P38 engine to avoid?
Discussion
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.
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.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.
drive2tractors said:
Beautiful. The H&H P38 was lovely.But I wonder what's wrong with it...
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.
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!Damn you.
It's a fetching shade of Gangsta grey inside and the outside is robber black. We're only missing the sawn-offs
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 good luck with that!!!! Be lucky to see above 15mpg on average driving.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!
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