Series 3 Thinking of buying a S3 with 200tdi engine.

Hello,
please can you advise me if buying a S3 with a 200tdi is a good thing to do?
I did have a discovery 2 for 10 years, but never a Series, it will be my first one.
I plan to do routine maintenance my self ,but would go to a garage for bigger problems.
I have read the excellent postings on Glencoynes web site and some of the issues with things like exhaust systems scared me a bit. I live too far away from them to go for a check up.Would i be able to just buy a replacement exhaust systems or would it be a custom job for example .? I sum i need to buy a disco 1 manual for the engine details.
The engine fitting looks good to me, but to be honest I would not know, it has uprated diffs I am told.
I do not do many miles, about 2000/year.
Any comments and guidance would be appreciated.I have read a lot on this forum about the change and it seems popular.
Thank you.

westone said:

Hello,
please can you advise me if buying a S3 with a 200tdi is a good thing to do?
I did have a discovery 2 for 10 years, but never a Series, it will be my first one.
I plan to do routine maintenance my self ,but would go to a garage for bigger problems.
I have read the excellent postings on Glencoynes web site and some of the issues with things like exhaust systems scared me a bit. I live too far away from them to go for a check up.Would i be able to just buy a replacement exhaust systems or would it be a custom job for example .? I sum i need to buy a disco 1 manual for the engine details.
The engine fitting looks good to me, but to be honest I would not know, it has uprated diffs I am told.
I do not do many miles, about 2000/year.
Any comments and guidance would be appreciated.I have read a lot on this forum about the change and it seems popular.
Thank you.

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Nothing to be too scared of, the exhausts are widely variable anyway, so it will be only a matter of welding on a few brackets or similar to adapt to what you have.
IIRC a Tdi system is larger diameter than a series exhaust, so I assume they will have used Tdi exhaust throughout.
Tdi's were found in Defenders and Discos, slightly different, but if it is fitted and running you should only need service parts, which can be replaced like for like, and you can get oil specs and so on off the internet, all that stuff is the same for Disco and Defender engines anyway.

If it is cheap enough, and you are happy to have a non standard vehicle, I should think it will be fine.

Agreed, if its a reasonble price and works it should be ok. Look carefully at the conversion and how well the pipes, cables and engine mounts are done are done. I've seen some with engines at odd angles to avoid making a proper job of clearing an oil filter, pump or alternator. Some are really badly finished and will gove a lot of trouble, others area neat job and sould be reliable.

rob1miles said:

Agreed, if its a reasonble price and works it should be ok. Look carefully at the conversion and how well the pipes, cables and engine mounts are done are done. I've seen some with engines at odd angles to avoid making a proper job of clearing an oil filter, pump or alternator. Some are really badly finished and will gove a lot of trouble, others area neat job and sould be reliable.

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If he posts a few pics of the actual vehicle, we could assess it for him to some extent.

Thank you very much for your responses,I do not have any pictures as its not the internet, but I think I will buy it and I will post some pictures then, it has got a turbo fitted, oil cooler and electric fan. In case that makes a difference?

With a TDI in a series some extra sound insulation would be good. Some are fitted without the intercooler. Would not be my choice but depends on the sort of use it will be put to.

tottot said:

With a TDI in a series some extra sound insulation would be good. Some are fitted without the intercooler. Would not be my choice but depends on the sort of use it will be put to.

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If it has an oil cooler and electric fan, it suggests to me that a Tdi rad has been fitted, so hopefully it will have an intercooler as well.

There are several ways to fit the engine. So it does depend what exactly has been done. In reality they will all be a little bespoke.

But in the realm of engine swaps they are pretty simple. And lots of parts are available.

Have you driven it? The Tdi is LOUD in a Series. I’m still working on ways to make mine quieter. But a long way to go yet vs the same engine in a Ninety.

You say updated diffs. I suspect they are just Range Rover/coil sprung 3.54:1 10 spline diffs instead of the stock 4.7:1 Series ones. This gives taller gearing. Better for cruising, but makes 1st less good for towing and 30mph will be 3rd fear not 4th.

A common thing with these conversions is not drilling and tapping the bell housing at the bottom. The 200Tdi makes up to the Series gearbox. But doesn’t have the same number of mounting points. If not done this can cause the rear crank oil seal to leak. Not the end of the world and all sovable.

If it’s sensible money you won’t loose anything on it.

Steve Parkers website also has some good info on Tdi conversions.

Thank you all very much, great help.I have not driven it yet, but will before parting with my money.It is very noisy.I will come back with pictures when i have the vechile.

I'm on the look out for a series, I have had some interest in a series with either the 200 or 300TDI. Interesting read, thx guys.

I'm in the middle of doing a full restoration on a late 2a mechanically a S3 which I have converted to a 200tdi so everything for the conversion is out there Steve Parker is you best bet a bit pricey but well worth it and for anything else there are companies out there like Paddocks and Craddocks, check my other thread out on Members vehicles / projects

Oh and one other thing get it bought

I have done three series 3's, with 200tdi's, finished one recently, and wish i had gone with my gut feeling and put a stadard petrol engine in, its a far better drive and i usually get the heads fitted with hardened valve seats, anyway i am toying with the idea of taking the 200 tdi out again and fitting a petrol, i think a standard Land Rover is going to fetch more money, so here is a good 200tdi engine and all the extra's up for sale, can be heard running

Last summer were parked by the coast when a lovely SWB pulled up alongside, went over to look and couldn't believe it when they opened the bonnet and engine was running, standard 2 1/4 petrol (rebuilt) and it was like a sowing machine. As usual we drove home (120miles) with our headphones on... I've been in Series TDIs and I was suprised how noisey they are, the Perkins we run is always described as noisy and it is, but its indirect injection and now its rebuilt I think its quieter than a direct injection 2/300, it helps that most driving with it is under 2000 rpm (which equates to 60 mph). If the Perkins went bang I'm not sure what I would go for, probably a V8 on LPG.

V8 would be my pick or maybe a 2.0 T-Series if I could find one. But certainly petrol.

I don't dislike the Tdi in mine, but it is way too loud and unrefined, even compared to a Defender with the same engine. But to be fair the mpg has been great and I've used the vehicle a lot since converting it. If it had still had a petrol 2.25 in, it just wouldn't have been used as much.

rob1miles said:

Last summer were parked by the coast when a lovely SWB pulled up alongside, went over to look and couldn't believe it when they opened the bonnet and engine was running, standard 2 1/4 petrol (rebuilt) and it was like a sowing machine. As usual we drove home (120miles) with our headphones on... I've been in Series TDIs and I was suprised how noisey they are, the Perkins we run is always described as noisy and it is, but its indirect injection and now its rebuilt I think its quieter than a direct injection 2/300, it helps that most driving with it is under 2000 rpm (which equates to 60 mph). If the Perkins went bang I'm not sure what I would go for, probably a V8 on LPG.

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I once walked away from my petrol 2a and left it running. Didn't hear it at idle and just forgot to switch it off, came back ten minutes later to find it still running! Good job this was out in the country, might never have seen it again had I done it in town. However..., I still found it a noisy drive at road speeds and used to put cotton wool in my ears if on a long trip.
The 200Di in my 109 is noisier by far but benefits greatly from some sound deadening material, I used anti-fatigue mats glued to the bulkhead; it takes the edge off the noise, more would be better and it might get done one day. The really good thing about a 200 lump is the fuel economy and the fact that you can run it on straight vegetable oil if you fit the necessary kit. 30+ mpg on a run or if driven gently.
Is the one you are looking to buy fitted with a series gearbox, (red and yellow knobs)?

Thank you again all,I hope to collect it tomorrow and will post pictures, do i need to apply for MOT exemption/Road tax?,the old owner has and wondered if i need to.
Thank you.

Extreedoc said:

The 200Di in my 109 is noisier by far

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How do you think it compares to the full 200TDI conversion for noise,

steve2286w said:

How do you think it compares to the full 200TDI conversion for noise,

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I don't know, never been in a turbo version. Not much difference would be my guess? Sound proofing is the answer if done well.
They are quite civilised at cruising speed, (50 to 55 mph). Mine has an overdrive because I found it very under-geared without the OD, it was screaming above 40 mph.

steve2286w said:

How do you think it compares to the full 200TDI conversion for noise,

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Unlikely to be any different in noise. Just slow and gutless by comparison.

I know the other poster likes theirs and I’m not trying to knock it. But there is very little extra effort required to fit it with the turbo and you’ll have 107-135bhp vs about 75bhp. And a big fat torque curve too. Very similar mpg as well.