Classic VM diesel, gutless? opinions please.

[frog hopper]

Hi all, don't often make it to this part of the forum so hello again.
I might be looking at a 1988 Turbo D as it would seem to be in really good condition. No rust !!
However never had one before and only sat in passenger seat on one short journey I would like some opinions as to their performance. I have had an old V8 before and that was OK for general driving, I have a V8 Disco, a 200Tdi Disco and a 200Tdi 90. How much slower is the VM?
I realise it's all subjective, just looking for opinions. I know I can go and drive the thing, but it entails a couple of hour journey so want to be forewarned.
Thanks.

 

[Grrrrrr]

Think @tomcat59alan had one of those. He seemed to think they pulled all right.

 

[quavey]

Apparently the 2.5l variant was 121bhp which if memory serves is 10bhp more than the 200tdi. I think the 2.4 VM was 108bhp or something like that. Either way I would suspect the performance to be similar to the 200tdi!

 

[Gmacz]

Would this be a 2 door vm rrc..
A lot of these are turning up in the uk and look to be good value.
Well worth owning and vm diesel rrc is not as desireable as a 200 or 300 tdi but I would have one.
If running properly and rust free, grab it with both hands.

 

[frog hopper]

Thanks for the comments chaps, it is a 4 door rrc, and lhd as it is in France, but there again so am I so that suits.

 

[Gazbo]

Thanks for the comments chaps, it is a 4 door rrc, and lhd as it is in France, but there again so am I so that suits.

I had a test drive of one of the first ones to reach our shores back in about 1988-89 at a Sydney dealer, at the time I was driving a 1977 RRC that drank fuel like there was no tomorrow, the Diesel interested me because, I loved the "classic" but hated the fuel bill.
I was really impressed with the performance of the little VM, I drove it around the suburbs and on the freeway, it went extremely well, just as good, under those circumstances as our old V8, (it was a bit long in the tooth and worn out, I think 600,000 Klm). The upshot was I kept my old V8, reconditioned the motor and put it on gas, the decision based purely on finances, I would have loved the VM powered new one but lotsa money the difference.
The VM powered Classic did have its issues, but parts should be easier for the engine in particular for someone closer to Italy than someone here at the other end of the earth, there is a problem that they can have with the Viscous Coupled Centre Diff in the transfer case, that I have seen.
My old Landy mate here where I live, bought a rusted out '89 Classic that was a VM powered version and we put the engine and gearbox from it into his nice and favorite 1985 County, that had been a V8, that was years ago, apart from the head gaskets failing because he drove it without coolant, and that centre VCD eventually packing up, it has been great.

 

[frog hopper]

Thanks very much Gazbo, I have today received more photo's and it looks good, if the doris (senior management ) is happy I'll go and have a look at it.
Edited to say I have approval , the rangie has done 167,000 kilometers so not very far for the vm, and allegedly has NO rust.

 

[Gazbo]

Thanks very much Gazbo, I have today received more photo's and it looks good, if the doris (senior management ) is happy I'll go and have a look at it.
Edited to say I have approval , the rangie has done 167,000 kilometers so not very far for the vm, and allegedly has NO rust.

I reckon that you will not be disappointed, they look great and combined with the economy of the diesel it should be a good purchase.
Pity there were not more good ones over here, I'd certainly consider buying one, missed out on one last year that had a blown head gasket, went for just $1000 Au, good interior, body looked ok, had about 350,000 Klms on it but I think that it still would have had a bit of life in it, absolute bargain.

 

[Gmacz]

I cannot see any pics, where are they posted.

 

[Fergie46]

Had a Rover 825 Fastback '89 vintage a few years ago, same VM mill, developed 125 brake, drove it to Greece and back no problems even loaded up with heavy stuff.
Never felt under powered and was a relaxed cruiser, 80 mph was around 2100 rpm if I remember rightly.
So quite torquey.

 

[frog hopper]

So I've just handed over a deposit for it. 1988 classic VM with 167000 kilometers on it. A mate came with me for the ride who is a panel beater/sprayer and between us we couldn't find any rust on it, rear crossmember perfect, footwells perfect, chassis perfect even on the tops of the ladder frame, swivel balls perfect, even the headlining is like new. As my mate said it looks like it came off the assembly line 12 months ago. There are a couple of very small areas of ally beetle in a couple of corners and thats about it really.

Couple of problems, the doris dosn't like the colour - eastnor green - which is a bit faded, when I get it next week I'll give it a dose of "T cut" and see what she says then, otherwise its' going to get a re-spray in a darker green just on the panels. The other problem is she finds the passenger seat too firm, maybe I can take some of the support structure out of the seat for her, if not I'll fit a seat off a citroen bx and keep the original somewhere safe.

One thing is for sure I'll have to get under it and give it all a good coat of dinitrol or something, it's too good to let go.

So one happy bunny even if it did cost the thick end of £4k for an old un. If I can work out how to do it I'll post some piccys. Oh and first impressions are that it drives similar to a 200 Tdi (with a slightly tweeked FIP) but at lower revs per speed.

 

[blackstrat]

Had a 1987 manual one with 68k on it and no rust, was a bit sluggish when cold but generally a brilliant vehicle, pulled well, looked great and was utterly reliable.

Traded it for a P38.

We all have our off days.

 

[frog hopper]

Purposely steered clear of anything later than a 300Tdi when doing my searches, just can't be having the hassels of all that electricery, and they really start to get complicated then in the mechanicals as well. Did have the chance a year ago of a Td5 disco in good order (except the 3 amigoes and a missfire) that I could have got for £700 but reality set in and realised I probably couldn't fix it all the time, so a mate of a mate trailered it away.

 

[Grrrrrr]

Leave the seat in the Citroën and swap your missus out.

 

[300bhp/ton]

So, was it a 2.4 or 2.5? I can't remember the exact change over, but it was probably around this time. We have/still have a 2.5 VM and tbh, while this will annoy many on here. It would absolutely **** all over a 200/300 Tdi in performance.

 

[frog hopper]

I think it's a 2.4, shows what I know !! (next to bugger all if you listen to the rumours)

 

[norseman]

Pre '89 Classics tend to be (given like-for-like upkeep) less rusty than later years due to LR's (rumoured) decision to use lower grade steel following introduction of the Disco that year, something never confirmed by the manuf. of course I'm surprised at the seat comfort complaint, I've owned four of these old duchess's & despite having a lower back problem myself I've always found the seats like armchairs.

 

[Gmacz]

Your vin number will tell you what you have.
Land rover vin search etc will show you what it means.

 

[Doo]

Isn't that the same lump they dropped in original Cherokee's? Separate cylinder heads if I recall, some odd problems with liners or such,but generally good engines...

 

[Grrrrrr]

Isn't that the same lump they dropped in original Cherokee's? Separate cylinder heads if I recall, some odd problems with liners or such,but generally good engines...

Think you might be right there. Niggling memory of something funny with the heads.