RR P38 - what to look for when buying?
Discussion
Nah, they're ok. Usual scare mongering stuff on the internet and pub talk, but on the whole they are fairly robust.
Mechanically the oily bits are simple, it's just the leccy bits that can cause issues. Even then, given the correct tools for the job ( Clicky ) they're easy enough to do 99% of spannering at home.
Mechanically the oily bits are simple, it's just the leccy bits that can cause issues. Even then, given the correct tools for the job ( Clicky ) they're easy enough to do 99% of spannering at home.
GKP said:
Nah, they're ok. Usual scare mongering stuff on the internet and pub talk, but on the whole they are fairly robust.
Mechanically the oily bits are simple, it's just the leccy bits that can cause issues. Even then, given the correct tools for the job ( Clicky ) they're easy enough to do 99% of spannering at home.
Well, I owned an Alfa for 3 months once - could it be worse than that?Mechanically the oily bits are simple, it's just the leccy bits that can cause issues. Even then, given the correct tools for the job ( Clicky ) they're easy enough to do 99% of spannering at home.
The car is exceptionally clean but is serioulsy cheap!
£1600 for a 1997 4.0 HSE!
Hi, they can be problomatic but I have had two of these in the past and havn't had many problems at all, and there are so many parts available now on ebay and the like that if you're half decent with a spanner you can fix most things yourself. for example they have a problem leaking water through the o rings in the heater matrix. the dealer quoted me £750 to do the job!!! So, I bought 2 o rings from landranger in atherton for £3.50 that's £3.50 not £350 and 5 hours later it was sorted!!!
The other major problem is the engine cracking in the block, but from experience it affects the 4.6 more than the 4.0 and personally I prefer the 4.0 it just feels smoother to me, but even with this there are plenty of second hand or short engines available.
So, in conclusion I would just go for it, I have had 5 range rovers now and to be honest had problems with them all, but for me there is no alternative and the benefits far out way the problems!! and I know this might sound a bit strange but I quite like that things go wrong, it keeps my interest in the car and I seem to take more pride in ownership.
Just reading this back I don't know wether I've helped you or not? but I really do think that as a whole package anything comes close to range rover ownership.
Anthony.
The other major problem is the engine cracking in the block, but from experience it affects the 4.6 more than the 4.0 and personally I prefer the 4.0 it just feels smoother to me, but even with this there are plenty of second hand or short engines available.
So, in conclusion I would just go for it, I have had 5 range rovers now and to be honest had problems with them all, but for me there is no alternative and the benefits far out way the problems!! and I know this might sound a bit strange but I quite like that things go wrong, it keeps my interest in the car and I seem to take more pride in ownership.
Just reading this back I don't know wether I've helped you or not? but I really do think that as a whole package anything comes close to range rover ownership.
Anthony.
ive had problems with every car ive owned
well, apart from that highly modified 38 year old 4.6ltr V8 classic car i had . . . . . .
mabe i should stick with buying the old risky DO NOT BUY cars and then i wont have any problems?
seriously though, P38 are great cars, there is no greater place to be sitting, very very very comfortable, most comfy car ive ever owned and I think if I do buy another car ill keep the rangie for everyday use.
well, apart from that highly modified 38 year old 4.6ltr V8 classic car i had . . . . . .
mabe i should stick with buying the old risky DO NOT BUY cars and then i wont have any problems?
seriously though, P38 are great cars, there is no greater place to be sitting, very very very comfortable, most comfy car ive ever owned and I think if I do buy another car ill keep the rangie for everyday use.
The general concensus is that later P38s are much better (ie post-2000) due to the electronics changing from Lucas to Bosch.
I spent a very long time looking for mine, and saw a lot of tired old dogs, and cars that had sticking plasters over some major problems (these were usually at "Arthur Daley" style used car dealers)
Find a good Indy dealer, and make sure you look at lots of them to get a feel for a good car.
The rangerovers.net site is an incredibly useful resource.
Ant - I applaud you for changing the O-rings yourself...... not exactly easy to get to are they?!
I spent a very long time looking for mine, and saw a lot of tired old dogs, and cars that had sticking plasters over some major problems (these were usually at "Arthur Daley" style used car dealers)
Find a good Indy dealer, and make sure you look at lots of them to get a feel for a good car.
The rangerovers.net site is an incredibly useful resource.
Ant - I applaud you for changing the O-rings yourself...... not exactly easy to get to are they?!
For £1,600 it's a bargain and quite fancy it myself, but I've already got a '97 4.0 SE so probably not much point. 
As above for what to look out for, but it is true, that the things that do go wrong tend to be annoying more than anyhting else: heated seats, cruise control, etc... but all can be sorted at home, even if you are ham-fisted like me.
I have had one for almost 5 years and it has been versatile to say the least - at my wedding to ferry guests about but also treated like a builders van and removal lorry!
Love it and will never get rid of it until it can no longer be sellotaped together (see above under cruise control).
As above for what to look out for, but it is true, that the things that do go wrong tend to be annoying more than anyhting else: heated seats, cruise control, etc... but all can be sorted at home, even if you are ham-fisted like me.
I have had one for almost 5 years and it has been versatile to say the least - at my wedding to ferry guests about but also treated like a builders van and removal lorry!
Love it and will never get rid of it until it can no longer be sellotaped together (see above under cruise control).
richardxjr said:
Did you go and look at the one you mentioned Kentish? Are you buying it?
In the market myself (again).
Going to look at it tomorrow all being well and it's quite local to me which is useful In the market myself (again).
There are quite a few on autotrader some are around this price and they look in good nick.
Thanks all for the advice and feedback
ant996 said:
Thanks for that MEEJA, it's not to bad once you know were to drill!!!! Lol!!! I changed the heated seat elements as well!! now that really was good fun!!!
Ant.
The heated seats are the one thing that is not working on mine - I suspected the elements when I bought the car, and negotiated an additional £500 off to replace them - knowing all the time that the fix is probably a very cheap one, just labour intensive! (ie one for me to do myself at some point in the future!)Ant.
I really wouldn't fancy doing the O-Rings though!
Annoyingly this morning, I have noticed that my drivers door mirror no longer changes when putting the car in reverse. The motors work fine, as the mirror can be adjusted, and also changes position when using the different seat memories - it just doesn't adjust in reverse. Not really a problem, but I hate things not working as they should - any suggestions as to a likely cause?
Meeja said:
The heated seats are the one thing that is not working on mine - I suspected the elements when I bought the car, and negotiated an additional £500 off to replace them - knowing all the time that the fix is probably a very cheap one, just labour intensive! (ie one for me to do myself at some point in the future!)
I presume you've seen the increased temperature mod on rangerovers.net? Well worth looking into if you're having the seats apart.agent006 said:
Meeja said:
The heated seats are the one thing that is not working on mine - I suspected the elements when I bought the car, and negotiated an additional £500 off to replace them - knowing all the time that the fix is probably a very cheap one, just labour intensive! (ie one for me to do myself at some point in the future!)
I presume you've seen the increased temperature mod on rangerovers.net? Well worth looking into if you're having the seats apart.
ETA: Panic over - It's back up again! Phew!
Edited by Meeja on Friday 5th December 13:51
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