 | Home > Series Land Rovers > I want a Series III, Question from owners |
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| Shroppy Member Since: 25 Feb 2016 Location: Shropshire Posts: 866   
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I don't personally own one but several friends do and the consensus seems to be as follows;
2.25 Petrol - Quiet, lovely for bimbling around and able to keep up reasonably well with modern traffic especially with an overdrive. 2.25 Diesel - Noisy and slow, not an awful engine but most have swapped theirs out for 200/300TDIs. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread Series 2 109" Series 1 80" |
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16th Nov 2020 11:59am |
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| expatRob Member Since: 24 Feb 2015 Location: Frankfurt Posts: 58  
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Thank you for your thoughts. Very interesting and i think you make a good point
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16th Nov 2020 12:18pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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I've owned both in the past and the petrol one was much nicer to drive. The diesels are pretty much bomb proof but are painfully slow and noisy by modern standards.
My first Land Rover was a diesel Series III and my most vivid memory is getting out after a run along the M4, flat out at 65mph, and discovering that I couldn't hear anything due to the ringing in my ears! Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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16th Nov 2020 1:08pm |
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| shropshiredefender Member Since: 05 Jun 2017 Location: Shropshire Posts: 834  
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As above my SerII petrol was much nicer to drive than my SerIII diesel even though the diesel had overdrive. Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right.
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16th Nov 2020 1:13pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello expatRob
My first Land Rover was a was a Series III 1976 Petrol 2.25 with Overdrive, apparently with a very close VIN number to the 1,000,000 Land Rover produced. Observations: 1. I wish I'd kept it, it had 21K miles on it when I bought it in 1991, 3rd owner... I paid 2K. 2. It was dead simple to run and maintain and only after owning it for 6months did I get to ride in a Diesel equivalent both were Hard Top 90's and the general 'comfort' levels due to noise were very different so at that time (1976) when Diesels were seen as more commercial vehicles, LR didn't do much to address the basic characteristics of a Diesel. Kept it for 3 years until my second Land Rover and New 300tdi 90 Diesel, totally different proposition, only similar outcome is that I regret selling that one too in 2013 although it did fund a good proportion of Defender No 3. (late 2.4 Puma) Petrol V's Diesel SIII probably has more to do with what you will use it for so beyond that it's down to condition. Condition isn't everything but in the long run it's almost everything... Good Luck SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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16th Nov 2020 1:18pm |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3372
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Grab yourself a nice petrol lightweight
 Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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16th Nov 2020 2:13pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3749
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Hello
I only have the one (for now) and when I bought it I was just lucky, Didn't know a lot about Series landrovers. Turns out mine is relatively special.. It was just close to be looked ok and a deal was done without really looking round. Safari station wagon 7 seat, 88", long range tanks, overdrive, extra safari roof, heated rear screen and wiper. It happens to be a petrol 2.25 No idea on bhp etc but on my commute to work the max speed on the a road is 50mph. Its more than happy at 45mph with the overdrive. Anyone that wants can overtake 
I've had 60mph but everything internally rattles and the truck is not happy. 45 mph its happy. It needs a tune but its a relatively quite engine (at tick over) Been to many shows now and its part of the family 
Edited to ad... I notice your based in Germany? Are there any local laws for you / tax etc that make one more expensive to own that another? here in UK if its over 40 years old its tax exempt and also MOT exempt. However it could be worth checking your countries restrictions etc? |
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16th Nov 2020 2:28pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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Blimey, I remember my petrol Series III being comfortable at 65-70mph with an overdrive. I used to tow a caravan with it at 60! Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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16th Nov 2020 2:35pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3749
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^ Not sure I would class anything over 60 as comfortable now in a Series
It will do it.... but you cannot talk to anyone or hear anything 
Then I get back in my puma and it feels like a rolls |
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16th Nov 2020 3:17pm |
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| Slideywindows Member Since: 09 Sep 2016 Location: North Essex Posts: 1283
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The petrol vs diesel argument has gone on for decades, and there is no "right" answer.
I own Series petrol and diesel Land Rovers, and I recommend the following: Try to get to drive both, and see which you prefer. Diesels are a little more economical on fuel, and once running, will run for ever, even when wet..... |
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16th Nov 2020 5:19pm |
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| expatRob Member Since: 24 Feb 2015 Location: Frankfurt Posts: 58
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16th Nov 2020 5:23pm |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3641 
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I have had a petrol but not a diesel, they are sewing machine sweet engines, but if driven enthusiastically expect about 15 mpg DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,
I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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16th Nov 2020 5:25pm |
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| Devon-Rover Member Since: 22 Jan 2015 Location: South Devon Posts: 914 
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Back in my yoof I had a 2.25 petrol and a friend had a 2.25 diesel so comparison aplenty
In a very paired down way then the above stands true the petrol is at slower speeds more civilised but get above 60 then it's a similar attack on the aural senses. 
Running about in the countryside then I was getting 15ish to the gallon on a run cruising at 50 (OD TOP) then I could eek 21 to the gallon. cruising in convoy with the diesel again in OD top where IIRC he was getting low - mid 30's The problem is that there is many old tired and worn out diesels that keep going with very worn out cam chains and injectors and it really knocks on in terms of performance and feel. A really sweet diesel with the timing set right and the injection system working right makes for a nice drive. My old man ran a diesel IIA late 70's and 80's and that on the 205 Michelin XM+S would cruise at 60 in OD top. ok hills reigned it in but it still did it. you'll find most petrol owners have spent time with gapping the points and setting the dwell angles right and timed correctly yet diesel providing it isn't smoking due to excessive retardation or starting poorly would just leave the pump alone. Have a go in each of good quality and go from there. Also can be found on Fb, Ytube, Insta & Twitter @4WDSouthwest |
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16th Nov 2020 6:13pm |
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| defender9 Member Since: 12 Mar 2016 Location: Fylde Coast Posts: 1629 
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I would hazard that most Series Land Rovers are only used for relatively short runs and very rarely used on a Motorway so I think fuel consumption does not really come into play. In these sorts of occasional driving conditions I would plump for a Petrol but if you do like a diesel then there is nothing wrong with them unless you do want to do a lot of Motorway miles.
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17th Nov 2020 10:57am |
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