Which to go for TDi300 or TD5?

[thebiglad]

Hi all, we currently have a TDi200 Disco which is mechanically fit but the tin worm is well in there.

I'm currently replacing the boot floor but looking to the future I think we'll be going shopping fairly soon.

My question is, if I want to get another Disco but without the worry of rust, yet still allowing me to do my own serving/repairs, should I go for a late TDi 300 ('98 or '99) or an early TD 5?

They seem to be about the same money and I wondered if Land Rover had started to protect them (TD5) against rust any better?

I know nothing about TD5 but have come to know quite a lot about TDi200/300

Any & all comments will be welcomed. Budget is £4 - 5k

[Newsreader]

I'm not sure there is much difference in the rust protection between 300 and TD5. When I was looking at TD5s recently, I was quite shocked at the amount of rust I found on some chassis, and we're talking 2001/2002 models (pre facelift), in the 7k-8k region.

For DIY mechanicals and not having to worry about electrickery, I htink your 5k will buy you a lot better 300 than TD5.

[thebiglad]

I'm not sure there is much difference in the rust protection between 300 and TD5. When I was looking at TD5s recently, I was quite shocked at the amount of rust I found on some chassis, and we're talking 2001/2002 models (pre facelift), in the 7k-8k region.

For DIY mechanicals and not having to worry about electrickery, I htink your 5k will buy you a lot better 300 than TD5.
Thanks for that Newsreader, why can't Land Rover sort out this rust issue - and why do WE continue to buy them ??

Seems to me that Land Rover don't give a rats ass about their customers.

[V8_Disco]

both models rust, but the TD5 will be newer, alot of 300 are showing there age now

But at that money i would probalby be looking at a 300, as you are looking at the botom end of the td5 market not the top of the 300...

The build quality did go up substansaly with the disco 2

But, nice Disco 2V8 on LPG are retaling at that money ??? have you thought of that running costs are on a par if not in favor of the LPG

[lynalldiscovery]

Test drive an early TD5 and you will not want to go back to a TDI of any age:).

Mines got rust underneath only on the chassis though even though i have waxoyled it, wants doing again though.

Had mine 3 years and still like it which says something.


Lynall

[disco-duck]

i,ve had the 300 and now the got the td5, there is no comparison the td5 is faster smoother and handles like a rally car, in fact the garage told me they got the suspension idea off the formula 1 cars, i pay £125 for a dam good full service at my local 4x4 garage who only deal in land rover, i dnt think a td5 is that much more for repairs than a 330i, anyway people with not alot of money are guna say 300i, and people a bit more fortunate are guna say td5, if your earnings are just over the average then td5 you must! also i drove from lands end to gloucestershire averaging 115mph all the way, they go like sh*t off a shovel!!!!:)

[disco-duck]

ooops just looked at your budget, can you get a td5 for that price?? if you could it ent guna be very good, unless you search for a top bargain, and i bet its out there somewhere!:eek:

[thebiglad]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I've been looking on Ebay UK because there seems to be so much more available than here in France.
I suppose really it's going to be down to the actual car itself. I'm fed up with rust so I need to find the cleanest Disco of any sort and then lavish it with protection - but does anyone else feel like we're fighting a losing battle.

I thought rust issues went out with the Allegro & Marina.

[davidjmiller]

I'm i exactly thesame position except I'm lucky enough to be in the UK.

Last week i was advised to forget the 300 and jump straight through to a td5. went to test drive a 2000 td5 with 60,000 miles and a fsh. Really did not like it. i used to have a defender v8 (so i'm used to a smooth engine)but it sold it a few months ago - since then i've been driving the wifes clio and testing tdi's.

Whislt I could not find any structural damage to the td5 caused by rust the chassis was covered in the stuff. it was worse the 21 year old 110 I'd just sold and when i got back I did a sanity check against the wife's w-reg renault - the td5 was much worse.

Secondly, compared to the late 300 I'd tried the day before the engine was not as nice. Not half as smooth.

No, i think whatever budget i had it would be a 300 for me.

OK you td5 owners, form a line here to give me some stick !!!!!

David

[disco-duck]

well each to there own but i,d say the 3ooi is rubbish compared the td5, the engine i mean, its the dogs danglers, i.ve treated my td5 like pure sh*t on and of road and it just says bring it on!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D

[emaze]

Its always bloody sad to read about rust problems in the UK/Europe regions.
My Sept.'97 build 300tdi Disco has not even the slightest brown stain anywhere, top or underneath.
However I did get caught in some hail recently and now have quite a few minor indentations on the alloy bonnet.
Mine has been a completely trouble free vehicle, nearing 200k/km., starts second piston up, no oil leaks, good fuel consumption.
I did have a coolant leak at one stage, not sure where it was but tightened all the hose clamps and it disappeared! Had to be one of them?
cheers emaze

[disco-duck]

no leaks or rust?????? cnt be a landrover then! mind you we live in constant wet, and its bone dry down under, australia i mean folks not her indoors, strange maybe we should compare how dif are landrovers fail overseas to are faults over here, maybe its not the landrover maybe its just the sh*tty british weather!:(