Thread: how much would you pay?

Those D1's you mention are only a little above norm price - the 300tdi (Which is what turbo diesel they have) is a hardy unit and tends to keep it's value a bit more than the petrol v8 - but as usual it depends on how hard a life they've led and what extras may be fitted.

Do some more research on 300tdi, R380 gearbox, Lt230 transfer case. It will help in the discussions.

both coming up to the 300TDi head gasket change time?

Hi Tekkado.
Agree with bigcarle and others, price is about right, I recently got a 300 Tdi with a couple of oil leaks a sagging head lining shot tyres, had a 2 inch body lift, 2 inch spring lift snorkel, ARB bull bar, lights, snorkle, dual air bags,ABS and a DVD for around the prices you mention. Pros and cons.
What bigcarle talks about with the head gasket is right, sometimes owners see the starting signs of problems get a price for the repair and sell, they went for the "bog and flog" option or got the head gasket done properly, were frightened by the price and wanted to get rid before anything else goes wrong.
300 Tdi, as mentioned robust unit, very reliable, won't win a 100 meter dash, runs on the sniff of an oily rag (in some cases very oily).

The head gasket issue is worth considering, I know I keep banging on about it but in the last 2 weeks we have had a 200,000km and a 190,000km example (Both 1998) have head gasket failures, both age related. The gasket simply rotted through the fire ring and after that happens it is only a matter of weeks or less before they fail.

If caught early they cost all up around $1300 to $1400 to rectify D.I.D.O.
Not too bad considering those km's. Try doing V8 head gaskets for those $$$ and some of them don't get to 100K before they leak likethe proverbial sieve.

Just as mentioned, it is worth factoriing in this preventative repair, as well as the obvious like timing belt history, wheel bearing services and suspension, cooling system, and other important Tdi maintenance items.

JC

Hmmm. My 300tdi has just ticked over 272,000kms, I am pretty sure its on the original head gasket...... I have changed my timing belt (full kit) and most other things over the years....

Preventative maintenance and do head gasket or wait till something goes wrong? How bad can a head gasket failure be? As in can you drive home or is it get a tow truck failure?

For reference I bought my 300tdi Auto stock as a rock 3 years ago in very avg condition for $3000, no reg or rwc. It had 240,000kms on clock. Terrible paint, avg/poor interior, some dinted panels, but mechanically it drove the best out of a few I tested.

Some immaculate low km tdi are asking near $10k. Are they worth it?

zuno555
in my example i could drive it around topping up frequently (engine temp monitor fitted) but it got to the stage in around a month that i had to top up the water in between local trips of 10-15km.
stripped it down and the head looked good until i took it to an engine reco place and they measured it as 8thou warped and it was testing at 65 around No 2-3 elsewhere it was 105 so according to them it was marginal.
so the answer is if you change the gasket now you might save the head at a price of $900-$2000 (parts only) depending where you buy.
oh the other thing i have head of is around the 300,000km mark the big ends MIGHT be suss a mechanical oil gauge IMHO will keep track of this.
otherwise a good engine (well better than my old SD33T Nissan 6 cyl)
when you get one you will find why people keep theirs

thanks for all the info, and since i been looking i have noticed so many on the road. i girlfriends family used to own one ages from new i think and they were saying it costs a ton for repairs and what not. but now a days with more on the roads and that, are parts expensive hard to come by? and have to take it to a specialist to get serviced and the like?
thanks