TDI or TD5? That is the question...

**gozzie** · 15th December 2007, 05:14 PM

Hello

Some of you may have seen me recently in the introduction thread. I am currently on the lookout for a TDI or TD5 in the Gold Coast / Brisbane area and frankly there seems to be a bit of a shortage in the area.

So far I have test driven a 1999 TD5 auto with 207K on the clock. The log book is stamped for oil and filters for every 10k but no receipts for any replacement parts and no idea as to what major items have been changed. The dealer just looked a bit vague when I asked for them.

Overall the TD5 looked clean, the interior was good, the engine bay very clean and the only real defects I could see was moisture in a headlight, spare tyre with virtually no tread and it did appear the brakes needed to go down a lot to stop.... asking price $16990.

Down the road I saw a 1998 TDI auto with 160K on the clock... still appeared in good condition but I was not able to have a test drive. It too states a full service history but again I was not able to see the receipts and it did not have a tow bar.. my main reason to purchase is to pull a boat in the future. Asking price $15990. (how much to fit?)

At the moment I am planning to get a RACQ inspection done on the TD5 but what realisticly will they be able to find?

My main frustration is that I have been looking for a while and there sre so few to choose from ( or am I just looking in the wrong place).

So what do you think.... go for it ? too much? or keep loking? Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks

Gozzie

**Utemad** · 15th December 2007, 05:19 PM

I don't know what it is with dealers but they have ridiculous prices on their Disco1s. Have a look at Disco prices for private sale and see the difference.

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 15th December 2007, 05:22 PM

The D2 brake pedal takes a bit of getting used to,,

it does pull up better than the D1,, it just doesnt have that brick wall feel,,

**Chucaro** · 15th December 2007, 05:33 PM

I believe that the Disco 1998/1999 are among the best. I will go for the 1998 before touch a TD5 1999 or 2000.
After 2002 they are better cars.
In any case I would change the timing belt and have a look on the belts tension pulley.
I own a 1998 and not having intentions to selling it for less than $ 17.000 and only if I can get a Defender for the same money

Cheers
Chucaro

**Utemad** · 15th December 2007, 05:48 PM

Just as examples. Not all in Qld but when I bought my Disco1 I found they were cheaper and more plentiful in NSW and Vic. I ended up flying to Sydney and driving one back to Brisbane. Makes for a nice shakedown trip

1998 $9k (This is an AULRO member's car I think)
http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/LAND_ROVER/DISCOVERY/details.aspx?__sid=116DF098A648&Cr=3&__Ns=pCar_Pri vateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCount_Int32|1|| pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&State=All%20State s&distance=25&silo=1003&seot=0&__Nne=20&R=5147594& __N=4294965541+0+243+507+551+834+285+257&Make=LAND %20ROVER&state_id=0&trecs=36

1997 $12k
http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/LAND_ROVER/DISCOVERY/details.aspx?__sid=116DF098A648&Cr=17&__Ns=pCar_Pr ivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCount_Int32|1| |pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&State=All%20Stat es&distance=25&silo=1003&seot=0&__Nne=20&R=1825341 &__N=4294965541+0+243+507+551+834+285+257&Make=LAN D%20ROVER&state_id=0&trecs=36

1997 $9.5k
http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/LAND_ROVER/DISCOVERY/details.aspx?__sid=116DF098A648&Cr=18&__Ns=pCar_Pr ivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCount_Int32|1| |pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&State=All%20Stat es&distance=25&silo=1003&seot=0&__Nne=20&R=1802030 &__N=4294965541+0+243+507+551+834+285+257&Make=LAN D%20ROVER&state_id=0&trecs=36

1997 $10k with rebuilt motor
Used LAND ROVER Private Seller Cars For Sale - carsales.com.au

1998 $10k
Used LAND ROVER Private Seller Cars For Sale - carsales.com.au

Don't know why those links don't work. Gives you an idea anyway.

**gorby** · 15th December 2007, 06:27 PM

TDI's and TD5's to a lesser extent seem to be holding a big premium atm, when compares to the equivilent V8.

Less electrics on the TDi and simpler to work on. but out of the box the TD5 has moe power and may be better for towing.

If you go for a TD5 make sure the loom has been changed (look up oil and loom on hear for more info), if it hasn't use it as a haggling tool and get at least $1k knocked off hte price.

**Blknight.aus** · 15th December 2007, 06:40 PM

Given my time again without having owned a faultless TD5 Id go a tdi300 purely on the repairability factor and the cost of repairs.

on paper the td5 should outlast and outpreform the tdi300 and be more economical doing so. Well so far big red is proving me on that one But I pay strict attention to every little hiccup or warning she gives me.

IMHO stock the TD5 shines over the Tdi300 but with some cheap minor tweaking (and its well within the capabilities of the TDI300 and its DIY if your not scared of spanners) the 300 can match the Td5.

But then you can tweak the td5.....

parts and mechanicing on the TD5 are not cheap and there is quite a bit of stuff that even as a mechanic I wouldnt be trying to DIY without full tech support.

**V8Ian** · 15th December 2007, 09:31 PM

I bought my Disco in Melbourne for a third of what they were asking in Cairns. I spent 18 months looking for the right one. Melbourne cars seem to come sans rust too.

**p38arover** · 15th December 2007, 09:56 PM

Jeez, maybe I had better drive my daughter's 300Tdi to Cairns to sell it.

It's a good little car but a bit rough on the interior trim. The body is good, though, and I've done the essential work in the last 10,000km, timimg belt and pulleys, radiator hoses, heater core!!!!!, belts and pulleys, wheel bearings, brake pads, etc. It has 263,000km

And I've fixed the water leks into the cabin.

**Slunnie** · 15th December 2007, 11:46 PM

I'd without a doubt be going the TD5. It's a nicer vehicle, a newer design, more comfortable, more space, more power, more features and I would argue more long term reliable. The things that do pop in them 99.9% are not terminal despite what you may read. They do need to be maintained though. With a TDi you replace the timing belt every 50-70,000km, the TD5 you replace the injector loom (approx $250) possibly at similar intervals.

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