P38 Range Rover as a daily driver?
Discussion
I'm looking at getting a P38 Range Rover to tow my drift car, and be my daily driver when I'm in the country (only 4 months a year)
I'm looking at the 4.0, as I've heard a few nasty thinsg about the 4.6. Like weak head gaskets and dodgier electrics etc. Is there any truth in these? Or are both engines as good as each other.
Obviously I want an LPG one, and have seen quite a few about, but how much should I be looking to pay? They seem to vary greatly, with no difference in spec from what I can tell??
And most importantly, will leaving a P38 for 2 months at a time do it any harm? Are they the sort of car that needs driving once a week, or can they be left with no side effects?
I'm looking at the 4.0, as I've heard a few nasty thinsg about the 4.6. Like weak head gaskets and dodgier electrics etc. Is there any truth in these? Or are both engines as good as each other.
Obviously I want an LPG one, and have seen quite a few about, but how much should I be looking to pay? They seem to vary greatly, with no difference in spec from what I can tell??
And most importantly, will leaving a P38 for 2 months at a time do it any harm? Are they the sort of car that needs driving once a week, or can they be left with no side effects?
P38 electrics will be the same for the 4.0 and 4.6 (i.e pretty dodgy!)
If you plan on leaving it more than a week or two get a battery charger or disconnect it before you go (and plan on a while to get the damn thing going again)
They are notorious for battery drain and the security system will do everything it can to prevent you from restarting it once the battery goes flat!
The 4.0 is generally considered to be more robust that the 4.6 (
). I guess it boils down to: you can be lucky and get a good 4.6, but you're more likely to be lucky with a 4.0.
LPG is the way to go IMHO. Sequential injection with a spare wheel well mounted tank.
Frankly, for an occasional toy and tow car, I'd go for a late classic. But that's just my opinion I see from your profile that you've had a couple of classics and think they were unreliable, I have to point out that there are far more expensive, far more complicated things to go wrong on a P38!
If you plan on leaving it more than a week or two get a battery charger or disconnect it before you go (and plan on a while to get the damn thing going again)
They are notorious for battery drain and the security system will do everything it can to prevent you from restarting it once the battery goes flat!
The 4.0 is generally considered to be more robust that the 4.6 (
). I guess it boils down to: you can be lucky and get a good 4.6, but you're more likely to be lucky with a 4.0.LPG is the way to go IMHO. Sequential injection with a spare wheel well mounted tank.
Frankly, for an occasional toy and tow car, I'd go for a late classic. But that's just my opinion
I see from your profile that you've had a couple of classics and think they were unreliable, I have to point out that there are far more expensive, far more complicated things to go wrong on a P38!Edited by Noogly on Monday 20th April 22:42
Noogly said:
Frankly, for an occasional toy and tow car, I'd go for a late classic. But that's just my opinion I see from your profile that you've had a couple of classics and think they were unreliable, I have to point out that there are far more expensive, far more complicated things to go wrong on a P38!
Really?? Wow, I thought they would be better!! I love Rangies, and love driving them, but both the classics I had hated me I see from your profile that you've had a couple of classics and think they were unreliable, I have to point out that there are far more expensive, far more complicated things to go wrong on a P38!
I am also looking at 200TDi Disco's, as they have less electric tat in them, and from what I remember, the 200TDi is a fairly reliable engine??
I use an LPG converted 4.6 Vogue as my daily driver. Cannot fault it. Obviously the running costs are higher than an "average" car, but using LPG makes them tolerable.
If you look at any of the threads regarding P38s, they will all highlight the areas you need to look closely at.
Electrical issues are much less so in cars manufactured after 2000, when Land Rover changed from Lucas Gems to Bosch for the electrical elements.
Ph'er eliot made a blog of his search for a P38, and highlighted some of the known issues.
ETA1: Just noticed that Eliot has already posted on this thread! D'oh!!!!
ETA2: Leaving them for months at a time - not sure about this one - but suspect with such a heavy car, flat spots on tyres would surely become an issue? Also, make sure that you either disconnect the remote unlocking aerial, or be sure that the receiever has been updated to the latest version, otherwise your car will suffer from "mysterious battery drain" (well documented on www.rangerovers.net) and after sitting untouched for less than a week, will require a battery jump to get it going.
If you look at any of the threads regarding P38s, they will all highlight the areas you need to look closely at.
Electrical issues are much less so in cars manufactured after 2000, when Land Rover changed from Lucas Gems to Bosch for the electrical elements.
Ph'er eliot made a blog of his search for a P38, and highlighted some of the known issues.
ETA1: Just noticed that Eliot has already posted on this thread! D'oh!!!!
ETA2: Leaving them for months at a time - not sure about this one - but suspect with such a heavy car, flat spots on tyres would surely become an issue? Also, make sure that you either disconnect the remote unlocking aerial, or be sure that the receiever has been updated to the latest version, otherwise your car will suffer from "mysterious battery drain" (well documented on www.rangerovers.net) and after sitting untouched for less than a week, will require a battery jump to get it going.
Edited by Meeja on Tuesday 21st April 15:35
Meeja said:
I use an LPG converted 4.6 Vogue as my daily driver. Cannot fault it. Obviously the running costs are higher than an "average" car, but using LPG makes them tolerable.
If you look at any of the threads regarding P38s, they will all highlight the areas you need to look closely at.
Electrical issues are much less so in cars manufactured after 2000, when Land Rover changed from Lucas Gems to Bosch for the electrical elements.
Ph'er eliot made a blog of his search for a P38, and highlighted some of the known issues.
ETA1: Just noticed that Eliot has already posted on this thread! D'oh!!!!
ETA2: Leaving them for months at a time - not sure about this one - but suspect with such a heavy car, flat spots on tyres would surely become an issue? Also, make sure that you either disconnect the remote unlocking aerial, or be sure that the receiever has been updated to the latest version, otherwise your car will suffer from "mysterious battery drain" (well documented on www.rangerovers.net) and after sitting untouched for less than a week, will require a battery jump to get it going.
I dont really want to spend more than about £2k if I'm honest, as anymore than that means it will take me longer to finish my drift car!! And as I'm only in the UK 4months out of 12, time is not something I have alot of.If you look at any of the threads regarding P38s, they will all highlight the areas you need to look closely at.
Electrical issues are much less so in cars manufactured after 2000, when Land Rover changed from Lucas Gems to Bosch for the electrical elements.
Ph'er eliot made a blog of his search for a P38, and highlighted some of the known issues.
ETA1: Just noticed that Eliot has already posted on this thread! D'oh!!!!
ETA2: Leaving them for months at a time - not sure about this one - but suspect with such a heavy car, flat spots on tyres would surely become an issue? Also, make sure that you either disconnect the remote unlocking aerial, or be sure that the receiever has been updated to the latest version, otherwise your car will suffer from "mysterious battery drain" (well documented on www.rangerovers.net) and after sitting untouched for less than a week, will require a battery jump to get it going.
So would I be better looking at discovery's in this price range, or would a classic be more suitable?
Cheers for all the info so far, greatly appreciated
I paid £2300 for mine in feb just as prices were turning - probably worth a little more now. One that I was following on ebay sold for 2k and has now reappeared for 3k !
My buying guide is here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html
My buying guide is here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html
eliot said:
I paid £2300 for mine in feb just as prices were turning - probably worth a little more now. One that I was following on ebay sold for 2k and has now reappeared for 3k !
My buying guide is here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html
I realised after I made my comment about £2k will be buying trouble that you didn't pay much more than that - but I think I can still stand by that comment because you did see some of the tired old ladies that are around before taking the plunge!My buying guide is here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/p38.html
I bought at a higher end of the market (Paid £8k) but spent an extraordinary amount of time searching - and saw loads of overpriced moneypits.
Didn't realise prices were turning - would have thought they would still be depressed given fuel prices and the general ecomomy!
How have you got on with the remote reciever.... any joy yet?
I've been very lucky and incredibly impressed with my BRG '97 4.6 Autobiography which I bought for just under 3k in December with 88,000 miles on. It was an unwarranted trade-in at an indy seller of more exotic stuff.
5000 miles later, not one problem. Drove the family from Sussex to Scotland and back the week I bought it.
I had a classic before; this is so much nicer on and off road. Fantastic on the Sussex green lanes round here, but cleans up a treat so a smart family car too.
5000 miles later, not one problem. Drove the family from Sussex to Scotland and back the week I bought it.
I had a classic before; this is so much nicer on and off road. Fantastic on the Sussex green lanes round here, but cleans up a treat so a smart family car too.
nervous said:
why so, BT?
A number of reasons. Unreliability,cost of repairs,Over complicated,everyone has one. Too chavy.I rent space from a mate who is an independant LandRover specialist. I'm there most of the time and see a constant flow of P38,s and L322,s rolling in. And the bills they go out with make you weep. Just this week a L322 came in for two front air suspension bags. £1200!. Last week another alternator on one £860!.And the list goes on. The simple fact is there is no cheap way of running one of these.
I was looking for an L322 to replace my P38,against the advice of my mate. But before i bought it,i had an itch to scratch with a 50th defender.....
. Two years on that itch is still there,and i have no desire for an L322 anymore.
Granted the 50th is not as comfortable as the RR,but it has the important things i needed. V8,Auto,and aircon.In two years of ownership,and apart from an annual service,the only repair i have had has been a door strip seal at £30. Compare that with my last year of ownership with my P38 and repairs without servicing totalled £1700.And this was a vehicle that wanted for nothing...
It was a no brainer the decision i made. I often feel sorry for those that come in to the garage and go away with huge bills. But in another aspect i'm glad i am not one of those.
The other aspect is that they have become so common. In my place of work 10 years ago only me and one other had RR,s now its like a taxi rank outside waterloo station. Its a sea of black RR,s and Sports. Even the girl that runs the cafe has a black sport. I think the final straw was last week when i came up behind an 09 Vogue. On the rear tailgate where the RR logo sits were the words "Drilla Killa" in the exact style of the RR lettering. That was enough for me.
Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Friday 1st May 18:15
I have to say, that I can see exactly where BT is coming from.
I bought mine (A Black Vogue P38) 15 months ago, and whilst my specialist reckons it is a good one, it has still given me a couple of service/maintenance bills that hurt a bit.
Had mine MOT'd today, and recieved an advisory about corroding brake pipes. Had a look at them, and whilst not too bad, it will still need sorting at some point. Rang my indy specialist (he's become a kind of mate rather than just a mechanic if that makes sense?) and he told me that it was *yet another* common problem on P38s, and rather than bodge the corroded bits, he prefers to replace the pipe run from the engine bay to the back wheels, and drops out the fuel tank to fit the new pipes properly..... a £300-£400 bill apparantly.
Whilst I am always prepared to get my hands dirty, running new brake pipes would not be high on my list of jobs I'd tackle myself.
Also agreed about the number of them about - they do seem to have multiplied recently - there are at least nine of them on the business park where my office is - a year ago, I was the only one!
Drilla Killa on an RR? That person should be shot at dawn.
BTW, That is a wonderful looking 50th BT..... I do smile every time I see that photo you had taken!
I bought mine (A Black Vogue P38) 15 months ago, and whilst my specialist reckons it is a good one, it has still given me a couple of service/maintenance bills that hurt a bit.
Had mine MOT'd today, and recieved an advisory about corroding brake pipes. Had a look at them, and whilst not too bad, it will still need sorting at some point. Rang my indy specialist (he's become a kind of mate rather than just a mechanic if that makes sense?) and he told me that it was *yet another* common problem on P38s, and rather than bodge the corroded bits, he prefers to replace the pipe run from the engine bay to the back wheels, and drops out the fuel tank to fit the new pipes properly..... a £300-£400 bill apparantly.
Whilst I am always prepared to get my hands dirty, running new brake pipes would not be high on my list of jobs I'd tackle myself.
Also agreed about the number of them about - they do seem to have multiplied recently - there are at least nine of them on the business park where my office is - a year ago, I was the only one!
Drilla Killa on an RR? That person should be shot at dawn.
BTW, That is a wonderful looking 50th BT..... I do smile every time I see that photo you had taken!
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