What is the most economical engine?

Hi guys,

I am currently 17 years old and training as an Agricultural Engineer with John Deere. For my first car i am planning on purchasing a Defender 90 Hard-Top or Pick-Up model. Considering i live 25 miles away from work and as i am having to also go to college for 4 weeks, 3 times a year (roughly 85 miles away from home) i was just wondering, out of all the diesel engines available, which is the most economical and would offer the highest MPG?

I am rather pulled towards the 200TDI due to the fact it has very little, if not any, electrics on the engine but would this mean it has a less MPG than the newer engines?

Thanks in advance

Cameron

no
200TDi - good lump - up to 35MPG

you dont really have much choice, 200/300/td5 are the only diesels and if you want little electrics then its either 200 or 300 tdi, very little difference really apart from the 300 has a bit more electrics and is a bit smoother

V8_Disco said:

you dont really have much choice, 200/300/td5 are the only diesels

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No there not, my 2.5TD seems to run on diesel, as does the NA, but they drink fuel. There is also the new 2.4TDCI but that only been out for the last three years and will cost you a packet they claim will do well over 35mpg.

NOTE TO AUTHOR OF THREAD - avoid these engines (esp the TD unless you own an oil well) I get between 12 and 25 MPG depending on what I'm doing

Seeing as the TDCI was nicked from the Transit, there may be more of them floating around than you would think based on the few years LR's been using them. No idea what the leccy bits are like tho.

Opps, thought we were talking about an engine conversion here, but now realised maybe we're not, maybe we're talking about a complete truck.

The TDCi is the worst of the lot.
Mine averages 23mpg.
My 200TDi does 30mpg, but it rarely gets above 3rd gear.

Can't complain about 200tdi econony. Mine rarely drops below 30mpg even towing. There are people who claim ridiculous economy figures who'll no doubt be along in a minute but 30mpg is a realistic everyday figure.

I've had a Td5 and a 300tdi and I find the TD5 slightly better despite it being a 110. You'll be fine mate what you lose in fuel you'll make up in servicing cost etc when you do it yourself so don't worry and go for it.

Don't worry about electrics you'll be fine if your on your course. Its not rocket science and to be honest they don't go wrong often. The Td5 is a much better engine in my opinion.

Also aerodynamics is a massive thing in all landys. Keep it below 60 and you'll see a marked difference. All the engines are good except TD and N/A. Get the best one you can afford. Get rid of your vicous fan and replace it with electric that will help. Be careful of defenders that have 200tdi from disco dropped as the lt77 gearbox is too low geared to give good mileage.

Dave

beverage said:

as the lt77 gearbox is too low geared to give good mileage.

Dave

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Unless you have the transfer box changed to a better ratio as well

V8_Disco said:

you dont really have much choice, 200/300/td5 are the only diesels and if you want little electrics then its either 200 or 300 tdi, very little difference really apart from the 300 has a bit more electrics and is a bit smoother

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200tdi and 300tdi's have the same electrics except for the later (auto only ?) edc pumped ones.

hughesy said:

Can't complain about 200tdi econony. Mine rarely drops below 30mpg even towing. There are people who claim ridiculous economy figures who'll no doubt be along in a minute but 30mpg is a realistic everyday figure.

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Along in a minute, Yes now here we are. The 200tdi in a disco one does as you say 30mpg and is probably the answer to the original questioner.Hovever in a half ton lighter vehicle (that is my series 3) with disco gearbox and transfer and diffs It will go a few more miles per gallon even though the series is not quite so aerodinamicly shaped.

200 is better than all in a 90. This includes if you look at the official figures, which although never being right, corroborate this.

12j - about 25mpg
19J - about 27
200 - about 32
300 - about 28-30
TD5 - 28
TDCi - 25

i normally get about 32mpg when running on my 205 R16 all terrains and its giving it the boot overtaking my mates golf but when you fit mud tyres e.g. i run green way diamond pattern 750 R16 and i don't go over 55 with these on its getting about 25mpg so what you roll on will make a big difference to your mpg hope this helps.