Range Rover?

[Justin Case]

We often try and buy our veg from those little stalls that you see at farm gates, but today, parked next to the carrots and cauliflowers at one was a Range Rover. One has always been fairly low down on my bucket list but buying a car this way is appealing. I know next to nothing about RRs, so here is the lowdown and any advice will be gratefully snapped up

2000X so presumably a P38, 2.5DSE Autobiography model, 114,000 miles, notice in window says Tax and MOT until the end of April, so I assume that it wasn't put out this morning (but to be fair neither did the cauliflowers look as if they had ) The bodywork looked quite tidy but dusty.

 

I don't want to pick up something like this without an MOT, so assuming it has a new one, what are the key things to look out for, and if OK, as there was no price on it, how much should I put in the honesty box?

 

Thanx

[Rusty_Rocket]

Ah, a P38a Range Rover..

 

Possibly, the riskiest car to buy, since an early 70s Lotus, these things are somewhat, erm, 'specialist'

 

You're improving your odds by selecting a diesel (the petrol V8s detonate so much, only a K-Series can rival steam-producing ability), but dervs still have issues. Heads can crack, auto boxes are only just up to the torque of the diesel and the electrics are best described as flaky.

One advantage is the fact the body and chassis are well built- rust is rare.

By far the biggest issue is the BECM, a computer situated under the drivers' seat. This is delicate and temperamental, if it loses sync with the engine ECU, the car will refuse to start until the two ECUs are married up again. Simply parking near something the BECM doesn't like is enough to cause loss of sync. You'll need good RAC membership. The air suspension is unreliable, as is the ABS system. The alarm and immobiliser are just good enough to go off in the middle of the night, then not let you unlock the car the next morning..

On the upside, parts are cheap (you'll need plenty), and they are lots of luxury for the money- but there are better 4x4s out there. I've had all sorts of LRs (currently have an early Disco and Range Rover Classic) and I can honestly say, the P38 I had was the only car I've ever been reluctant to rely on

[dollywobbler]

Let's not go there again. Just read this (not all of it - it drifts a bit!)

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16262&hilit=P38

[Justin Case]

Oops, the blood rush to my head from a potential great bargain made me not only forget that thread but that I had even contributed a completely useless post to it Anyway after that depressing read I will probably do the sensible thing and see if Mrs A's new car can cope with long journeys with dog and luggage before plunging into the pool of 'something interesting'

[Guest]

Ah, a P38a Range Rover..

 

Possibly, the riskiest car to buy, since an early 70s Lotus, these things are somewhat, erm, 'specialist'

 

 

 

Er... have you ever owned an early 70s Lotus? I have owned three, and they were all fine.

[jonny69]

Surely an early 70's Lotus is only a twincam Escort in a fancy plastic box. Can't be much there to go wrong I'd have thought?

[Guest]

Pretty much true!