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Dunc99

Member Since: 25 Oct 2015
Location: Lake District
Posts: 8

Which engine is best for overlanding?

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to get a 110 to convert into a camper and tour around Europe and I'd like your advice on which engine to go for.

Does the euro rating matter that much? i.e should I go for the 2.2TDCi (euro5) or will it not really matter in a years time and a TD5 (Euro 3?) would be fine if I'm not bothered about going into big cities?

I've read a few bad comments about the reliability of high mileage TDCis in transit vans, are the defender versions as bad (and I should stick to a TD5) ?

What is everyone's thoughts and experiences?

Many thanks.

4th Jun 2023 3:50pm

BrickBox

Member Since: 05 Oct 2021
Location: Wales
Posts: 818

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver

Everyone will have their own opinion. It’s all down to personal preference and budget IMO. I personally think the Puma 2.4 is the best. But some/most will not agree. 2008 2.4 110 Utility Station Wagon XS.

4th Jun 2023 4:05pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5698

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver

Id be going for 300tdi, or Td5 for proper overlanding, but Td5 is going to be much nicer and better for the faster stuf, and where power is required. I wouldn’t touch a Tdci engine. Nasty things.

4th Jun 2023 6:21pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17373

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

I'd second Brickbox and go for the 2.4 Puma, probably the engine best matched to the Defender. For absolute reliability coupled with maintainability for overlanding, the 2286cc petrol engine in a leaf-sprung chassis is probably unbeatable but is unlikely to be acceptable to anyone under 50 who's grown up soft on comfortable easy vehicles!

4th Jun 2023 6:57pm

Kiter25

Member Since: 19 Sep 2021
Location: Beauly
Posts: 231

Td5 all day long for me. 23my p400e x dynamic hse, fuji white, towing pack, comfort and convenience, e diff, activity key, 3 zone climate, cold climate and a host of accessories. Now gone.

4th Jun 2023 7:33pm

ickle

Member Since: 22 Jul 2010
Location: South Vendee
Posts: 1782

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Alpine White

For a tour around Europe, the TDCI would be better, coupled with the 6 speed gearbox a nicer drive.

But mainly as the engine and its ancillaries are common to so many euro vans (not just transit) spares will be much more readily available.

The main thing is to buy the best maintained 300tdi/td5/tdci you can find - there are a lot of nails out there.

Good Luck
Keith

4th Jun 2023 7:55pm

steveww

Member Since: 05 Jan 2022
Location: Uppingham
Posts: 567

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Bronze Green

OM606 or OM605 all mechanical, no electrickery involved. Should be easier to fix in the ar*e end of nowhere.

If you're not straying too far from civilisation, 2.4 Puma is the best choice.

5th Jun 2023 11:43am

Bluest

Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4209

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black

The only problem with the 2.4 (and I own one) it's it's apparent propensity for mysterious going into limp mode. That could be highly annoying in remote places. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS

5th Jun 2023 4:24pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17373

Hmm, I'd say that needs fixing!

5th Jun 2023 5:04pm

Moo

Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 1369

V8. Most are ULEZ compliant which means you can drive into cities where there is a restriction on older diesels if you deviate from your overloading. Sounds good as well and much smoother. Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.

5th Jun 2023 5:07pm

camelman

Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3372

Depends if you're proper overlanding in the back end of nowhere where you'll have to fix issues yourself or knocking out miles on the autobhan.

5th Jun 2023 5:09pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5698

Exactly. Overlanding isn’t going into cities that are so modern that they have emissions criteria.

5th Jun 2023 7:14pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8025

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

For comfort i would have a puma based vehicle. Better gearing abd better hevac.

Engine wise, somthing not stressed for the speeds you will spend msjority of your time at.

For me a 2.4 or 184 m57. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

5th Jun 2023 8:27pm

jim4244

Member Since: 13 Apr 2014
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 780

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver

Hmmmmm…

I would go 300Tdi for fixability in the middle of nowhere…

Jim

5th Jun 2023 8:59pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17373

I'm not sure that the 2.4 Puma is any less fixable than a 300 TDi, it just needs a different set of spares and some different tools. A common rail diesel is in many ways much simpler than a diesel with a traditional injection pump.

5th Jun 2023 9:28pm

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