Best V8 petrol lump?

[Droptheclutch]

Hi All,

I'm in the market for a petrol Disco/Rangie and there are a few choices to be made with regard to the engine - 3.5/3.9/4.0/4.6 etc...

I've been told the 3.9 is the best lump to go for? Is this true and why so?

LPG will also be on the cards of it doesn't already have it fitted.

Thanks for the help/advice/abuse!

[JimexPL]

4.0 is a stronger version of the 3.9. 3.5 will be on an older car with varying power outputs. 4.6 isn't considered as strong as the 3.9/4.0 but has noticeably more torque and would be my choice if looking at several vehicles. Again though, this was only in the P38 range rover, so it depends on the age/price that you are looking at. To complicate issues further, there are several different inlet manifold/engine management versions out there, but again these are age specific. Just remembered - there's also the 4.2, plus the vehicles that have had their engines replaced with 4.5, 5.0 and 5.2 variants...

I wouldn't get too hung up on the engine size and just buy the best condition car that is in your budget.

[Noogly]

3.5/3.9/4.2 will only be in classics, 4.0/4.6 in the P38 and (I think) the 4.0 was also available in the Disco, so unless you're going for a transplant I guess the model is the first thing to consider.
I've had all in RRs except the 4.0 and my favourite is the 4.2. Probably irrelevant as they're difficult to find these days. The 4.6 was fine too, until it died the usual death of 4.6s at 80k miles :-(

Be lucky with a 4.6 and it's great, I wasn't and my P38 was a very bad experience! 4.0s are much stronger, if I ever considered a P38 again it would be a 4.0. Actually I wouldn't, I'd go for a classic or an L322 V8 instead anyway!!

[Droptheclutch]

Thanks for the info and advice. I have my eye on a 1999/2000 4.0L Disco...so far it looks OK. Fingers crossed and all that!