P38 engine to avoid?

P38 engine to avoid?

Author
Discussion

Bund

Original Poster:

2,623 posts

220 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
quotequote all
I want to buy an original P38 with as good/tidy/clean interior, with as low miles as possible which is more important than exterior colour. Im not fussed about Petrol or Diesel in such an old car as I'm not going to be doing big miles in it but is there a consensus to which is the more sensible to buy these days? Should I be looking to buy on condition and not be fussed if its an SE model or hold out for the HSE spec?

I have acquired an Audi TT 225 BHP 80k miles just serviced via a loan gone wrong to a brother which id like to part x as i have no use of it so Im looking at trade cars.


Edited by Bund on Monday 27th October 14:35

piecost76

271 posts

173 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
1st Question: Why a P38?

You can pick up early (02/52 plate) L322 Petrol RR's for about £5k

If it must be a P38 then the 2.5 diesels's are horrifically gutless but better with a decent remap & the one to go for is the 4.6 V8 although expect 20MPG at best on a run!

Always go for the best spec - i.e. Vogue/Vogue SE/Westminster

Suspension issues can be a tricky but don't opt for one that has been coil converted. Parts are not horrific & diagnostics are readly available on eBay if you search for "EAS Kicker"

Water leaks from O Rings in heater matrix can be a nightmare to fix also!

Bund

Original Poster:

2,623 posts

220 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
I like the look of the P38 and I'm only a fan of the last version L322. Really I'm only getting one as I have this TT to swap which is of no use to me so looking at cars worth a bit more and the P38 appeals.

Bund

Original Poster:

2,623 posts

220 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
I've heard of a low miles autobiography but its in Gold.

Denis O

2,141 posts

242 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
Best colour combination IMHO is Epsom Green with piped lightstone leather.

You need a post 2000 as that was when the GEM's ignition changed to BOSCH. BOSCH runs cooler in the mid range which is good news with overheating. It's overheating that causes the slipped liners which are the bane of the 4.0 or 4.6 blocks. I've run 2 to over 100k miles and not had a problem with either in that area. Keep the cooling system in good nick and you shouldn't have a problem.

Heater O rings are not the nightmare they used to be and a competent indy, who's done them before, will probably get the job done in 3 to 4 hours.

Don't buy a diesel. They are dogs.

Don't buy an lpg converted one. That can cause hot running.

Don't buy one that's had a spring conversion. You'll have insurance issues for a start. Keeping the air ones up to scratch is not has hard, or expensive, as 'tinternet would have you believe. Both mine needed new compressors at around 70k. They are about £200 and if you watch the P38 Wheeler Dealers, Edd fixes one for about £15 and not a lot of expertise. Rear air bags are a doddle. Front ones I've never done. Distribution block is fairly easy or so I understand. Also very reliable.

You'll get electrical gremlins for sure. Heated seats are unlikely to work. Doors will lock and unlock on occasions. New micro switches required although a good shot of WD40 in the door lock will usually sort it. It's all part of the fun of ownership.

The drivers seat of a P38 is a lovely place to waft and look down on the masses. Get one.

The Wookie

13,909 posts

227 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
Denis O said:
Best colour combination IMHO is Epsom Green with piped lightstone leather.

You need a post 2000 as that was when the GEM's ignition changed to BOSCH. BOSCH runs cooler in the mid range which is good news with overheating. It's overheating that causes the slipped liners which are the bane of the 4.0 or 4.6 blocks. I've run 2 to over 100k miles and not had a problem with either in that area. Keep the cooling system in good nick and you shouldn't have a problem.
What he said. My parents first 1996 P38 was one of the first to suffer this problem and it started boiling over and chewing through water at about 70k. The replacement 2000 model 4.6 did 90k without missing a beat, great car.

Bund

Original Poster:

2,623 posts

220 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
So I was considering the black car at Stirlings but its mega money for a P38 and I'm being told it has 4 or 5 stamps in the book. Did these cars have 2 year service intervals? I have been told about a Gold car, its much cheaper yet a 97 model.

Petrus1983

8,521 posts

161 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
I have a P38 2.5 diesel - it's so thirsty I wish I'd gone for a petrol, but overall I love it!

drive2tractors

488 posts

263 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
How about this one up for auction tomorrow?
http://www.barons-auctions.com/details.php?ID=6791
d2t

Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
drive2tractors said:
How about this one up for auction tomorrow?
http://www.barons-auctions.com/details.php?ID=6791
d2t
Beautiful. The H&H P38 was lovely.

But I wonder what's wrong with it...

Bund

Original Poster:

2,623 posts

220 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
I'm away till Saturday.

Bund

Original Poster:

2,623 posts

220 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Is it feasible to remove LPG from a car that's been converted?

drive2tractors

488 posts

263 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Eleven said:
Beautiful. The H&H P38 was lovely.

But I wonder what's wrong with it...
Sometimes you can be lucky: I bought a Turbo R from barons earlier this spring, unused for a while, fresh petrol, some regular use, cv boots for an mot. Been faultless so far, not bad for £3k

Bund

Original Poster:

2,623 posts

220 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
I assume not a Bentley Turbo R! ;-)

kooky guy

582 posts

165 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Bund said:
Is it feasible to remove LPG from a car that's been converted?
Of course it's feasible but why would you want to? It makes a hideously expensive to run vehicle almost economical. Ignore all the uninformed scare stories - a properly installed multipoint sequential system will be fine. Mine's on 170k.

If you can find one that's had an engine replacement using a Top Hat linered block then you'll be sorted.


drive2tractors

488 posts

263 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Bund said:
I assume not a Bentley Turbo R! ;-)
Oh yes, this one:



Even had a mention in Evo as the bargain Bentley Turbo R of all time!!

Convert

3,747 posts

217 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Having just added a Blue P38 to my 'Fleet', I know feel the need for 6.75l of Crewe's finest.


Damn you.

Bund

Original Poster:

2,623 posts

220 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
D2T what a good buy!!! I didn't realise the R started so early and that's why I discounted it when you said.

drive2tractors

488 posts

263 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Convert said:
Having just added a Blue P38 to my 'Fleet', I know feel the need for 6.75l of Crewe's finest.


Damn you.
Maybe I've just been lucky with the Bentley. I spotted it on Barons website, phoned three friends and we put in a cheeky phone bid without ever viewing the car. We won it and the first time we all saw it was when I got her home. Since then it is our preferred mode of transport to the pub when we are out together. We have all used it separately and together, never fails to raise a smile!



It's a fetching shade of Gangsta grey inside and the outside is robber black. We're only missing the sawn-offs

scotty_d

6,795 posts

193 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
piecost76 said:
1st Question: Why a P38?

You can pick up early (02/52 plate) L322 Petrol RR's for about £5k

If it must be a P38 then the 2.5 diesels's are horrifically gutless but better with a decent remap & the one to go for is the 4.6 V8 although expect 20MPG at best on a run!

Always go for the best spec - i.e. Vogue/Vogue SE/Westminster

Suspension issues can be a tricky but don't opt for one that has been coil converted. Parts are not horrific & diagnostics are readly available on eBay if you search for "EAS Kicker"

Water leaks from O Rings in heater matrix can be a nightmare to fix also!
20mpg hehe good luck with that!!!! Be lucky to see above 15mpg on average driving.