Vehicle & Technical > Series Land Rovers

looking into buying a series3, what do i look for?

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boss:
im looking into buying a s3 or s3 lightweight. insurance is cheaper than on my disco or clio(french piece of crap!) and probibly easer to fix. is there anything in perticular i should watch out for when buying one or is it a bad idea all together?

harryhedgehog:
No good idea, big boys mechano kit, 12 months MOT and good solid chassis a reasonable starting point.

Brian the Sn@il:
After buying a 1978 one which failed on 17 items for the MOT

heres a few.

Rear Crossmember rotten
Lots of Rot that needed welding.

If you ccan get one thats had all of the weldind done properly and main chasis bit replaced with new items ( like mine )

With a 12 month ticked on it, it will sail through at least another 3 MOTs :)

Ive had a Engineer working full time on this 1978 for 3 weeks now, and its about to go in for its re test. It will sail through. :)

Cost me £ 275  and goodness knows what its worth now with a 12 month ticket on it.....

Ive spent including labour  about a grand on it, which isnt that bad i think.
That includes a New headgasket on the Diesel engine.
No smoke and runs as sweet as :)


They dont have Power Steering.  A Power steering pump and kit costs about £ 750 ! plus installation :(

boss:
welding no problem as i am fully certified. and im burley enough to cope with no pas. do they get nicked alot?

carbore:
I recently bought my Series 3 and have already learned a few lessons and formed some opinions.

Firstly I just after purchase I got a very useful book published by Land Rover Owners Mag; The 3 Series restoration manual, its a collection of articles that they ran when the did a series 3 project.  Its not a technical manaul but it makes for good bedtime reading and has a GUIDE TO ASSESSING A SERIES 3.
Amazon sell it http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rover-Restoration-Portfolio-Brooklands-Portfol/dp/1855205270/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/203-9302903-3426345?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191414061&sr=8-2

Secondly dont buy the Haynes manual as they cover too broad a range I,II,III so why not visit the LRO magazine webiste, look in the series 3 forum and find a the link to download the full rover series 3 workshop and parts manuals (gold dust)

Re MOT or not, mine had 3 months MOT and I have just found a very big hole in the chassis. I dont think there is much difference between a recent failure and say sub 6 months but id agree that anything with a fresh MOT is likley to be in fairly good order.
Stuff with no MOT sells for a LOT less (on ebay) but be aware that you need a big vehicle to tow a landrover (not even my freelander is rated enough)

Parts a cheap and easy to come buy, so the chassis is the main issue as the rest is all easy enough to bolt on.

You can get Tax Exempt S3 which is worth it, although the later ones have a 5 bearing engine which is stronger.

Gearbox whine on mine in all but foruth hinted at a worn layshaft bearing, Which transpired to be totally disintegrated (see my post)

Most S3 will haev a number of bodges holding the together, but if you are up for the work then its not too difficult/expensive but if its a vehicle you rely on then take a long hard look.

Check the swivels on the front for pitting, the usual checks on brakes, gears, try the transfer box, make sure 4wd engages/disengages.

Make sure a Tax exampt S3 has nto been ringed (check the chassis/engine number carefully)

Check its got an unleaded conversion (unless you dont mind the extra work of lead replacements etc)

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