Mud-club
Vehicle & Technical => Series Land Rovers => Topic started by: Cal on October 16, 2006, 22:55:29
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What's it like owning and running a series landy compared to later models?
I've got a Discovery at the moment but am going to have to sell it and was thinking that a series 3 might make a good weekend warrior.
How much maintenance does the "average" series 3 need? What kind of things should I look out for when considering a purchase?
Any advice and general thoughts appreciated! :)
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Make sure the Chassis & Bulkhead are sound.
Electrics are simple but a weak point, the wiring is a bit crap.
Brakes are from a supertanker, i.e. 5 miles to stop.
Parts are as cheap as chips and easily available.
If you can do Meccano you'll be fine.
Series Landy's have real character, I bought my Series III as a toy and get more from driving and swearing at it than any other car I've owned.
Go for it and enjoy. :)
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Mine is still not a runner, you will need to reapair it all the time but bits are for nowt. I grew up with them though, leafers are proper Landys.
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I'm very much in the same boat, have owned three Disco's but had to get rid, which when you look at it sensibly was down to the cost of owning one at this particular time in my life. There is a lot to go wrong (or rot) with a disco and personaly I like the idea that I can, when necessary, just bolt all the bits of my IIa on to a new chassis for about £650. When you look at a series you immediately think 'I could mend that myself', which to me makes me feel good, plus, the limited amount of parts needed probably cost a third of what you would be paying for your Disco part.
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They can be as reliable as you want them to be. Basically, do repairs properly with good parts and not cheapo crap quality parts and you should be fine... and it should be reliable as any other well maintained vehicle.
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I havn't actually bought much for mine, got all the bits fore nowt. Might be worth having a go in one as the noise and lack of comfort is hell to some people........
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Thanks guys - this is just the kind of thing I wanted to hear! I don't think my bank manager will like you though!
I think I will have to wait a while until I get one and it may well have to be a very cheap one - but I like the idea if it having character (does that mean slow and uncomfortable?!) and being easy to fix - I'm no mechanic but want to learn.
Next up I will be asking you about what mods can be done - but should probably wait until I've got one - or at least sold my disco!
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It is slow, but then you can't go too fast because the brakes would never stop you. I don't find it too uncomfortable unless it's hot = black vinyl seats.
If you get a good one and look after it, it won't depreciate one penny and could even make some.
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do it i have :D
just got s3 1978 to go with the jimny (to new to use on pay and play sites green lanes only for her)
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Are there many major differrence between the different Series?
I've seen a few visual ones, but know next to nothing about the engine choices etc. Is there a good source of reading I could get me hands on to get a better idea of what's what?
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Series motors are plain simple and basic. You have to drive them, and they reward with a kick up the bum. They're draughty, wet, noisy and smell of EP90 even when they've spat it all out, you turn on the lights and the wipers fall off, turn the fan on when wading to deep and the cab fills up with steam and water. It rains on the inside just as much as the outside. You can't move quickly in them, and when you have you can't stop them. Even turning corners can be a challenge - you are the power steering.
ohh and you really don't ought to take speed bumps at any sought of speed unless you happen to be wearing a crash helmet.
But you'll love um' through and through.......
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Stick to the 2.25 Litre Petrol or Diesel engine. The petrol is a bit more powerful and is quieter, but 15mpg around town and 20mpg on a 50mph long run is what you should expect, where as the noisey clattery shaking diesel gives 27-32mpg.
Go for an 88-inch too, 109-inchs cost a bit more to maintain and can be very awkward in tight spaces due to lack of PAS and their steering lock being not the best.
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I wouldn't worry about the difference between 88 and 109, unless you get a 2.6 109 there's very little mechanical difference. So running costs aren't much different.
As for ability a 109" can get 99% of the places an 88" can and so far I've not found the 1%, in fact I've seen it work the other way where the shorter vehicles have struggled and the 109" just drove through. Ok the steering lock can mean taking the odd shuffle, but if you want it easy get a disco or Range Rover with PAS.
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fit bigger tyres to an 88 and you hit the same problem with the lack of lock that a 109 has.
and as for not stopping well, there must be something wrong with your brakes if thats true, mine stops brilliantly
goes well too, but thats cos of the new engine
Ian
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After 1980 the series III had a 5 bearing engine which was stronger plus the 88" had dual line servo brakes with 11" drums on the front rather than 10" all round. The older the vehicle the more expensive the parts. Series III pretty much everything is available new, Series I, different story. Pre 1973 tax exempt of course, saves £200 a year.
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At the moment I'm thinking of a post 1980 88inch and though I'm not totally sure what's easily possible or not yet, probably thinking of 235/85 MTs on steel rims (possibly modulars if they fit for more offset)
and then way in the future an engine swap - probably a 2.5TD as I understand that is fairly straight forward.
How are you getting on with the 200Tdi and standard series gearbox Ian? Did the engine go in OK?
Sorry if I'm asking stuff that's already on the forum - have been trying to work my way through all the posts, but will get sacked if I'm on the net all day! :)
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Long wheelbase rims are a bit wider than 88" rims. I have steel LWB rims with military Michelin XCL 7.50x16 which is the old equivilent of 235/85 R16 they are fantastic off road and not bad on road too, and are still available new from ex MOD surplus for £75 +vat but they wear for ever so replacement is a long way off. I prefer the look of painted steel wheels on a Series, gives it the right classic look. Have heard that the Montego TDi is an easy swap, and there are plenty of adaptor kits around.
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But remember a lot of the parts for the Series 3 will fit the mid-late 2A without a problem. Infact, the late 2A like mine use a lot of Series 3 parts as it was approaching the change over period when mine was built. :wink:
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All I can say is that when I got my first series LR, my face ached while I was driving it, I couldn't stop smiling.
:D :D :D :D :D :D
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Lol @ Frank
ours ached following you!
not sure whether it was from laffing at your gung ho driving , or the fumes! :wink: :wink:
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Nice one! :lol:
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No, not the 88" one Dave, the one I had previously a 109 six pot, first time I drove it, went round a corner and got soaked inside, beauty of it was that is wasn't raining at the time, just got out and laughed my head off, ask Duncan - he was following me.
:D :D :D :D
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I've got a nice one for sale :wink:
Click the words in my signiture
8)
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Oh boy - here we go!
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