How to tell 200TDi from 300TDi?

All

How do you tell the difference between the two? Was there a specific date of manufacture that they switched over? I have a 1993 200TDi, I bought it as a 200, I think it is one. However, since I drowned my starter i'm confused!

The Haynes book shows the earth strap for the 200 going straight to the block, with it's own nut tying it to the starter. The haynes shows the 300 earth strap is secured using the "top right" nut for the starter.

So, my 200 TDi Disco appears to have the earth setup of the 300's starter. Confused? I am!!

The easiest way is the grille - 300TDI has bigger headlamps. The 200TDi grille wraps around the headlamps and indicators, the 300 one just sits in the centre area with some trim below.

The thing is though, as you've discovered, during the couple of years around the changeover they mixed and matched parts in no particular logical way, especially generic stuff like a starter motor. So just adapt as best you can, etc especially if its just an earth lead.

According to the last autodata I have 200TDi is '90-'94 and 300TDi '94-'98, what's funny is that 200TDi has 83kW/4000 and the 300TDi 82kW/4000

The 200 is better

Better than a freelander

Compare these

Some years ago we had 3 200Tdi Discos on a pay and play day.

Funny how different the same cars can be.

I think they go to work everyday in Solihull, take any part and try if it could work on the car they try to build.
Something like Tetris for Professionals

But one easy way to find out is that the 200 has normal V Belts in front of the engine, the 300 has only one Belt for everything

Ahaggar said:

But one easy way to find out is that the 200 has normal V Belts in front of the engine, the 300 has only one Belt for everything

Click to expand...

Unless you have an ES with A/C

Ahaggar said:

But one easy way to find out is that the 200 has normal V Belts in front of the engine, the 300 has only one Belt for everything

Click to expand...

Norledge said:

Unless you have an ES with A/C

Click to expand...

.....or any early 300TDI, which has normal V belts.

Assuming we're not just talking engine, the interior's different isn't it? Steering wheel, dash, centre console......

You could just look at the VIN number.

the oil dipstick position is in different places,
on the 200 comes on the side and its round, on the 300 is a square

the headlights are different.... but mine is a 200 with a 300 front

the airbox is different, on a 200 is a cilinder, the 300 is a box

the interior is different...

the gearbox is different, so the way you engage reverse is different too.
on the 200 is to the left and up, next to 1st
on the 300 is back right, below 5th

so many different things.....

you could just post a pic an someone will tell you. easy to see

The injectors are different. Also I believe the 200 used the LT77 gearbox (reverse left of first) whereas the 300 used the R380 gearbox (reverse bottom right).