200tdi vs 300tdi

Sorry if this is the millionth time this question has been asked but:

Im looking for a disco around 94-97 and i cant find information on the difference between a 200TDi and a 300TDi?

Both are 2.5 litre engines?

I hope someone can tell me the difference and if a 200TDi would still be suitable for off-roading, as they appear to be far more common.

If this has been answered already can someone please post a link, this is my first post so go easy on the flaming if this is a repost

Thanks
Chris

ooooo! war time.

the 200tdi is much better than the 300tdi - less to go wrong and very little less torque.

thats interesting. So what is the actual difference. any differences in the interior gadgets traction control or anything? Are they just different engines? Gear ratios the same? Im lead to believe that the 300tdi is 110bhp/4000rpm, but cant find figures for the 200TDi.

Who here uses a 200 or 300? Can you notice the 200's lack of torque? What are the torque figures for the pair?

Sorry to be so specific but your all my last hope

they both have 198 pounds foot of torque

Hi landyberks
very basically the 200 is the earlier model with no whistles and very little in the way of bells, and was designed to compete with the waves of jap crap 4x4 that were flooding our shores in the late 80,s and early 90,s, It was a gamble by landrover and many parts were common to Austin Rover vehicles. The gamble paid off and when l/r had some more money in the pot they face lifted and the 300 was born. Power wise they are about the same but 300 a little more refined and plusher inside.
but my old 200 kicks my mates 300,s ass every time.
hope that helps,
now i have opened the flood gates for a bloody nose by 300 owners no doubt,
BUT WERE ALL FRIENDS.

cavking said:

Hi landyberks
very basically the 200 is the earlier model with no whistles and very little in the way of bells, and was designed to compete with the waves of jap crap 4x4 that were flooding our shores in the late 80,s and early 90,s, It was a gamble by landrover and many parts were common to Austin Rover vehicles. The gamble paid off and when l/r had some more money in the pot they face lifted and the 300 was born. Power wise they are about the same but 300 a little more refined and plusher inside.
but my old 200 kicks my mates 300,s ass every time.
hope that helps,
now i have opened the flood gates for a bloody nose by 300 owners no doubt,
BUT WERE ALL FRIENDS.

Click to expand...

Which parts from a 200 are common to Austin Rover vehicles? (curious here)

hi chap
head lights- sherpa van
rear lights- maestro van
door handles-morris ital
lt77 gear box - TR7
A few more but cant remeber for now but will find my anoraks book out published by haynes.

ah right, here was me thinking you were saying that bits outta the 200Tdi engine came from other austins.

awesome. I dont care too much about the external appearance but their ability off road. dont get my wrong i would like to know everything but off-road ability is paramount.

I assume the interiors is going to be disgusting after a couple of goes.

Nice to know they have the same power. Is it worth hanging out for a 300, wont get too many complains of the neighbours if it looks a bit nicer..

What i have been looking at is N/P reg 300TDi Auto's, i have been told to check for rust on the rear boot area, the sills, obveous off-road use, and disk protectors/tow bar/side steps being removed.

Any more tips?

So thats 2 people for 200 and non for 300 so far? Wonder if i can stick a vote on this thread?

LandyBerks said:

awesome. I dont care too much about the external appearance but their ability off road. dont get my wrong i would like to know everything but off-road ability is paramount.

I assume the interiors is going to be disgusting after a couple of goes.

Nice to know they have the same power. Is it worth hanging out for a 300, wont get too many complains of the neighbours if it looks a bit nicer..

What i have been looking at is N/P reg 300TDi Auto's, i have been told to check for rust on the rear boot area, the sills, obveous off-road use, and disk protectors/tow bar/side steps being removed.

Any more tips?

So thats 2 people for 200 and non for 300 so far? Wonder if i can stick a vote on this thread?

Click to expand...

Well I'd go for the 300tdi but I would'nt touch an Automatic with a barge pole especialy for off roading due to the lack of engine breaking going down steep bits

I Have A 200 Tdi Manual "s" Sport Not Many Can Keep With, No Ecu To Get Wet And Very Easy To Work On, I Have Just Changed The Gearbox And Transfer Box, The Clonking Got To Be Loud And So Did The Vibration, It`s Like A New Motor,it Pulls Like A Train. Geoffo

There's really little to choose enginewise - if you're planning to do all the engine maintenance and repairs yourself, get a 200 - they're a little easier to work on for some things.

The R380 gearbox fitted to the 300's is supposed to be stronger than the LT77s fitted to the 200's. However, they're both strong enough for the purpose provided you look after them well.

Only the late 300's (late 96 or early 97 start I think) have an ECU - otherwise they're exactly the same as a 200 for wading - in either case, fit a snorkel if you're going over about 50cms.

In the Disco both the 200 and 300 had identical power and torque outputs, 111bhp @ 4000 rpm and 198 lbft @ 1800 rpm - it's only the defender which differed between the two (107bhp for the 200).

I've heard both sides of the auto vs manual debate - I prefer manuals personally, but I've heard some good stuff about the auto's. Definitely don't pay a premium for an auto though

Seriously, don't try and choose between a 200 and 300 on the engine alone, they're just too similar!

Hope that helps,

cavking said:

hi chap
head lights- sherpa van
rear lights- maestro van
door handles-morris ital
lt77 gear box - TR7
A few more but cant remeber for now but will find my anoraks book out published by haynes.

Click to expand...

indicator stalks from a metro plus laod of other switches relays etc. if you know the full list you can replace bits cheaper and easier.

as you can tell i have a 200 tdi and to be honest it leaves my mates 300 for dust up/down, on bends, in water mud etc etc but dont get me wrong i would sooner have his interior anyday and front facelift but the reliability of the 200 makes it the one for me all day everyday.

Unfortunately i love my 300!!! I prefer the interior and headlights to the 200 as already stated by raz. i don't no if it's the same with a 200 but as soon as i sort 1 problem out another appears almost straight away! I think mine was built on a friday afternoon!!!
I prefer manual but the only time i think an automatic would come in handy reversing a trailer or hitching up, less work for me legs!!!

I wouldn't touch a 200tdi because the gear change is rubbish. Also it is harder to work on (esp changing cam belt).

cam belt change yer but its once and a while but what do you mean about the gear change?

Hi raz
I can,t fault my gear change its as smooth as a car,s. Perhaps Jim may have driven or owned a disco with a dodgy first/second shift which is common on early 300,s as well as 200,s.
Glad we aint got E.G.R,s and spider units to contend with.

I'm with Adz - plenty of sense spoken there.

The debate between 200Tdi and 300Tdi is irrelevant. Focus on the condition of the body and gearbox.

I would personally go for a later 300Tdi. If off road ability is paramount an auto is better in every situation off road -except for descents - but it flatters a novice especially and allows you to maintain momentum in the clag.

im with widget here, the auto is a far better toolfor off roading. you can drop it into first when on a descent and use your brakes gently

Yup - this thing about not using the brakes off road is a big load of nonsense, just to stop numpties from killing themsleves. Its a bit like when you learn to drive you get told loads of noddy stuff, but with experience you learn that the rules don't apply in all situations.

Power braking an auto downhill is the future, as is garlic bread of course.

But then again - a 200TDi might burn you off, but who gives a flying fook. They're all snails Disco Tdi's, the 200Tdi is just a bit fuglier.