monkie

Ah to put the 2 puma rear seats in the back of a pre-puma?

Sorry, maybe it's the heat. I'm not following what you mean? Sounds interesting though as I think my search has now settled on a Puma.

Think you might be right... These are just taken off Auto trader. First is an 06 (Td5), next is an 08 (2.4 puma)...

I've seen some 2008/09 with 4 seats then some 2012+ with 2. I'm guessing it's around 2010, but don't know that for sure.

Thank you, useful information, I was thinking about the transfer box ratio difference from td5 to puma. The XS 2.4 tdci I was going to look at sold. I have indeed ring fenced just over £1k for layers of security as the first thing I'll do when I get it. I'm budgeting around £24k to get a nice one. I'm not that bothered about the age, just want a nice 110 to keep. Someone told me that the rear sliding windows on the XS spec have some rubber round them to reduce the annoying rattle. Is that so, or just some wibble? Also when did they change from 4 folding seats in the rear to 2?

I think trying to hide or cover them will be difficult to get the desired effect of never having had the holes in the first place. I would do as suggested above and put rivets in the holes with a blob of paint on top. They won't look out of place and will blend in nicely looking intentional rather than a repair or cover up.

This is a very good point to consider, particularly when buying on price. You only find out how good they are when you need them - a bit late then! Read all the small print and ask lots of questions.

He'd had a look there and it took 10 minutes off his life span!

From how it's been described to me, it sounds like diesel knock (pronounced when cold). Constant but was getting worse.

I too think it has a narrow boat look to it!

My boss has a 2019 D5 fitted with the Ingenium 2.0 Diesel engine. Wondering if any can point us in the right direction of any known issues with top end knock. He had an issue recently where the engine would cut out but then restart and around the same time has a top end knocking noise that is getting more pronounced. Someone from a 4x4 specialist read fault codes (nothing stored), suspected a turbo fault (nothing), removed the injectors and sent away for testing (apparently they check out okay but only mentioned spray pattern), no sign of a dropped valve. They are now saying ot could be a camshaft or balancer shaft issue. That sounds like a guess to me as the engine will run (albeit with a knock). Anyone have any thoughts? I'm still wondering if any potential fuel system fault is sitting there undiagnosed. Balancer shaft makes no sense to me for a top end noise and camshaft fault? I would have thought that anything odd there would be evident with top cover off the head?

I'm getting ahead of myself here, discussing tuning a Defender I don't have!

Ah I see, so it's a case of getting a magic little box you plug into a diagnostics port. I had incorrectly assumed you had to take it somewhere to be fiddled about with - I'm obviously still mentally in the Tdi era where you remove caps and turn things 🙄

This is helpful info, thank you. It is an XS spec I am looking at next. This is a novice question - where can you take them for a tune up to 180bhp and what ball park price is it?

Yes, that was very apparent on the model I saw today. It's almost like Land Rover simply couldn't be bothered! The previous owner had clearly spent a lot of money on protecting the chasis as it was in remarkable condition, that's why I was so shocked to see holes in the aluminium. I'm keen to view the 2.4 that seems to be a higher spec with AC, electric windows and heated seats.

I ultimately want a defender with a minimum of 7 seat capability, more mod cons (including dials I can see at night!) and a rear axle that isn't on the list of items for attention. I'm either going to keep my 110 (for a bit at least) or use it to partly fund a newer one. I did like the 2.2Tdci, I want to try a 2.4, maybe a better spec. I'm in no rush so I am going to view plenty and only buy when I find one I can really picture myself using both on my own as well as with the whole family. EDIT: I'm going to look at a 2.4 tdci with AC and electric windows next. Found one local to me.

So, I went on a little diversion to see a 2013 2.2Tdci station wagon. It was an interesting experience. In terms of driving it, it was lovely and smooth. Almost felt like a modern car. The doors shut properly (a novelty to those of us who are used to older 90/110s). I liked the puma dash. Lovely comfortable seats, even in the back. Nice paint work, chassis, bulkhead and doors had no corrosion. But... No modern comforts that in my view should be a standard fitment on any vehicle after say 2005. Manual windows, no AC. The rear sliding windows really annoyed me. They felt like they would fall out if I slammed the door hard enough. I was also surprised to see terrible corrosion (with holes straight through to daylight) in the aluminium where the middle row seats attach (see picture). Have say overall I was underwhelmed by it considering the price of over £20k. I'll keep on looking. Maybe a better spec Td5 is more up my street.

I want something that all the family can get into comfortably, handles long runs with ease, has some more modern creature comforts but has to be a defender. I've enjoyed all the projects I've done on my 110, but feel I've outgrown it, plus I don't have the time and space to convert my 110 (if the body comes off the I should really replace the chassis and rear axle, but I can't stomach that project) so I want to trade up. I feel like I've roughed it for 13 years in my old 110 and now want a more tidy, everyday friendly example. I almost bought a 2006 Td5 recently but the seller changed their mind and kept it. I then saw some nice tdci 110s for not alot more. I now have my eye on a nice 2012 2.2Tdci that I am going to view. (you never know, I just might not get round to selling my 1988 110 😉)

That's an interesting point to consider in terms of the gears. The Td5 I had a drive of did pull lovely (it had had a stage 1 remap if I remember correctly). I'm keen to have a go in a tdci. I read a nice comparison on here between the 2.4 and 2.2 puma by @Happyoldgitit was a very interesting read.

Thank you, that is really helpful advice. I have driven a td5 and I must admit I prefer the sound of 5 cylinder diesels (probably not a sound reason to go and buy one!) I am going to view one and I have just realised it is a 2.2Tdci. Are they a better option to the 2.4 tdci?

I have an issue that is becoming increasingly urgent I need to resolve that I am yet again asking the collective wisdom on here for advice: I love my 1988 110 and I have done lots on it over the years including engine/gearbox swap, rewiring, etc.. Problem is, now I have 2 kids, I am under increasing pressure to have a vehicle that is more family friendly. Good news is that Mrs B accepts a more modern Defender station wagon can fit the criteria... So,reluctantly I'm looking at trading up my beloved 110 for a newer model where myself, the wife and 2 kids can use for camping trips etc. I'm looking at late Td5/early Tdci (2.4 puma) 110 stationwagons where the kids can be in the middle row seats and all our camping gear can go in the back/roof rack. I've not yet got round to going to visit any prospective 110's but I wanted to arm myself with some knowledge first as I have no experience with "newer" Defenders (considering I currently have a 1988 hard top model I largely use to bumble about in on my own or as a van). I understand that for everyday driving around a Tdci is a more refined drive in terms of comforts, gearbox etc. Is this true? (I'm not that fussed, but Mrs B is!) The rear seats in both models - how easy is it to remove them/put them back in. Do they just clip in and out or is it a spanner job? Do 2.4 Tdci models all come with AC or is this an option like on earlier defenders? I think I am aware of some of the common Td5 issues (injector harness, early engines with cylinder head creep...) - I'm not sure on common 2.4 Tdci issues to be aware of. On balance all things considered I am leaning towards a Tdci - what are the thoughts of those who have experience with both? I don't think I have unrealistic expectations in that at the end of the day its a Defender. It will be draughty, leak, bumpy ride, odd electrical niggle, times that funny noises that will get me worried. Even if I get a Tdci, it will be a ~14 year old car: I accept all of those points!

It's always good to hear about positive stories and give praise where it's due. I always think that judgements shouldn't necessarily be based on problems encountered, but rather on how the problems were addressed.

The MSR bottles are designed for camping fuel which is mostly hexane, so I'd have no worry about oils. Brake fluid, I don't know. Take an o ring and leave it in a pot of brake fluid for a week and see if the seal starts to breakdown. I've used MSR bottles for petrol and it took a few years of use for the seal to perish, and petrol is horrible stuff.

10 minutes to swap out the starter motor for the spare one I kept. What feels like a day with grazed arms to put the manifolds and bits and bobs back on that you have to remove to get at the damn thing Thanks for the advice fellas

What a damned inconvenience!