defender 130 purchase??? used vs new

[stace70]

I have found the base vehicle I want...the defender 130-rigid axle, coils suspension etc etc....but do I go new or 2nd hand......if 2nd hand I get a feel from reading posts that the TD5 is the way to go.

Purpose of the 130 will be as a truck to shoot in/from (thus the tray which will also carry quadbike and gear), and tow campertrailer on hols and around Oz trip in 5ish yrs time, plus daily driver.

I am considering the new Puma so I have low kms when it is ready to tour OZ and should have ironed out all the inherent problems in 5 yrs (fuel breather, air con, gear box etc etc).
But do the new Puma owners out there really think they are worth it over the TD5??? Am not trying to start a war between TD5 and puma owners but when looking at spending 55K plus aftermarket goodies (5-15K) I want to make sure buying new is the right choice.

If i but used TD5 how many kms would you expect to get from the motor before engine may need rebuilding/replacing???

Will value all comments

Cheers Stace

[isuzurover]

From 2002 on they downgraded the strength of the rear axle significantly.

If it was my vehicle I would either by a 2002 or earlier model, or retrofit the salisbury rear axle.

With that in mind, if you plan to keep it for a long time, it maye be a better option to buy a late model 300Tdi (99/00 changeover to TD5), and if the engine ever needs a rebuild fit a 2.8HS (improved copy of the 300Tdi made by international in Brazil) or an ISUZU diesel.

[Psimpson7]

Guess its up to you whether you can justify the $55k+ for a new one.

There is a 2004 td5 one for sale on ebay here with 77k km for $31k

2004 Land Rover Defender 130 (4X4) White 5 Speed M - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 17-Aug-08 12:02:14 AEST)

With regard to longevity of the TD5, I am not certain, but have read of them up to 300k km already. I suppose as long as you look after it and service it properly, I can see it lasting quite a long time.

I think the TD5 is a 'stronger' engine than the puma, at least in terms of potential output figures, which would translate into it being mechanically stronger to an extent.

The new one is going to be easier to drive with a nicer gearbox, earlier torque delivery, better dash, and better air con, but that is then counteracted by the extra complciation, at least with the dash and Hevac, which does concern me a bit if you were say to accidentally sink it in a river.

I also think the Puma engines ones are due to get stronger front shafts and Cv's shortly due to them being able to break them during engine braking!

A new one as you say would be nicely run in when you left for the tour and you would know its entire history.

One positive of a second hand one is that it is likely to have some of the extras already fitted which may save you even more.

Rgds
Pete

[abaddonxi]

Guess its up to you whether you can justify the $55k+ for a new one.

There is a 2004 td5 one for sale on ebay here with 77k km for $31k

2004 Land Rover Defender 130 (4X4) White 5 Speed M - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 17-Aug-08 12:02:14 AEST)

With regard to longevity of the TD5, I am not certain, but have read of them up to 300k km already. I suppose as long as you look after it and service it properly, I can see it lasting quite a long time.

I think the TD5 is a 'stronger' engine than the puma, at least in terms of potential output figures, which would translate into it being mechanically stronger to an extent.

The new one is going to be easier to drive with a nicer gearbox, earlier torque delivery, better dash, and better air con, but that is then counteracted by the extra complciation, at least with the dash and Hevac, which does concern me a bit if you were say to accidentally sink it in a river.

I also think the Puma engines ones are due to get stronger front shafts and Cv's shortly due to them being able to break them during engine braking!

A new one as you say would be nicely run in when you left for the tour and you would know its entire history.

One positive of a second hand one is that it is likely to have some of the extras already fitted which may save you even more.

Rgds
Pete

These two statements seem contradictory to me.

Cheers
Simon

[Psimpson7]

lol.

no the puma has a lower low range gear ratio as far as I can recall

[PAT303]

I was in the same position 10 years ago.I bought a new one and have never looked back Pat

[Xavie]

Personally I'd go the td5. The performance can be upgraded so easily and cheaply. I don't think it is super important to know a vehicles history if your not planning on using it for a big trip for several years because if there are issues you will know about them much sooner AND you will be able to afford to fix them. The td5 is also much more fuel efficient and I think we can all agree that it is getting more important every week.

I'm sure there is more but just got a call + have to run.

Xav.

[Blknight.aus]

These two statements seem contradictory to me.

Cheers
Simon

nope the puma has slightly better compression than the TD5 and it has lower gears behind it. that means more engine retartdation with more advantage to the engine...

Stock the puma puts out more than the stock td5 but the td5 currently has more potential for "fiddling". I reckon that'll change but I dont know how much extra meat is in the engine to deal with it. After all it was designed by a company whose original boss was soo stingy that he specified the size of the crates that some of the parts came in so he could use them as car floors and sides.

[abaddonxi]

Ah, ta.

Cheers
Simon

[dullbird]

nope the puma has slightly better compression than the TD5 and it has lower gears behind it. that means more engine retartdation with more advantage to the engine...

Stock the puma puts out more than the stock td5

but the td5 currently has more potential for "fiddling"

. I reckon that'll change but I dont know how much extra meat is in the engine to deal with it. After all it was designed by a company whose original boss was soo stingy that he specified the size of the crates that some of the parts came in so he could use them as car floors and sides.

maybe! maybe not!.....you can chip (Flash) a puma just like you can chip a TD5,

although people are tesing the removal of the EGR which has brought one or two unforseen issues they are getting around it, like the good old british do!

I reckon you can fiddle just as much its just the resources to do that fiddling as usual haven't quite made it here yet