S3 buying advice...
Discussion
Evening guys and gals - new to this forum and would like to pick your collective brains if I could. My other half's birthday is in early May, and I think it's time to get her into Land Rovers. I've got a budget of up to £3k and am looking for a SWB S3, and probably a hard top (as it'll be doing a lot of dog transportation). I don't know a great deal about them - helped a mate with a bit of a Stage 1 restoration a few years back, but that was largely cosmetic, and that's about it. What would be really helpful would be a few critical things to look for, the things that would make the difference between buying a particular one or not. £3k would be the total - not a down payment on a load of repair bills! Many thanks in anticipation!
Richard
Richard
Doc,
Unless you want a Series vehicle for posterity I suggest you look at an early 90.
Coil springs make driving much more user freindly than leaf. Also, if it's for your wife, she may appreciate power steering. I have a 1985 90 which had pwr steering as standard. Not all early ones did so make sure it has. I don't think any series vehicle had pwr steering.
With regard to engines if you're not doing many miles a V8 is a must. They are thirsty but sound superb and have some grunt, especially later ones with twin SU's as opposed to Strombergs. 2.5 petrols or diesels are OK. Turbo Deisels have been known to give problems. They got a lot better with the 200tdi engine but I don't think that came along until early 90's so probably out of your budget. You may find an earlier one that has been retro fitted.
Tin worm is obviously a problem with any Landy although I've had more issues with my Series vehicles than the 90. My current 90 has had welding to the rear cross member where the main chassis rail joins (usual problem) and the outriggers have been done. The rest of the chassis is solid as is the bulkhead and the footwells are like new. I had a '77 Series III which had a new rear 1/2 chassis, all out riggers and new footwells before I could sell it. Chassis parts are more expensive for the 90's though.
Good luck with your purchase, whicever way you go.
Unless you want a Series vehicle for posterity I suggest you look at an early 90.
Coil springs make driving much more user freindly than leaf. Also, if it's for your wife, she may appreciate power steering. I have a 1985 90 which had pwr steering as standard. Not all early ones did so make sure it has. I don't think any series vehicle had pwr steering.
With regard to engines if you're not doing many miles a V8 is a must. They are thirsty but sound superb and have some grunt, especially later ones with twin SU's as opposed to Strombergs. 2.5 petrols or diesels are OK. Turbo Deisels have been known to give problems. They got a lot better with the 200tdi engine but I don't think that came along until early 90's so probably out of your budget. You may find an earlier one that has been retro fitted.
Tin worm is obviously a problem with any Landy although I've had more issues with my Series vehicles than the 90. My current 90 has had welding to the rear cross member where the main chassis rail joins (usual problem) and the outriggers have been done. The rest of the chassis is solid as is the bulkhead and the footwells are like new. I had a '77 Series III which had a new rear 1/2 chassis, all out riggers and new footwells before I could sell it. Chassis parts are more expensive for the 90's though.
Good luck with your purchase, whicever way you go.
Definitely pushing your luck to get an LPG one. It really depends on what mileage you envisage.
My 3.5 V8, Strombergs used to average around 15mpg and 19 on a run. With 2.5 petrol and diesel you wouldn't get much more than 25 - 28. Calculate over your total proposed mileage and the cost difference is probably negligable; on up to 5000 miles.
I've since had a 3.9 Competiton engine fitted with 4 barrel weber and sports exhaust and with a heavy right foot I can get mpg into single figures
but the performance is brilliant and the noise something else.
A standard, early 90, will be within your £3k budget. Talk with your local independant LR man and see what he can come up with.
My 3.5 V8, Strombergs used to average around 15mpg and 19 on a run. With 2.5 petrol and diesel you wouldn't get much more than 25 - 28. Calculate over your total proposed mileage and the cost difference is probably negligable; on up to 5000 miles.
I've since had a 3.9 Competiton engine fitted with 4 barrel weber and sports exhaust and with a heavy right foot I can get mpg into single figures
but the performance is brilliant and the noise something else. A standard, early 90, will be within your £3k budget. Talk with your local independant LR man and see what he can come up with.
Depends what you want. A cheap 90 will cost a lot in repairs - cheap and fully sorted don't go in the same sentence with 90s I'm afraid.
Series trucks are good starter Landrovers and very cheap to run (fuel will still cost more than a normal car).
£3k is more than you need for a Series, you can get a fully sorted one for less than that.
In fact I'm selling one for £2k that has been rebuilt with a new chassis.
Series trucks are good starter Landrovers and very cheap to run (fuel will still cost more than a normal car).
£3k is more than you need for a Series, you can get a fully sorted one for less than that.
In fact I'm selling one for £2k that has been rebuilt with a new chassis.
IMO I'd buy a SII/IIa over a SIII mind you.. (unless the chassis on the III had already been replaced)
I'm on my second SII at the moment.. cost £1150 and goes forever.. I admit I have got a new front 1/4 chassis to put on it, but that was my own fault for trying to uproot a tree
causing a crack by the front spring hanger 
Cheers
Matt
I'm on my second SII at the moment.. cost £1150 and goes forever.. I admit I have got a new front 1/4 chassis to put on it, but that was my own fault for trying to uproot a tree
causing a crack by the front spring hanger Cheers
Matt
Just keep an eye out for rust on the bulkheads by the drivers door and check the chassis for rot (give it a tap with a hammer) try and get one that has been waxoiled.. s3 gearboxes always pop out of 2nd gear when decreasing speed.. see if you can get one with an overdrive as that improves economy. Webber carbs also a plus point. Springs are not as bad as people say they are if they are in good condition, new parabolic springs are most sought after.
My 2c.
My 2c.
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