Td5? or 300Tdi

Hi
I am rebuilding a 'lightweight' but completion is some time away....

I do lots of shooting and really fancy a defender or discovery. How reliable is the Td5 as my mate has had quite a few problems with his discovery, air suspension and a head gasket that cost him £2000 to fix (he was ripped off). I am a good mechanic, should I go for the 300Tdi instead or a bit long in the tooth?

Is 100,000 miles a lot for a 300Tdi or Td5?

My 1998 TD5 has done 110,000 miles. Had to fit a new turbo at 101,000 miles due to diesel in the oil caused by a cracked head. New head was £900 and whole job cost me under a grand and did it myself. Early TD5s have suspect heads but later ones are sorted.
It is as reliable as the next engine if you look after it.
More power than a 300Tdi and the five cylinder sounds the mutts nuts - especially through a big bore exhaust system.
Bit more complex regarding electrics but all modern engines are.
You pays your money and takes your choice.

trouble is..every tdi owner will say tdi and every td5 owner will say td5,both have there pros and cons......by the way tdi all the way

Wilt landyman has a point. I went for a 300tdi as i plan on doing most my mechanics myself and forthcoming trips to Africa will be easier with a 300 than a TD5. depends what you want it for. i wouldnt say long in the tooth. still plenty out there will little mileage on them.

G

last year i was in the same boat as you i spent best part of 3 months looking for 1 if i'd come across a good clean low mileage 300tdi might have been tempted but all i saw was either dogs or they wanted shear stupid money for them so put a bit extra together (and my company put a bit into it and the VAT)
and went for a late td5
oh do i love it now i got it would'nt part with it when the warranty runs out will probably take out a indipendant 1