P38 Rangey....myth V reality...
Discussion
Just how bad are they...?
Say 2k's worth, seem to be lots of seemingly loved ones about for that. Ideally 4.6 guise, economy not an issue as it would be a second car but just how ruinous are they? Would i be better off saving myself some time and throwing £20 notes into the Villager?
I may just be a low rent dealer wannabe but I do like the cut of the jib of them, especially in black with non silly tints and in tidy nick...
Say 2k's worth, seem to be lots of seemingly loved ones about for that. Ideally 4.6 guise, economy not an issue as it would be a second car but just how ruinous are they? Would i be better off saving myself some time and throwing £20 notes into the Villager?
I may just be a low rent dealer wannabe but I do like the cut of the jib of them, especially in black with non silly tints and in tidy nick...
theironduke said:
Just how bad are they...?
Say 2k's worth, seem to be lots of seemingly loved ones about for that. Ideally 4.6 guise, economy not an issue as it would be a second car but just how ruinous are they? Would i be better off saving myself some time and throwing £20 notes into the Villager?
I may just be a low rent dealer wannabe but I do like the cut of the jib of them, especially in black with non silly tints and in tidy nick...
You name dropped the brand of stove you've got so I imagine the opportunity to say you own a Range Rover would be right up your street. Buy it. Say 2k's worth, seem to be lots of seemingly loved ones about for that. Ideally 4.6 guise, economy not an issue as it would be a second car but just how ruinous are they? Would i be better off saving myself some time and throwing £20 notes into the Villager?
I may just be a low rent dealer wannabe but I do like the cut of the jib of them, especially in black with non silly tints and in tidy nick...
MartyPubes said:
theironduke said:
Just how bad are they...?
Say 2k's worth, seem to be lots of seemingly loved ones about for that. Ideally 4.6 guise, economy not an issue as it would be a second car but just how ruinous are they? Would i be better off saving myself some time and throwing £20 notes into the Villager?
I may just be a low rent dealer wannabe but I do like the cut of the jib of them, especially in black with non silly tints and in tidy nick...
You name dropped the brand of stove you've got so I imagine the opportunity to say you own a Range Rover would be right up your street. Buy it. Say 2k's worth, seem to be lots of seemingly loved ones about for that. Ideally 4.6 guise, economy not an issue as it would be a second car but just how ruinous are they? Would i be better off saving myself some time and throwing £20 notes into the Villager?
I may just be a low rent dealer wannabe but I do like the cut of the jib of them, especially in black with non silly tints and in tidy nick...
SuperHangOn said:
Slipping cylinder liners on V8's is the killer.
I wouldn't worry too much about the air suspension. Most problems are because knackered airbags aren't changed, that means more pressure on the compressor to keep running etc. Not too hard or ruinous to fix.
Yeah the two most common things i've read are dodgy suspension and slippy liners...oh and eccentric electricsI wouldn't worry too much about the air suspension. Most problems are because knackered airbags aren't changed, that means more pressure on the compressor to keep running etc. Not too hard or ruinous to fix.
But as you can see from my garage i'm not new to characterful motoring....saying that my Tiv has NEVER let me down in the 12 months and counting i've had it....
If you are thinking about a P38 have a read of http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html thanks to PHer Eliot
theironduke said:
Just how bad are they...?
Believe you me, they are bad .......... but loveable. Mine is a veritable money pit. Slipped liners appear to result from overheating - so don't let your motor overheat come what may. The EAS system can be a PITA but is very straightforward and easy to 'fix' - air compressor refurbishmnet is a doddle and the valve block, which controls the air supply to the air bags, may need the odd refurb (new 'O' rings) as well but is relatively easy as is replacing the air bags if needed.The most 'hideous' common problem is the 'O' rings which seal the coolant pipes from the engine to the heater radiator matrix (stupid design) leak after about 5 years or so dripping coolant over your feet and, therefore, need replacing - this is a real swine of a job as they are so inaccessible. Parts are one bolt and two 'O' rings (i.e. pence) and labour is hours of frustration and skinned knuckles!
AirCon condensers seem to corrode at the merest hint of salt on the roads in winter and the condenser electric fans often won't work when required. These fans also fire up to 'help' the normal viscous coupled radiator fan when the motor is under load (towing etc.) in really hot weather. So, when they don't work not only does the AirCon become feeble but the engine can then overheat!! The root cause of their recalcitrant behaviour is usually a trinary pressure switch in the AirCon system which seems prone to failure.
The only time the V8 motor doesn't leak oil is when it's run out of the stuff.
The in-car RF receiver which detects the fob lock/unlock commands is easily disturbed by the ever increasing number of WiFi systems now in use. It then continually 'wakes up' the main electronic computer when the vehicle is parked which then proceeds to take well over half an amp when it should be asleep taking a lot, lot less current. Result - continual flat battery. Make sure the latest type of in-car RF receiver has been fitted which filters out the extraneous RF signals and allows the computer to sleep like a baby.
Window regulators often fail. AirCon blend motors often fail. Seat heating elements often fail.
They are a labour of love and you either need deep pockets to keep one running smoothly or you need to be very handy at wielding both spanners and multi-meters.
I owned a P38 4.6 HSE for about 12 months a few years back (5 or 6).
When it worked, it was great, like driving around in a stately living room, I did 1,500 miles in Ireland in less then 10 days and never once felt tired or worn out after a long drive.
However in the time I had it I had to have the following replaced
The engine (with a JE engine that IF I was to buy another one, would be a must)
All for Air bags for the suspension
All other Air suspension components both electrical (sensors) and hydraulic (pumps and alike)
Gearbox oil cooler
Main PCMB
And a host of other "minor" things to try and sort out "ghost" faults that would appear for pretty much no reason.
It cost me more the in work then it did to buy it, and spent more time off the road then I car to think about, in the end I gave up an swapped it for an Evo 6 RS that cost me less to run as a track day car then the RR cost me to own. All the work was carried out by a well known specialist and much of the work was done at "mates rates" due to how well I got to know them over the 12 months I owned it. The real kicker is the guy I sold it to had no issues to it.
What’s worrying is, my story is not out of the ordinary for these. If you are going to buy one, make sure you have another car and deep pockets, despite how cheap they are now (this is for a reason) they still cost the same as any other 60K luxury car to maintain, even if you do it all yourself.
When it worked, it was great, like driving around in a stately living room, I did 1,500 miles in Ireland in less then 10 days and never once felt tired or worn out after a long drive.
However in the time I had it I had to have the following replaced
The engine (with a JE engine that IF I was to buy another one, would be a must)
All for Air bags for the suspension
All other Air suspension components both electrical (sensors) and hydraulic (pumps and alike)
Gearbox oil cooler
Main PCMB
And a host of other "minor" things to try and sort out "ghost" faults that would appear for pretty much no reason.
It cost me more the in work then it did to buy it, and spent more time off the road then I car to think about, in the end I gave up an swapped it for an Evo 6 RS that cost me less to run as a track day car then the RR cost me to own. All the work was carried out by a well known specialist and much of the work was done at "mates rates" due to how well I got to know them over the 12 months I owned it. The real kicker is the guy I sold it to had no issues to it.
What’s worrying is, my story is not out of the ordinary for these. If you are going to buy one, make sure you have another car and deep pockets, despite how cheap they are now (this is for a reason) they still cost the same as any other 60K luxury car to maintain, even if you do it all yourself.
I have had one for almost three years now and apart from changing the air suspension to conventional coils all it has cost me is the fuel and running on LPG is a huge bonus.
I was a bit sceptical at first due to their horrendous reputation but as it was gifted to me by a grateful customer it would have been impolite to refuse.
Oh almost forgot the other main expense, 1 Wizards of Noz nitrous kit forcing a further 150 mighty horses down her throat which she seems to relish and copes with ease.
Had her in for MOT only yesterday which she passed with flying colours needing absolutely nothing at all and no advisories, maybe I was just lucky.
I was a bit sceptical at first due to their horrendous reputation but as it was gifted to me by a grateful customer it would have been impolite to refuse.
Oh almost forgot the other main expense, 1 Wizards of Noz nitrous kit forcing a further 150 mighty horses down her throat which she seems to relish and copes with ease.
Had her in for MOT only yesterday which she passed with flying colours needing absolutely nothing at all and no advisories, maybe I was just lucky.
I was thinking about getting a 4.6 HSE, but airbag problems and a weak engine put me off.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range_Rover_(P38A)
"Callaway Edition
This was done as a test to produce more power from the 4.6-litre V8, as during testing the Bosch engine management systems, the engines power was far under the 225 bhp (168 kW; 228 PS) stated. Land Rover North America were angered and the MD flew over the UK to complain. Land Rover decided to send 10 audit engines to UK based tuning company Cosworth. They too concluded that the 4.6-litre V8 was only producing approx 170 bhp (130 kW). "
does that come under myth or reality?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range_Rover_(P38A)
"Callaway Edition
This was done as a test to produce more power from the 4.6-litre V8, as during testing the Bosch engine management systems, the engines power was far under the 225 bhp (168 kW; 228 PS) stated. Land Rover North America were angered and the MD flew over the UK to complain. Land Rover decided to send 10 audit engines to UK based tuning company Cosworth. They too concluded that the 4.6-litre V8 was only producing approx 170 bhp (130 kW). "
does that come under myth or reality?
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