disco 200 tdi or 300 tdi - Help me Im confused

Hi I'm new to the site today. I have seen about 6 discos now and read stuff on websites. Can afford K/L reg 200 model or some M reg 300 models and don't know what to go for. Milage on them all is similar and at first thought I'd normally go for the newest but some comments have said the 200 is best engine and more reliable, others have told me the 300 is best.

Any info would really help me

Thanks

200 and 300 engines are both as good as each other in my opinion, get a 300, much better interior and all round better version than the early 200

Try and get the latest one you can afford

thank you. That's helpful

I agree with Clutchdust, the interior of the 300 is better than the 200 (I have one of each). The 300 radio position is better, I don't catch my arm each time I change gear as i do on the short centre console of the 200, glovebox lid so at least sunglasses etc are out of sight, don't select reverse when going for first, anti roll bars on front and rear suspension so the ride is not as roly poly, steering column tilts for best position, centre console has higher sides so pens/lighters/fags etc don't fall off when cornering, and lid on cubby box. headlights are better, extra rear lights better for safety, fuel guage does not "swing" as much so the low fuel light is not coming on all the time causing no panic whilst driving, few more that I will think of later.

thanks Stig. That seems to have made up my mind now, thank you.
Saw another one today but don't think its the one for me. So the search continues. The one today had a very stiff clutch pedal whereas others I've driven have not. Also don't know whether to get one with or without sunroofs as I have heard they nearly always leak. Have you had any experience of this?

Got a 1995 with twin sunroof that dunt leak (touch wood) yet!!!
But they do seem prone to leaking.

Jason 2 - sounds like you have been lucky, I think to be on the safe side I may get one without but if i see a great disco with I'll take my chances.

Problem is that every-one moans,whinges,complains when it dunt work,leaks or smokes etc which can be very off putting but you never get to know how many do work,don't leak or smoke!!!
If you know what I mean!!

yeah completely get what you mean.
My worry is myself and husband no nothing about vehicles and it seems that most landie owners seem to do a lot of maintaining themselves and are quite knowledgeable. I know that if I go to a Land Rover garage Ill most likely be ripped off. Going to see if I have a local garage that specialises in diesels or something as I'm told you should change oil etc every 6000 miles, we don't even know how to do that!

Dont turn one down because of the sunroof, if it does leak you can just seal it up, my rear sunroof leaked until I sealed it up with duck tape.

In that case take special care when buying,get somebody who knows to go with you,make sure it has been well serviced,oil changes,engine,gear & transfer box,diff's & swivel pins,even if it's been done by the owner he should have bills for oil and filters etc,how long they have had vehicle,how many owners from new and if you have any doubt walk away!!

Then once you have bought your dream machine put a post on here and somebody will point you towards a good mechanic.

Good Luck

Jason

Thanks for the helpful advise Jason.

Will do that, there must be a good mechanic nearby.

Cheers

Sunroof models do seem to leak ,but there are some out there that do not, just look at the seats and headlining to see if there are any signs of staining, new seal kits are available from dealer or ebay. Non of the discos that I have owned have had sunroofs fitted so have not had that problem. Where are you? If you do get one just put a post on here asking for the nearest independant LR specialist and at least then you should have access to cheaper servicing and knowledgable service.

the front sunroof on my 200 tdi leaks and has done since i bought it 4 years ago, when i first got it i went to landrover to order a new seal and explained to the guy in the parts dept that the sunroof leaked, only to be told " they all do mate" so i never bothered with the seal. i always park with one wheel on the kerb so that the water runs into the passenger seat. i have waterproof seat covers and an old towel for the mop up

thanks all for your helpful comments. Going to look at a 300 1995 tomorrow. Its supposed to have fsh from dealer, done 140,000 miles and is automatic. Any comments on the milage - is it too high? They all seem about this milage for age/year and budget. Also anyone got an auto - is this a good move?

My 200 had 165,00 when I sold it on Monday, my 300 has 145,00 on it, neither has given any trouble mechanically. Autos can be a little more thirsty, I prefer manual so that I can always pick the gear that I want not what the auto thinks it should be in, you can always drive it using the "manual" side of the auto. I do a lot of towing with my Discos, I have had trouble with auto boxes in the past with "normal" cars fitted with autos, so I stay well clear of them now.

saz said:

thanks all for your helpful comments. Going to look at a 300 1995 tomorrow. Its supposed to have fsh from dealer, done 140,000 miles and is automatic. Any comments on the milage - is it too high? They all seem about this milage for age/year and budget. Also anyone got an auto - is this a good move?

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Auto is ok if you don't wanna get up and go anywhere fast, acceleration isn't their strong point, personaly I'd avoid an auto unless its a V8, high mileage isn't a problem as long as its been serviced properly, I've seen 300's go on for over 200,000 miles on the same engine and still running and sounding sweet. On high mileage vehicles, check and make sure all the bushes and ball joints are in good order and there isn't tons of slack in the transmission when you pull away and change gear.

The 300 is easier to work on than the 200 and therefore cheaper if you get stuff like cambelt changes done at a garage.

The R380 as fitted to the 300 is a much better gearbox than the LT77 in terms of durability and gearchange.

Avoid autos if you want to tow anything as they can't take the strain, no matter what engine you have.