Re: Got any 300TDis handy?
Reliability
Actually with the older ones they were not THAT bad.
If they break they are usually repairable, unlike some of the alternatives.
The last decent old Defenders if you were taking them to the back of beyond a S/H but correctly coded ECU was a good idea, and a crank sensor a VERY good idea.
On my contemporary Discovery I have had a few minor breakdowns, fuel pump failed, drove home 140 miles with no fuel pump, bought in part (VDO). Alternator failed (charged battery and went and got a new one), bought in, starter (whacked with breaker bar), bought in, battery consumable (RAC got me started, did not turn off until back home again with a new one).
Not bad for a near 20 year old car.