Series III Land Rover

Hi All

Im currently a 03 Plate discovery 2 driver and due to changes in the family vehicles the discos got to go ( to big for thw wife to drive ) so its being traded in for a school run about..

Now im looking or thinking about getting a series 3 as a run about for me self... so whats the MPG like .. Are they reliable ? what do I need to be looking for.

I found one or two fully restored ones going for sale, just need some help here

Going to be a bit of a shock for you after driving a disco 2. Do you have any friends who have one and would let you drive it?

No power steering, crap turning circle, run over a twig and know all about it. Need I say more?

With a few mods it'll be nice.

have to aggree with 66ok here ive got a swb 88" series 3 and the ride is awful very bouncy and harsh had to fit better seats in mine steering is heavy and unless you like clangs and bangs noisy

but it always starts firt time every time, mines petrol and not for every day use but the fules gets drank quickly not sure what the diesels are like

hope this helps

rick

Apart from the 1984 90, a series is the greatest feat of human engineering ever attempted.


















Oh, and those sandwich maker things that turn cheese into lava that runs out of the back, onto a spring causing a housefire where you lose everything. Except your porn that you grab on the way past your sleeping childs bedroom as you save the most valuable thing you can think of.

Petrols are thirsty, diesels are slooooww, they're all noisy, drafty, rattly etc etc but you've got to love 'em. ( I still miss mine )

I'd try and find one with a TDI conversion done or find one that it can be done too and get parabolic springs fitted for a much better ride.

I put RRC seats in mine for a bit more comfort as well.

I agree with the parabolics, I did mine and it's a LOT better in the comfort zone.

btw, don't get one that's had a 4 litre perkins (?) fitted unless you like driving at 40 mph everywhere, with ear defenders on.

Ive had both petrol & diesel series 3's,
Just bought a new one for me again after a couple of years without one, my wife is chuffed to buggery as she missed the old series 3's with all there quirks.

Petrol's a bit quieter than diesel
Petrol's a bit quicker than a diesel
Diesel depending on how you drive and what engine you have can be a tiny bit more economical
Comparing my last 2.25 petrol to my 3.5 RRC at the time if driven in roughly the same manor around town there was little difference in MPG
There are lots to choose from so search well.
Thing's to look out for rust and condition of door tops,door bottom's,chassis,bulkhead etc
Check gearbox works in all gears, if you can borrow or buy the Haynes restoration manual it has a good section on purchase or even better still take someone with you that has had a lot of experience with them.

Good Hunting!!!!!!!!!

If you have never driven one it will be a big culture shock compared to a disco 2 but a pleasant one

agree with what's said here - try before you buy if you can, I didn't, and when you drive it for the first time you think "no way can this be right" but it is. Don't get a rust one unless you like welding or are rich. Mines petrol, starts every time and is reliable as a swiss watch and manages 22mpg on a long run. I'd guess the petrol would be cheaper to run as diesel more expensive? but you'd have to work that out.