P38, Intelligent Questions to ask!

[XJSJohn]

Folks,

I am looking at a 1995 RR P38 4.6HSE with an LPG Conversion on 180,000KM.

The car is very original aside from the LPG, And given the 180,000KM, must have been maintained by someone with half an idea of what they are doing at least.

However, the car is in Northern Thailand, so without any "expert support" what are the key things I should be looking for / walking away from? I have owned a P38 before about 7 years ago so have some reference to what a well sorted one should be like, but that was a derv.

Tips or links to the relevant threads that I have not found are welcome!

Cheers

[Shaw Tarse]

This is by PHer Eliot http://www.mez.co.uk/index.html

[XJSJohn]

perfect, cheers - can research the feasible repairs for components before viewing too so that I know what is a "walkaway" here!

[XJSJohn]

hmm, very original ehh... seems that the air suspension is gone and its on springs & struts.

What's peoples opinions of these from a driving perspective?

[CAPP0]

I had a 4.6 Vogue. Lovely car to drive when they're running well (I now have a Jag-engined L322 Vogue, and I'd venture that if you could drive back-to-back a new P38 and a new L322, of similar spec, the P38 would feel like the "grander" car to drive - can't think of a better word to describe what I'm trying to say!) but they are very prone to electrical/electronic issues.

One of the most frustrating is that they develop a fault where they constantly pick up RF & wireless signals from key fobs, etc, and thus won't shut down properly and go to sleep - result is a flat battery after a couple of days. Not sure of the fix for that, or the test as a potential buyer! Worth Googling.

[XJSJohn]

CAPP0 said:

One of the most frustrating is that they develop a fault where they constantly pick up RF & wireless signals from key fobs, etc, and thus won't shut down properly and go to sleep - result is a flat battery after a couple of days. Not sure of the fix for that, or the test as a potential buyer! Worth Googling.

not a big issue here, most stuff still uses old fashioned keys!!

[Stick Legs]

XJSJohn said:

CAPP0 said:

One of the most frustrating is that they develop a fault where they constantly pick up RF & wireless signals from key fobs, etc, and thus won't shut down properly and go to sleep - result is a flat battery after a couple of days. Not sure of the fix for that, or the test as a potential buyer! Worth Googling.

not a big issue here, most stuff still uses old fashioned keys!!

Easiest fix is what I have done, £15 solar panel that plugs into the cigarette lighter.
I pop it in the front screen if I am going to leave her for a couple of days and it keeps the battery topped up.

Oh, one thing you need to take the ashtray out and connect the cig lighter to a constant +ve (I used the yellow radio wire) as the cig lighter is isolated by the ignition.

[Stick Legs]

I may get flammed on here for introducing what seems to be a VERY diversive topic on P38 ownership.

If using the car very far away from 'support' can I suggest looking at Coil Spring conversion kits?
I have on my 4.0 HSE & I am very happy with it, as is my insurer and MOT Tester.

(Please can no-one lambast me for MY CHOICE on MY VEHICLE. If the MOT Rules change then I will break it. etc etc...);)

[XJSJohn]

Stick Legs said:

I may get flammed on here for introducing what seems to be a VERY diversive topic on P38 ownership.

If using the car very far away from 'support' can I suggest looking at Coil Spring conversion kits?
I have on my 4.0 HSE & I am very happy with it, as is my insurer and MOT Tester.

This one has already been converted as I mentioned above - turned out to be not as original as initially advertised!. No idea if its a good job or not, what should I be looking out for / any pictures of yours as an example of a good conversion?

Also what's the ride like when on road / motorway?

[Stick Legs]

XJSJohn said:

Stick Legs said:

I may get flammed on here for introducing what seems to be a VERY diversive topic on P38 ownership.

If using the car very far away from 'support' can I suggest looking at Coil Spring conversion kits?
I have on my 4.0 HSE & I am very happy with it, as is my insurer and MOT Tester.

This one has already been converted as I mentioned above - turned out to be not as original as initially advertised!. No idea if its a good job or not, what should I be looking out for / any pictures of yours as an example of a good conversion?

Also what's the ride like when on road / motorway?

I did 9000 miles since my conversion and have found no ill effects. Bearmach kit using blue springs.
It drives and rides like it did before, dare I say it even seems a bit better in the twisty bits as it rolls less. The springs are a bit stiffer, but not a lot.
The biggest difference is wy wife used to be able to apply mascara on the move on air, now has to wait for a red light to do so. Low frequency vibration damping testing is done like this by all manufacturers I think!

[edc]

My P38 also had a coil spring kit. It rode and handled fine. On road was fine as was some minor off road excursions.

[eliot]

CAPP0 said:

One of the most frustrating is that they develop a fault where they constantly pick up RF & wireless signals from key fobs, etc, and thus won't shut down properly and go to sleep - result is a flat battery after a couple of days. Not sure of the fix for that, or the test as a potential buyer! Worth Googling.

yes very common problem. The official fix is to replace the receiver unit next to the rear parcel shelf. But you can just disconnect the blue arerial wire going into it, which reduces the range of the reciever to a few inches!. There were two attempts at fixing this, photos of correct unit and how to check for it here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/page12.html

General checklist here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html

[XJSJohn]

cheers for the input and advice .... possibly a road trip in the new year then ... its only 10 hours away (on a good day!!)