Range Rover 4.6 HSE - I'm tempted. Should I?
Discussion
OK, I'm new to this section of the forum so please treat me gently. i.e. no bum sex etc etc
I have been offered first refusal on a p/r reg Petrol 4.6 HSE with 140k miles on the clock for Pounds 2500. It's owned by a neighbor (SP). Looks OK with the bodywork. Seems to have no bodywork rust but I havn't looked underneath to date. Apart from the high MPG which I know this will entail what are the other things I should look for?
The fuel guage dosn't work very well (is that a common fault?), drivers heated seat bottom pad dosn't work and the cruise dosn't work either.
I have an itch for it but am prepared to walk away if you lot advise otherwise.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Dick
I have been offered first refusal on a p/r reg Petrol 4.6 HSE with 140k miles on the clock for Pounds 2500. It's owned by a neighbor (SP). Looks OK with the bodywork. Seems to have no bodywork rust but I havn't looked underneath to date. Apart from the high MPG which I know this will entail what are the other things I should look for?
The fuel guage dosn't work very well (is that a common fault?), drivers heated seat bottom pad dosn't work and the cruise dosn't work either.
I have an itch for it but am prepared to walk away if you lot advise otherwise.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Dick
Edited by DWS on Friday 25th January 18:49
The list is long. But in short....
Porous blocks
Faulty air suspension. Normally leaking bags. But also compressor or at worst valve block
O ring seals in the heating system
Gearbox ecu,s
Window regulators
Hvac blend motors
That's just a few. I had one at 3 years old. So relatively new to some of that the tat that's being driven today. And I can say that all of the problems that could befall a P38 I suffered. I have known others then and now that have/had P38's and all suffered the same. And they never got any better the later they got. Great vehicles when everything is working( which is not often) other than that. They are poor.
Porous blocks
Faulty air suspension. Normally leaking bags. But also compressor or at worst valve block
O ring seals in the heating system
Gearbox ecu,s
Window regulators
Hvac blend motors
That's just a few. I had one at 3 years old. So relatively new to some of that the tat that's being driven today. And I can say that all of the problems that could befall a P38 I suffered. I have known others then and now that have/had P38's and all suffered the same. And they never got any better the later they got. Great vehicles when everything is working( which is not often) other than that. They are poor.
2.5k for that is expensive, especially as the suspension has been ruined by putting springs on it. Plenty of info out there on what to look for, much of that and my experiences of three p38's can be found here http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html
I wouldn't turn your back on the P38 - although the one you mention doesn't sound the best. I ran one a while ago, and did have to look at a number before the one I bought. I accept that they have problems, but a lot of them are relatively easy to deal with on a DIY basis. Go for low mileage, if you can, and buy on condition. The guys over on www.landyzone.co.uk are great and a good source of info.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
BLUETHUNDER said:
The list is long. But in short....
Porous blocks
Faulty air suspension. Normally leaking bags. But also compressor or at worst valve block
O ring seals in the heating system
Gearbox ecu,s
Window regulators
Hvac blend motors
That's just a few. I had one at 3 years old. So relatively new to some of that the tat that's being driven today. And I can say that all of the problems that could befall a P38 I suffered. I have known others then and now that have/had P38's and all suffered the same. And they never got any better the later they got. Great vehicles when everything is working( which is not often) other than that. They are poor.
There seems to be two types of P38s. One that gives you no end of problems and one that is fine. Service History and mileage seem to have nothing to do with this, it's luck of the draw. I reckon at least half of them were built on Friday type cars!Porous blocks
Faulty air suspension. Normally leaking bags. But also compressor or at worst valve block
O ring seals in the heating system
Gearbox ecu,s
Window regulators
Hvac blend motors
That's just a few. I had one at 3 years old. So relatively new to some of that the tat that's being driven today. And I can say that all of the problems that could befall a P38 I suffered. I have known others then and now that have/had P38's and all suffered the same. And they never got any better the later they got. Great vehicles when everything is working( which is not often) other than that. They are poor.
Was yours an early car? I know the later ones were much improved.
Great cars. A good un will never leave you stranded. Shame he's ditched the excellent air suspension. What else can you get for 2 grand that will waft you around in luxury and be capable of going just about anywhere? The Buick V8 is one of the greatest engines ever, ask a TVR Griffith owner. Like any other older car you need to make sure it's sound but if it is it's great value. P reg is 00? so you get the later engine. Job's a goodun. My 99 has got me through 3 Midwest winters so far.
unrepentant said:
Great cars. A good un will never leave you stranded. Shame he's ditched the excellent air suspension. What else can you get for 2 grand that will waft you around in luxury and be capable of going just about anywhere? The Buick V8 is one of the greatest engines ever, ask a TVR Griffith owner. Like any other older car you need to make sure it's sound but if it is it's great value. P reg is 00? so you get the later engine. Job's a goodun. My 99 has got me through 3 Midwest winters so far.
P is 96, R 97.£2,500 is way too much for that age.
If you buy one then go for a Thor engined one, post 2000.
St John Smythe said:
There seems to be two types of P38s. One that gives you no end of problems and one that is fine. Service History and mileage seem to have nothing to do with this, it's luck of the draw. I reckon at least half of them were built on Friday type cars!
Was yours an early car? I know the later ones were much improved.
A 96 car. But the thing is I share premises with a friend who is a independent specialist in all things Landrover. And his place was always full of P38,s from all years from the earliest to the last ones. Nearly all suffering the same reoccurring problems.Was yours an early car? I know the later ones were much improved.
I have had many Landrovers over many many years. (And taking my one aside which was a mint car) the P38 was a poor car. I have had TVR,s that were more reliable. They were that bad that when anyone was to ask my mate on some buying advice he would tell them straight don't buy one.
GBB said:
unrepentant said:
Great cars. A good un will never leave you stranded. Shame he's ditched the excellent air suspension. What else can you get for 2 grand that will waft you around in luxury and be capable of going just about anywhere? The Buick V8 is one of the greatest engines ever, ask a TVR Griffith owner. Like any other older car you need to make sure it's sound but if it is it's great value. P reg is 00? so you get the later engine. Job's a goodun. My 99 has got me through 3 Midwest winters so far.
P is 96, R 97.£2,500 is way too much for that age.
If you buy one then go for a Thor engined one, post 2000.
Agreed, later cars have the better electrics, more power etc.. Bosch cars have THOR intake and twin tail pipes and were introduced mid way through '99 model year. That's what I have.
BLUETHUNDER said:
St John Smythe said:
There seems to be two types of P38s. One that gives you no end of problems and one that is fine. Service History and mileage seem to have nothing to do with this, it's luck of the draw. I reckon at least half of them were built on Friday type cars!
Was yours an early car? I know the later ones were much improved.
A 96 car. But the thing is I share premises with a friend who is a independent specialist in all things Landrover. And his place was always full of P38,s from all years from the earliest to the last ones. Nearly all suffering the same reoccurring problems.Was yours an early car? I know the later ones were much improved.
I have had many Landrovers over many many years. (And taking my one aside which was a mint car) the P38 was a poor car. I have had TVR,s that were more reliable. They were that bad that when anyone was to ask my mate on some buying advice he would tell them straight don't buy one.
Edited to add - now I've said this, the Land Rover god will make mine break down this weekend
Mine wasn't old when i suffered problems with it. It was barely out of warrenty. Saying that i still had it for 8 years until one dodgy gearbox e.c.u to many made me see the light and we parted company. It got to the point where i dreaded putting the key in the ignition and hearing the beep to register a new fault.
I bought one from ebay 3 years ago and its been almost perfect. Had to fix a small water leak, a new boot lock and chose to put a new aircon rad in, but no other costs at all in that time.
It seems in general reliabiltiy was not good, but there are good ones about. Trouble is you won't know till you get there
It seems in general reliabiltiy was not good, but there are good ones about. Trouble is you won't know till you get there
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