 | Home > Td5 > Which are the best year/model TD5s to look for? |
 
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| Green Machine Member Since: 19 Nov 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1226   
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I take the view that the last editions of any given model or iteration are generally the best (with the first generally having the most problems), so from that standpoint I would say 2005, 2006, 2007 for a Td5. Mine's a late 2005. Don't know when production actually ended for Td5's, I think early 2007. Puma came out around April 2007 IIRC. Early Td5's did have some issues which are fairly well documented on here and the rest of the web, particularly with the head wandering off the engine due to the use of plastic locating dowels, but these will all have been fixed by now. 2005 Td5 | 90 Station Wagon | Tonga Green
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25th Sep 2013 3:57pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2665 
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Yes, this was fixed around 2001/2002, so anything from late 2002 will be fine. My Disco 2 was a 2002 TD5, and it had the revisions done, and was fine for 187k miles until I sold it... Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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25th Sep 2013 4:26pm |
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| JWL Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: Hereford Posts: 3443  
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As a general rule of thumb it is recognised that the later 15P engines in motors 2002 onwards had a lot of the earlier issues rectified and ergo should be more reliable. I had an early 1999my Discovery II for close on 2 years, it was the daily driver doing the school run, shopping trips driven by my wife(if that has any bearing
 ) and used to tug the tin tent on holidays and the only time I lifted the bonnet was to top up the washer bottle. It had over 100k on the clock and I still see it driving around locally 4 years later. My present Td5 is a 2002my 110 station wagon, again a daily driver, tool carrier complete Jack of all trades, 160k on the clock and had new injector loom, injector washers and seals have been done twice now and a leaking fuel regulator(new one should be arriving tomorrow). These diesel related problems seem to becoming more common nowadays which makes you think about the quality of the diesel we get at the pumps over the last couple of years. I will admit to driving my Defender a lot harder than I did the Discovery, I use it for what it is capable of, greenlaning, pay and play days there is no molly coddling with this one and as such I get the odd extra maintenance with UJ's on the propshafts, wheelbearings, shock absorbers, suspension bushes, all what I'd class as wear parts anyway.
My thoughts are that you end up with what you get, you could have a totally trouble free motor like my Disco II or have a new one such as a member of the forum here, Caterham has that has caused him much grief. Don't forget the Land Rover as a manufacturers' heritage, was once part of British Leyland. Need we say more! My grandfather was a line foreman at Longbridge and even he would say never to buy a car built on a Friday! |
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25th Sep 2013 8:40pm |
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| Landlord Member Since: 27 Oct 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 582 
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Mines one of the last TD5s, March 2007. Has been excellent until recently when the manifold warped but more to do with a chipped engine
 2007 TD5 90 Hard Top |
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25th Sep 2013 11:02pm |
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| SteveG Member Since: 29 Nov 2011 Location: Norfolk Posts: 659 
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Post 2002's have a number of improvements, most notably working throttle, non rusting doors and better engine
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25th Sep 2013 11:41pm |
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| adseybear Member Since: 08 Oct 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 260 
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"non rusting doors"
I beg to differ on that one! 2003 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Belize Green - "Betty" 1958 Series IIA 109 Station Wagon - "Randolph" - Awaiting Restoration 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon - SOLD 2006 Volvo V70 D5 - Ocean Race Edition, SOLD 2003 VW Passat Estate 1.9TDI - SOLD 2008 BMW 320D M Sport Estate - SOLD 2001 Defender 90 Td5 Hard Top - SOLD |
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27th Sep 2013 7:45pm |
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| Interlet Member Since: 10 Oct 2011 Location: Norwich Posts: 461 
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2003 onwards is quite safe, as long as it isn't ultra low mileage, with infrequent servicing. The higher mileage ones actually seem to do better. TD5 doesn't like to sit around all day. 1998 110 300Tdi White Hard Top
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27th Sep 2013 9:57pm |
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| Splitpin Member Since: 07 May 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 100
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My 1999 TD5 now has 170,000 miles on the clock and runs as sweet as any I have heard!
A full record of main dealer services helps though! A lot is down to use, the previous owner of mine had it as a company vehicle and kept it In tip top form. |
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28th Sep 2013 7:02am |
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| EWS Member Since: 29 Nov 2011 Location: Bristol Posts: 156 
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We sought advice from various independent dealers and workshops including local one man band repair/workshops servicing L/Rs and the advice was to look for the last of the TD5's , so we bought a late 06 model. Been trouble free apart from a fuel sensor leak, slight oil penetration in the injector loom , ( all seem to have this problem)but kept in check with with regular cleaning of the plug / connectors. Truck purchased in 2008
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30th Sep 2013 9:46pm |
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| Lambley Member Since: 20 Apr 2013 Location: Mid Devon Posts: 1435 
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I've had a couple of 'late' TD5's, my last one was a 2005 '54' plate, my current being a 2006 '55' plate. The newer one is by far a better vehicle, not sure why - it just is. I think every Defender has it's own traits, some are just better than others, like the odd 'Friday' vehicle which was thrown together compared to a good one.
Just make sure you drive several 'cos they're all different! |
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1st Oct 2013 7:09am |
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| scotsstag Member Since: 17 Jun 2012 Location: D+G Posts: 534  
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We have a 2004 Defender 90 CSW and I can honestly say it is the best L.R of any creed we've ever owned..
It has 114,500 miles on it which are mainly motorway and A-road and a FLRSH.. Only fault it's EVER had is oil in the loom which seemed to be from lack of use when I laid it up for a few months..  04' 90 Td5 CSW.. |
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30th Oct 2013 11:40am |
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| JSG Member Since: 12 Jul 2007 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2412 
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I had a 2000 TD5 110 CSW that was faultless and had done 90k ply miles when I sold it. Post 2002 had the revised dash and electric windows IIRC.
I also had a 2001 Tombraider 90 and a 2001 Tombraider 110 DC both of which had manifold issues - but both had been 'tweaked' whereas the first 110 CSW was standard. John http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk 2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS |
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31st Oct 2013 8:58am |
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| PC Member Since: 17 Apr 2012 Location: Essex Marshes Posts: 30 
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Just got rid of a 2001 TD5 110 DC - 2 head gaskets, 1 head skim, 2 fuel pressure regulators, 1 injector, 1 gearbox (inc clutch & DMFW) and loads of other stuff - after 8 years of ownership and 139k miles. Never again. It was my 3rd Defender and 1st TD5.
I now run a 16 year old 300tdi. |
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3rd Nov 2013 9:54am |
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| Rick81 Member Since: 08 Sep 2013 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 101 
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I have just got rid of a late 2003 110 county double cab Td5. Bought it just over a year ago with 53K and full history, without a doubt the worst land rover I have ever owned, in the last year (and 14k miles) I had the following done: all 4 door lock/catch mechanisms, 2 x MAF sensors, injector loom, all injector seals, fuel pressure regulator, brake servo, rear halfshaft, complete clutch & dual mass assembly, transfer box, starter motor, both key fobs, connections to under seat relays and the relays themselves, prop uj, steering arm, ecu reprogram (to try to cure intermittent running fault), swivel seal. Plus the usual servicing and add to this the appalling build quality (very little paint under the bonnet on bulkhead, rust springing up everywhere, paint falling off in random places) I decided it was cheaper to buy a new one and have a three year warranty than cope with this.... So I have.
I have a pal with a 2004 Td5 110 which is another tail of woe and his is a high miler (170k) and another pal with a 2002 Td5 130 which has been almost faultless (gearbox, 2 x injector looms) and another who has just got rid of a late 2004 90 which was mostly good (starter motor, ECU) so I do think they are very variable and quality control seems near on non existent so I think you have to judge each one as you see it! |
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6th Nov 2013 7:40am |
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