The Range Rover Classic thread:

[SDB660]

Goodbye to a truly superb car.








Averaged just under 19mpg over whole period of ownership.
Cruised at motorway speeds.
Never broke down.
Was still working, as in used for work, until yesterday when sold. Pictures don't show tailgate with computer and paperwork on.

To prove reliability to new owner who is on east coast, agreed to hand over at yesterday's place of work in London (as pictured). Hundred mile or so journey from home. Byways, highways and traffic jams all taken in its stride with no fuss.

The Range Rover. Epic, epic car.

Edited by SDB660 on Saturday 11th March 04:58

[Purso]

Looks a lovely old beast there, how was the rust situation with her and if you do t mind me asking the service history?

[0a]

Out of interest why did you sell?

Looks like a lovely car.

[SDB660]

Rust majorily done. History had been lost, but previous owner confirmed miles.

Sold because I am one of those serial car buyer types.

[xjsracer44]

Great news Cappo

[CAPP0]

Cheers Cliff! "Edd" actually drove it back to mine today, only about 7 or 8 miles, I think he decided that it was "on the way back from MOT repairs" Haven't driven it myself, it had your airflow meter on and he said it went OK but there was the odd misfire pop here and there. It was actually good to see it back home!

I'll get your bits back over to Gary's one weekend soon. Next steps for me are to work out what it might need for MOT It was MOTd when I originally bought it, and it's done all of 30 miles since, so hopefully not too much.

Edited by CAPP0 on Sunday 12th March 08:40

[xjsracer44]

No rush on bits, get MOT first as I'd love to see her when you do.

[Purso]

https://youtu.be/5MK0EsfhSyg

Another nice vid this time on a 2 door

[squirdan]

Members meeting at goodwood this weekend - thought Id look and see if there was anything interesting RR wise at the Bonhams auction

sadly for my tastes the answer is no , but maybe "the finest P38 in existence" floats your boat? Bonnet ornament says toff, reg number says geezer !

£70k of bills is a bit spicy though

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24118/lot/81/?cate...

[RicksAlfas]

I think the P38 might be coming of age now. It's gone through it's naff stage and they're beginning to look OK.
If that one was de-accessorised it would look a lot smarter than say a 5 year old Range Rover Sport, or a tired L322.

[DonkeyApple]

If someone invests the right Amo NY of money to fully sort the electrics then they are a very good car. They don't like to rust and they drive well.

But they'll never be particularly popular as their lifespan was pretty short and they never grabbed the imagination of the earlier or later cars.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

I think the P38 has a way to go - it's still a bit 'burger-van' to be very desirable just yet.

[52classic]

Talking P38s... Here's mine!

[HarryW]

Often thought of a Classic as an everyday snotter but tin worm continues to put me off, did consider the L332 but the ability to rape you on costs put me off too.
However I have looked at P38's and often thought, yes it might be a bit naff but I quite like the look of them, but stalled not knowing the answer to the perennial RR questions of; is it likely to turn into red dust or rape your wallet, answers on a post card please.....

[CAPP0]

HarryW said:

Often thought of a Classic as an everyday snotter but tin worm continues to put me off, did consider the L332 but the ability to rape you on costs put me off too.
However I have looked at P38's and often thought, yes it might be a bit naff but I quite like the look of them, but stalled not knowing the answer to the perennial RR questions of; is it likely to turn into red dust or rape your wallet, answers on a post card please.....

Wrong on all counts I'm afraid!

Classic as a snotter? Deep pockets required these days.

L322 Unreliable? Had mine 6 years/done >50k miles, other than servicing all it's cost me is a battery and one suspension airbag. Even the tyres last over 30k.

P38 Naff? I wouldn't say so, and having had all three versions before the current one, I'd be tempted to say that in some ways it's the nicest drive of them all. It won't rust, but as in a post above, look out for electrical gremlins, they can be a proper pain (one of the reasons I sold mine).

[CAPP0]

Anyway, back to me

After "Edd" brought mine back last weekend, I haven't had a chance to touch it since. Went out to it this afternoon and this happened:

https://youtu.be/rW2sQm9mlNU



The observant amongst you will have noticed that it was actually trying to start on gas, which is never going to happen, probably hence the slight pause before firing up. The battery is low too. It also has some raucous aftermarket exhaust on it which sounds nice but doesn't suit. Might see if I can butcher that onto my V8 90 and put a proper one back on. Not til after MOT time tho.

Apologies also for the dash hanging in bits, a testament to all the troubleshooting that's been going on.

Another question: how do I get to the wiper motor and mech? The motor is playing up. Is it under the panel behind the bonnet? And that just bolts off??

[HarryW]

CAPP0 said:

HarryW said:

Often thought of a Classic as an everyday snotter but tin worm continues to put me off, did consider the L332 but the ability to rape you on costs put me off too.
However I have looked at P38's and often thought, yes it might be a bit naff but I quite like the look of them, but stalled not knowing the answer to the perennial RR questions of; is it likely to turn into red dust or rape your wallet, answers on a post card please.....

Wrong on all counts I'm afraid!

Classic as a snotter? Deep pockets required these days.

L322 Unreliable? Had mine 6 years/done >50k miles, other than servicing all it's cost me is a battery and one suspension airbag. Even the tyres last over 30k.

P38 Naff? I wouldn't say so, and having had all three versions before the current one, I'd be tempted to say that in some ways it's the nicest drive of them all. It won't rust, but as in a post above, look out for electrical gremlins, they can be a proper pain (one of the reasons I sold mine).

To clarify, everyday snotter to me is one that costs not a lot and does the daily grind without complaining and letting you down. It would cost around £5k but doesn't cost the same every year in repairs too.
I know the classic is moving up away from that price point but the other 2 are still heading down.

[DonkeyApple]

HarryW said:

To clarify, everyday snotter to me is one that costs not a lot and does the daily grind without complaining and letting you down. It would cost around £5k but doesn't cost the same every year in repairs too.
I know the classic is moving up away from that price point but the other 2 are still heading down.

A P38 probably fits that bill well but you will have to invest a solid chunk of money up front on the electrics to have a car that won't bleed you each year.

You can still find a solid Classic for £5-10k and at least with those almost all the maintenance can be done at home.

So it's swings and roundabouts. The P38 will be less to buy but more to sort. Probably not a lot in it if you want the end result to be a solid car that is reliable.

[TheLordJohn]

I didn't have to invest a chunk of money in my P38.
It was a 4.0 Vogue, 1997, 250k miles when i got it and i reckon i did 15k with not a single penny spent on repairs.
Cruise control, air suspension etc all worked fine.

[RicksAlfas]

CAPP0 said:

Anyway, back to me

After "Edd" brought mine back last weekend, I haven't had a chance to touch it since. Went out to it this afternoon and this happened:

https://youtu.be/rW2sQm9mlNU



The observant amongst you will have noticed that it was actually trying to start on gas, which is never going to happen, probably hence the slight pause before firing up. The battery is low too. It also has some raucous aftermarket exhaust on it which sounds nice but doesn't suit. Might see if I can butcher that onto my V8 90 and put a proper one back on. Not til after MOT time tho.

Apologies also for the dash hanging in bits, a testament to all the troubleshooting that's been going on.

Another question: how do I get to the wiper motor and mech? The motor is playing up. Is it under the panel behind the bonnet? And that just bolts off??

Back to you

Great to see it running. I'm not sure it's firing on all eight. Have you got some decent plug leads on it? If not, get these Bosch ones for £20: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311669840960 and make sure they are routed correctly. I'll post a diagram below.

The wipers are under the scuttle panel. Take the bonnet off. Remember to undo the *washer* and light connections first! It will sit nicely on top of a wheelie bin so have one handy. The scuttle panel is a bit trickier because of the bonnet hinges which have a vicious spring on them. You need a long length of pipe to put over the bonnet hinge so you can lever them down to slide the scuttle panel over. The panel is like a coke can so distorts very easily. Once you have the scuttle panel off you will be amazed at how the designers included a seam running the full width of the car, right where rain water and muck collects. This is the number one source of wet foot wells and damp carpets. Clean it all out. Rust proof or repaint and then seal it all up with your favourite gunge. I used seam sealer. Then have a look at the wipers!

Edited by RicksAlfas on Saturday 18th March 14:20