300 Tdi or TD5

I have decided that my defender itch has been scratched, and I am looking for sell/swap and get myself a disco

Should I........

Look for a sorted 300tdi, low milage etc,

OR

Look at a 140k ish Disco 2?

Whats do you think? Budget £2-£3k

Id go for a 300TDI, with a bit of searching you'll find a good example well under budget.

Bam said:

Id go for a 300TDI, with a bit of searching you'll find a good example well under budget.

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I have found a couple of tidy looking ones, I have also found some nice looking TD5s,

the TD5s seem to be a bit of an electrical nightmare, I am guessing as they have a similar set up to the P38?

I wouldnt buy an early TD5, it would have to be a facelift one for me

The only facelift TD5 I can find in my budget is well into 200k miles +

mymini007 said:

The only facelift TD5 I can find in my budget is well into 200k miles +

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And?

why not an earlier td5 disco, i have one ,its been reliable, cheap to run ,and ace system enables good handling and softer springs unlike my disco 1 which needed h/d springs to handle,no rust at all on bodywork as disco 1 ,rear chassis a bit scabby but not bad ,but far easier to repair in a few years time than rotten sills ,mounts ,boot floor ,wheel arches , a lot of vehicle for 2.5 k(swapped a light wieght for it so price is a guess),td5 is a great engine ,auto box does everthing i need

storm99 said:

And?

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The interior is shot in the ones I have seen, and I just dont want to be running that kind of milage, when i can pick up a nice 300 or early TD5 with 100k on for the same sort of money

Is the TD5 a better car?

The TD5 I am looking at is a 4.0 V8 with the lpg kit fitted, it has the 3 lights on on the dash, the seller seems intersted in my 90, but not sure whats the better bet, I know the D1s can suffer from rot, so if I got a solid one that can be slowed down.

I think your minds made up...personally i'd not touch a 4.0 v8, even with gas due to driving a fair few miles every day..quite happy with my 300tdi, whether its better than a td5 is down to personal taste and ability with tools..electrics seem to be an issue from what i understand.

Sounds like its got the 3 amigos already then...no wonder he wants your 90.

I can use a spanner but not too good with a multi-meter!

if its 4.0 v8 with lpg then its not a td5????

Deasy83 said:

if its 4.0 v8 with lpg then its not a td5????

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I just refer to that shape as a TD5, D2 Sorry

So you're really asking 300tdi or 4.0 V8 with gas?

If you have shares in Esso V8.

storm99 said:

So you're really asking 300tdi or 4.0 V8 with gas?

If you have shares in Esso V8.

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Or a TD5 also, D1 or D2, if it the V8 then it needs to be on LPG

mymini007 said:

Or a TD5 also, D1 or D2, if it the V8 then it needs to be on LPG

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But even on gas you will get nowhere near the same mpg as diesel..seriously, i'd say10-12 on petrol, same on gas but obviously cost less...but still roughly equivalent to 18mpg...diesel about 30mpg...go figure!

I know its not all about mpg but anyone who uses a V8 as a daily drive must sweat every time they put their foot down these days.

will be looking for a diesel then if the lpg equates to 18mpg

May be best to have a drive of both then make your decision.... Both 300 and td5 have pros and cons but for me at that budget 300 wins.

Iv had 200 300 and td5 defenders.

200 noisy and reliable but I would have a good one in a disco,

Then I had the TD5 that I was scared of but very very nice and quiet to drive, out off by the DIY issues.

Now own a 300 tdi that's done 2.5k since December and it's now in the garage again with lack of power, it's already had a new head but there is obviously something else effecting it.
I can't help thinking that if I had kept the td5 and bought diagnostic tool I would have the problem sorted now.

I bought the 300 for future Africa trips but I wish I'd bought a 200 or maybe kept the td5 but I'm committed with the money iv got in it.