Newbie here - converting to disco

I've been series up to now.

Been offered a g reg disco 200tdi £1500. 125 K miles.

I never used to read the disco articles in mags a lot, but seemed to remember that one of the tdi's was better than the rest - which was it 200, 300 etc.

Basically, when I go to look at this old girl, what should I be looking for, please.

It would be great to have a nice landy for a change (i.e quieter, more comfortable, less teeth jarring - warm), but will I be looking at tonnes of work each weekend with an old girl like this or what?

Plus, I'd have to learn about a new type of vehicle.

Thanks for any advice on what to look for etc.

Ted

General tips from a relatively new 200TDi owner:

Rusty rear floor and cross member are well known, but also check the steel panels the rear mudflaps bolt too (and the alloy bodywork these inturn bolt to), windscreen surround and front inner wings and headlight panel

Rust (electrolysis?) in alloy doorskins - especially at the bottom. Also around the hinges on (steel) front doors frames.

Water leaks into the cabin from every seal, joint and welded seam. Rubber window seals perish unless the car is garaged regularly. Expect your car to smell like a wet dog every time it gets wet..!

Trim is hardly "durable"...front seats were not designed for comfort or durability...ours have collapsed internally and every Disco 200 and 300 I've looked at in a breakers shows the same sysptoms to a greater or lesser extent. Some of the plastic trim like door cards and the centre console seem brittle and crack in places if abused.

They (diesels) are dog slow; 111bhp my ass!!!! But as a series owner you should be used to that

Oil leaks seem endemic. Very good way of stopping chassis corrosion though

However on the plus side (I love our Disco despite my comments above), they are a hoot to drive, have "personality", are spacious, pretty practical and generally fairly car-like in a late 1980's way. Never tried it myself, but obviously you can tow a house with a Disco and/or get very muddy in one.

I'd suggest a nicely spec'ed V8 Disco (high compression 3.9) with LPG, all the right toys and a manual gearbox would be something to keep for ever...

Malcolm

The 200TDi is reputedly the best diesel engine from 200TDi through to TD5, I have both a 200TDi defender and a TD5 Disco, whilst the TD5 is far more refined, the 200TDi produces its power lower in the rev range where you want it and is far easier to improve performance (intercooler, exhaust. manual overfuelling etc) and is not ecu controlled like the TD5, so less to go wrong too.

The 200TDi is reputedly the best diesel engine from 200TDi through to TD5, I have both a 200TDi defender and a TD5 Disco, whilst the TD5 is far more refined, the 200TDi produces its power lower in the rev range where you want it and is far easier to improve performance (intercooler, exhaust. manual overfuelling etc) and is not ecu controlled like the TD5, so less to go wrong too.

Click to expand...

Yeah, but give me a choice and I know which engine I'd be running!

Everyone says 200 is better than 300, 300 is better than Td5. Bollocks! The older the engine, the easier it is to work on it yourself, but that doesn't make it a better engine.

Matt.

nm

mmaddock said:

Yeah, but give me a choice and I know which engine I'd be running!

Everyone says 200 is better than 300, 300 is better than Td5. Bollocks! The older the engine, the easier it is to work on it yourself, but that doesn't make it a better engine.

Matt.

Click to expand...

right matthew, you and i are gonna fall out here. its a known fact that the 200tdi is a far stronger engine than both the 300 and the td5. landrover ar renown for replacing a stronger component with a weaker one, take the series 2a gearbox as a good example, yes the 300 is more refined and then the td5 more refined yet again but this was all done to reduce emmissions and make it sound quieter for the horsey people. but i will fight anyone in the town centre this saturday that can legitematly prove me wrong

I've got 4 words for you Yella...

Roll yer sleeves up!

2 o clock on the dot

Oh bugger, I'm busy at 2 either that or the P38's BMW diesel engine will pack up on the way! Barstuards should have put the 200 in there

how about i bring my 200 TDi and TD5 along and we all take them apart give the a full overhaul and then see which 1 we like better?

I'll make the coffee's and point a lot

Can I help with the coffee and pointing?

Yella's had some recent experience with broken Disco engines, he'd probably be able to do a better job than me

Just remind us which engine is (was!) in your Disco again YD?

mmaddock said:

Yella's had some recent experience with broken Disco engines, he'd probably be able to do a better job than me

Click to expand...

I was hoping they'd get a thorough overhaul not a trashing, or did you mean he would make a better job of the coffee?

hey guys,having owned both a 200 and 300 tdi disco's i think both are damn good engines if looked after,i have had 3 200 tdi's and on me 2nd 300.The 3oo is better inside as it doesn't have the metro indicator stalks or dashboard and is a bit quieter.
either way u can't go wrong with a 200 or 300 disco............................

well u can, u can have dodgy gearboxes,noisey diffs rusty rear floor,leaky windows,broken door lock springs,worn bushes knackered shocks and maybe one or 2 other minor problems

still wouldn't want another vehicle though!

darren44 said:

either way u can't go wrong with a 200 or 300 disco............................

well u can, u can have dodgy gearboxes,noisey diffs rusty rear floor,leaky windows,broken door lock springs,worn bushes knackered shocks and maybe one or 2 other minor problems

Click to expand...

You really know how to cheer us up dont ya.

as above, uve put me off buying one!








yea rite!