Tell 1998 P38 4.6 or 4.0 which one do you recommend?
Tell 1998 P38 4.6 or 4.0 which one do you recommend?
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Discussion

LuvCars

Original Poster:

47 posts

168 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
Finally I have decided to get one P38 but which engine 4.0 or 4.6?

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

219 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
LuvCars said:
Finally I have decided to get one P38 but which engine 4.0 or 4.6?
I'd buy on condition tbh. Most 4.6's under performed (there was outcry and recall in the US over it, although I think it was ignored for the UK market). So there isn't such a big performance difference between the two engines as it might appear on paper.

The 4.0 can be had with a manual if you want (better performance and economy) while all 4.6's are auto's.

Most 4.6's are high spec, while many 4.0's are low spec, so if you are expecting rear wheel traction control and all the goodies, make sure it has them.

In either case, if fuel is an issue or you are going to tippy toe about and never use the V8 properly, you'll be better off with a diesel.

SuperHangOn

3,486 posts

182 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
Agree with condition. I've had both, if anything the 4.0 was ever so slightly smoother. The difference in power didn't seem great.

I would be tempted to sit a while and seek out a car which has had a replacement block or hell, find one with a duff engine for pennies and get the block rebuilt with lipped liners. Depends whether you want a long term keeper or a bangernomics run it 'til it pops job.


v8will

3,310 posts

225 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
I'd buy on condition tbh. Most 4.6's under performed (there was outcry and recall in the US over it, although I think it was ignored for the UK market). So there isn't such a big performance difference between the two engines as it might appear on paper.

The 4.0 can be had with a manual if you want (better performance and economy) while all 4.6's are auto's.

Most 4.6's are high spec, while many 4.0's are low spec, so if you are expecting rear wheel traction control and all the goodies, make sure it has them.

In either case, if fuel is an issue or you are going to tippy toe about and never use the V8 properly, you'll be better off with a diesel.
IIRC Callaway was drafted in to assess the US market 4.6

plasticpig

12,932 posts

254 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
Buy on condition as everyone else has said. I would also buy a later Thor (Bosch) one rather then and earlier GEMS (Lucas) one. IIRC 98 was the year they changed over. Its more likely to be only a money pit instead of a money black hole. I would also recommend buying one where the BeCM and air suspension will work faultlessly in your ownership but that's a tad more difficult.



Edited by plasticpig on Friday 5th October 13:33

LuvCars

Original Poster:

47 posts

168 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
LuvCars said:
Finally I have decided to get one P38 but which engine 4.0 or 4.6?
I'd buy on condition tbh. Most 4.6's under performed (there was outcry and recall in the US over it, although I think it was ignored for the UK market). So there isn't such a big performance difference between the two engines as it might appear on paper.

The 4.0 can be had with a manual if you want (better performance and economy) while all 4.6's are auto's.

Most 4.6's are high spec, while many 4.0's are low spec, so if you are expecting rear wheel traction control and all the goodies, make sure it has them.

In either case, if fuel is an issue or you are going to tippy toe about and never use the V8 properly, you'll be better off with a diesel.
I'll not make too much milage, so fuel will not be issue also low spec will not bother me. It seems 4.0 will be best fit.

Many thanks.

Art0ir

9,423 posts

199 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
I'm really tempted by a v8 disco at the minute. From what I've read the 3.9 has a nicer note. Smiles per Miles and all that!