Fib new Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 First of all: I love defenders and any other green oval car. I drive a series3 109 on our shoot on a daily basis and have no complaints about it. For other driving I have a def90 pick up 200tdi with an ifor williams canopy. For my other shooting it was getting a bit small. It is stuffed up to the roof with Dogs, decoys, guns and everything else I bring with me when I'm going out on a weekend shooting. A friend who owns a land rover garage (no dealership) has a 110 td5 from 2000 which is for sale for about €4500,-. Nice car, no dents, not used off road. It has got ABS, TC and aircon as well and has done about 75000 miles. Never really liked td5's because I thought they were to difficult to maintain, but I like to drive them when they're not mine. Don't get me wrong, my 200tdi is in very good technical state and still does the job. But in this case size does matter. So my question is: are td5's reliable? Are they difficult to maintain and are there any things besides the standard defender things I should look out for before buying? It has got a new wiring loom and oil pump bolt is also fixed. Any more? Thnx for your input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoBeRt1990 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I have a 2000 TD5 which is now on 190,000 and still has it's original head although some of the early TD5's have head problems where they were fitted with plastic dowels and oil in the injector harness. but other than routine servicing mine hasn't cost me anything and it's nicer to drive than a tdi. Service parts are only a small amount more than that of the tdi's and I service mine at home easily enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I wouldn't have any problems with another TD5 - cracking engine...they had a few minor issues with the injector loom but other than that they seem to go on and on very well.... One of the big mistakes with cars I made was selling a 2002 disco TD5 as it was a cracking car, I only sold it because I got the "100k Miles willies" my mate has a TD5 110 and with a few modest mods (de-cat, airfilter) it pulls really well from low down. I worked for Landrover during the 300tdi era and have to say they are a great engine (as is the 200) but I still prefer the TD5. (the 300tdi is the only engine I have ever seen drive a car into the workshop under it's own power with one conrod sticking out of a hole in the block!) Just dont ever buy a VM diesel (seperate cylinder heads) or an MPI (petrol discovery sold for range rover drivers to buy for thier wife!) engined landrover!!! Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 another vote here for the td5 engine. i currently run a discovery 2 on 2003 plate with 120000 miles. i have had it best part of three years and the only problems i've had was injector harness and injector seals and washers, commom around 100000 i am told. change the oil every twelve months and put good clean fuel in it and it will serve you well. whats more the td5 runs on a cam chain as opose to a rubber belt so no worries there. might be worth knowing if it's been re- mapped not essential but a bonus if it has, as this improves the fuel economy and in most cases the power output. atb aga man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fib new Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I just bought it! Very pleased with it. Have to wait a few weeks before it's totally kitted out with the extra's from my def90... It's not remapped at the moment, but plan to have it done in the future. Also plan to fit a vnt on it (friend who owns a garage has one on his td5 and that does make a huge difference. He used one from a Mercedes sprinter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Whats a vnt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 VNT variable nozzle turbo. not going to pretend i know all about it cos i don't!. basically a perfomance enhancing turbo i think. google it have a look. congrats Fib new nice move. you won't regret it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fib new Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Yes, vnt is a variable nozzle turbo. It doesn't do anything to the horse power or torque, but you don't have a turbo gap any more. Also very important: it doesn't put any extra stress on an engine than a normal fixed blade turbo. THE conversion is not very difficult. The 2.8 TGV international has one as well from factory... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickS Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 I had a 1990 Disco 2 ES7 - great car but very hard on the pocket. Had to have a new head after those plastic dowels failed which also took out the radiator. In 10 years I don't know how many rear suspension air bags it had, plus new front hub assemblies to cure ABS issues. If it cost me less than £1000 each time it went for a service I thought I was lucky. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fib new Posted August 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 This td5 has had a new head not so long ago -is there an upgrade for the plastic dowels? Also changed the transfer box -old one was leaking, and had one lying around as I changed the box on my 90 for a disco transfer box. As soon as I have the new one we set of to scotland to visit some friends. So, if it doesn't break down then it should be ok... I always have had 200 or 300tdi defs, so this is the most luxurious defender I've ever owned already!:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fib new Posted September 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Today 's the day! After a few days fixing the last small things on the td5, it gets its new MOT today. Put on a new transfer box -still had one lying around the house- put on a straight trough exhaust, and fixed some electrical probs. At half-two last night programmed the injectors; engine sounds and runs lovely now.... Very happy at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 First of all: I love defenders and any other green oval car. So my question is: are td5's reliable? Thnx for your input! Only if it has a "One Life Live It" banner on the screen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fib new Posted September 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 I have only one life, and try to live it...:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshLamb Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 I heard something about the ECU's dont appreciate going swimming. Other than that they seem to be ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 had a seris of TD 5's disco's from new....loved them to bits sold them on at 60.000 miles...loverly enjine.............since then ive downsized, got made redundant could afford to service a td 5, so got a simple turbo desiel F reg which runs sweet as a nut and does us for shopping and shooting...and i can mend it with a hammer and chisel ! the TD 5 electrics are totally beyond me, and i have borrowed a td5 taken it thro lots of water and mud and al sorts of warning lights come on ! if you have the technical knowledge to maintain a td5 and the tools and computors to keep it running then go for it, as i said it is all beyond me ditchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Don't own one myself, but I do nkow a few who have them, seems like any other landrover it depnds on what day of the week the car was built. Some are great and have no faults others are a bag of **** and are breaking down all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fib new Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 This one has been great so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toby12 Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 i have a 2003 disco,now done 220k and still pulls like a train (touch wood,it is a landrover after all !!) . there is something about the green oval that gets in your blood,i know there are better jap 4x4s about but still have to have a landrover,its just how it is for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 i have a 2003 disco,now done 220k and still pulls like a train (touch wood,it is a landrover after all !!) . there is something about the green oval that gets in your blood,i know there are better jap 4x4s about but still have to have a landrover,its just how it is for me. BETTER !!! you heretic. Different but not better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toby12 Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 yes...yes i meant different,no burning at the stake please!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greatbloke Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Had a TD5 Discovery for 5 years never misses a beat change the oil once a year easy to work on fuel economy good for an house brick about 25/26 running localy up to about 35/36 on a run had the 3 omigos last year local garage diagnosed offside wheel sensor had to change the whole hub £120 brand new of E bay Don;t get riped of with dealership prices local guy can do it easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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