I just bought my ninth LR. This one is a RHD '89D110 with a 200tdi. This is my first Diesel and I LOVE IT! The issue I am having is that it does not have a tach (although I just purchased one and I am waiting for it to arrive) and I do not know how fast I can go without damaging the motor. The person who sold it to me said I can go 70MPH (113KPH). Someone else said that I should not go over 60PMH (100KPH). That last 10MPH makes a big difference on the highway. I have been keeping it to 60PMH and getting fabulous gas ecomony (25PMG). Can someone please give me a difinitive answer on what the max safe RPM is on a 200tdi?

 

Ok now I understand your PM a little better... On standard wheels and tyres you're not going to get even close to the RPM limit of a 200tdi, even at max speed. I've had an indicated 85mph out of mine, on stock wheels and tyres (205/80/16), regularly, without any mechanical problems. In the real world that probably equates to around 75 to 80 mph actual road speed - defender speedo's aren't very acurate. If you can bear to keep the speed to under 60mph you can return something like 32mpg, provided the car is well serviced and set up.

If you really thrash the nuts off it in 1st, 2nd and 3rd you'll find the rev limit, in 4th and 5th you'll never hit it as the aerodynamics of a defender will prevent the engine revving that high (4k rpm)

Where in the world are you? You're welcome to a go in mine if you're local

Cheers,