P38 or L322?
Author
Discussion

Byff

Original Poster:

4,427 posts

291 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
Thinking of spending about £4k on a Range Rover to use as an emergency second vehicle, tip runs, towing a trailer and playing off-road in a quarry.

Looking in the classifieds, that'll get me an early L322 or a late P38 but I'm trying to guess the better to buy?

I'm not bothered about the luxuries not working, just as long as it starts, goes and stops. I like the look of the L322's but gearbox probs concern me.

So good condition older -vs- Ropey condition newer?

DKL

4,975 posts

252 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
Isn't it only the diesel gearbox that causes issues in the 322? £4 buys a lot of p38 but I haven't seen many 322 down there. I'd stick to a well looked after old one unless you're very handy with the spanners.

Byff

Original Poster:

4,427 posts

291 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
DKL said:
Isn't it only the diesel gearbox that causes issues in the 322? £4 buys a lot of p38 but I haven't seen many 322 down there. I'd stick to a well looked after old one unless you're very handy with the spanners.
There's a couple available, one a Cat C/D which wouldn't bother me as I'll be ragging it anyway.

I'm reasonably handy with spanners, the reason I want one is to use it to transport engines and stuff around from the Cerbera when it gets it's overhaul.

MrOrange

2,039 posts

283 months

Monday 12th December 2016
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Byff said:
I'm not bothered about the luxuries not working, just as long as it starts, goes and stops.
That knocks the P38 out of the equation.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

220 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
MrOrange said:
That knocks the P38 out of the equation.
rolleyes

Byff

Original Poster:

4,427 posts

291 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
Saw a P38 towing a trailer with a Lotus Eclat on it this afternoon.

Exactly the thing I'm aiming for but with a TVR chassis on there.

Any more suggestions/words of advice?

eliot

11,995 posts

284 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
I'm on my 3rd P38 which is used as a spare/tip run - cant bring myself to sell it as it's too useful.
My buying guide and info on repairing the common problem is here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html

For either car you have to be prepared to do some spannering if you want to avoid massive bills.

I think a p38 would be less delicate, easier and cheaper to repair if you intend to off-road it.
L323 nicer for just smoking around in and occasional light off road.

MrOrange

2,039 posts

283 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
eliot said:
I'm on my 3rd P38 which is used as a spare/tip run - cant bring myself to sell it as it's too useful.
My buying guide and info on repairing the common problem is here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html
This guide kept mine on the road for way longer than it should have done. I bought a good 'un, too. Then had a procession of problems over 3 years that kept it off the road more often than on. Changing the O rings is a memory I'd rather forget.

I think, at 20+ years old, they all have all of the issues and they re-occur if fixed.

But what a perfect workhorse, I loved mine, even with it's 1 million imperfections.

Byff

Original Poster:

4,427 posts

291 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
eliot said:
I'm on my 3rd P38 which is used as a spare/tip run - cant bring myself to sell it as it's too useful.
My buying guide and info on repairing the common problem is here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html

For either car you have to be prepared to do some spannering if you want to avoid massive bills.

I think a p38 would be less delicate, easier and cheaper to repair if you intend to off-road it.
L323 nicer for just smoking around in and occasional light off road.
Excellent guide, thanks.

smn159

16,033 posts

247 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
eliot said:
I'm on my 3rd P38 which is used as a spare/tip run - cant bring myself to sell it as it's too useful.
My buying guide and info on repairing the common problem is here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html

For either car you have to be prepared to do some spannering if you want to avoid massive bills.

I think a p38 would be less delicate, easier and cheaper to repair if you intend to off-road it.
L323 nicer for just smoking around in and occasional light off road.
Bookmarked. I didn't think that I wanted a P38, but now I'm not so sure smile

Ed Moses

697 posts

150 months

Monday 12th December 2016
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We love our P38.. great to drive around in gently watching the world go by. Fill it with stuff for the tip and not having to worry about knocks as she is am old girl..

Yes they need maintaining but find a specialist and it is not too bad.. they are well,understood now.

Ed

eliot

11,995 posts

284 months

Monday 12th December 2016
quotequote all
I would say avoid the pre my2000 facelift ones - you can tell by looking at the inlet manifold, single square box is earlier gems system whereas a manifold that looks like a bunch of bananas is the facelift thor manifold with bosch engine management as used on the e39 5 series.
It changes and finds the right gear nicer and has more off-idle torque.

There's still going to be plenty of unloved dogs out there.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

220 months

Tuesday 13th December 2016
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I agree with Eliot, the 99+ MY is the one to go for as they have 4 channel traction control, which is a big bonus off road. Earlier models are only 2 channel and only work on the rear wheels.

Texpis

277 posts

287 months

Wednesday 14th December 2016
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Hi Byff sent a PM

Mick

bakerstreet

5,049 posts

195 months

Wednesday 14th December 2016
quotequote all
Byff said:
Thinking of spending about £4k on a Range Rover to use as an emergency second vehicle, tip runs, towing a trailer and playing off-road in a quarry.

Looking in the classifieds, that'll get me an early L322 or a late P38 but I'm trying to guess the better to buy?

I'm not bothered about the luxuries not working, just as long as it starts, goes and stops. I like the look of the L322's but gearbox probs concern me.

So good condition older -vs- Ropey condition newer?
If you just want something to tow and go to tip, it might be worth considering a different vehicle. An off Roader is useless if you cant start the car due to an electrical gremlin.

However, if you insist on LR, then I would go P38 as you will be scraping the barrel of L322s at £4k. £4k should get you a very nice P38.

josh00mac

437 posts

138 months

Friday 16th December 2016
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I've had my P38 for two years now - bought it from a guy who worked at a LR indy so it had been well looked after.

Mine is converted to springs and has had a turner block put in at some point. I paid £2.7 for it.

Has been totally reliable, parts are very cheap. Mine is a 99 Thor V8 which is quick enough for our roads.

I think parts are much pricier for the L322 but they are coming down to 4k with a haggle. They sold a lot of them and here in London people want rid of their V8s and are prepared to drop prices on vehicles with decent service records. All the garages I have spoken to said the L322 gearbox is a time bomb so either budget for this or find one where its been done.