td5 or not

timp · Dec 16, 2008

Hi, I have a 1998 discovery, 75000 miles, excellent condition except for a bit of paintwork bubbling on the rear wheel arches and a hole through the sill on rear. Everything works without problem.
I have been offered a 2002 dicovery by a friend, 78000 miles, excellent condition with very high specification.
Its not going to cost much to swop and I feel I ought to be moving on a few years but am I buying a lot of hassle and expense.
Are the td5s worse or better than what I allready have.
Will it have more go about it.
Is the air suspension better for towing.
I assume I will have a more expensive tax disc to buy or has this been scrapped.
Thanks for any advice.

PASTMASTER · Dec 17, 2008

timp said:
Hi, I have a 1998 discovery, 75000 miles, excellent condition except for a bit of paintwork bubbling on the rear wheel arches and a hole through the sill on rear. Everything works without problem.
I have been offered a 2002 dicovery by a friend, 78000 miles, excellent condition with very high specification.
Its not going to cost much to swop and I feel I ought to be moving on a few years but am I buying a lot of hassle and expense.
Are the td5s worse or better than what I allready have.
Will it have more go about it.
Is the air suspension better for towing.
I assume I will have a more expensive tax disc to buy or has this been scrapped.
Thanks for any advice.

This seems to come up a lot.
First, the TD5 is a much nicer motor to drive - it's quieter, faster and all-round more sophisticated. The traction control makes it much better on mud as well.

Second, it's more complicated to repair, and the repairs cost a lot. In my own experience, the TD5 is more reliable, but the TDi I had was a real bad one, so I'm biased.

Having had my TD5 for a few years now, I wouldn't go back - if I tire of the comfort and sophistication I'll go straight to a Defender!

ratty · Dec 17, 2008

Having had a problem free TDI followed by a slightly problematic TD5 I still wouldn't go back to the TDI after having the TD5. The performance of the TD5 engine is far superior. My TDI towed well but on hills I sometimes found myself wishing I had a bit more power. The TD5 has it. The only thing that does worry me about the TD5, but by the sound of it won't effect you, Is my constant fear about water in the electrics when wading in deep water.

PASTMASTER · Dec 17, 2008

ratty said:
my constant fear about water in the electrics when wading in deep water.

I haven't had that problem, but the water gets in everywhere else!

ratty · Dec 17, 2008

PASTMASTER said:
I haven't had that problem, but the water gets in everywhere else!

I haven't had it YET either. I'm not too worried about the ECU. It's the throttle potentiometer that does worry me. I am thinking of getting a spare to carry on board just in case.

timp · Dec 18, 2008

Thanks for replies. Think I will give the TD5 a go. Just hope it doesn't burn a big hole in my pocket!!

td5 or not

timp

New Member

PASTMASTER

Well-Known Member

ratty

I'm not special I'm limited edition