Remember me in your prayers...

[Sam_68]

... for I have just bought a P38 Range Rover.

Just saying hello for now, but I'll be back for advice and sources of cheap parts shortly.

[dafeller]

We have to break this spiral of shame! I just bought a P38 as well, and in doing the research before purchase, I became so depressed about the trials and tribulations of other owners that I'm not really enjoying the purchase, just gritting my teeth and waiting for the other foot to fall. Yet all of the research surely led me to purchase the best possible example (2000 4.0 SE with 62,000 miles on it!).

I'm loving the RR! A well-cared for example should work as well as any other mechanical device! Luxury! Extreme mobility! Poshness up the boot! Cheap!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[D4MJT]

dafeller said:

We have to break this spiral of shame! I just bought a P38 as well, and in doing the research before purchase, I became so depressed about the trials and tribulations of other owners that I'm not really enjoying the purchase, just gritting my teeth and waiting for the other foot to fall. Yet all of the research surely led me to purchase the best possible example (2000 4.0 SE with 62,000 miles on it!).

I'm loving the RR! A well-cared for example should work as well as any other mechanical device! Luxury! Extreme mobility! Poshness up the boot! Cheap!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Spiral of shame indeed, I love mine :P








Cough * even if it is currently SORN having repair work done 2,000 miles after both head gaskets were changed* Cough.

Still wouldn't get rid, I love it

[Astarin]

I almost did exactly what you have done dafeller. However have loved every inch of it since I got it...

I'm waiting for stuff to break, I admit.

[cpas]

I'm starting to think that all the common problems with a P38 will have a 'simple' fix, unlike when they were newer - so nothing should be a major problem any more.

[dafeller]

We should start a new thread about the great stories we have as new owners.

I have heard good things about Woodside Garage in Maulden as an independent service mechanic, btw, if you happen to be in or near the Bedford area.

[MrOrange]

The horror stories keep the prices low, which is good. I've had mine for 9 months after paying just over £2k for a sub-100k 1998 4-litre model and had no NEW problems. I have done the bags, fluids and few other jobs and some still need doing but it's a bargain of a purchase and looking forward to many happy years with "Ronnie" as my wife calls it.

[eliot]

MrOrange said:

many happy years with "Ronnie" as my wife calls it.

I call mine Ollie, as in Oliver Reed as in has a drink problem.

[Meeja]

eliot said:

MrOrange said:

many happy years with "Ronnie" as my wife calls it.

I call mine Ollie, as in Oliver Reed as in has a drink problem.

Mine was named 'Reggie' by my four year old!

[agent006]

The one thing I learnt from my disaster of a P38 is to fix any problem immediately. I ignored a slight misfire for months which now I'm sure contributed to my porous block. Similar with clues to the cracked flexplate, and leaking matrix. Leaking airbags will see off the air compressor in pretty short order too.

[Meeja]

agent006 said:

The one thing I learnt from my disaster of a P38 is to fix any problem immediately.

Since owning mine (approaching four years now!) this is pretty much the approach I have taken.

The most major fault I have had is a failed air suspension compressor, which was ultimately caused by a badly fitted suspension airbag

Mine went in for an annual service and MOT last week, and I got chatting to the garage owner when I went to pick it up, and told him that I always have a niggle that one day my car will fall foul of one of the "big" problems.

He said that overall, mine is a good 'un - he even said that it was in a minority because it didn't have any oil leaks anywhere!

He then went on to say that on P38s, many of the expensive jobs are now much cheaper than they were to fix due to shortcuts and cheats - for example, to replace the O-rings into the heater matrix, he now quotes two hours labour, plus the cost of the O-rings - rather than the "eight hours plus" that a main dealer would quote.

I did mention the slipped liners, and whilst he agreed that was still not a cheap fix, it is now considerably cheaper than it was five years ago. Hopefully, I won't have to find out anytime soon!

MOT passed first time, but emmisions were close to the limit (was tested on petrol rather than gas) - with the CAT being the suspect.... so that may become a costly issue in twelve months time

He then started chatting about L322's..... and now the early ones are almost falling into "Bargain Barge" territory, people are buying them expecting to have the maintenance costs of a Focus or Mondeo.... he has shocked a few of his customers who have come in expecting small service and repair bills.

[cpas]

Meeja said:

He then started chatting about L322's..... and now the early ones are almost falling into "Bargain Barge" territory, people are buying them expecting to have the maintenance costs of a Focus or Mondeo.... he has shocked a few of his customers who have come in expecting small service and repair bills.

I heard at the weekend about one such vehicle which had been bought off e-Bay for £10, but had rapidly 'developed' a major gearbox fault, which could only be fixed by a £6k gearbox replacement. I can't believe this cost but perhaps it's true!!