Defender advice/differences through the years

Hi all, I have previously owned a 200tdi 90 (owned for several years as my only vehicle and loved it other than constantly being cold in winter!), a 300tdi Disco, TD5 Disco 2, and a Series 2 which is half way through a (very) long term build.

I need to buy another work truck, currently have a new Ranger and thinking about another Defender to pair with it. I definitely want a 90, and it needs to have rear seats for the kids (very occasional use and local journeys). Having slowly upgraded the comfort level since my old 90 through D1, D2 and a couple of Ford Rangers I am reluctant to go back to an old 90, (I will have the S2 for fun not-so-comfy trips soon) but I am reluctant to fork out for a Puma although the more modern trim and nice folding rear seats look spot on.

TD5 defenders are more in "comfortable" budget, I know the early ones use the old dash etc but I have no experience with them, and want to know if there is much difference between them and 300tdi models in terms of cabin comfort etc. I assume with the later models there is more sound proofing, comfier seats, less draughts (no front vents for example) but I don't know if things gradually got better over the years or if they suddenly changed at a certain point. The fond memories of my door tops peeling open on the motorway are fun but I don't really want to re-live it!

To clarify- the age doesn't bother me but the condition does, I don't want another project so will be looking for something that has been well cared for, it's just whether it is best to buy a newer model or to find an older one and add soundproofing, maybe replace the seats etc to try to make it more comfortable.

Many thanks, TC

Hello and welcome to the madhouse

Good luck with your search all the TD5 type models are making top dollar at the moment, in fact all Defenders are.

I believe the early TD5 had some head trouble, however my mates early one has been no bother at all, but if you pop your head in the TD5 engine section sure with a bit of a peruse you will find out more and some of the more active members in this section run TD5 so they will be along later to advise.

All i will say is whatever you end up with get some good security for it.

I may be wrong here, but a defender will have the same faults, rust/body/comfort wise regardless of year.

If you are going for a TD5, I would recommend you look at 2004 - 2007 models. Especially the XS model, heated seats, aircon, heated front screen, better seats, central locking, alarm, bulkhead removed. Quieter. Etc. But whatever it is check for chassis and bulkhead rot.

Hi and welcome!

I wouldn’t rule out a decent 300Tdi. They are great engines and the interior is much the same as the early Td5 but without the same degree of reliance on electrical that the Td5 had.

Whatever you do get, make sure you invest in some decent security measures too. Landies are very popular with thieves.

Thanks, I know they will all rust eventually but figured either a newer model or one old enough to have had work done may be better than something in-between! Ultimately I guess its down to ownership and previous work life more than anything else though.

I remember the 300tdi being smoother than the 200tdi but liked them both, I enjoyed my TD5 too so would be hard pressed to pick between them to be honest!

A later model with updated dash would be preferred so may narrow the search to late TD5's as suggested, thanks.

Avoid Ebay as prices can be a bit silly on there.
Try Auto Trader and Pistonheads, l bought our TD5 XS from there for £14,500
Similar ones on Ebay and in dealers were £18,000 +
Defenders seem cheaper as you go further south, it's worth the train journey to save a few grand.
There was a pristine 2005 TD5 90 XS Station Wagon on Pistonheads a few weeks ago at £14,500.

lt was on sale a couple of weeks and didn't sell, l nearly bought it but couldn't raise the funds, it sold eventually for £14,000

If I were buying another td5 90 I’d go out of my was to get an xs just for aircon but if your not using it long journeys then it’s probably not worth the extra.
They’re all noisy and so far from the ranger. The td5 is quieter than 200/300 but not much in it in my opinion.
If it wasn’t my main vehicle, which mine is, I’d be tempted by a 300 in current market, especially if it’s taking abuse.
15p engine is 2002ish onwards I think and doesn’t have the plastic dowels in head but I believe all of them can crack a head. This didn’t put me off - I just went for a 15p!
I’ve improved loads comfort wise on mine. I won’t list the expensive stuff on here but sound deadening is so worthwhile. Seat rail spacers also made it a lot more comfortable then lifting the cubby box and using a fat lid or a ‘chubby box’ also adds. Honestly so much you can do to make comfier but it’s 1000 miles from a new truck.

Oh and td5 with a map pulls really well though the gears and isn’t a pain to drive at all. I enjoy driving mine. Anything over 3 hours does my nut though, especially in summer! I used to leave my work shirt off and stop around the corner from my meeting to put it on to avoid sweat haha

Topcat11 said:

Thanks, I know they will all rust eventually but figured either a newer model or one old enough to have had work done may be better than something in-between! Ultimately I guess its down to ownership and previous work life more than anything else though.

I remember the 300tdi being smoother than the 200tdi but liked them both, I enjoyed my TD5 too so would be hard pressed to pick between them to be honest!

A later model with updated dash would be preferred so may narrow the search to late TD5's as suggested, thanks.

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Some were rusting almost from brand new!

Yes aircon is good to have on a Defender, some say the TD5 aircon isn't much good, but although it won't demist the screen, it does a great job of keeping the interior cool on hot days.
Also on longer motorway journeys when the transmission gets hot and the interior heats up, you can open the vent flaps but that creates a lot of noise.
The aircon on Defenders seems reliable and is usually still working, more than can be said for many 15+ year old vehicles.
lt was standard on the XS and an option on other versions, you do occasionally find it on County Station Wagons and ex military Station Wagons.

You can buy a kit to retrofit aircon to a TD5 but it's around £2,000

Hi all, I'm still looking and think I will go for a TD5 model. I'm reluctant to spend so much more to buy a 2.4 or 2.2 (though I suspect they will hold their value even more) and am more comfortable with the TD5 with its well earned reputation.

I have found one that I like the look of, it is a 1999 model and I am a little confused by the date ranges of the "plastic dowel" engines, I have a feeling this is before they fitted them for a stint but may be wrong- can someone advise? I understand the VIN number is the only way to accurately check.

Ultimately my purchase will come down to chassis and body condition more than anything else.

My X reg TD5 has been fine, it did have the cylinder head replaced 40K ago with the later one. I presume the dowels were done at the same time
At the end of the day engines are fixable quite cheaply like you say chassis and bulkhead more critical
One advantage of an early TD5 is the lack of a cat/dpf, I think they started being fitted 2001.

Check when 15p starts - believe it’s 2002. If you search on here you should find it. I don’t run a cat in mine - just mot’d it no issue

The 15p engine was introduced with the update in 2002 where the later centre console was fitted.

However, many 10p engines go on for decades without head gasket failure. Budget £500 to get it done if it does fail.

Well as an update I did it! 2005 td5, I won't lie I did think "why did I do this" having driven a new truck for the last 4 years but already coming back round and appreciating its not in bad nick for a 16 year old car. My main gripe is how poorly presented it was from the dealer who couldn't even be bothered to put a fuel cap on it (currently has a petrol station special), one torn mud flap etc, for a hundred quid they could have made it mint. At least it gives me a few simple jobs to do to make it right again! I'll start a new thread for some of these if ok.

Thanks for the input, I like the TD5 but drives a bit different to the older engines, it pulls like mad the higher the revs get, I reckon the torque was a bit lower down on the old 200 and 300 tdi engines.

That looks a lovely clean Land Rover. Well done on finding a good one, it will last you thirty years.

lightning said:

it will last you thirty years.

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why only 30

J

Very nice!

marjon said:

why only 30

J

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It did sound a bit Mystic Meg!