The Range Rover Classic thread:

[MrB.]

Sorry, but I haven't followed this thread from the beginning so apologies if this has been covered. What's the general consensus/love for the soft-dash LSE models? Are they significantly more desirable or less desirable than standard wheelbase cars? My knowledge of Classic Range Rover is very limited and although I used to sell LRs years ago, that was P38s.

I'm considering one as my next classic car and just wondered if they were worth looking at. I don't need a LWB car, but know of one thats for sale and just wondered what people thought. Are parts more expensive? I appreciate that the air suspension can be problematic, but what about driveshafts, etc?

Thanks.

[plasticpig]

LSE's tend to go for a premium over the standard wheelbase. Soft dash Range Rover parts can be more expensive than the older ones. Some of the electrics and ancillaries are shared with early Disco 1's. For example the throttle potentiometer is the same as an early Disco 1. If you can find one they are around £300 new but for and older EFI RRC they are about £70.

[Myles Peraua]

Re-badged Cappo checking in to report that mine is still with the repair guy, he's been ill for a while and had something else crop up so it hasn't progressed much. We've had it running, and running nicely, but still can't pin down the actual starting issue.

Anyway, jus thought I'd update. I erred towards offloading it again last week (especially after one with a very similar description to mine made £2400 yesterday) but repair guy says stick with it. For now!

[RicksAlfas]

Myles Peraua said:

stick with it

[stevehg1]

MrB. said:

Sorry, but I haven't followed this thread from the beginning so apologies if this has been covered. What's the general consensus/love for the soft-dash LSE models? Are they significantly more desirable or less desirable than standard wheelbase cars? My knowledge of Classic Range Rover is very limited and although I used to sell LRs years ago, that was P38s.

I'm considering one as my next classic car and just wondered if they were worth looking at. I don't need a LWB car, but know of one thats for sale and just wondered what people thought. Are parts more expensive? I appreciate that the air suspension can be problematic, but what about driveshafts, etc?

Thanks.

Personally, I think most of the premium is simply that's there's a lot less of them than the tons of swb four doors. Having said that, if you carry rear passengers often, then the extra legroom and easier access is appreciated. Aesthetically some prefer the side proportions of the lse, where the doors are the same width.

Naturally, because there's less available, price of parts like rear doors etc. are more expensive. Whereas swb parts are plentiful. However, places like YRM do sills etc. for the lse, so if you buy a wreck it's not an issue.

Mechanically, apart from the rear propshaft, I'm not sure if there are any other differences. Someone with more experience will be able to confirm that, but if that's the case there will be no material cost difference in maintaining an lse over a swb.

The air suspension is easy to maintain and diagnose, and as the ride comfort is so in character with the lse, I'd question whether it's worth having an lse converted to coils.

Cheers, Steve

Edited by stevehg1 on Thursday 23 February 10:20

[MrB.]

stevehg1 said:

The air suspension is easy to maintain and diagnose, and as the ride comfort is so in character with the lse, I'd question whether it's worth having an lse converted to coils.

Cheers, Steve

Edited by stevehg1 on Thursday 23 February 10:20

Thank you for all the advice. I had heard of people converting them to coils (my old Merc 190E Cosworth had the self-levelling taken off for passive dampers) and I have to say, it may be a consideration if I do take the plunge as I have seen many air-suspensions collapse and leave cars looking, literally, down-in-the-dumps at the side of a road.

My only problem is the fact that our family car is a new Jeep Grand Cherokee and I can't see MrsB. taking too kindly to having another big 4WD on the drive....especially as there is only 2 of us and a small white fluffy dog!

[DonkeyApple]

The air suspension used to pack up on my LSE after running over 100 for sustained periods. It used to get its knickers in a twist over the two readings it took and over 100 I think the difference between them was enough for the system to soil itself.

One time I was running back from a client when it happened and I cruised into the services on the bump stops. It was running so low I reckon the kids in the MaccyDs were positively priapismic.

Personally, I think the exterior shape of the LSE isn't quite right and in addition I've never liked the softdash interior but those are two completely subjective matters.

[Purso]

Harry's garage just put out a video on Rrc

[RicksAlfas]

Purso said:

Harry's garage just put out a video on Rrc

Thanks. I enjoyed that, especially as mine is a 1993 Velour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJeCMcVIdZo

[Purso]

Can't beat Harry

[RicksAlfas]

Yes, he's excellent. And a very lucky chap too!!

[Purso]

Definitely, lived a pistonhead members dream and has a garage to die for!!

[MrMoonyMan]

RicksAlfas said:

Purso said:

Harry's garage just put out a video on Rrc

Thanks. I enjoyed that, especially as mine is a 1993 Velour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJeCMcVIdZo

Brilliant. Thanks for the heads up on that.

I really get the suffix a now. Those double door handles, the flip down number plate and fuel extension. Fantastic

[squirdan]

[squirdan]

And another from Twitter

[akirk]

stevehg1 said:

MrB. said:

Sorry, but I haven't followed this thread from the beginning so apologies if this has been covered. What's the general consensus/love for the soft-dash LSE models? Are they significantly more desirable or less desirable than standard wheelbase cars? My knowledge of Classic Range Rover is very limited and although I used to sell LRs years ago, that was P38s.

I'm considering one as my next classic car and just wondered if they were worth looking at. I don't need a LWB car, but know of one thats for sale and just wondered what people thought. Are parts more expensive? I appreciate that the air suspension can be problematic, but what about driveshafts, etc?

Thanks.

Personally, I think most of the premium is simply that's there's a lot less of them than the tons of swb four doors. Having said that, if you carry rear passengers often, then the extra legroom and easier access is appreciated. Aesthetically some prefer the side proportions of the lse, where the doors are the same width.

Naturally, because there's less available, price of parts like rear doors etc. are more expensive. Whereas swb parts are plentiful. However, places like YRM do sills etc. for the lse, so if you buy a wreck it's not an issue.

Mechanically, apart from the rear propshaft, I'm not sure if there are any other differences. Someone with more experience will be able to confirm that, but if that's the case there will be no material cost difference in maintaining an lse over a swb.

The air suspension is easy to maintain and diagnose, and as the ride comfort is so in character with the lse, I'd question whether it's worth having an lse converted to coils.

Cheers, Steve

Edited by stevehg1 on Thursday 23 February 10:20

personally, the air suspension makes a huge difference, it is one of the defining characteristics of a rangerover of that era onwards, and so much better than coils. It is also easy and cheap to maintain and keep running, issues are usually down to badly maintained systems or mechanics who don't understand the system. I have just restored the air suspension on mine - 4 rubber bags at c. £40 each.

the LSE is fantastic for space and oher classics feel cramped in comparison, the wheelbase I think is then maintained in the newer P38... soft dash is a personal preference, but it does look much more modern than the preceeding hard dash version... and having owned both I would be happy with either but think that the soft dash probably just wins...

there is also something nice about having one of the very last classic RRs...

[CharlesdeGaulle]

This looks nice. Asking 5 grand.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C808644

[stevehg1]

Interesting set of two door spares, especially the newly made brackets in the last but one pic...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192114086435

I assume they are remanufactured brackets rather than nos from ignorance, rather than knowledge

[squirdan]

Gone a bit quiet so thought I'd post this up from Twenty Ten Facebook page. This is s Bahamas early car that is being enhanced. Think it's now 4.6 on carbs. The interior looks v good I think and I like the way they have added armrests

[akirk]

looks very nice

thought I would post a photo of my 94 LSE soft dash which we are gradually bringing back from 8 years off road, finally has MOT and tax and is driveable, now need to drive it for a bit and give it a shake down and build a list of what needs doing...



clearly paintwork will be on the list, but the car is basically solid, so hopefully nothing too major!