comparing 100 series turbo diesel to a 200 series Turbo diesel Cruiser

I have driven a 100 Series Turbo & then compared the pickup & power to my Petrol 200. The Petrol will leave the Turbo 100 for dead, so you can then imagine the power of the 200 Diesel against the 100 Series. If the Diesel 200 is in good condition I know which one I would buy, but I would be looking at a good service history & where it's been.

Hi YT, I would have to think the200s would have to be a keen price with those kms on it, although your talking about Toyotas best two motors, TheV8 will be the most expensive to repair and maintain., and would want to have had the injectors replaced for a start. the early ones had a life expectancy of 200,000 another injector design came later. Clean fuel is important with both, but the V8 is a bit more vunerable and precautions need to be taken. IMHO, Theres no substitute for low ks or hrs no matter what your buying. ...Good luck with whatever choice.

Cheers Axle.

Rather than asking on here you should join LCOOL which is a dedicated Toyota forum.
It will tell you all the good and bad about both models

Eg broken lower control arm breakages on 2001-2002 100 ser ( Due to a drunk welding robot) Front diff failures on same models. Due to flex because of too few bolts in diff centre.

Bad injectors and horrendous oil consumption on some 2007-2008 200 ser


Will also tell you all the good bits.

Firstly I can understand your confusion. I have owned both vehicles towing a 2.8 T van. Both are great tow vehicles but in my opinion the 200 series was far better, both for power and driveability. The whole set up was much more stable on the road towing with the 200. In saying this, the 100 series is a less complicted vehicle and in general would be cheaper for most repairs. As stated in another post I would be looking hard at the service records for both vehicles. Clean fuel is always imperative in modern diesels an changing fuel filters regularly is imperative. Check there are no leaks in the steering rack in the 200 as it is a major job to replace. Oil consumption was an issue in early 200,s mine was a 2008 and used no oil. Good luck with your choice, they are both good tow vehicles. Regards Ken

The 200series is easier and cheaper to service as there is no timing belt, the valve clearances don't require adjustment and the the wheel bearings are sealed. Also oil and fuel filters are cartridge so are cheaper.

Done these "easier services" yourself Phil, or is someone just trying to justify their ownership of said "easier to service" vehicle?

Youngish Traveller

Having owned both of these vehicles I can tell you that the 200 is the better tow vehicle IMHO. especially if fitted with the KDSS.

The 200 is also easier to service in so much as there is no timing belt to be replaced every 150,000km, there are no wheel bearings or tappets to maintain every 20,000km, the oil and fuel filters are both cartridge types, the oil filter is not as easy to access on the 200 as it must be done from under the vehicle and the front right splash shield has to be removed, there is also 2 litres less oil in the 200's sump but it does like 5w30 or 10w40 oil (compared to the 100 oil spec is 15w40, a cheaper oil to obtain)

Both these vehicles can suffer from transmission oil temps if driven in too high a gear causing the torque convertor to be slipping (not locked), however you can easily fit a Scangauge 11 to the 200 so that this can be easily monitored, not so with the 100s except by closely monitoring engine temps (and the factory fitted temp gauge is NOT accurate enough as it is designed so that the driver does not get too excited about the normal fluctuations that occur with all engines as they operate through differing load conditions).

I was towing a 2.7 tonne van with a 2003 100s 5sAuto, most towing done in 4th gear and am currently towing a 3.08 tonne van with the 2010 200s and tow in 5th or 4th as required to keep transmission temps down when measured by the Scangauge 11.

Hope this helps and enjoy your travels.
Regards
Athol

If the injectors have been replaced on the 200 go for it. But beware that you could be up for around $7000 if they have not.
Cheers Pete