p38, oh here we go again.....!

[cragswinter]

right, after lurking around i still can't get away from the fact i'm wanting one of these. but i've got to give it to you guys you've done a great job of putting me off!

so, as i've said in other posts i just want a daily smoker & i want away from the van for a bit but i definatly DO NOT WANT A MONEY PIT! i don't mind doing some basic spanner work so i'm thinking about getting a 2.5 diesel.

i don't mind that they're slow or not very economical, as long as it can sit at 85 mph & get me to work every day it'll be fine. as for work, i know folk will think i'm mad but i'm only driving a mile to work so economy doesn't really concern me. i'm just thinking they're bound to be more reliable than the v8s.

so have a look at these & see what you think, over to you guys!

red 2.5 1997 156k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

green 2.5 1999 110k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

red 2.5 1998 112k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

getting a bit more now but there aren't that many dhse's about
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

& then you go & see something like this & think ah they can't be that much bother!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[edc]

We put 10k in 10 months on our old P38 which was sold last summer. AT tyres were fine although not really necessary for the use we gave it. Easy to say but if you get a bad one it will cost you! Do your research so that you can check for the common problems. Some things which aren't so easy to pick up on test drives are alarm probs/battery drain, heating problems with broken blend motors, EAS problems. The diesel engine doesn't really give any problems unless overheating related. Then simplistically you are looking at cracked head or non genuine rad. Check the hose connections and make sure they are secure. We were 'lucky' on the initial purchase so actually managed to resell for more than I paid for it.

[cragswinter]

Well seeing as buying the derv negates most of the engine faults the most common faults all seem to be air/elec related. The one thing you do notice are the 2.5s don't tend to be specced very well especially at my end of the market.

There also seems to be a hell of a jump in price once you get over the my2000 cars, are they much different?!

I'm really looking for a sub 100k miler (though only just) & a 98 or 99 model year, decent exterior colour & light interior. Automatic is definatly a must & after that it's as many working toys as I can get.

I'm guessing that as long as there are no leaks causing the air pump to over heat then the suspension is pretty reliable?

[jcborden]

Given that you are not worried about economy why not look at a V8? Sure there are lots of horror stories out there, but also lots of cars that have had replacement engines, or are still running fine. You may also find many are lower mileage (for obvious reasons) and all are well specced. You just need to be careful when buying...

I got a 95 4.6 HSE off ebay nearly a year ago for under 2K with 75K on the clock and in fantastic condition. Aside from replacing the air bags it has been brilliant and 8K miles later I still love it. Also taken it on a Land Rover training day at Rockingham Castle and pay and play day. Sure the economy is rubbish but the low cost of purchase and low depreciation helps offset that.

Edited by jcborden on Friday 14th January 16:46

Edited by jcborden on Friday 14th January 16:48

[cragswinter]

just out of interest what kind of economy are you getting?

i'm not 100% against a v8 just yet but i'm just not sure about buying one, the fact remains it may be running sweet now but in 1000 miles ????!!!

[james S]

My 4.6 has been fine for the year I've owned it.

18 mpg mixed driving, 23.5 driving to Scotland in December. Its the later injection system thingy, which is much better I'm told

[cragswinter]

Which means it's the post 99 engine management system right?

I've looked on all the regular places but there doesn't seem to be one definative place to look at re range rovers. Coming from the Porsche forums where every nut & bolt change per model year is disected by men with beards it's a little harder to find out what you need to know!

[jcborden]

I'm currently only getting about 16mpg but that is generally local/short runs. It does get up to 20 on long runs - this is the older GEMS management.

[cragswinter]

Well considering the daily grind is a one mile journey no matter what engine it's going to be running cold so I can't see me ever getting above 15mpg but on the weekends where I'm going out to the lakes or off to another city it'd be nice to think it isn't going to cost me £80 in fuel!

The other thing is where to look? Any good specialists out there that anyone can recommend-I'm in Cumbria by the way

[piersie]

Sounds to me like you should be buying my P38 4.6 vogue 80,000 miles full service history,full mot and cheap enough to convert to Lpg.

The only things it hasnt got is side steps and parking censors,has everything else,colour sat nav etc etc.

Engine is sweet as anut epsom green and a cracking car to drive.

[piersie]

Forgot to say its 2000 on an x plate.

[cragswinter]

Feel free to mail me piersie!

Going from a 2.5 derv to a 4.6 petrol in a matter of days, don't you just love pistonheads?!

Edited by cragswinter on Tuesday 18th January 15:57

[Lefty]

pics?!

[james S]

cragswinter said:

Which means it's the post 99 engine management system right?

I've looked on all the regular places but there doesn't seem to be one definative place to look at re range rovers. Coming from the Porsche forums where every nut & bolt change per model year is disected by men with beards it's a little harder to find out what you need to know!

Correct. Its a T plate 1999 if that helps