where they take the Ford Transit around Nurburgring. That engine sounds like a goodie.

Cheers
Simon.

Originally Posted by Mudnut

Greengumby,

One question on where your 9 week trip would be. If Air conditioning is important, it might be worth the wait on the new model. The current bolt on style barely cools mine in Melbourne. The front passenger has no foot room. I am looking into pulling my under dash air-con out, and replacing it with a mini-van air conditioner in the roof of the back. There are also no front vents in the new model, so get some input from any County owners, if they miss them.
Good luck in your search.

Ken

The AC isn't the best but it does cope. It's noisy though. You could put a cover over your cargo barrier and this would help a lot. The Fender has a huge internal volume to cool.

I just love the flappy vents. I hardly use the AC at all

Originally Posted by Defender=1st

Get a Td5 it might take 6 to 12 months to sort any bugs out in the new vehicle. i know it a Land rover but most new vehicles have trouble first off. but the Td5 it a bloody brilliant motor and its proven everyone knows the main problems and what to look out for. Well thats my advice hope it helps

my thoughts exactly,
the new engine/gear setup and facelift looks as though it will be great
but if your trip is taking you to remote areas, which im a pretty safe guessing it is, there is also the issue of parts availability and the fact almost nobody will really know how to fix it just yet.

well.... in my uneducated opinion anywayz

wait and buy the new one.

Originally Posted by greengumby2

Hi everyone, my dilemma - do you think the new Defender with 6spd box and new diesel engine will be vastly superior to the TD5 and worth the wait ?? Am looking to do it on novated lease and use it for a 9 week trip towards the end of the year. What are your thoughts ??

From currently available information, i.e. all released by Land Rover themselves, I believe the answer is yes, it is worth the wait, and therefore I am waiting.

I have never been comfortable with the Land Rover designed Td5 and it's electronics. The new Ford engine will have electronics as well of course but many advances have been made since the Td5's introdution in 1999.

Further, the fact that Ford and Transit engines are produced in much larger quantities suggests to me that it can't fail to be less troublesome overall and hopefully cheaper / easier to obtain parts and fix if neccessary. Only time will tell there. That said, I have had six speed cars and I prefer a five speed transmission.

However, I would not pin my hopes on taking delivery of the new model this year and that may be the deciding factor for you.

The price is rumoured to be going up only slightly but I'd guess that the standard specifications will be reduced and such things as aircon, ABS, etc, may become cost options as they are in the UK.

I would not consider placing an order until pricing is defined, and then add 4-6 months to that for build and delivery.