TDI vs TD5

[Odd job]

Hi there, my name is Chris, just joined the forum living in Far East Gippsland Victoria, (Gods country). I am just about to by a 110 defender always wanted one.
Wouldn't mind some advice on what is the better motor, TDI or TD5 mechanical vs electronics.
Need a pros and cons list.
Cheers Chris

[Jeff]

Having owned both, go for the one in the best condition and don't be afraid of electronics, as mechanical problems are the big killers in both engines, so the best service history is more important than which engine type.

Jeff

[Fubar]

Having owned, worked on and driven both (and still have both by the way), I have a strong preference for my daily driver and touring machine to be a TD5. I use the Disco TDi as a fishing/spotlighting truck.

Honestly, unless you are fording deep rivers daily and never tow or do highway driving then the TDi maybe a superior choice.

Others will disagree I am sure.

Cheers,

Jas

[Cobber]

I think service history is the important factor here. At the end of the day though I think the difference between the two would come down to personal preference

Give one of each a drive, and see what you think of both

[mike_beecham]

I am no Rover guru by any means. However, I have had 3 TD5s and a 200TDi.

The TD5 is better, in my view, in terms of 'driveability'. It is far easier to live with on a daily basis. The TDi was awesome up bush and belting around the farm. But in town, highway....it was painful after a while. I operate quieter, smoother, more comfortable tractors.........

The TD5 is tuneable and there are some amazing results (power-wise) to be had with the motor that make it a wonder to drive. I have spent a lot of time looking into these lately. Others can speak from experience.

I have never had a major let down with a TD5 over the years. Nor with the TDi however. Go drive both......l think that will help you decide.

As others have said, service history is very important.

Cheers,
Mike

[Disco Muppet]

As everyone here is saying, drive a good example of both and then pick.
People harp on about the Td5 being bad for remote touring because of the electrical side of things.
It's a load of crap.
Sure, you can get a lemon Td5.
Can also get a lemon Tdi.
If it's been looked after by the previous owner, and as long as you're prepared to do a bit of spanner work, either one will be good
The Td5 is quieter, more powerful, and a bit more refined.
First time I drove a Tdi i thought I had it in neutral. To say they're a bit of a slug is an understatement
Tdi from stock is probably more fuel efficient, but with a good remap or chip the Td5 economy will probably trump that of the Tdi.
I've had 30000km/1 year of Td5 ownership and haven't had any problems
Best of luck.
Muppet

[blue_mini]

Id be looking at other things before the engine.
Pick the one with the best chassis/bulkhead, service history and general condition.

Both of them will do the job, I drive a 200tdi 110 and dont have a problem with the speed. Its fast enough to keep up with traffic and if i wanted to go quickly then id get a bike.

But ive only ever driven my 200tdi, a few series and a few pumas. Never driven a 300 or td5.

[camel_landy]

Both are cracking engines.

M

[Michael2]

I've got a 300Tdi 110 and a TD5 D2a.

On long and remote trips I prefer the 110 (with overdrive), but that's probably because it's a Defender, rather than the choice of motor.

The TD5 is faster, both acceleration & cruising, which I found handy in getting through Sydney traffic recently.

The TD5 uses more fuel around town (auto vs manual Tdi), but less on the highway.

The plumbing around the TD5 can be simplified with total removal of all EGR piping, and this allows better access to the engine (belts etc).

Most electrickery issues I've had with my TD5 have been AUTO TRANS, ABS and CAN faults. If you're getting a Defender, the electrickery will not be as complex, but probably still worth getting a Nanocom or Hawkeye.

I was reading about the various performance spec'ed Defenders in the UK recently, and of all the diesels, including later ones, the TD5 always gets the best power figures and performs on par with V8s. One reason for this I read about was that the 5 cylinder engine always has a cylinder on a power stroke at any crank angle, thus giving better power & torque.

I have heard that a Tdi can be tuned to perform better than a stock TD5, but not better than a chipped TD5. So you can still get more power from a Tdi if that turns out to be the one you get. Variable Vane Turbos are now available for both engines as a bigger intercoolers. Military 300Tdis in the UK are renowned for their tuning, which I suspect is a combination of timing and fuel pump tweaks (that's a guess). Anyway, don't resign yourself to sluggish performance if you opt for a Tdi.

Servicing is similarly priced for both vehicles. A 300Tdi Service Kit (air, oil, fuel filters) costs 8.50 pounds and a TD5 Service Kit (air, oil x 2, fuel filters) is 12 pounds ex-UK. Either way, it's under $30 air-freighted to your front door.

The other things you'd get with a TD5 Defender are ABS and Traction Control.

[rick130]

[snip]

The other things you'd get with a TD5 Defender are ABS and Traction Control.

Wagon only. Utes and tray backs never had either.