Looking for a land rover series 3 petrol or diesel?

Morning ,

Two questions here I hope you can help me with.

I have saved £1550 and am wanting to buy a Land rover series 3 ,
I have been reading up on these for last 18 months (whilst saving!!)
I am aware of chassis issues , bulkheads and all of the usual problems they have so I will be very careful when hunting around, however I have a couple of questions.

Am I being realistic with cost? , I dont mind dents , rips in seats , leaking doors and faded paintwork , I can deal with all this , cosmetic I can handle and I can do a bit of mechanical work.

2nd question , I really wanted Diesel as I was under the impression that they lasted longer , however I hear that they are very slow (top speed about 50mph) , my other options of course is petrol and I hear they are a bit quicker , is this the case , I have 3 kids so I could do without going bankrupt due to low petrol mpg

I appreciate any advice

Thanks.

Neil if one of your priorities is fuel economy? then don't buy a Landrover! Mine is a series petrol and the engine and carburetor set up is perfect but I only achieve about 24 miles per gallon and thats because I have lightened it by going soft top and I drive her sympathetically! Before her rebuild I was getting less than 18 miles to the gallon! So they do like to drink (petrol) but on the plus side the joy of ownership and the driving!more than compensates! Kind regards. Chris

Chris ,

Thanks for the reply , this month it is my 40th birthday and ive always had "sensible" saloons so I think its about time I bought a proper vehicle. Ive always wanted a Landy and have a limited budget for purchase so ive narrowed it down to a series 3 , I also have 3 kids that are looking forward to sitting in the back and bouncing around so its almost a done deal.
I realise that I am going to get fleeced either way (Diesel or Petrol) but I only live a mile and a half from work so realistically I could walk it so it would only be for pleasure (and shopping).

I was really weighing up Diesel (slow) and cheaper or Petrol (a bit quicker ) but more expensive. I read that there isnt really a lot in it as you end up pushing Diesel pretty hard and therefore making up for the saving anyway.

Thanks for your reply.

try upping your budget a little and looking for something with a 200tdi or di conversion very useable and a lot better on mpg

Diesel is very slow but I love them, 26/29 mpg is sensible if not pushed to hard. Remember though even the newest is over 30 years old and all where bought to work hard from new. Beware of smokey ones, 200 tdi is the way to go or buy one that is done and tidy it. Most important is check the chassis, check the chassis, check the chassis.

In just the last 18 months the price of S3 LR's has gone through the roof, crazier still this trend seems to be continuing, so jumping in or holding back can only be your choice either way do it with fingers crossed.
One thing I disagree with on your initial post though,.... 2nd question , I really wanted Diesel as I was under the impression that they lasted longer , ....I would say that petrol engines last longer, can take more abuse, are cleaner and petrol is a cheaper fuel.
Please let us know of your decision, good luck.!!

200tdi (series 2a owner) getting approx 30mpg (running mix of bio) driving sensible
Mine has hit approx 80mph (with more in pedal)
Prices are going ridiculess and I think you are looking at lower end type vehicle for that money however you could hit lucky - get in quick whichever you choose

Depends on where you will drive it. I bought a Series LR for similar reasons to yourself - kids, something different, always fancied one etc. I remained open minded over petrol / diesel and allowed my decision to be influenced by chassis conditions etc. as I can't weld. A suitable diesel came up so I went for it. They are slow.....45 mph is comfortable, anything else is thrashing it a bit. I'm on larger LWB wheels and 7.50 tyres but no overdrive. I don't drive far or much in it so it's fine but would benefit from an overdrive for busy A road and motorway use. I would recommend finding a local dealer who stocks a few and try driving a couple to make your mind up.
To be honest, looking at prices in the last couple of years, anything for £1500 is going to need you to roll your sleeves up. That's fine if your ok with spanners but could be very costly if paying others. You could do what I often do....if it breaks between April and Sept, I fix myself but if it's anything more than a couple of hours job in the winter, I stick it in to my local trusty garage to do.
They are great fun but I'm not sure I would have one in place of a family car, only in addition to.

Na £1500 will get you a decent s3 thats been modded to put off the rivet counters. My old one went for £1500 which was a steal. It just had non standard stuff on it and a dented body. If you want a s3 for your kids to bounce round the back in, maybe youd better drive super careful. Safefor rear passengers they aint. I wouldnt put my kids in the back but others do im sure.
As a daily driver, drive one first. They are not comfortable or quiet or safe or quick. But thats why we love them. I miss mine still......
Whats wrong with an old disco? Sorry

You could experiment with the car you have now.. remove the shocks, loosen a couple of plug leads and drive it around with the heater off whist throwing fivers out of the window..

Here are a couple of results from the recent Brightwell classic car auction to give you a bit of an idea of what you might have to pay

http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php?id=4948
http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php?id=5007

I think it would be a good idea to post your location on the board, then if someone is close you could get a ride/drive in a series. They ain't every ones idea of a car !
Choose very carefully, know your own mechanical limitations they can be a money pit.
My daily drive series three has had good years with minimum spannering and around £160. Other years major engine rebuild and upwards of £900 by the time steering and suspension work, lots of cosmetics where done. You need a minimum of a decent driveway.

Remora107 said:

Here are a couple of results from the recent Brightwell classic car auction to give you a bit of an idea of what you might have to pay

http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php?id=4948
http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php?id=5007

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like that 2a but a lot of what they say in the spiel about the s1 is b*ll*cks imho, funny how they never mention that sort of stuff when they list an s1

I love diesels too, just love the sound of a diesel as much as a nice v8

All very helpful ,thanks , I live in Birmingham and my daily drive to and from work is approx 4 miles , kids walk to school or get bus , only concern I have is that once a year we usually holiday in Uk , usually in Yorkshire so its quite a drive , but as I say thats once a year.

Holiday once a year, hire a car using the money you save running the Land Rover on classic insurance. Simples

divie said:

Holiday once a year, hire a car using the money you save running the Land Rover on classic insurance. Simples

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Yup. I cycle to work at least once a week to save a bit on fuel. Helps me run a Land Rover, if you discount the amount I spend on cycling gear

Also, if you are tall then a series is an awkward driving position. But for 4 miles its fine even if your 6 foot.

If/when it snows you can lord it around too which even if for one day a year is worth it.

neilcmusic said:

All very helpful ,thanks , I live in Birmingham and my daily drive to and from work is approx 4 miles , kids walk to school or get bus , only concern I have is that once a year we usually holiday in Uk , usually in Yorkshire so its quite a drive , but as I say thats once a year.

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You make Yorkshire sound like it's on another planet. It's 120 miles from Wakefield to Rowley Regis. Money saved on insurance (and free tax, if 1974 or older) pays for more than a tank of juice

My comment on hiring a car was to do with the comfort/practicality of a car for a holiday. Not just the fuel cost. I hired cars for holidays in the days I ran a V8 110, paid for the hire on fuel saving !

Mate of mine is selling one, it's a cracking series 3 109 with a Defender 200tdi engine fitted. For sale here if you're interested http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/showthread.php?t=272237
He'll sell it for 3k to get it gone.

the_wolf said:

Mate of mine is selling one, it's a cracking series 3 109 with a Defender 200tdi engine fitted. For sale here if you're interested Series 3 Series 3 109 for sale. - Land Rover Zone
He'll sell it for 3k to get it gone.

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That'll be a tight squeeze getting the Missus and three kids into the front . Maybe he could tie a couple down in the back .

I don't think his budget of £1550 will quite stretch to £3000 .