Advice on buying a TD5

razorheadtom · Sep 14, 2009

Hey everyone, ive decided im going to get myself a 90 in the next few months

, and ive seen plenty of cheap low mileage TD5 ones around. There's one for sale quite close to me, 2001 TD5 with 57000 miles.
i was looking for your advice on tis, would a low mileage TD5 be just as good as a 300tdi if it is looked after well? Im also planning on some wading, so I'll end up moving the ecu to the roof i reckon, would anything else give me problems?

Thanks, Tom

lil-landy · Sep 14, 2009

Don't. For ease and simplicity with slightly lower cruising speeds, I'd go for a 300TDI.

That's from someone with a TD5. I've had several problems, from a 2000 model year and they were supposedly getting rid of bugs in the ECU up to 2003. But even then, you get a problem, and it's a b1tch to sort it out.

Raider td5 · Sep 14, 2009

Go for it!!

I have a 2001 TD5 110, No issues what so ever. I think you should get a 2002-03 onwards year. As far as I know there were some manufacturing defects in 99 and 2000 years.

For eg. oil in the ecu socket, oil pump bolt coming loose and one or two other issues.

razorheadtom · Sep 14, 2009

Ok, its really hard to find a good example low mileage 300tdi these days, and if i look after a TD5 well enough i was hoping it would still prove reliable

drewster · Sep 14, 2009

well if youlook hard enough you will find one it took me allmost 9 months to find the one i just got

drewster · Sep 14, 2009

there are also other issues with the td5 ilke ecu coding of the injectors not a simple job if you are stuck on salisbury plain

Shifty1962 · Sep 14, 2009

Check for signs of diesel in the engine oil. Look for elevated oil levels and diluted oil. Drip a few drops of oil from the dipstick onto some kitchen towel and wait five minutes or so. If you can see a distinct change in the colour of the oil ring as it spreads then it may indicate diesel in the oil.
If so walk away or knock at least £2K off the asking price because its not an easy fix.
Budget for a new cyclinder head, gaskets, possibly turbo, and labour.
Other than that the TD5 is no more or less reliable than any other engine.
Wish I'd known all that before I bought mine but now its sorted I wont be selling it.

lil-landy · Sep 14, 2009

Just putting a sorry for my earlier post. I saw this thread at the wrong time. Mine had just got towed away on a tow truck after 4 unsuccessful days to get it working

So Wasn't in the best mood with TD5s when I saw this.

Advice on buying a TD5

razorheadtom

Member

lil-landy

New Member

Raider td5

Active Member

razorheadtom

Member

drewster

Well-Known Member

drewster

Well-Known Member

Shifty1962

Well-Known Member

lil-landy

New Member

Similar threads