TD5 or PUMA? The perpetual question!

[redneb72]

Alright you Defender aficionado's out there, time to man up and answer the question.

Defender TD5 or PUMA?

My history of Defenders started with a 130 TDi utility vehicle. It was awesome. I've attached a photo of it to this thread! If anybody knows who has it, or where it is, let me know cause if it comes up for sale I'd buy it back!

And then kids came along! God bless their little cotton socks! So i moved towards an Extreme TD5. It too had been modified, and included diff lockers front and rear amongst other things.

As age and family life settled in I went to a Discovery in TD5 and relocated to the Territory. I had it up there for a while and decided to sell it prior to moving to Groote Eylandt as I couldn't bear to see it sitting idly by exposed in the harsh sun. That and the fact that LR mechanics on Groote are as rare. No, actually they are non-existent.

So now I am back in Sunny Qld, living in Mackay where there is a great LR mechanic and am desiring to get back into a Deefer. Months of internet scouring has made realise this.

1 - That people are holding onto their TD5's and if they are selling them it is for good dollars, or they are letting them go for less dollars but excessive mileage.

2 - That people are out there in Defender world with PUMA's who either rate them, or are regretting them due to build quality and the faults that a listed on this website.

I have recently come to an arrangement whereupon I can get a 110 Puma (dual cab ute configuration) which has less kilometres and manufacturers warranty for $37000. Plenty of accessories.

Do I go this path where it is a nice, very drivable vehicle, or do I go for a TD5 for less coin and use the remaining money to purchase parts and the like. There are that many parts etc. available on eBay nowadays that you could build a Defender from scratch (well almost).

So I ask. Which is the better path. I have two days to decide!

I'll leave it in your capable hands and await your opinions.

[Disco Muppet]

Hi Redneb
Not a defender owner myself, however i have some good friends who run a defender with the PUMA engine, and they love it, say it runs great. I'd say go for the puma, unless you want to buy a TD5 for the purpose of doing it up yourself, which is what i did with my disco
Best of luck!
Muppet

[Slunnie]

I would have thought for the rough the TD5 would be stronger and better designed/built, or for Daily driving the Puma might be more comfy with the new dash and AC.

[Tombie]

You can't go TD5 or Puma...

Options are:

TD5 or TDCi

which were known as Project:
Storm or Puma

[Chops]

Well,, after test driving a couple of TD5's, I'm glad I bought a "Puma". I have the crew cab, which will suit us nicely. Smoother, quieter and seems to ride better, although I would expect that from a new car with no mods.
Also, we have full factory warranty,, always a good thing for piece of mind.

Chops

[Blknight.aus]

if you want to be able to fix it properly yourself you'd get the TD5.

[miker]

HI Redneb. I've had fenders in TDI, TD5 & the current TD4 configurations. My PUMA has only 40k/two years on it and is a absolute pleasure drive compared with the previous two. Love the engine. Current vehicle has not been pushed yet as per its predesessors which covered most of Oz over the years. I've certainly had a few issues with build quality and some are still WIP through warranty. However at this point none would have caused concerns in the bush but do give you the sh*ts...so close yet so far!

Good hunting.

Miker

[SVX37]

Depends on what YOU want.

Forget the servicing yourself comments. If you service yourself then you don't need opinions on here.


If you drove either vehicle back to back, the Puma wins in every area!

Plenty of threads on this topic so do a search.

After you confuse yourself with everyone's opiion's, drive both and I know which one you will buy!

[Tombie]

You can now fit the 6 speed into TD5s...

That will quiet it down, give more scope to play... (And be cheaper than a TDCi)

Add some great sound deadening and a Red Dot A/C unit and it would slay an off the shelf TDCi...

And still have vents

And be easily lifted if you so desire

[PAT303]

if you want to be able to fix it properly yourself you'd get the TD5.

Your a broken record Dave,please change the channel. Pat