Thoughts on 200tdi

[MJA]

Hi everyone. I've been on the lookout to buy a defender. Im after a 200 or 300tdi. There is a 92 200tdi for sale that looks to be in fairly good condition but it does have 400,000kms so i guess its quite possible it could be up for a rebuild in the time that i own it. My question is how difficult is it getting parts for the 200tdi now? And how much would i be looking at to have it rebuilt? Should i be worried about parts availability and look for a 300tdi instead?

[rangieman]

Hi everyone. I've been on the lookout to buy a defender. Im after a 200 or 300tdi. There is a 92 200tdi for sale that looks to be in fairly good condition but it does have 400,000kms so i guess its quite possible it could be up for a rebuild in the time that i own it. My question is how difficult is it getting parts for the 200tdi now? And how much would i be looking at to have it rebuilt? Should i be worried about parts availability and look for a 300tdi instead?

Cylinder heads for the 200tdi are about as rare as hens teeth
If it was me id look for a 300 tdi parts are abundant and cheaper in my opinion

[incisor]

Cylinder heads for the 200tdi are about as rare as hens teeth
If it was me id look for a 300 tdi parts are abundant and cheaper in my opinion

you use a 300tdi head and pistons in the 200tdi if it need a rebuild i am told. never done it myself but it sounds feasible.

but yeah, i agree because 300tdi are easier to maintain in the long run, timing belt wise etc etc

[rangieman]

you use a 300tdi head and pistons in the 200tdi if it need a rebuild i am told. never done it myself but it sounds feasible.

but yeah, i agree because 300tdi are easier to maintain in the long run, timing belt wise etc etc

Have heard the same but a lot of work and expense for a normally easily and cheaper exercise .
I guess it depend`s how much you love the car or want it

[manic]

Timing belt etc etc? Not sure what all thats about?

Difficulty finding parts would kick in if you crack the cylinder head. I have a 200tdi and 300tdi. Servicing is near enough the same in regards to cost and difficulty. I dont prefer working on one over the other.

The 200tdi has proved to be more robust and when mine is due I will get a rebuild.

Im heading up to 600k and I have changed the CH (coolant leak lead to overheat) a few years back with a reconditioned one sourced from turners uk - its not impossible to find servicable heads but could take a month or two to deliver.

You can rebuild a 200tdi with a 300tdi top end or swap the whole thing out for a lower k 300.

Dont rule out the 200. If it doesnt smoke, knock, use oil or coolant, and the oil cap can be placed upside down without being blown off you may have a motor thats good for another 200k+ before rebuild. If you can, get it compression tested.

If you do buy it, or any TDI, install a low coolant alarm!

[Reads90]

The 200 tdi is a more robust engine than the 300tdi.

I had a 200tdi in a Disco with 450,000 on it and ran sweet. I like the 200tdis over the 300’s

I used to compete in winch challenges with a Defender 90 with a 200tdi and never let me down and I gave it hell.

[Zcoota]

Hi first post here on returning to the LR scene. Take a look at the 3.9 Isuzu County. I almost bought a 200 Tdi Disco but held off for a County and just picked one up. From what I've heard and read the 3.9 is a little more forgiving than the 200Tdi. In terms of performance it feels slightly quicker off the mark than the 200 Tdi. On the 500km drive home it returned 10l/100km. Certainly noisier than the Tdi but I look at it as character. The Isuzu has mountains more torque off the mark. I'm not a guru, these are just my opinions based on back to back test runs

[manic]

200tdi vs 3.9 NA/Turbo. Thats a whole other thread

[incisor]

Timing belt etc etc? Not sure what all thats about?

many mechanics i have spoken to say the 300tdi is much easier and quicker to do timing belts and front of engine work on..

JC included...

[incisor]

In terms of performance it feels slightly quicker off the mark than the 200 Tdi. On the 500km drive home it returned 10l/100km. Certainly noisier than the Tdi but I look at it as character. The Isuzu has mountains more torque off the mark. I'm not a guru, these are just my opinions based on back to back test runs

yep

one is a revs based power unit the other is a torque based unit

owned 300tdi 2 door 110 and a 4bd1T county at the same time and if i was towing a double horse float or a large van i would pick the 4bd1T otherwise i much prefer the 300/200tdi power plant.

both have pluses and minuses for sure

both are useless into a big head wind tho it has to be said esp if there is a slight incline anywhere to be seen