Considering a P38 4.6HSE?

[el romeral]

As per title. Always fancied one of these and one has popped up for sale and is fairly local to me. Normally they are the other side of Spain. It appears to be very well looked after (by Spanish standards) and still has fully working air suspension. Most I see advertised have been converted to springs.
I am going to look at it end of next week when I get home.
The owner told me "evertyhing works" except for the AC which works intermittently. Just wondering if anyone might know what could be the cause of this? Maybe the compressor or clutch? I would have thought that it either works or it does not? What is slightly concerning is they have everything else sorted but not the ac - and in Southern Spain in summer - perhaps it points to a major expense?

The only other thing I can see in one of the pics is slight water staining on the roof lining around the sun roof. Not sure if this is something to be concerned about as it does not rain much. Perhaps trying to clean it will result in the head lining falling off?

Edit: I should add hat this will be a very lightly used 4th car so the ruinous fuel consumption is not too big an issue.

Hoping that, by this car not spending 17 cold damp winters in northern Europe, it will maybe in some way have helped to preserve it better - both bodily and the electrics? Having said that it is a German car and spent its first 4 years there. The reg plate it is on is from 2004, so the car looks 4 years newer to the uninitiated.

Here is the add, as you see cars in the UK are cheap by comparison! Any experts see anything of note in the pics - not sure if the centre console cubby lid is missing?

https://www.milanuncios.com/todoterreno-de-ocasion...






Sp

Edited by el romeral on Saturday 8th July 18:13

[Cold]

I have a distant recollection of a small spacer or packing washer being removed from behind the a/c clutch spindle when it starts to be a bit temperamental.
As for the cubby box, has it just been upturned to show the cupholders?

The rest of it you probably already know. The majority of suspension problems are due to a worn pump that's most likely aged prematurely because of an air leak elsewhere - such as a tired air spring.

Bushes have a hard time and in the UK rust is starting to become an issue towards the rear of the car on the occasional early example.

Make sure that the radiator is in good condition and the coolant system is leak free. Window mechs can fail but replacement cartridges are easily available via eBay and an easy fix.

[el romeral]

Thanks for the reply, quite a bit more positive than was perhaps expecting which is good. I will keep all these things in mind.

Edit
Am loving the full tank of fuel in the pic, hope that remains also the temp gauge slap bang in the middle of the scale is a good omen!

Edited by el romeral on Saturday 8th July 18:34

[Denis O]

Cold said:

I have a distant recollection of a small spacer or packing washer being removed from behind the a/c clutch spindle when it starts to be a bit temperamental.
.

100% correct and it's an easy job. I did mine during those halcyon days of P38 ownership and a telephone call to my indy kept me going.

[el romeral]

Denis O said:

100% correct and it's an easy job. I did mine during those halcyon days of P38 ownership and a telephone call to my indy kept me going.

Great, thanks for backing that up.

[task]

Headlining stain could also be water leaking from the roof seam under the black rail trips on top of the car, this is a common problem where the sealant dries up just above the windscreen allowing some water ingress.

Good sign in the photos that it knows the front door is open! A common failure point is the front door lock micro switch which many people just bridge, this stops the car knowing the door is open!

Doesn't look half bad but be prepared for the usual blend motors issues and possible leaking o-rings