Reply With QuoteI think a late 300Tdi would be a lot more reliable than an early TD5, plus you could get one cheaper / or with more kit.Originally Posted by Xul
Last time I checked, which was last year, the 300Tdi was still being made for military markets, both for NATO, and by ottokar in Turkey (under licence). Occasionally you can still find batches of surplus 2005 Tdi Defenders with no kilometers at NATO auctions (for export outside the EU only). Not that you'd buy these, but just to say that the 300Tdi is still a worthwhile engine.
I've got a '97 110 Wagon, and can only recommend them.
Typical improvements on the 110s include heavier duty shock absorbers and replacing the 65 amp alternator with the better build quality 100amp unit out of the 300Tdi Discovery.
Things to look out for are rust (as already noted) and cracked rear doors where the spare wheel hangs on. You can fit a one piece single rear door made of steel from a later Defender, or you can fit a spare wheel carrier.
Timing Belt replacement is critical in a 300Tdi, the later ones had the whole system re-done, but I think the failure of early versions has made people very wary. I've done (or helped do) 3 or 4 timing belts on 110s, and the later ones showed no signs of wear at replacement, while the early version was shredded (but still going). If you buy a whole kit, then you'll know that all parts will be the latest when you replace yours.
There's not a lot to break in a 110, so even if you get a broken one, there won't be a lot to fix.
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