Whats the life expectancy of a Disco 300 TDI engine? (94/95 model)

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jonnovision

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Hi all,

I'm looking at buying my first disco, and wanted opinions on engine life expectancy. Obviously there are tons of factors to consider, but if I brought something with about 160k with regular servicing, am I setting myself up for big bills or are these engines bullet proof?

I have a friend who advised to steer clear of the TD5 because of various things (heads having to come off to replace the injectors etc), but I'd appreciate some guidance!

Many thanks :)
 
that depends on what you want it for?

I got one of both...

300 engine is an old tractor compared to the TD5.

for hard nosed off roading, look at the 300, for towing a plastic shed in air-con comfort go for a TD5

both are great cars. TD5 parts seem to be more pricey!

be more worried about rust than engine milage!!!
 
TD5 is much nicer to use but more complicated and pricey to repair. Only major major problem with the TDi300 is the cam belt. Check this has had the modification before you buy.
 
PASTMASTER said:
TD5 is much nicer to use but more complicated and pricey to repair. Only major major problem with the TDi300 is the cam belt. Check this has had the modification before you buy.
Click to expand...


Stupid question my 300Tdi had a cam belt change at 116k and now at 136k running fine, how can you tell if it has had the modification, and if it hasn't how do you go about having it done and was it a factory recall?
 
Simon72 said:
Stupid question my 300Tdi had a cam belt change at 116k and now at 136k running fine, how can you tell if it has had the modification, and if it hasn't how do you go about having it done and was it a factory recall?
Click to expand...

As far as i know it wasn't a recall, the bloke i bought mine off paid for it himself
 
I agree with Battenberg. I have both and my 300 has 2000000 miles and the engine is fine but the body is rotting off the chassis. Td5 has probs and are more expensive to fix but much nicer and is more refined.

You could buy several 300's for the price of a tidy td5 though.
 
Simon72 said:
Stupid question my 300Tdi had a cam belt change at 116k and now at 136k running fine, how can you tell if it has had the modification, and if it hasn't how do you go about having it done and was it a factory recall?
Click to expand...
sorry, stupid answer coming up - I don't know. I think the problem was in the pulley alignment. It caused the belt to wear and bugger the engine. Mine (P reg) went twice in two weeks after 18months and at that point I took it back to the dealer and traded it in for a Freelander. My suspicion is that if you've done more than 50 000 miles it's probably been fixed, but there used to be loads of stuff about this on the web, so do some searching. One thing I really DO like about the TD5 is that it has a chain drive, so no cam belt to need changing.

Just did a search - first up on google is Land Rover Tdi cam belt failure

Good luck!:)
 
PASTMASTER said:
sorry, stupid answer coming up - I don't know. I think the problem was in the pulley alignment. It caused the belt to wear and bugger the engine. Mine (P reg) went twice in two weeks after 18months and at that point I took it back to the dealer and traded it in for a Freelander. My suspicion is that if you've done more than 50 000 miles it's probably been fixed, but there used to be loads of stuff about this on the web, so do some searching. One thing I really DO like about the TD5 is that it has a chain drive, so no cam belt to need changing.

Just did a search - first up on google is Land Rover Tdi cam belt failure

Good luck!:)
Click to expand...

Cheers for that advice also found this site very very useful indead, shows you how to change and determin if a kit is required.

DIFFLOCK - 300tdi Timing Belt Change
 
pindie said:
I agree with Battenberg. I have both and my 300 has 2000000 miles and the engine is fine but the body is rotting off the chassis. Td5 has probs and are more expensive to fix but much nicer and is more refined.

You could buy several 300's for the price of a tidy td5 though.
Click to expand...

2 million miles? Where did you go?
 
i look after a blokes 90 who's 200 has got 400k on it - it's had a kenlowe pre heater on since new and it drives like it's just run it

he also spends a small fortune on oil changes
 
My TD5 Auto has 187,000 on the clock. Had to replace the head gasket at 185,000 but that was due to overheating caused by a leaking radiator which I though had been fixed. I took out a 2yr insurance warranty when I bought it and they paid the major portion of the H/Gasket repair, so well worth it if you can find a good company.Otherwise she runs very well.
 
sorry, forgot to mention it, but my colleague at work has a 300tdi with 155,000km on the clock. He was thinking about overhaul time until our local independant showed him cars with + 400,000km and still not needing overhaul. Goes to show with regular maintainance they can go forever. And thats driving in Africa!!
 
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