Which Defender to choose?

[jimb]

Hey. Newbie here. Boyhood dream to own Defender. family returning from Netherlands and the time has come for the dream to be realised. Wondering if forum members could help me out with a few questions.

Budget is around $15,000. For that money normally quite a few km's on the clock and have a few questions.

Q1. How much is a reconditioned engine (with exchange) approx cost?
a. 200Tdi
b. 300Tdi
c. Td5

Q2. Which Defender would you choose?
1. 1993 Tdi 200 140,000km- good condition
2. 1994 Tdi300 190,000km- good condition
3. 2000 Td5 250,000km- good condition

So all reasonable condition (havent actually seen them in the flesh as yet) and all about the same price. Am I right in thinking I will need to spend money on timing belts and possible engine replacement- particularly for two older models?

[weeds]

i would go the 300tdi with 190k on the clock

i have only ever owned a 300tdi and it has served me well. i have just recently had a new head fitted but apart from that at 330k its just normal wear and tear

[alexturner]

Depends what you want to do with it man. The Tdi's are great because everything is mechanical where as the TD5 is EFi.

[bcj]

I'd take the 300tdi with less k's
Td5 be better for city driving & family (ABS) , also better for long haul.
These engines should be good for 300k+ (500k + if looked after), your early r380 g/box ('94 300tdi) may have some play on transfer input gear which was addressed on later models, I've a 94 tdi with similar k's and g/box fine
Tdi probably be cheaper to fix than Td5 ,but is older & if it's been near salt even with lower k's could lead to future rust issues
Also check with your insurance company what they'll insure a tdi for, my '95(94) 110 is below $7k now ,but can you buy a good one for that ? Don't understand this myself but that's 'market value'

Brett

110 300tdi

[twisted leader]

300 TDi, no electrics/electronics!!!!

[Tikirocker]

I might be biased but ... County.

Tiki.

[Loubrey]

300Tdi - without doubt the best allround package built to date.

[oneten85]

I own an Isuzu 3.9 Turbo County, County 3.5 V8 and a 300tdi 130.

All these vehicles are very different in handling and and economy.

The power from the V8 outdoes the other two, great for towing and overall a little better built interior than the Defender 130. Never had any issues with it having changed the cooling system, converted to electronic ingition. easy to work on due to no electronics if buying the carbie version which I have. These engines are great but are prone to overheating so make sure the cooling system is up to scratch, although replacement stock engines are quite cheap and affordable as opposed to the Isuzu or Tdi.

The Isuzu is the same vehicle as the County except motor an power. A little noisy and a little underpowered at times on the road but off road torque is magnificent, you will not stall it. Robust engine although components for these can get a bit expensive and hard to come by. Never had to touch the engine since owned except for oil and filter changes, very low maintenance.

The 300tdi 130 is a great meduim, it has the low down torque for offroading and the turbo works well while highway driving. Easy to repair as it has no electronics, you can pretty much diagnose any issues quite easily if you know a little about them. Be sure to change the timing belt normally every 70Kms. Great engine, great economy compared to the other two. The 1996 130 has the good combination with the R380 gearbox and Salisbury diff, great machine.

[Terrain Vehicles]

As asked above, what are you going to use it for?

[jimb]

Firstly, thanks for this information. Not very knowledgable.

Car use: everything. Kids to school, family camping at Fraser Island (probably with camping trailer, also getting to Fraser so 1000k's of highway driving each way etc. Keen to doing long trip across top end of Australia in the next 18 months- so on road, off road- but not off road smash n bash, just going places and want confidence in the car.

Sounds like the 300Tdi is a nice set up.

BCJ. You mentioned rust issues if the car has been near salt water: coastal places etc (which they have). Do you mean inside engine rust damage etc , or just hinges, panels etc.

onenten85. You mentioned timing belt every 70k. Really?! That often. I am not sure I can do it myself just yet. I mean it is more difficult than a light bulb, but know mates here that do it themselves.

How much would a mechanic charge in labour for a timing belt?

The 1994 300Tdi has been sold. Bugger. But all this advice helps me make a better informed decision.