Thread: 200 or 300tdi. Which is better?

The 200 Tdi is reputedly the more robust of the two and can greatly be enhanced to TD5 performance with a Turbo & intercooler from a 2.8HSE.

The 200 Tdi Defenders were different from the 200 Tdi Discoveries though, whereas the 300 Tdi has greater parts interchangeability with Discoveries, which could make servicing a lot easier.

I have driven both, I own a 300TDI Disco and to be totally honest, I didnt notice any difference in power in Defenders, bit different with my Disco as it is auto and a little worked from standard.

As far as economy goes, I can tell you that new there was no difference in economy while towing as both I drove were brand new when I drove them for a week each.

The most noticable difference is the belts and the engine noise, and it seems like you cant kill a 200 very easilly.

In a fender I would probably buy a 200tdi as the servicability and reliability would outway the engine noise but Im a disco driver so I dont know of any other differences.

if your buying a 200 obvisouly its going to be alot more aged but we have a 200tdi and it is a good strong engine that has taken years of bashing and being drenched in muddy water and nothing has really gone wrong with it............and it has some milage

ians dad came out to oz last year and he drove it and although ian brought the car second hand few years back even with the abuse it has had his dad said that the car engine sounds as sweet as the day he brought it

they are supposed to be a work horse things made to last a long time i think when they built the 300 (i could be wrong here ) they cost cut on it a little more which is reflected in the cost of parts for example injectors for the 200 are monster money in the uk where as 300' are dirt cheap in comparison

i'd go 200 but i say older engine may have more maintenance on your hands

dullbird

I love my 200 Disco engine, it is definitely noisier and perhaps a little slower than a 300Tdi but it isn't as susceptible to serious damage as a result of overheating like the 300. I know of many 300Tdis that have lost small amounts of coolant which causes problems with such a high mounted water pump that are less of an issue in a 200Tdi.

As dullbird said though, watch part prices. Alternators and lift pumps and other items are cheaper for the 200Tdi... but injectors are hideously more expensive and you wouldnt want to know the price for a new head!

I have had both a 200 Fender and now a 300 Fender.

200TDI good points.
Its a LR

Bad points on the 200 Fender.
Drum brakes until 1994
solid front disc's until 1994
Rattly 200 engine, its a nice donk, but not smooth
The 200 Fender engine is not the same as the 200 Disco, they have a lot of non interchangeable parts. Block and head is the same, the rest is not.


300tdi Good points.
lots revised and the engine is smoother and more HP in the Fender. 200 runs lower boost in the fender
300 engine is the same in the fender as in the Disco, easier for parts
Economy is about the same in both cars
300 Fender has the better gearbox and disc brakes all round.

I went from a 1994 200tdi to a 1994 300tdi fender and i would say the drive is the same, but the 300 does not sound like its about to explode at hwy speeds.

My 30c (not enough for that phone call)

Clarkie

Thanks everyone!

It hasn't made my mind up but I suppose it comes down to the vehicle and the deal you can get on the day.

I appreciate the comments and give me heaps of info desperately needed.
Cheers

Having rebuilt both engine types and driven them daily, my choice is the 200tdi.

Yes it creates more noise than the 300tdi, my old Lister CS stationary engine makes plenty mechanical noise too, but who cares, they both they their jobs well and with no fuss or drama. The 200tdi doesnt not suffer head problems that are common place in the 300tdi model. You only have to loose a little coolant and the 300tdi head is on its way to getting stuffed. LR do not recommend you reuse a warped head on a 300tdi. Just price a new 300tdi head...ouch!

300tdi engine also eats cam belts unless the engine has been fitted with a correctional kit, it costs lots and unless the engine is marked, there is no way of knowing it has this kit fitted until you strip it. All the early 30tdi engine had this problem. The 200 tdi water pump is more reliable too and there is no dreaded 'P' gasket leaks. Its a right b@st@rd of a job too!

I find 200tdi injectors far cheaper to buy than those for the 300tdi and I have yet to replace any of mine. I even have a 200tdi in my boat and its rock solid even in marine use once you set it up right.

Internally there is no difference between the disco and defender 200tdi engines. Externally, the exhaust mainfold and pipe work is all there is changed. I have a 3 inch stainless steel exhaust on my defender 110 and its a major improvement. I also have a full size intercooler and the head is ported. Fueling is also up a little, but not as much as most guys. I dont see the need and talking with Bosh also says not to muck about with the pump. I want reliable power and porting the head is far better than messing with the turbo and fuel pump. Any engine tuner worth his salt will back that up.

There is over 400,000 miles on my oldest 200tdi and still on all original bearings. Zero breakdowns and only things I replaced were water pump and the usual cam belt as part of the servicing. Its a rock solid engine in my opinion and would favor it any day to the 300tdi. I have an external oil filtration scheme on the engine too and that filters to 1 micron, far better than any stock engine filter. I also have a pre lube system in there and it has attributed to my high mileage. Its handy for cold mornings and times when I didnt start the engine for some time.

Slightly off topic, I flung out the LT77 gearbox and now run with the latest R380 suffix L geabox with defender bell housing. Its the best gearbox LR made to date and no need for any mods. The secret to keeping all LR gearboxes in good order to not to drive them like a car. They prefer to be pulling all the time and dont be in any hurry with gear changes.

Other things I changed, the rear brakes on my 110 were drums on the salisbury axle. They are now disc and are very good. I also replaced all brake lines with stainless steel. I can actually stop quickly now rather than plan my braking

I will leave all the other work I done as I dont wish to change the thread too much from your request for info on engines.


Emerald

That is a doosey of a first post emerald!!

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