TD vs. 200/300TDI?
Discussion
Keeping in mind I'm a mechanical numpty and simply want something I can drive to/from work when the mood takes, what real world difference is there when looking at 90's between the earlier TD engines and the 200/300 engines?
Appreciate there will be differing opinions but I'm hoping to keep it factual and real-world not worse case scenario.
Appreciate there will be differing opinions but I'm hoping to keep it factual and real-world not worse case scenario.
Still not found one then?!!!
For a budget of around £4k you should be able to pick up a fairly decent 200TDi or possibly a 300TDi. An earlier TD should be a lot cheaper but won't necessarily be that much cheaper, as all 90s seem to be commanding good money. In my opinion (here goes!!!) you would be better holding out for a 200 TDi and accepting that it will need some TLC (as will many older cars) and allowing for this in the price. You could buy an £8k vehicle and find lots going wrong with it so you ay as well buy one for £3k and have £5k to spend on parts!!. As the TDs are potentially much older (back to 1983 I believe) there is even more potential for need for repairs anyway. If you buy a 'proper' Defender, they were modified in a few ways to improve them - such as timing the glow plugs, and simple things like this. And not all pre-Defenders had PAS for example.
For a budget of around £4k you should be able to pick up a fairly decent 200TDi or possibly a 300TDi. An earlier TD should be a lot cheaper but won't necessarily be that much cheaper, as all 90s seem to be commanding good money. In my opinion (here goes!!!) you would be better holding out for a 200 TDi and accepting that it will need some TLC (as will many older cars) and allowing for this in the price. You could buy an £8k vehicle and find lots going wrong with it so you ay as well buy one for £3k and have £5k to spend on parts!!. As the TDs are potentially much older (back to 1983 I believe) there is even more potential for need for repairs anyway. If you buy a 'proper' Defender, they were modified in a few ways to improve them - such as timing the glow plugs, and simple things like this. And not all pre-Defenders had PAS for example.
Can only echo what the last poster said, but this is purely based on the research I've been doing. We're also looking for a Defender and having spoken to enthusiasts and dealers, the consensus seems to be that a good 200 or 300 TDI would be the best option for us. Many people have said that a late 300 TDI would actually be better than an early TD5 as they had a few gremlins.
There seems to be a few more on the market now as the weather improves.
If you find a good one before me, let me know!
Best.
There seems to be a few more on the market now as the weather improves.
If you find a good one before me, let me know!
Best.
TDI would be my preference as everyone I've spoken to has said that it's not so much a case of the TD5 not being any good, but it's more computerised/potentially expensive should there be a problem.
Reason I asked was I've seen a few cheap pick ups that are on the TD engines and whilst I wouldn't want something that I couldn't rely on for a commute to/from work, for a couple of grand something like this does get you thinking... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-LAND-ROVER-90-4C-SW-DT-...
Reason I asked was I've seen a few cheap pick ups that are on the TD engines and whilst I wouldn't want something that I couldn't rely on for a commute to/from work, for a couple of grand something like this does get you thinking... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-LAND-ROVER-90-4C-SW-DT-...
paddyhasneeds said:
TDI would be my preference as everyone I've spoken to has said that it's not so much a case of the TD5 not being any good, but it's more computerised/potentially expensive should there be a problem.
Reason I asked was I've seen a few cheap pick ups that are on the TD engines and whilst I wouldn't want something that I couldn't rely on for a commute to/from work, for a couple of grand something like this does get you thinking... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-LAND-ROVER-90-4C-SW-DT-...
Looks like a good buy to me - as long as the chassis is OK. It must be a very late 90 as the Defender started on a G plate. There is also a plentiful supply of the old TD engine should you need one. If you were to buy one like this and decide you wanted more power, old MOT failure Discos are available for about £500 and engine transplants are not too bad (apart from some plumbing because the turbo's a bit lower down). To this end, you could have a decent 200 TDi'd 90 for less than £3k. When are you viewing it?!Reason I asked was I've seen a few cheap pick ups that are on the TD engines and whilst I wouldn't want something that I couldn't rely on for a commute to/from work, for a couple of grand something like this does get you thinking... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-LAND-ROVER-90-4C-SW-DT-...
Paddy in the garage round corner from my house there is an ex millitary 90 witha softtop it would be the 2.5 non turbo diesel but if you found this to slow you could find someone to put in a TDI its priced at £2700 i think well under your budget and ex mil usually means better looked after than an ex farm hack
paddyhasneeds said:
TDI would be my preference as everyone I've spoken to has said that it's not so much a case of the TD5 not being any good, but it's more computerised/potentially expensive should there be a problem.
Reason I asked was I've seen a few cheap pick ups that are on the TD engines and whilst I wouldn't want something that I couldn't rely on for a commute to/from work, for a couple of grand something like this does get you thinking... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-LAND-ROVER-90-4C-SW-DT-...
I would say the very VAST majority of talk (sorry BS) about the Td5 is a total fallacy.Reason I asked was I've seen a few cheap pick ups that are on the TD engines and whilst I wouldn't want something that I couldn't rely on for a commute to/from work, for a couple of grand something like this does get you thinking... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-LAND-ROVER-90-4C-SW-DT-...
Seriously, how many other vehicles these days don't run an ECU?
Even last of the line 300Tdi's (Disco) used ECU's and the current 2.4 Puma engine is ECU controlled.
As for the comparisons. Well you really need to drive one of each to see.
A stock Tdi goes fairly well and is quite usable on modern roads, although it may not run past 75mph on some days. But they generally drive well and more importantly feel good to drive.
A TD is much more akin to a petrol Series Landy in performance, its much more of a plodder and cruiser. Perfectly usable though and should run happily at 65mph on the motorway, but they are noisy.
The plus side with the older TD is a 200TDI is a straight swap should you want and you can get 200TDI engines for £300 these days.
On the other side of the coin, its very easy to "tweak" a Tdi and get a lot more power from it, this can't be done with the TD.
I think all cars have heir weak points, especially on the first couple of years of production. The TD5 initially had a problem with oil seeping into the ECU wiring loom, but this has now bee solved. Early 300 TDi engines has a problem with the timing belt tensioners and pulleys, but this was soon ironed out. Mk £ Mondeos had problems with rear subframe bushes which necessitated a subframe change, but a fix was soon sorted for this. all cars are born with some teething issues.
I don't think the later 300 TDi did have an ECU, as I had a 50th Disco (1998 R plate) and the only ECU controlled the central locking and alarm, but certainly not the engine.
I don't think the later 300 TDi did have an ECU, as I had a 50th Disco (1998 R plate) and the only ECU controlled the central locking and alarm, but certainly not the engine.
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