ekh

Hi, op here, I am pretty mechanically competent and do have access to any tools i may need through family (unless theres lots of defender specific tools?) but you are quite right that I’d rather not have a long list of repairs. Theres been a few replies about chassis and body condition and I can definitely manage mechanical work but I am adamant about not doing any welding - my limited experience + my cheap welder leads to what i like to call ‘welds with integrated pressure release orifices’ (aka full of porosity). Thats a good point about insurance, in doing some online quotes the TDI seems to be much more expensive than the TD5 but ive read on some other forums that you really have to call around to get an accurate defender quote since the quick online sites often muddle models. Also theres the whole van/car thing which is also confusing the insurance matter too. Ive got until summer so have time to work it all out but theres definitely alot of contrasting info out there

Thank you for the reply, like I have said in response to another reply I will try and test drive a few. In terms of how I am going to use it, the majority of the miles will be on the road to and from work but it will see offroad use most weekends (nothing silly mainly just plodding through heavily rutted woodland rides). I assumed for this offroad use where ground clearance is more of a factor than anything else that both would perform similarly.

Thank you for all the information, I'll try and drive a few and see which I prefer. The only defender I have driven so far is a 2013 110 with the 2.2 puma which I imagine is a pretty different experience from both the Tdi and Td5.

Hello everyone, This summer I am looking at buying an old defender 90 as my first car, and the choice is between a 300Tdi and TD5. Looking online, TD5s seem to be more expensive than 300Tdis, however have higher MPG and more power than the 300Tdi. My question is, is it worth spending extra to buy a TD5? Does anyone have any experience driving a 300 Tdi economically or can anyone who has owned both comment on the difference in running costs? Does the extra power of the TD5 really make a difference driving in the UK? Also as it is my first car I am expecting insurance to be astronomical either way, but is there a difference in insurance cost between them? Any insight from owners would be appreciated as I am really unsure of what to go for. Thanks in advance.