The £1k P38 Range Rover 4.6 HSE
Discussion
So, what does a 25 year old youngster need when he has a grand to spend on any car. A 20 year old V8 
It all started with a Gumtree search, as these things usually do. Followed by a quick day trip to West Wales for a viewing and a test drive. The seller had only had it for a couple of months (which rang alarm bells) but wanted to "free up some space". Whatever. I knew I had to take the car on merit.
Test drive went well. If somewhat unorthodox in that I had to take the seller with me to the local garage to get a bottle of Vodka
. Engine and box were sweet. Air suspension worked in all positions and the chassis seemed solid. Upon exiting the vehicle, was surprised that my foot nearly went entirely through the side runners as they were so rusty. The seller was "going to mention that", though. 
We agreed a price and I would return a few days later to collect. And that I did.
It's a 1997 4.6 HSE V8, converted to LPG. It has had 2 previous (proper) owners, the last of which owned it since 2004.
It has a service history as thick as me, with receipts for repair work including full brake overhaul (calipers, brake pump, lines etc.), new air suspension pump and bags, reconditioned engine fitted by Land Rover, new heater system including blend motors and various other bits of trim, latches and whatnot.
The 2 hour drive home wasn't without fault. Specifically in the form of a knackered wheel bearing from the rear right. Hateful sound. But nothing too major.
The main things I noticed on the drive home:
- It stank of dogs and vodka
- Radio doesn't work. Clarion unit with the LCD display knackered and it needed a code (which is in the manual)
- Think the blend motor or vent flap motor is knackered. Service Book icon on the Climate Control (HEVAC) display, coupled with the fact that it didn't want to blow in any other direction that at my feet and screen. Balls. But liveable.
- Aforementioned wheel bearing needs sorting (hoping it's not the hub)
- Rear view mirror had fallen off and cracked the autodim liquidy stuff inside it.
- Needs alignment
- LPG system worked well, except where I planted my foot and hit high revs where it woul cut out and beep at me. After an engine on-and-off-again it would be fine
- It stank of dogs and vodka
- Sunroof is not seated properly so doesn't open. Not an issue. What is an issue is the dash display beeping at me telling me it's open. When it's not. Bloody thing.
- As far as I can tell, the buttons on the steering wheel are purely for show and do not appeared to be connected to anything. Despite me mashing the as hard as possible.
- The above then links to the cruise control not being operational.
Upon my arrival home, I inspected the bodywork in a bit more details:
- Side runners are completely shot. I mean, so rusty, I don't even know how they made the journey home. They are, for now, just an ornament.
- Slide lacquer peel on the roof
- Dents above driver's side A Pillar where it looks like someone tried to pry the door open
- The wheels aren't original 18" hurricanes. Sitting on 16" Disco wheels. Bleurgh.
Interior:
- Leather is in really good condition, but would benefit from a bit of treatment. Autoglym Leather Treatment purchased.
- Carpets are mint condition thanks to genuine rubber mats being fitted for most, if not all, of it’s life.
- Dash and trim are also in good nick. Apart from the holes from a mobile phone holder on the dash. Can always replace that bit of trim in the future.
- All electric seats work. Including heated seats.
- There’s not enough Walnut for my liking. Need MOAARRR!
- The clock works.
- It smells of Dog and Vodka.
Anyway, my plans are to keep it standard. I will get round to fixing most of the items listed above and maybe opt for some OEM+ items such as more Walnut trim, possible Sat Nav unit and some Autobiography trim level items. I’ve already purchased 3 (yes 3) Hurrican 18” wheels with tyres for the princely sum of £30. Result. So will keep an eye out for a fourth and get them refurbed and fitted.
I’ll let the pictures do some of the talking now. :thumbsup:
Test Drive
Pitstop at the services - looking grubby!
After a quick £7 super duper deluxe European wash.
Picked up the new wheels. Fit like a glove
Not bad condition. This is the worst out of the 3.
After a good scrub inside. Scrubbed up really well for an old bird
Watch this space
Cheers
Mike :thumbsup:
It all started with a Gumtree search, as these things usually do. Followed by a quick day trip to West Wales for a viewing and a test drive. The seller had only had it for a couple of months (which rang alarm bells) but wanted to "free up some space". Whatever. I knew I had to take the car on merit.
Test drive went well. If somewhat unorthodox in that I had to take the seller with me to the local garage to get a bottle of Vodka
. Engine and box were sweet. Air suspension worked in all positions and the chassis seemed solid. Upon exiting the vehicle, was surprised that my foot nearly went entirely through the side runners as they were so rusty. The seller was "going to mention that", though. We agreed a price and I would return a few days later to collect. And that I did.
It's a 1997 4.6 HSE V8, converted to LPG. It has had 2 previous (proper) owners, the last of which owned it since 2004.
It has a service history as thick as me, with receipts for repair work including full brake overhaul (calipers, brake pump, lines etc.), new air suspension pump and bags, reconditioned engine fitted by Land Rover, new heater system including blend motors and various other bits of trim, latches and whatnot.
The 2 hour drive home wasn't without fault. Specifically in the form of a knackered wheel bearing from the rear right. Hateful sound. But nothing too major.
The main things I noticed on the drive home:
- It stank of dogs and vodka
- Radio doesn't work. Clarion unit with the LCD display knackered and it needed a code (which is in the manual)
- Think the blend motor or vent flap motor is knackered. Service Book icon on the Climate Control (HEVAC) display, coupled with the fact that it didn't want to blow in any other direction that at my feet and screen. Balls. But liveable.
- Aforementioned wheel bearing needs sorting (hoping it's not the hub)
- Rear view mirror had fallen off and cracked the autodim liquidy stuff inside it.
- Needs alignment
- LPG system worked well, except where I planted my foot and hit high revs where it woul cut out and beep at me. After an engine on-and-off-again it would be fine
- It stank of dogs and vodka
- Sunroof is not seated properly so doesn't open. Not an issue. What is an issue is the dash display beeping at me telling me it's open. When it's not. Bloody thing.
- As far as I can tell, the buttons on the steering wheel are purely for show and do not appeared to be connected to anything. Despite me mashing the as hard as possible.
- The above then links to the cruise control not being operational.
Upon my arrival home, I inspected the bodywork in a bit more details:
- Side runners are completely shot. I mean, so rusty, I don't even know how they made the journey home. They are, for now, just an ornament.
- Slide lacquer peel on the roof
- Dents above driver's side A Pillar where it looks like someone tried to pry the door open
- The wheels aren't original 18" hurricanes. Sitting on 16" Disco wheels. Bleurgh.
Interior:
- Leather is in really good condition, but would benefit from a bit of treatment. Autoglym Leather Treatment purchased.
- Carpets are mint condition thanks to genuine rubber mats being fitted for most, if not all, of it’s life.
- Dash and trim are also in good nick. Apart from the holes from a mobile phone holder on the dash. Can always replace that bit of trim in the future.
- All electric seats work. Including heated seats.
- There’s not enough Walnut for my liking. Need MOAARRR!
- The clock works.
- It smells of Dog and Vodka.
Anyway, my plans are to keep it standard. I will get round to fixing most of the items listed above and maybe opt for some OEM+ items such as more Walnut trim, possible Sat Nav unit and some Autobiography trim level items. I’ve already purchased 3 (yes 3) Hurrican 18” wheels with tyres for the princely sum of £30
. Result. So will keep an eye out for a fourth and get them refurbed and fitted. I’ll let the pictures do some of the talking now. :thumbsup:
Test Drive
Pitstop at the services - looking grubby!
After a quick £7 super duper deluxe European wash.
Picked up the new wheels. Fit like a glove
Not bad condition. This is the worst out of the 3.
After a good scrub inside. Scrubbed up really well for an old bird
Watch this space
Cheers
Mike :thumbsup:
Love it!
Always have liked P38, especially in that color combination.
A friend of mine had one exactly like yours, I will not list the faults it had over the years, as I don't want to discourage you..
I can't count the times it's brken down and I had to pick him up, but when it brakes down it does so in style!!
Hmm. As lovely as a well-sorted P38 is (and they are), I outed mine long before the list got as long as this. Some pointers:
- Radio doesn't work. Clarion unit with the LCD display knackered and it needed a code (which is in the manual) Does it have the H-K system? If so the amp in the boot is probably shot. £250-ish, and if you replace with an "ordinary" HU, you will be in a world of pain trying as you will have to pull out the cables for every speaker individually and rewire them. Once you're finished, it will sound crap. Ask me how I know.
- Think the blend motor or vent flap motor is knackered. Service Book icon on the Climate Control (HEVAC) display, coupled with the fact that it didn't want to blow in any other direction that at my feet and screen. Balls. But liveable. You want to hope it IS liveable. I have changed these before. LR say the entire dash has to come out. there are guides on the net on how to do it without removing the dash. Carrying out this task will make you cry. Ask me how I know.
- Sunroof is not seated properly so doesn't open. Not an issue. What is an issue is the dash display beeping at me telling me it's open. When it's not. Bloody thing. Try and research a way of overcoming that awful BEEP..........BEEP......... noise. If you start to ferk abaht with the sunroof, it'll probably end up leaking. In fact, hose the car down, then check the carpets for moisture. Ask me how I know.
- As far as I can tell, the buttons on the steering wheel are purely for show and do not appeared to be connected to anything. Despite me mashing the as hard as possible. These cars have a complex bus system for the wiring all controlled by the BECM. Chances of fixing something electronically wrong are slim. Ask me...yeah, you get it.
- The above then links to the cruise control not being operational. Now then, we may have a winner! The cruise is controlled by a diaphragm which operates the throttle. You'll find it easily enough, extra set of linkages to the throttle, on to a round black object about (iirc) 3" across. Either the diaphragm splits, or far more often, the hoses perish. Sometimes you can even get away with just trimming the perished bit of hose back, and voila, cruisey cruiseness. Anything you'd like to ask me?
Good luck!
- Radio doesn't work. Clarion unit with the LCD display knackered and it needed a code (which is in the manual) Does it have the H-K system? If so the amp in the boot is probably shot. £250-ish, and if you replace with an "ordinary" HU, you will be in a world of pain trying as you will have to pull out the cables for every speaker individually and rewire them. Once you're finished, it will sound crap. Ask me how I know.
- Think the blend motor or vent flap motor is knackered. Service Book icon on the Climate Control (HEVAC) display, coupled with the fact that it didn't want to blow in any other direction that at my feet and screen. Balls. But liveable. You want to hope it IS liveable. I have changed these before. LR say the entire dash has to come out. there are guides on the net on how to do it without removing the dash. Carrying out this task will make you cry. Ask me how I know.
- Sunroof is not seated properly so doesn't open. Not an issue. What is an issue is the dash display beeping at me telling me it's open. When it's not. Bloody thing. Try and research a way of overcoming that awful BEEP..........BEEP......... noise. If you start to ferk abaht with the sunroof, it'll probably end up leaking. In fact, hose the car down, then check the carpets for moisture. Ask me how I know.
- As far as I can tell, the buttons on the steering wheel are purely for show and do not appeared to be connected to anything. Despite me mashing the as hard as possible. These cars have a complex bus system for the wiring all controlled by the BECM. Chances of fixing something electronically wrong are slim. Ask me...yeah, you get it.
- The above then links to the cruise control not being operational. Now then, we may have a winner! The cruise is controlled by a diaphragm which operates the throttle. You'll find it easily enough, extra set of linkages to the throttle, on to a round black object about (iirc) 3" across. Either the diaphragm splits, or far more often, the hoses perish. Sometimes you can even get away with just trimming the perished bit of hose back, and voila, cruisey cruiseness. Anything you'd like to ask me?
Good luck!
- Think the blend motor or vent flap motor is knackered. Service Book icon on the Climate Control (HEVAC) display, coupled with the fact that it didn't want to blow in any other direction that at my feet and screen. Balls. But liveable. You want to hope it IS liveable. I have changed these before. LR say the entire dash has to come out. there are guides on the net on how to do it without removing the dash. Carrying out this task will make you cry. Ask me how I know.
+1
I love P38s but I still have nightmares about changing the blend motors.
+1
I love P38s but I still have nightmares about changing the blend motors.
I've had the dashboard out on two of the three P38's I've owned, IMO easier than cutting holes in it to get access to the matrix and blend motors.
Contrary to what the official guide say, you dont need to remove the steering column and you can get it out in a few hours.
I found that the heater box itself was warped, causing the motors to jam or burn out. I've documented all of it here, where you can find plenty of other information if you follow the menu (4x4|p38 guide)
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38-heater-orings-1.html
The main thing you should do before spending any time or money on it is to monitor coolant level and usage - you will probably find it uses some coolant, but as long as it's slow and not massively pressurised you should be ok.
Contrary to what the official guide say, you dont need to remove the steering column and you can get it out in a few hours.
I found that the heater box itself was warped, causing the motors to jam or burn out. I've documented all of it here, where you can find plenty of other information if you follow the menu (4x4|p38 guide)
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38-heater-orings-1.html
The main thing you should do before spending any time or money on it is to monitor coolant level and usage - you will probably find it uses some coolant, but as long as it's slow and not massively pressurised you should be ok.
I had a 2001 4.6 Vogue. Sold it to a 23 year old who was planning on going straight out and driving it 2500 miles round Europe with some friends.
Luckily it had LPG and had just had the head gaskets done and all serviced with LPG remap. Had it valeted for him and replaced a slightly leaky coolant hose with a much thicker fuel hose. He's still running it now 3-4 years later.
These are the last Range Rovers I really like, before they went a bit footballers wives.
Luckily it had LPG and had just had the head gaskets done and all serviced with LPG remap. Had it valeted for him and replaced a slightly leaky coolant hose with a much thicker fuel hose. He's still running it now 3-4 years later.
These are the last Range Rovers I really like, before they went a bit footballers wives.
Thanks Chaps.
Although, it appears this thread is a curse!!!
Rudely awoken to the alarm going off in fits and spurts at 7am this morning. Fob unlocked the car. Alarm still going off. Key in ignition to point 2. Alarm still sounds. Start engine. Alarm still sounds. Lock car. Alarm still sounds. Feck.
Neighbours start peeking through curtains at this point. And I’m still tired. Locate the siren and can’t unplug the retched thing. So out comes the steak knife (kitchen is closer than shed) and I cut the wire to the sired. Sparks fly. Blissful silence.
However, now there are an array of issues to follow suit:
- “SLOW: max 35mph” warning which I have figured is linked to the EAS. EAS warning light is on the dash and cannot be adjusted. There is still air in the bags and seems to be running at “Motorway” height (which is where I parked it).
- Various “Window not set” warning. Which go away when windows are put all the way down and all the way up again.
- All doors, with the exception of Driver’s door, randomly lock and unlock.
Apart from that, it’s perfect!
I think first port of call is to check fuses and relays as this may be playing havoc. If that fails, then it’ll be a trip to get it plugged in to read the fault codes.
The joys of P38 ownership, one week in
Although, it appears this thread is a curse!!!
Rudely awoken to the alarm going off in fits and spurts at 7am this morning. Fob unlocked the car. Alarm still going off. Key in ignition to point 2. Alarm still sounds. Start engine. Alarm still sounds. Lock car. Alarm still sounds. Feck.
Neighbours start peeking through curtains at this point. And I’m still tired. Locate the siren and can’t unplug the retched thing. So out comes the steak knife (kitchen is closer than shed) and I cut the wire to the sired. Sparks fly. Blissful silence.
However, now there are an array of issues to follow suit:
- “SLOW: max 35mph” warning which I have figured is linked to the EAS. EAS warning light is on the dash and cannot be adjusted. There is still air in the bags and seems to be running at “Motorway” height (which is where I parked it).
- Various “Window not set” warning. Which go away when windows are put all the way down and all the way up again.
- All doors, with the exception of Driver’s door, randomly lock and unlock.
Apart from that, it’s perfect!
I think first port of call is to check fuses and relays as this may be playing havoc. If that fails, then it’ll be a trip to get it plugged in to read the fault codes.
The joys of P38 ownership, one week in
eliot said:
I've had the dashboard out on two of the three P38's I've owned, IMO easier than cutting holes in it to get access to the matrix and blend motors.
Contrary to what the official guide say, you dont need to remove the steering column and you can get it out in a few hours.
I found that the heater box itself was warped, causing the motors to jam or burn out. I've documented all of it here, where you can find plenty of other information if you follow the menu (4x4|p38 guide)
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38-heater-orings-1.html
The main thing you should do before spending any time or money on it is to monitor coolant level and usage - you will probably find it uses some coolant, but as long as it's slow and not massively pressurised you should be ok.
Thanks eiot. Contrary to what the official guide say, you dont need to remove the steering column and you can get it out in a few hours.
I found that the heater box itself was warped, causing the motors to jam or burn out. I've documented all of it here, where you can find plenty of other information if you follow the menu (4x4|p38 guide)
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38-heater-orings-1.html
The main thing you should do before spending any time or money on it is to monitor coolant level and usage - you will probably find it uses some coolant, but as long as it's slow and not massively pressurised you should be ok.
I did actually get pointed to your website from another thread here on PH. Found it very useful and read the Buyers Guide on the train when going to collect it!
Don't suppose you have any tips for my latest woes, do you?
P38s are very addictive. I love mine. Currently spending probably way more than it's worth getting mine back on teh road.
Can't wait to hear the V8 grumble again.
Bits are not as expensive as you may expect. try here: http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/
Good luck with yours.
Tim
Can't wait to hear the V8 grumble again.
Bits are not as expensive as you may expect. try here: http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/
Good luck with yours.
Tim
Mikeyplum said:
Don't suppose you have any tips for my latest woes, do you?
Honestly, really honestly? Try and move it on quickly and get another one.I'm speaking as someone who's had a Classic, a P38 and an L322, plus 2 Landies. I still own three out of the five.
As has been said, a decent P38 is a lovely thing, and I and others have said that whilst the L322 is also a fine vehicle (I've had mine 5 years and I'm very happy with it), there's a certain Britishness and Olde Worlde charm about a P38 which is really lovely. However, once they start to go electronically wrong, you really are up siht creek. The next thing will be, the battery will be flat when you go back to it. They have this issue where they don't shut themselves down properly (there are several theories as to why, often said to be interference from other electronic devices), so they spend all night trying to decide whether to go to sleep or wake up fully and in the process they flatten the battery. Was it slow to turn over this morning? That would suggest low battery which would certainly explain the windows, and possibly the EAS too. Run it for a little while and see whether the EAS fault clears when the battery is at full voltage.
There are good ones out there, although possibly not for a bag. A mate has one which he has put 40k miles on as a general runaround, he must have had it 6 or 7 years, and never had any significant problems. I can't remember what he paid, maybe £3.5k.
You probably have a flat or very low batery, which will throw up loads of errors including gearbox fault.
Flat battery as noted above will be caused by remote receiver picking up stray signals from things like wireless boiler thermostats.
You can either replace the receiver (£150) or simply unplug the aerial (blue wire) going into the receiver which is found under the offside parcel shelf support at the rear.
Give the battery a long slow charge and see if all the errrors clear - the windows will need resetting.
Flat battery as noted above will be caused by remote receiver picking up stray signals from things like wireless boiler thermostats.
You can either replace the receiver (£150) or simply unplug the aerial (blue wire) going into the receiver which is found under the offside parcel shelf support at the rear.
Give the battery a long slow charge and see if all the errrors clear - the windows will need resetting.
eliot said:
You probably have a flat or very low batery, which will throw up loads of errors including gearbox fault.
Flat battery as noted above will be caused by remote receiver picking up stray signals from things like wireless boiler thermostats.
You can either replace the receiver (£150) or simply unplug the aerial (blue wire) going into the receiver which is found under the offside parcel shelf support at the rear.
Give the battery a long slow charge and see if all the errrors clear - the windows will need resetting.
Thanks. Flat battery as noted above will be caused by remote receiver picking up stray signals from things like wireless boiler thermostats.
You can either replace the receiver (£150) or simply unplug the aerial (blue wire) going into the receiver which is found under the offside parcel shelf support at the rear.
Give the battery a long slow charge and see if all the errrors clear - the windows will need resetting.
The battery didn't seem low. It wasn't sluggish turning over and started first time.
I will check over the relays and fuses and go from there
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