Hi guys,
I've been away from Land Rovers for a couple years however I've come across a '95 300tdi 5 speed converted Discovery for sale. I've yet to see it in person but sounds like it has had a wack of work done to it with no apparent issues.
What would the market price be for something like this these days or, in other words, if it is in all around good shape, what would you pay?!
Thanks!
300tdi converted Disco - What's it worth?
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Bill E.
- Landy Man
- Posts: 933
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Tsawwassen BC
Somewhere between $0-$40,000.
Seriously though the value of such a vehicle is wholly dependent on its overall condition and the integrity of the conversion. In the BC market, amongst enthusiasts, a 300 tdi is quite desirable. Depending on personal tastes a stick can be worth more than a slushbox. It is possible that this '95 started life as a manual transmission vehicle but it's not a given. There are different 5 speed transmissions that could be in there and they all have their fan base. The source of the engine and its running condition should be thoroughly investigated. As with any used vehicle and especially a conversion the range of condition is vast. You will tell a lot about the vehicle from the attention to detail of the installation. Look for tell-tail signs of a hack job, things like missing fan shrouds, even missing fans, sloppy wiring without clips or grommets, amateurish engine mounts or firewall modifications, a missing or cheap ill-fitting air-cleaner, the list is endless. A good conversion will usually have a proper attention given to fit and finish. Extra bits will often be nice quality pieces like industrial fuel filters and separators and factory oil coolers. When done properly a conversion will run at least eight to ten grand with much of the work done by the owner. If you have to add in shop labour costs and maybe a transmission swap, you can easily add thousands. There is always someone who will say they can do a conversion for a lot less, usually someone who hasn't actually done it, or someone who is now trying to unload their disaster onto some poor unsuspecting sap.
Seriously though the value of such a vehicle is wholly dependent on its overall condition and the integrity of the conversion. In the BC market, amongst enthusiasts, a 300 tdi is quite desirable. Depending on personal tastes a stick can be worth more than a slushbox. It is possible that this '95 started life as a manual transmission vehicle but it's not a given. There are different 5 speed transmissions that could be in there and they all have their fan base. The source of the engine and its running condition should be thoroughly investigated. As with any used vehicle and especially a conversion the range of condition is vast. You will tell a lot about the vehicle from the attention to detail of the installation. Look for tell-tail signs of a hack job, things like missing fan shrouds, even missing fans, sloppy wiring without clips or grommets, amateurish engine mounts or firewall modifications, a missing or cheap ill-fitting air-cleaner, the list is endless. A good conversion will usually have a proper attention given to fit and finish. Extra bits will often be nice quality pieces like industrial fuel filters and separators and factory oil coolers. When done properly a conversion will run at least eight to ten grand with much of the work done by the owner. If you have to add in shop labour costs and maybe a transmission swap, you can easily add thousands. There is always someone who will say they can do a conversion for a lot less, usually someone who hasn't actually done it, or someone who is now trying to unload their disaster onto some poor unsuspecting sap.
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red90
- Defender of the World
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:19 pm
- Location: Calgary
OK.... Let's see.....
If you take a "good" D1, you are probably out $5000 minimum, maybe $10000 for a really nice one.
Getting a 300TDI, gearbox and all bit is around $5000 for a good "as is" unit. Add more if you want it rebuilt.
And add installation cost.
So $10000 for a decent bottom price if the owner eats the labour and makes no money. Maybe up to $20000 if everything has been professionally rebuilt and the truck is pristine.
Your biggest thing to be careful with is hidden rust. The truck have an aluminum skin (mostly), but the structure and frame are steel. Most of this steel is hidden and can be completely gone without anyone realizing it.
And as Bill says, the "quality" of the conversion is a big factor.
Another option over a converted truck is importing from mainland Europe. Rust issues can be quite low if from the right area and they are left hand drive.
If you take a "good" D1, you are probably out $5000 minimum, maybe $10000 for a really nice one.
Getting a 300TDI, gearbox and all bit is around $5000 for a good "as is" unit. Add more if you want it rebuilt.
And add installation cost.
So $10000 for a decent bottom price if the owner eats the labour and makes no money. Maybe up to $20000 if everything has been professionally rebuilt and the truck is pristine.
Your biggest thing to be careful with is hidden rust. The truck have an aluminum skin (mostly), but the structure and frame are steel. Most of this steel is hidden and can be completely gone without anyone realizing it.
And as Bill says, the "quality" of the conversion is a big factor.
Another option over a converted truck is importing from mainland Europe. Rust issues can be quite low if from the right area and they are left hand drive.