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| Skye_Rover Member Since: 30 Aug 2013 Location: Skye Posts: 85   
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Broadly speaking, the 200Tdi won't be found much earlier than 1991, though you might find a prototype. The 300Tdi was out in 1994. If the registration plate is earlier than "J" for the 200Tdi, and "N" for the 300Tdi, then take a bit more notice.
Can't say how you would tell a really good retrofit of 200/300Tdi into an earlier chassis, especially if the chassis is renewed as well (it might be specified for the retrofit engine at manufacture), but so many of the retrofits are codged together on the pipework, that would be a start. If the engine looks likes it belongs under the bonnet (neat pipework, strong engine mounts, full set of oil cooler/intercooler/rad pack, neat wiring under the thermostat housing on the 300Tdi), then it probably doesn't matter. Later 300Tdi's have disc/disc for the braking system, so not necessarily a problem there. The easy way to tell a dodgy 110 conversion on Disco axles is to look at the rear differential - it should be a Salisbury with corresponding large features. The later 300Tdi's definitely have the VIN on a dash plate - my 1998 has one in the correct place on the passenger side of the dash. Not sure when they incorporated this feature. The problem you will find is that even the newest vehicle you are looking-at is coming up to 15 years old, so some restoration and/or swapping is bound to have taken place. You will have to judge each vehicle on its merits. I would rather have a really well restored early 90/110 with retrofitted 200Tdi on a galvanized chassis, than a scabby but original late 300Tdi (or indeed, as I have witnessed, TD5's). If your mate likes the look of the vehicle, and the job looks good, then I would go with it.  Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads. |
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3rd Nov 2013 1:19am |
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| JWL Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: Hereford Posts: 3443  
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My last 90 was a true factory built 200Tdi on a H plate and registered in August 1990
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3rd Nov 2013 1:25am |
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| JeremyJ Member Since: 16 Nov 2011 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 1758 
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TDI came out in 1990 as part of the introduction of Defender. Initially 200 tdi, then 300 tdi with R380 gearbox. Lots of H plate TDI's (although mine is a J!)
Some retro fits look factory fit, a lot don't! You'll quickly see what I mean! A 1989 will be retro fit. Defender 200 tdi's tend to be slightly more expensive than the Disco 200 so a lot of retro fits have these fitted. Turbo is a different position etc. The VIN plate behind windscreen (in front of dash) came out in approx '95 from memory. Can't remember exactly but certainly before '97 |
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3rd Nov 2013 8:06am |
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| excossack Member Since: 22 Feb 2012 Location: North West Posts: 5745 
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All excellent advice chaps. Now, some research on the differences between a 200/300tdi and the difference in Salisbury axles (I think it has a flat section under the diff pan?) 1999 Defender TD5 110
Regards John M0VAZ Econet Station 48 no clock |
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3rd Nov 2013 11:00am |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8578
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Have a good look at the mileage and past MOT certificates.
IF only current one it would raise by suspicions, if they are all there then mileage/story likely to be correct! How many owners? If just one or two is good, if lots of previous owners???? Also check engine number against the V5 logbook. Brendan |
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3rd Nov 2013 11:18am |
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| excossack Member Since: 22 Feb 2012 Location: North West Posts: 5745
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Found the advert and reading it I think its a non tdi engine.
http://www.mmperformance.co.uk/land-rover-...hroughout/ 1999 Defender TD5 110 Regards John M0VAZ Econet Station 48 no clock |
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3rd Nov 2013 1:08pm |
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| borderterrier Member Since: 09 Dec 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 1677 
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Your right. It sounds like it has the nasty 2.5 turbo engine that was fitted after the 2.5 NA and before the 200 tdi. Lots of well documented issues with these engines as all it was was the 2.5 NA with a turbo and oil cooler fitted. I had one and had no end of overheating problems. It looks like a lovely truck, less the engine. Buy it and retro fit a 300tdi!
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3rd Nov 2013 1:16pm |
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| Nidge Member Since: 27 Jan 2008 Location: Kildare Ireland Posts: 810  
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An original 200tdi has the air intake on the passenger wing, 300tdi on drivers side
Looking at that one it doesn't seam to have any ?? Looks suspect to me, why go to all that trouble of rebuilding it and not put a tdi in it..doesn't make sense N |
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3rd Nov 2013 1:46pm |
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| Skye_Rover Member Since: 30 Aug 2013 Location: Skye Posts: 85
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Yes, definitely a 2.5 "Falcon" turbo diesel, too early for a 200Tdi.
It looks great in the photos, but no good shot under the bonnet, so it might be some short-cuts have been taken with the powertrain and electrics. It's a fair whack to ask for a 2.5TD, restored or not, so you would expect it to be as good in the areas you cannot see, as well as the ones that have been presented in the photos. If your mate is looking for long-distance reliability, then a 2.5TD is not the vehicle to buy. It's fine for tootling about, but sustained hard driving is going to kill the pistons (the Achilles heel of the Falcon) unless a decent intercooler is retrofitted. Agree with the above about fitting a 200Tdi when it was restored, why not, it's an easy mod? The 300 is more involved to get it right (bellhousing to flywheel housing fixings, engine mounts, etc.) but a Defender 200Tdi will drop straight in and there are plenty of kits to help with intercoolers/rad packs. For the money being asked, you are in the territory of a good Tdi retrofit. Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads. |
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3rd Nov 2013 8:44pm |
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| hxk494 Member Since: 29 Apr 2013 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 237
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My M reg 300tdi has the VIN plate on the dash.
Late 200tdi's had rear discs - this was news to me until I saw one that a local independant garage was selling - parts guy confirmed that it was like that from new. 1996 300Tdi Defender 110 |
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4th Nov 2013 1:53pm |
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