Range Rover P38

[eddyramrod]

I've been offered one. Yes, although I've been looking for a people carrier, what local suppliers have been able to offer me is 4x4s. Big chunky thirsty ones, at that! For a bloke on minimum wage, in a terraced house, er..................

 

So, before I go viewing and driving tomorrow, what exactly should I be looking at/for? It's a very late P38, on an 02, and it's a 4.6 petrol auto. If I get it I'll post more details and answer questions, but before then the traffic needs to be in the other direction. I don't even know the questions, just hit me with answers. I know we have plenty of collective P38 experience here and I aim to take advantage of it! I'm seriously tempted already, as the engine and box are the spec I would certainly choose in the brochure.

[eddyramrod]

I've been offered one. Yes, although I've been looking for a people carrier, what local suppliers have been able to offer me is 4x4s. Big chunky thirsty ones, at that! For a bloke on minimum wage, in a terraced house, er..................

 

So, before I go viewing and driving tomorrow, what exactly should I be looking at/for? It's a very late P38, on an 02, and it's a 4.6 petrol auto. If I get it I'll post more details and answer questions, but before then the traffic needs to be in the other direction. I don't even know the questions, just hit me with answers. I know we have plenty of collective P38 experience here and I aim to take advantage of it! I'm seriously tempted already, as the engine and box are the spec I would certainly choose in the brochure.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

13mpg

 

equivalent to 47p/mile

[Mr_Bo11ox]

13mpg

 

equivalent to 47p/mile

[cort16]

I wouldn't fancy feeding one of theses. I think the air suspension is one of the main things that go wrong so make sure you press all the buttons and it goes up and down.

I think theyre pretty well know for general flakeyness, expensive parts and terrible mpg which is why theyre cheap.

[cort16]

I wouldn't fancy feeding one of theses. I think the air suspension is one of the main things that go wrong so make sure you press all the buttons and it goes up and down.

I think theyre pretty well know for general flakeyness, expensive parts and terrible mpg which is why theyre cheap.

[John F]

Best avoided, by all accounts.

[John F]

Best avoided, by all accounts.

[dollywobbler]

The main thing to check for is your own bravery. A degree in vehicle electrics would be beneficial.

 

Yes, there are solutions for most of the many, many faults (including the suspension) but that just means you still have to deal with the many, many faults that are likely to occur. If you let the battery go flat or disconnect it, all sorts of merry mayhem occurs - like the electric windows refusing to work because the brain that controls them has had a hissy fit. I suspect there are easier cars to own.

[dollywobbler]

The main thing to check for is your own bravery. A degree in vehicle electrics would be beneficial.

 

Yes, there are solutions for most of the many, many faults (including the suspension) but that just means you still have to deal with the many, many faults that are likely to occur. If you let the battery go flat or disconnect it, all sorts of merry mayhem occurs - like the electric windows refusing to work because the brain that controls them has had a hissy fit. I suspect there are easier cars to own.

[michael1703]

Ive got a diesel p38 which isnt too terrible on fuel,you could try and get a cheap lpg kit for the pez option, they have head gasket and overheating issues,dropped liners and a few other nasties

 

Mine is on coil springs and it handles like shit but it should be on airbags which give a better ride but they often go wrong and are expensive to replace, the headlining sags, the A/B/C post trim goes very tatty.

 

They dont seem to suffer from rot surprisingly.

 

Electrics can be expensive,google BECM faults,the leccy windows play up,alarm faults,battery drain from the factory cd player in the boot,climate control goes wrong,matrix leaks,lower tailgate straps break,front door handle cables snap,later ones have more to go wrong with inbuilt sat nav etc

 

A late 38 wont be cheap, £2500 is a cheap one up to £4500ish, I dont know how much better if at all a late one is compared to an early one you can get an early l322 for £5500

[michael1703]

Ive got a diesel p38 which isnt too terrible on fuel,you could try and get a cheap lpg kit for the pez option, they have head gasket and overheating issues,dropped liners and a few other nasties

 

Mine is on coil springs and it handles like shit but it should be on airbags which give a better ride but they often go wrong and are expensive to replace, the headlining sags, the A/B/C post trim goes very tatty.

 

They dont seem to suffer from rot surprisingly.

 

Electrics can be expensive,google BECM faults,the leccy windows play up,alarm faults,battery drain from the factory cd player in the boot,climate control goes wrong,matrix leaks,lower tailgate straps break,front door handle cables snap,later ones have more to go wrong with inbuilt sat nav etc

 

A late 38 wont be cheap, £2500 is a cheap one up to £4500ish, I dont know how much better if at all a late one is compared to an early one you can get an early l322 for £5500

[meshking]

As with most land rovers, they seem to have a bad rep. I think they share a lot with the disco of that age.

 

This looks like a good buying guide http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html

 

It's a "premium" brand, so be ready for crazy spares prices.

 

Edit : I think what I meant was land rovers of that age, in case I upset anyone!

[meshking]

As with most land rovers, they seem to have a bad rep. I think they share a lot with the disco of that age.

 

This looks like a good buying guide http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html

 

It's a "premium" brand, so be ready for crazy spares prices.

 

Edit : I think what I meant was land rovers of that age, in case I upset anyone!

[Albert Ross]

I'm a dyed in the wool Land Rover freak. This is where it all went wrong for them. If it has LPG, avoid it. If it hasn't got LPG, don't fit it. If it's EVER missed a major service, avoid it. These V8s are very fussy about oil and coolant changes. Liners DO drop, they also crack, camshafts and hydraulics tend to wear when the oil sludges up, which is entirely normal, when they're not maintained correctly. Air suspension DOES fuck up, often, especially if not maintained... Autoboxes fuck up, due to poor/missing maintenance...... Electrics are a known issue, and TBH, there are better 10 year old 4x4s out there. Land Cruiser? Nissan Patrol? Save yourself a World of Pain.

[Albert Ross]

I'm a dyed in the wool Land Rover freak. This is where it all went wrong for them. If it has LPG, avoid it. If it hasn't got LPG, don't fit it. If it's EVER missed a major service, avoid it. These V8s are very fussy about oil and coolant changes. Liners DO drop, they also crack, camshafts and hydraulics tend to wear when the oil sludges up, which is entirely normal, when they're not maintained correctly. Air suspension DOES fuck up, often, especially if not maintained... Autoboxes fuck up, due to poor/missing maintenance...... Electrics are a known issue, and TBH, there are better 10 year old 4x4s out there. Land Cruiser? Nissan Patrol? Save yourself a World of Pain.

[michael1703]

Forgot to mention, they are bloody heavy.

 

I was in the weighbridge office at the scrappie as I'd just towed something in and mine on the scales with a passenger and a dog waiting in it was something like 2850kg

[michael1703]

Forgot to mention, they are bloody heavy.

 

I was in the weighbridge office at the scrappie as I'd just towed something in and mine on the scales with a passenger and a dog waiting in it was something like 2850kg

[Pete-M]

I've owned two 4.6 HSE jobs and have run a couple of others.

 

My first one decided to turn all its oil into smoke, second one didn't go wrong, but it felt like it was going to so I sold it.

 

I used a late 4.6 autobiography job for a while. That didn't actually go wrong, but was beginning to play up.

 

Don't convert to coils, that ruins them. Air suspension system is simple and not hideously expensive to fix. It's people not understanding how it works. Not rocket science. These trend to be the same folk who remove Fuel injection and fit carbs. Luddites.

 

Best advice is "don't"

[Pete-M]

I've owned two 4.6 HSE jobs and have run a couple of others.

 

My first one decided to turn all its oil into smoke, second one didn't go wrong, but it felt like it was going to so I sold it.

 

I used a late 4.6 autobiography job for a while. That didn't actually go wrong, but was beginning to play up.

 

Don't convert to coils, that ruins them. Air suspension system is simple and not hideously expensive to fix. It's people not understanding how it works. Not rocket science. These trend to be the same folk who remove Fuel injection and fit carbs. Luddites.

 

Best advice is "don't"

[eddyramrod]

Thanks chaps. I'll be going over the paperwork with a somewhat jaundiced eye now! I was rather hoping for input from Pete and Albert as informed veterans, and of course all the other info is welcome too.

 

It's funny how, despite being in a most appropriate location, I never set out to look for a 4x4, but these are what's falling across my path. Whether my destiny is Vogue-shaped or not, it'll be interesting to find out.

[eddyramrod]

Thanks chaps. I'll be going over the paperwork with a somewhat jaundiced eye now! I was rather hoping for input from Pete and Albert as informed veterans, and of course all the other info is welcome too.

 

It's funny how, despite being in a most appropriate location, I never set out to look for a 4x4, but these are what's falling across my path. Whether my destiny is Vogue-shaped or not, it'll be interesting to find out.

[Pete-M]

A late spec Range Rover Classic is a better car. It'll still need huge amounts of money to keep it tip top, but the Classic tends not to break anywhere near as often.

[Pete-M]

A late spec Range Rover Classic is a better car. It'll still need huge amounts of money to keep it tip top, but the Classic tends not to break anywhere near as often.

[cort16]

I don't want to thread hijack but has anyone got any knowledge of the L322 Range Rovers? The petrol v8 and 3.0 diesel motors are BMW units I believe?

I've seen a few tdi ones for decent cash recently and thought it might be decent thing to look out for if one comes up at the right cash.

[cort16]

I don't want to thread hijack but has anyone got any knowledge of the L322 Range Rovers? The petrol v8 and 3.0 diesel motors are BMW units I believe?

I've seen a few tdi ones for decent cash recently and thought it might be decent thing to look out for if one comes up at the right cash.

[Albert Ross]

AVOID the L322 even more than the P38. They're an X5 without the drag queen looks..... same issues as above, but parts are twice the price. Seriously, do you NEED something like that? Too heavy for Multi Storey car parks, road tax that would grace a 38 tonner, insurance the same, cost of tyres would kill the average family, awful, awful, awful things. Early ones were quite happy to fuck front diffs up by wit of them separating from their mountings until drive was lost and they would strip all the splines, leaving you with 3 tons of pig iron. Prone to ringers and pikeys alike. Don't fucking bother.

[Albert Ross]

AVOID the L322 even more than the P38. They're an X5 without the drag queen looks..... same issues as above, but parts are twice the price. Seriously, do you NEED something like that? Too heavy for Multi Storey car parks, road tax that would grace a 38 tonner, insurance the same, cost of tyres would kill the average family, awful, awful, awful things. Early ones were quite happy to fuck front diffs up by wit of them separating from their mountings until drive was lost and they would strip all the splines, leaving you with 3 tons of pig iron. Prone to ringers and pikeys alike. Don't fucking bother.

[michael1703]

I'm lusting after L322's, Ive asked about them from various LR garages and they rate them, definitely Diesel ones anyway,the v8 engines have the same troubes as the p38's

 

L322's manufactered between 2002-2004 have the usual £220 odd tax its later ones that are £400odd

 

It is an x5 engine but there are a few differences,think sump and front diff etc

 

I'd buy an 02,stick a late supercharged grill and a private plate and pretend to be wealthy

 

Cheapest L322's are £6k and high mileage

[michael1703]

I'm lusting after L322's, Ive asked about them from various LR garages and they rate them, definitely Diesel ones anyway,the v8 engines have the same troubes as the p38's

 

L322's manufactered between 2002-2004 have the usual £220 odd tax its later ones that are £400odd

 

It is an x5 engine but there are a few differences,think sump and front diff etc

 

I'd buy an 02,stick a late supercharged grill and a private plate and pretend to be wealthy

 

Cheapest L322's are £6k and high mileage