SPECIFICATION TD5

One thing you will find quit common on earlier Defenders is oil in the wiring. The wiring to the injector runs right into the cylinder head oil tracks back through the wiring by capillary attraction. If ignored, it can make its way the ECU, which is under the passenger seat and then the engine will start misfiring. There’s been a lot of grumbling about this, but the simple answer is to take a look at the wiring fitted to later vehicle is sealed better to prevent this problem.

Basic servicing? Straightforward things like oil filter are no more difficult than on earlier models. Though you’ll curse the person who positioned the fuel filter under the rear whellarch. When the vehicle needs replacement parts you’ll find that many price are very reasonable. Components have been in production for ages and there are plenty of aftermarket alternatives. But if the engine needs setting up it’ll be a job for the man in the box of electronic wizardry. Diagnostics is the price to be paid for an electronically managed engine and ultimate efficiency.

While you’re worrying about that, take comfort from the fact that. Teflon coated swivel housing will last for ages much better than the old chrome balls that were always rusty and weeping. And engine timing is now by duplex chain, not one of those toothed rubber bend arrangements. Feel better now?

There are still people who swear by the 300 Tdi Defender and who won’t move on to this never model. Yes maintenance cost might be higher and if anything serious goes wrong it will certainly be more expensive. But there are plenty of good Td5s.available now so pick nice one and take out a warranty. If you buy wisely and maintain carefully, you’ll, be rewarded with a Defender that retains all the character of the old models, but manage to be smooth, quiet, and powerful as well. The same but better.