buying a tdi but looking for info please.

[Xavie]

So I am going to buy a Disco and tart it up a bit but I have a few questions.

I'm leaning toward a 300 TDI currently and am not swayed by the td5 engine. But, after looking at many Tdi's it seems that the majority with over 180,000 on the clock have had an engine rebuild or serious overhaul. I have not seen this in 300 TDI Defenders:confused: I saw one with 140,000 on the clock and was pretty much stock standard but if in 40,000 km's I have to rebuild the engine that's a bit of a concern. Also,

Am I asking for trouble buying a 300 tdi say 97 onwards? AM i better off if the engine has been rebuilt and does that mean it will be better then ever or i'll expect big issues?

I'm also hoping to get diesel gas on it and have made enquiries there, just waiting for a response.

I guess a good question is am I being silly buying this vehicle and not a td5?

I'm looking for an auto but not liking my chances with what's on the market.

I realise these are hard questions in a way but I'm just fishing for info so I have some brain food whilst looking and deciding.

Thanks all.

[mns488]

There is a 300TDI reliability thread somewhere here, a lot with well over 200K.

Mine is about 215K/ms, no engine dramas at all really.

just make sure you put a low coolant alarm in as i imagine the 300's with rebuilds have just been cooked due to the poorly designed temp guage.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/27192-tdi-longevity.html

[Xavie]

There is a 300TDI reliability thread somewhere here, a lot with well over 200K.

Mine is about 215K/ms, no engine dramas at all really.

just make sure you put a low coolant alarm in as i imagine the 300's with rebuilds have just been cooked due to the poorly designed temp guage.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/27192-tdi-longevity.html

It's difficult to decide as I've seen a few with higher km's and heaps of mods which I will end up doing but no engine rebuild and some which are quite stock but have been rebuilt and so I'm trying to work out which way to lean. It's quite difficult. As mods cost so much it's probably worth ahving the engine overhauled down the track if it has the mods!

After reading your link it looks like what I want is one with some mods which has been serviced regularly and belts changed often.

Xavier

[abaddonxi]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

300tdi engines overheat and need new heads, or the timing belt lets go, or someone drowns them.

I haven't heard of lots of other problems with them.


Cheers
Simon

[Four Boar]

300Tdi all the way in my opinion.
I searched for 6 months untill I found the write one.
I have almost had it for a year and no problems ay!
The odd service and 20,000km l8er (now 140,000km)
and she is still going hard. The odd slight leak, but nothing to be worried about.

I have towed boats inc. a 6.5m Quintrex for 6 hour drives non stop, no probs.

The fuel consumption is fantastic, a standard tank 900km (not towing).

I love mine, just do your home work and wait for the write one. The worst problem so far is that the roof lining has started to sagg!

I have heard a few bad things re: the Td5's that first came out.

Four Boar.

[Xavie]

300Tdi all the way in my opinion.
I searched for 6 months untill I found the write one.
I have almost had it for a year and no problems ay!
The odd service and 20,000km l8er (now 140,000km)
and she is still going hard. The odd slight leak, but nothing to be worried about.

I have towed boats inc. a 6.5m Quintrex for 6 hour drives non stop, no probs.

The fuel consumption is fantastic, a standard tank 900km (not towing).

I love mine, just do your home work and wait for the write one. The worst problem so far is that the roof lining has started to sagg!

I have heard a few bad things re: the Td5's that first came out.

Four Boar.

That's a positive story! Because one of the ones I'm looking at is stock and has 140,000 on the clock and is prob a good buy then.

Mind you the one I'm leaning toward is a different sotry. maybe someone can give me an opinion

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/LAND_ROVER/DISCOVERY/details.aspx?__sid=117B79178CFB&Cr=0&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&State=All%20States&distance=25&silo=1003&seot=0&__Nne=20&Model=DISCOVERY&R=5182280&__N=4294965541+0+243+4294965540+834+285+257&Make=LAND%20ROVER&state_id=0&trecs=22

Thanks,
Xavier

[abaddonxi]

Ah, forgot expansion tank failure.

Cheers
Simon

[29dinosaur]

That's a positive story! Because one of the ones I'm looking at is stock and has 140,000 on the clock and is prob a good buy then.

Mind you the one I'm leaning toward is a different sotry. maybe someone can give me an opinion

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/LAND_ROVER/DISCOVERY/details.aspx?__sid=117B79178CFB&Cr=0&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&State=All%20States&distance=25&silo=1003&seot=0&__Nne=20&Model=DISCOVERY&R=5182280&__N=4294965541+0+243+4294965540+834+285+257&Make=LAND%20ROVER&state_id=0&trecs=22

Thanks,
Xavier


Reads well but IMHO is still overpriced. So what if it has new lining that's no big deal - a few hundred $ max, when it was done and is now old... other ad-ons must be looked at as now depreciated.
I'd offer $13000 max.
(I have 1998tdi man with complete rebuild which I will sell at $10K)

[Xavie]

I was thinking $13 would be the maximum I'd pay. I thinkt he hard yards have been done but I suspect it will need refining for me to be happy with and call it my own so that'll cost a bit more anyway.

is a 95 to old or were their no changes in models between that time?

I noticed one advert said "updated 95 model" not sure what that meant.

Xav

[abaddonxi]

Looks to me like there's a rhs rear mudflap missing, and a new rear bumper cover. I reckon you'd do that getting hung up on something off-road. Also looks like there might be a little rust.

And it's a manual not an auto.

EDIT: Just had a look, not many out there at any price.

Cheers
Simon

[discomuzz]

Way too overpriced.

Paid $12k 3 months ago (Melb); '98 model Tdi, Auto, Color coded ARB bar and tow gear, dual batteries, EGR blocked, new timing belt, new disc rotors and pads, 2 " lift, new windscreen, tarmac use only, 100% service history, immaculate in and out...love it to death!!

Down side
225000 k's.

Still, I wouldn't pay more than 10 grand for the one in the Ad.

Cheers
Murray
(P.S. How much lift has that thing got and what's the undercarriage look like???)

[loanrangie]

Way too overpriced.

Paid $12k 3 months ago (Melb); '98 model Tdi, Auto, Color coded ARB bar and tow gear, dual batteries, EGR blocked, new timing belt, new disc rotors and pads, 2 " lift, new windscreen, tarmac use only, 100% service history, immaculate in and out...love it to death!!

Down side
225000 k's.

Still, I wouldn't pay more than 10 grand for the one in the Ad.

Cheers
Murray
(P.S. How much lift has that thing got and what's the undercarriage look like???)

I paid $12990 drive away for my 98 tdi auto with 188k, full service history plus pedantic prevous owner (just 1) wrote in the service book every time he changed pads and wiper blades etc. Done 225k now and apart from replacing the coolant tank no probs at all. As said previously cooked head and timing belt are really the only major probs and even then they are rarely fatal.

[Xavie]

Jeez, I thought 13 would of been a fair price but I might offer 12 and if the person is willing to accept that pending having it inspected I may work with that figure.

Does any one know if there was some sort of update around 95?
I saw a fully stock one interstate (SA) with 110,000 on the clock... that one got me thinking.


Xavier

[mns488]

Jeez, I thought 13 would of been a fair price but I might offer 12 and if the person is willing to accept that pending having it inspected I may work with that figure.

Does any one know if there was some sort of update around 95?
I saw a fully stock one interstate (SA) with 110,000 on the clock... that one got me thinking.


Xavier

I think that might be the update from 200tdi to 300tdi with a few other cosmetic changes as well.

[drtrigg]

The 300 tdi is arguably the best LR to come from UK.
If you can get one that hasn't been overheated,you wont go far wrong.
They have their little dramas but not as many or as expensive as a Td5.
Auto is definately the way to go,the manuals are a truck.Good hunting..
DT....

[Four Boar]

The white Disco you provided the link to is way over priced, the bloke selling that is in some kind of a time worp!

Mine is a White gold colour and baige interior with no imperfections. It's a 98' Tdi. It had 119,000km on the clock, only one owner the whole time, full service records etc, nothing wrong with the roof linning, clean engine (for a deisel) and underbody, heavy duty bull bar, roo whistles, breaker...breaker radio, milford cargo barrier, new coopers tyres, auto, side steps, haymen reece tow bar HD, with standard roof racks. The older couple were strugleing to get in and out of the big truck reason for selling. Fuel pump was replaced like 4 days b4 i brought it (around $500 worth), I got it for a tad over $13K. Drove her back from Sydney and she did not miss a beat. I have not looked back. I nearly forgot the air springs too!

I hope this has helped.

I have got sheeps skins for it now and a cd player.
I want spotties, roof top tent 2 inch lift and deisel gas, and engine saver. Thats all but, haha.

Good luck.

Kind Regards Four Boar/ Cal

[sclarke]

What about the 300tdi on ebay??

[Xavie]

What about the 300tdi on ebay??

lol, get out of it clarkie! I already bid on yours :p

[Xavie]

I'm starting to wonder if I just have to pay what I have to pay considering all of them I have looked at which are in reasonable condition are above the 11 grand mark.

I lam interestedin the white one because it is all done up with things I'd have done and it costs a boat load to do all the mods so I can see why that's the asking price however I agree it is to much.

BUT a couple of towns away from me someone is selling a tdi, stock except for bullbar with 140,000 on the clock for 12 g's and it does seem to be what the "advertised" price is everywhere for similar vehicles.

Mind you I see advertised in S.A. with 110,000 on for 15 big ones. Which is just ridiculous but I would travel if it came to be the right price.


Xavier

[loanrangie]

I was wary about buying a kitted out vehile as it means it has been used and possibly hard, i'd rather spend a few extra $ to get a clean never offroaded car.

[procrastination inc]

is this a 300tdi?

LANDROVER DISCO 97 2.5 TDI AUTO WITH CODAN 9523 FITTED - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 03-Mar-08 19:48:56 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LANDROVER-DISCO-97-2-5-TDI-AUTO-WITH-CODAN-9523-FITTED_W0QQitemZ230225475025QQihZ013QQcategoryZ352 27QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[spudboy]

Yep - 300Tdi.

[thebiglad]

I was thinking $13 would be the maximum I'd pay. I thinkt he hard yards have been done but I suspect it will need refining for me to be happy with and call it my own so that'll cost a bit more anyway.

is a 95 to old or were their no changes in models between that time?

I noticed one advert said "updated 95 model" not sure what that meant.

Xav

Hi Xav, I'm a pomme living in France so I don't know your market there, but I offer a couple of thoughts from my own experience of Discos.

We currently own 2, one a '92 Tdi 200 manual that has done 257,600 kms on it's original engine - no rebuild, just odd small bit like water pump, alternator etc. I don't know how you measure fuel consumption there, but I think she's great, 35 mpg all day long (equiv of 8 ltr/100kms) and drives well. I have enjoyed doing work to her, swivel bearings, wheel bearings, brake discs etc and she's really simple to work on as there are no electronic systems (ECU's) just well serviced.:cool:

The second Disco is mine, '98 auto Tdi 300 EDC (electronic diesel control) auto, 121,600kms. She drives great also, have remove the EGR system completely, does have a bit of electronic stuff but nothing to fear, by comparison to the TD5 !!!

Don't know if that helps but I'm new here so if there's any questions - fire away:angel::angel:

[Xavie]

Off to see a TDI tomorrow at 1pm. The price seems right and it is pretty much stock as one can get. It has no service record but I guess I'll just have to accept that and take it to my mechanic to get him to check it over.

Xavier

[thebiglad]

is this a 300tdi?

LANDROVER DISCO 97 2.5 TDI AUTO WITH CODAN 9523 FITTED - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 03-Mar-08 19:48:56 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LANDROVER-DISCO-97-2-5-TDI-AUTO-WITH-CODAN-9523-FITTED_W0QQitemZ230225475025QQihZ013QQcategoryZ352 27QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)


Hi there, yes it is. Tdi 300 was produced between late '93 and late '98. Whether they were available at those time periods where you are might be a different story.

Sometimes they launch a new model in one country but wait for a bit in another.

You can tell a 300 series easily by the larger headlights and tail lights in the back bumper.

Cheers
Dave

[thebiglad]

is this a 300tdi?

LANDROVER DISCO 97 2.5 TDI AUTO WITH CODAN 9523 FITTED - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 03-Mar-08 19:48:56 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LANDROVER-DISCO-97-2-5-TDI-AUTO-WITH-CODAN-9523-FITTED_W0QQitemZ230225475025QQihZ013QQcategoryZ352 27QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Cor !!! Your cars aren't expensive down there !! I've just checked the currency rate of exchange and it's standing at £1 = 2.13 Aus Dollars.

Just as an example, last december, I bought a june '98 Disco Tdi 300 auto, 120,000kms, full LR service history, 2 owners from new, mechanically excellent, body good but not perfect and the price was £2200 - that roughly 4680 aus dollars !!!!

Are you right or left hand drive down there?

[Xavie]

Cor !!! Your cars aren't expensive down there !! I've just checked the currency rate of exchange and it's standing at £1 = 2.13 Aus Dollars.

Just as an example, last december, I bought a june '98 Disco Tdi 300 auto, 120,000kms, full LR service history, 2 owners from new, mechanically excellent, body good but not perfect and the price was £2200 - that roughly 4680 aus dollars !!!!

Are you right or left hand drive down there?

Jealous, very jealous. Australia is right hand drive.

Xavier

[thebiglad]

Jealous, very jealous. Australia is right hand drive.

Xavier

England is RHD - have you ever thought of a little holiday in the old country and a bit of shopping??

Cheers
Dave

[Xavie]

Well, I took the tdi disco for a spin 1997 model. It had 145,000 on the clock and engine was so tired. It was an auto, and it was sluggish as hell. Does this sound right? Even when foot was flat it just sort of slowly picked up speed.

I then jumped into a RR 1989 which 120,000 kays ago had an engine transplant (300tdi) and it zipped along (was manual). I didn't see why so much difference in performance.

I want the rangie but they scare me. Not sure what it is about them I think it is just how foreign it all is.

I think I'm going to need to drive a few Discos now. Pitty because I thought this one might be a winner.

Xavier.

[loanrangie]

Well, I took the tdi disco for a spin 1997 model. It had 145,000 on the clock and engine was so tired. It was an auto, and it was sluggish as hell. Does this sound right? Even when foot was flat it just sort of slowly picked up speed.

I then jumped into a RR 1989 which 120,000 kays ago had an engine transplant (300tdi) and it zipped along (was manual). I didn't see why so much difference in performance.

I want the rangie but they scare me. Not sure what it is about them I think it is just how foreign it all is.

I think I'm going to need to drive a few Discos now. Pitty because I thought this one might be a winner.

Xavier.

At 145k the tdi should still be tight as a whatsit, they can be a little slow off the mark but should boogie by 1800-2000 rpm and then power on from there. I reckon the acc. cable was slack as that is a common culprit for lack of performance.

[Xavie]

At 145k the tdi should still be tight as a whatsit, they can be a little slow off the mark but should boogie by 1800-2000 rpm and then power on from there. I reckon the acc. cable was slack as that is a common culprit for lack of performance.

It certainly felt weird when pushed in. To be honest it was the worst feeling vehicle I have ever driven and I have driven a few. It didn't seem to come alive even at 2 grand so I might let that one slide and keep on looking. It was very tatty for a vehicle with 145 on the clock which suprised me. I'm not by any stretch looking for a race car but the Defender looked like a super car against this thing.

Xav

[thebiglad]

Well, I took the tdi disco for a spin 1997 model. It had 145,000 on the clock and engine was so tired. It was an auto, and it was sluggish as hell. Does this sound right? Even when foot was flat it just sort of slowly picked up speed.

I then jumped into a RR 1989 which 120,000 kays ago had an engine transplant (300tdi) and it zipped along (was manual). I didn't see why so much difference in performance.

I want the rangie but they scare me. Not sure what it is about them I think it is just how foreign it all is.

I think I'm going to need to drive a few Discos now. Pitty because I thought this one might be a winner.

Xavier.

Regarding the Disco auto, at that age it will have (in Europe at least) EDC - Electronic Diesel Control and EGR - Exhaust Gas Recirculation. For some reason the EGR system - which is a very poor design - seems to hit the performance of the auto models very hard.

Round our way everybody blanks this system off and it can make a significant difference to drive - but the auto always seems slow off the mark.

Once your doing 80kms the torque converter "locks up" so they drive like a manual - no loss of power.

The Range Rover with the TDi 300 manual will feel a lot different but in my opinion, once you get used to the drive of the auto, the Disco will be a better long-term proposition.

[Xavie]

I'm starting to wonder if it is just me now. But I'll take a couple of tdi's for a drive and see what I can work out. I might just have to do without a vehicle for a while.

Xav

[thebiglad]

I'm starting to wonder if it is just me now. But I'll take a couple of tdi's for a drive and see what I can work out. I might just have to do without a vehicle for a while.

Xav

I can't remember if you've said what you're used to driving, but I always try to remember that Disco's weigh 2 tons and have maybe 120bhp - not a recipe for a racing car !!:eek:

The other thing worth considoring is that with all that transmission ie gearbox, transfer and 2 propshafts with diffs, the loss of power between the crankshaft (maybe 120bhp) and the road wheels is enormous.

I read a test recently where a Td5 was tested - at the crank 120 bhp, at the wheels 61bhp:o:(:eek::confused:

[loanrangie]

Regarding the Disco auto, at that age it will have (in Europe at least) EDC - Electronic Diesel Control and EGR - Exhaust Gas Recirculation. For some reason the EGR system - which is a very poor design - seems to hit the performance of the auto models very hard.

Round our way everybody blanks this system off and it can make a significant difference to drive - but the auto always seems slow off the mark.

Once your doing 80kms the torque converter "locks up" so they drive like a manual - no loss of power.

The Range Rover with the TDi 300 manual will feel a lot different but in my opinion, once you get used to the drive of the auto, the Disco will be a better long-term proposition.

We didnt get the EDC in our TDI's nor did we get factory or retro fit TDI rangies, all are conversions.

[thebiglad]

We didnt get the EDC in our TDI's nor did we get factory or retro fit TDI rangies, all are conversions.

Did you get the EGR in your versions??

[loanrangie]

Did you get the EGR in your versions??

No, only in the TD5.

[Mully]

Howdy Xavie.
I've had our November 98 build manual 300TDi since it only had 50k on the clock and still smelt new.
It now has around 205k on the clock and I've had it bush quite a bit but it has spent the last 5 years being mostly mum's taxi (that's all about to change now at last) :)

In the years we have had it, I have only changed/repaired niggly stuff:
(a) last weekend the much needed plastic thermostat plug got changed (coz it cacked itself) to a brass one (<$2 to fix).
(b) new 'modded' clutch fork (and put in new clutch kit and changed both cylinders at the same time). THIS is a 'watch out for' fault for sure but if you get this fault with around 200k on the clock, may as well change the clutch anyway I say. :) This also got rid of the baby rattle sound effects from worn and loose clutch spring(s).
(c) new front rotors (warped) and new pads all round
(d) new oil pump hoses (and still need to change out power sterring hoses too!)

Other points:
I've towed close to 2 tonne of plant with the disco uphill and it was not one drama... very impressed. It is an incredibly good tower and damn good in the scrub. The wifey also lurves it for getting about.

Anyway, hope some of this helps. I cannot speak of any engine issues... just keep the oil clean and regularly changed and the diesel is a fine and reliable donk.

One other thing to watch for are the crappy pommy rubbers on your glass that love to crack and split plus the dodgy plastic front door storage boxes knock off easy...

Happy hunting! They are a beast.

[Discostewpot]

Hate to add fuel to the fire over 300's but I not so long ago picked up a 95 300 TDi with 167K on the clock owned by an older couple that had basically had it since new and guess what, it had done the head......buy the one you've found with 140k but keep $2500 for what could be the inevitable.

[nzoliver]

300Tdi all the way in my opinion.
I searched for 6 months untill I found the write one.
I have almost had it for a year and no problems ay!
The odd service and 20,000km l8er (now 140,000km)
and she is still going hard. The odd slight leak, but nothing to be worried about.

I have towed boats inc. a 6.5m Quintrex for 6 hour drives non stop, no probs.

The fuel consumption is fantastic, a standard tank 900km (not towing).

I love mine, just do your home work and wait for the write one. The worst problem so far is that the roof lining has started to sagg!

I have heard a few bad things re: the Td5's that first came out.

Four Boar.


Howdy! How the H#ll do you get 900km out of a tank on a 300TDi??:eek:

650 is all I get (and most others I know)

Ex Japan are EDC after '96. Works good too. But they are Land Rovers not Lamborghinis!!

[100I]

Howdy! How the H#ll do you get 900km out of a tank on a 300TDi??:eek:

650 is all I get (and most others I know)

Ex Japan are EDC after '96. Works good too. But they are Land Rovers not Lamborghinis!!

First tank on mine towing a camping trailer and gear in the back through the border ranges and day trips in same country, into it wherever possible to deglaze it and we got over 700k with some left to spare. 9.4KM/L

[loanrangie]

Howdy! How the H#ll do you get 900km out of a tank on a 300TDi??:eek:

650 is all I get (and most others I know)

Ex Japan are EDC after '96. Works good too. But they are Land Rovers not Lamborghinis!!

I get more than 700k's just around town and 900 odd on a long trip.

[discomuzz]

Did you get the EGR in your versions??


No, only in the TD5.

Huh? I reckon my '98 TDi has/had the EGR setup!

Cheers
Murray

[discomuzz]

Howdy! How the H#ll do you get 900km out of a tank on a 300TDi??:eek:

650 is all I get (and most others I know)

I get around 800 regularly cruising.

700 - 750 around town.

I run synthetic oil though and change it every 5000k's otherwise it runs like c#^p in comparison!

Cheers
Murray

[loanrangie]

Huh? I reckon my '98 TDi has/had the EGR setup!

Cheers
Murray

Only if it was a very late import, AFAIK all 300tdi's have the blanking plate.

[discomuzz]

Only if it was a very late import, AFAIK all 300tdi's have the blanking plate.

Well cut off me legs and call me shorty!

You learn something new every day.

This would explain why the blanking plate on mine looks so professionally done.

Thanks loanrangie!

Cheers
Murray