Series 3 search

If I wanted a really nice clean diesel series 3.

How much would I be spending and what should I look for and look out for.

I would prefer a 3 door or possibly a truck cab.

Thanks.

Why would you want a diesel one? Noisy things

Petrol is tooooo expensive here.

It all depens on what you mean by a nice clean example. Do you mean a rebuilt one or one that is all there and working but may have a few bumps etc?

A rebuilt one can cost you £10,000 or you can pick up one with a solid chassis that needs cosmetics doin for about £900-£1500.

natas said:

Petrol is tooooo expensive here.

Click to expand...

Same here...
Maybe the most expensive in the world

Mine is LPG converted...
It runs both in petrol and LPG.
You can think about it as an option.

Depends on alot of factors. One, what exactly 'clean' is, because in the world of series, you will find those who think an old series 3 with more holes in its chassis than a teabag is 'clean' and those who think a perfectly well rebuilt series 3 is 'alright but nothing special'. Depending on your budget, I would either go in cheap range - i.e. up to 1000, but be prepared (though not neccesarily..) to fork out hefty repair bills for gearbox & chassis / bulkhead trouble. Or go in at £3500 - £4000 and get one that has been rebuilt, though at that money it will have been build buy an enthusiast and not a company, providing all work is documented and accounted for, you could get a decent machine.

Other option is to go for vehicles with knackered boxes, how I picked up mine before I rebuilt her - for about £300, and to be fair, I could have wacked another box in her and she would have been good for a few more years. I just wanted a rebuilt machine. Budget in £500 - £600 for a half decent box rebuild and your good to go.

Best bet is to just get out there and search though, can find some decent bargains but can also get your fingers well and truely burnt. If your not mechanically minded / don't want to work on it yourself, unless your a millionaire, you'll have to go for a seriously well rebuilt one, but even then, be prepared for an uexpected expense...the joy of old vehicles.

Matt

i know fuel cost is an issue but do you really want to spend money on a 2.1/4 doozil ?
not the greatest thing ever to be assembled at solihull and wen they do go tits up theres not many folks around who like rebuilding them and willing to put a gurantee on it without you paying out accordingly
where as the petrol engine is so much easier to source

Stop beating around the bush..the 2.25 diesel is a lump of turd and should be avoided like Freddie Mercurys bottom.

I want one with a solid chassis, solid bulkhead and strong engine.
I can deal with the rest over time.

Perhaps with a 200/300tdi conversion?

I do not want petrol.

'I want one with a solid chassis, solid bulkhead and strong engine.'

Don't we all? haha, best way to go is galvanised chassis & galvanised bulkhead, but that will come at a premium (unless you do the work yourself..though still not cheap). Strong engine..if i'm being honest, I would worry more about the gearbox than the engine..especially if its had a big lump chucked in front of it (i.e. a 200 / 300tdi). Half decent blocks can be picked up petty darn cheaply, half decent gearboxes cannot. To get one with no history and no work done to it will cost upwards of £200...a rebuilt one will cost considerably more, an engine however...half that...

On a completely personal note..I would go for the petrol, more power, stronger engines, nicer smell of unburnt fuel...If your fussed about fuel consumption..don't buy a Land Rover...certainly not a series. Money you may save in mpg will easily be spent on parts and time trying to get that mpg...Grab a solid 2.25ltr petrol with an overdrive and your laughing. But hey..just my opinion!

Matt

I bought this one last June, It has a rebuilt petrol engine with an unleaded head,rebuilt axles and a very recent galv chassis. It's a 1976, not mint but very clean and no rot any were . I paid £1900 for it, I have only had to replace the coil and fit an electronic dizzy. I love the petrol engine and ruled out the diesel because it is just so unrefined ! ! !

Nice looking machine, I don't usually like red series or 8-spokes - but seems to work on yours! Looks like a fairly recent respray..??

Got to agree on that one, i,m not to keen on 8 spokes or (sorry)that alli plate stuff but it works verry well on yours. What,s the petrol engine like on fuel, iv,e got a 84 2.25 diesel and iv,e put £100 in it this week, best hurry the 200di/tdi conversion up i think !
cheers
Dave

****ant said:

Got to agree on that one, i,m not to keen on 8 spokes or (sorry)that alli plate stuff but it works verry well on yours. What,s the petrol engine like on fuel, iv,e got a 84 2.25 diesel and iv,e put £100 in it this week, best hurry the 200di/tdi conversion up i think !
cheers
Dave

Click to expand...

If I take it steady I get 22 to 23 mpg since I swopped the dizzy, I only geeting around 30 mpg with a brand new Volvo XC90 diesel ! ! !

What tyres are on the 8 spokes? They go pretty well with them. I have 8 spokes on my 2a and I am not sure whether to replace with standard.

Big Stew said:

I bought this one last June, It has a rebuilt petrol engine with an unleaded head,rebuilt axles and a very recent galv chassis. It's a 1976, not mint but very clean and no rot any were . I paid £1900 for it, I have only had to replace the coil and fit an electronic dizzy. I love the petrol engine and ruled out the diesel because it is just so unrefined ! ! !

Click to expand...

Man that looks awesome! Great pric!
Love the roof, "tropical roof"?

Really nice man.