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Thread: What year is best?

  1. #1
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    What year is best?

    Sorry if this has been asked before, tried a search and couldn't find info.
    Looking at buying a TDI300 and was wondering if there are any particular model years that are better than others or major differences? I've read plenty of buying guides so hopefully have a fair idea what to look out for.

    Cheers!

  2. #2
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    I don't think that there's a 'best year' if you want a 300 Tdi.
    The 300 tdi spec in your search means you are looking for an 'update' model anyhow.

    I've seen some prety crap late models, and some good early models in 300 Tdi's .. so there is no general specific year model that will be better.

    I reckon I waited about 6-9months before I finally found one at a good price with the trim level I was looking for in 300 tdi.
    For me the priority was no ABS and no airbags, and auto.

    I think the 300 tdi series started in AUS about 95-ish, till as late as 99(I guess run out models), but officially ended '98.
    Mine is compliance plated '99, but VIN shows '98 built.
    Arthur.

    '99 D1 300Tdi Auto
    '03 D2 Td5 Auto

  3. #3
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    They were made from 1994 to 1998 so any one you buy is at least 20 years old. This far in you'll be looking for the best maintained one, not for any particular year.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bee utey View Post
    They were made from 1994 to 1998 so any one you buy is at least 20 years old. This far in you'll be looking for the best maintained one, not for any particular year.
    The last one ( V8 auto BTW) rolled off the line on 26 Aug 98 with Aus compliance anytime after that to about mid 99. There all have "build dates" on them somewhere as well as the Aus compliance plate. My youngest D1 is a June 98 build and March 99 compliance so quite a few months between them.

    As bee utey said, find one with the best maintenance record and condition in hopefully a colour you can live with.
    PaulT

    REMLR 256 / SLOw 4 (P)

    W/Shops/trailers & GS's
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by bee utey View Post
    They were made from 1994 to 1998 so any one you buy is at least 20 years old. This far in you'll be looking for the best maintained one, not for any particular year.
    I was lucky my 97 D1 v8 was a lease car (Not hire car) right up until about 340xxx I have forms saying when the lease ended. Fully stamped book, very well maintained and rarely used offroad. If you can find one that's been maintained spend the extra money, you will save a fortune. Or buy a pig and throw heaps of money if you can afford to do so.
    Cheers Jim

  6. #6
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    My pick would be 96-98, later the better.
    MY08 TDV6 SE D3- permagrin ooh yeah
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  7. #7
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    Thanks folks

  8. #8
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    the last year of the 300tdi, 98 i believe, the big end bearings were more susceptible to issues i am lead to believe

    heard the story a few times over the years.
    1998 Discovery 300TDi Manual SE7
    1996 Discovery 300TDi Auto
    2012 SZ Territory TX 2.7TDCi

    "Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." -- a warning from Adolf Hitler
    "If you don't have a sense of humour, you probably don't have any sense at all!" -- a wise observation by someone else
    'If everyone colludes in believing that war is the norm, nobody will recognize the imperative of peace." -- Anne Deveson
    “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” - Pericles
    "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." Marcus Aurelius

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by incisor View Post
    the last year of the 300tdi, 98 i believe, the big end bearings were more susceptible to issues i am lead to believe

    heard the story a few times over the years.
    Do you know what the cause was, or what they changed, if anything?

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by shack View Post
    Do you know what the cause was, or what they changed, if anything?
    It was the big end bearings themselves

    Different brand or mix I don’t know exactly what just that i heard it from multiple sources over time

    Never investigated it further as i never owned one later than a 97 model
    1998 Discovery 300TDi Manual SE7
    1996 Discovery 300TDi Auto
    2012 SZ Territory TX 2.7TDCi

    "Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." -- a warning from Adolf Hitler
    "If you don't have a sense of humour, you probably don't have any sense at all!" -- a wise observation by someone else
    'If everyone colludes in believing that war is the norm, nobody will recognize the imperative of peace." -- Anne Deveson
    “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” - Pericles
    "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." Marcus Aurelius

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