Just out of curiosity

So I'm buying a land rover defender 90 station wagon but I'm stuck between a 300tdi and a td5 obviously the td5 is a new vehicle therefore has a higher spec and will be more rust free but I have heard some nasty reliability stories. On the other hand a 300tdi I renound for its reliability which is always a good thing but its not as powerful as a td5 and its a older vehicle.
What would you guys choose just out of interest so I can get a general idea of the favourite between the two. Also have you had any reliabilty issues with either engine that would sway my choice ?
Thanks,
Matt.

I chose the newer TD5 with a nanocom to keep the computers happy

Neither is a newish vehicle and age can have very little to do with condition and particually corrosion.
An early 300TDi which has been carefully maintained and regularly given an underbody clean is going to be a far better bet than a farmers hack of a TD5 which is given an oil change every 3-years (whether it needs it or not!) and has a chassis covered in cow muck.

Decide which vehicle you actually want and then go and find the best you can afford.
The 300TDi is a very good engine (i've had mine from new) but the TD5 has proved the doom-mongers wrong and has an excellent reputation for reliabilty.

dont count of TD5s been rust free, seen more than one with holes in the Xmember, if your looking between the 2, Im guessing you are looking at a newer 300 or an older TD5, in which case, rust and rot are the same between the 2...

Cant remember, so check, but didn't some of the very early TD5 have an issue with the engine dowls?? other than that, they seem to be pretty reliable, oil in the injector loom seems to be a favourite.
only downsides I can see with them is they seem to be slightly heavier on fuel than a 300 (not by much though) and the cost of extentions to the loom to relocate the ECU for wading.

TD5 much more refined engine, lot quieter also, you can tweek the ECU if you want for more power, remove centre exhaust box and they sound great, as reliable as any other, if its been looked after it will be fine, if its been abused it will bite you in the arse. rust is also down to maintanence. test drive both and see what you think. pics when you get one.

As Tim mentioned relocating the ECU unless you going deep it should be ok, if not £220 from memory for the extention cable.

Obviously it all depends on maintainence but generally a newer td5 (say an 04 plate td5) against a newish tdi the td5 would be easier to find in good nick. I think I would need a td5 after the year of 2003, they are supposed to have most of the issues cured. Td5 is my favourite landy engine as they sound great. Had one in our 2003 disco and I performed perfect. Just don't want to get a dodgy one as a first car after buying a mini that was going to be my first car but kinda rushed into things and now decided I want a td5 landy instead.

Mattward said:

Obviously it all depends on maintainence but generally a newer td5 (say an 04 plate td5) against a newish tdi the td5 would be easier to find in good nick. I think I would need a td5 after the year of 2003, they are supposed to have most of the issues cured. Td5 is my favourite landy engine as they sound great. Had one in our 2003 disco and I performed perfect. Just don't want to get a dodgy one as a first car after buying a mini that was going to be my first car but kinda rushed into things and now decided I want a td5 landy instead.

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I have a 2001, what issues are they supposed to have ?, most of what you read about "Issues" is bollox and hear say. A well maintained TD5 is a superb engine.

Oil in the ecu, issues with lack of power in colder temperatures and replacing the injector loom often. I have heard a few but like you say how exaggerated is the problems and was they just a dodgy motor to start with. How they have been looked after also plays a big part in how they run as well of course.

Oil in the loom can cause grief but regular cleaning of the connectors should keep it at bay, not aware of any cold power loss, anew injector loom is under £40 and not a big deal to replace, just think of it a maintenance job .mines done just over 100000 and have had no need to replace the loom . Let us know how you get on.

Thanks wickford90 you've been a great help. Will let you know when I get one, thanks again for all the help.
Regards,
Matt.

wickford90 said:

Oil in the loom can cause grief but regular cleaning of the connectors should keep it at bay, not aware of any cold power loss, anew injector loom is under £40 and not a big deal to replace, just think of it a maintenance job .mines done just over 100000 and have had no need to replace the loom . Let us know how you get on.

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They made a repair seal/gasket to solve that issue.

Mattward said:

So I'm buying a land rover defender 90 station wagon but I'm stuck between a 300tdi and a td5 obviously the td5 is a new vehicle therefore has a higher spec and will be more rust free but I have heard some nasty reliability stories. On the other hand a 300tdi I renound for its reliability which is always a good thing but its not as powerful as a td5 and its a older vehicle.
What would you guys choose just out of interest so I can get a general idea of the favourite between the two. Also have you had any reliabilty issues with either engine that would sway my choice ?
Thanks,
Matt.

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Hey Mattward, I'm also looking to buy, and I'm in a similar dilemma to you. I'm leaning towards the TD5 however. Finding one seems to be very difficult, and quite a few are priced in the clouds. Would you mind sharing what sort of budget you've got? I'm currently sitting at around £6k (but that has to be "all in", i.e car + zero spent on repairs/mot/etc)

TheJoker said:

Hey Mattward, I'm also looking to buy, and I'm in a similar dilemma to you. I'm leaning towards the TD5 however. Finding one seems to be very difficult, and quite a few are priced in the clouds. Would you mind sharing what sort of budget you've got? I'm currently sitting at around £6k (but that has to be "all in", i.e car + zero spent on repairs/mot/etc)

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If you dont need the extra seats in the back go for a commercial and put windows in the back , cheap and easy to do. Will be a lot cheaper than a CSW.

I'm kind of in the same price bracket as yourself around the 6-7k mark, only difference is in my case it all depends if my mini sells and what it goes for. Ideally a csw would last longer because i live in the low emission zone and they count as cars apparently. However i prefer the look of the hardtops plus i suppose there are less entrance point on a van

Personally I find the 300TDI a fantastic engine and is certainly more 'Home Mechanic' friendly than the TD5 or TDCI.

Mattward said:

I'm kind of in the same price bracket as yourself around the 6-7k mark, only difference is in my case it all depends if my mini sells and what it goes for. Ideally a csw would last longer because i live in the low emission zone and they count as cars apparently. However i prefer the look of the hardtops plus i suppose there are less entrance point on a van

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Thanks for the info. Good luck with the hunt!

Mattward said:

I'm kind of in the same price bracket as yourself around the 6-7k mark, only difference is in my case it all depends if my mini sells and what it goes for. Ideally a csw would last longer because i live in the low emission zone and they count as cars apparently. However i prefer the look of the hardtops plus i suppose there are less entrance point on a van

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check out LEZ, I think later model commercials were ok.

Yeah later models are fine at the moment but I don't want to get caught out so I figured that a csw would be my best bet but will probably buy a panel van as I do prefer them