P38 upgrades

[Hoges]

Not sure if this ought go in the L322 or P38 section.

Spoke to day to an experienced LR/Jag spares chap about the availability of 2.7L TDV6 as a replacement for the 4.6 V8 given that the bodylogicUK/Simtek blokes now had a kit available for a swap.

He made some interesting observations...I pass them on for what they are worth:

1. He has had a number of requests for replacement TDV6 engines for both Jag and LR vehicles due to catastrophic failure of the original fitment. Long term problems starting to appear in the TDV6 diesel engines after warranty expiry but well before they'd be expected for a diesel engine (many inside 160,000km)

2. BMW product in RRs are what he calls "one owner" vehicles...they are best gotten rid of after 80-100,00km if you can afford to do so because he's noticed that this is when a lot of stuff goes wrong and keeps going wrong... EAS/ bushes lasting less than 80,000km, drive shaft issues(still) ...

That's not to say that they are not very good vehicles to drive when they are running well! He says they are excellent...but the upkeep after 80-100,00 could become prohibitive if you are a second, long term owner.

Thinks that if you have a well maintined P38 which "has not been cooked" then hang on as long as you can... but inevitably you're going to have to make a decision...

Why do I have a sense of forboding:(

Am wondering others' experiences/thoughts...

[glenhendry]

Interesting info Hoges. I bet I know who that BMW hating, Jag/LR man was ;) Didnt smile much during the conversation, did he? :) Really though, a good knowledgeable bloke.

I love my P38. However, I find myself wanting a GenIII for the size. I want a bigger car. I dont want to upgrade to an early GenIII if there are issues, but there's no way I cant afford a later one - all that equals I will have a P38 for quite a while. I cant discount the possibility of having two P38s in the garage soon either. :eek:

[Hoges]

Interesting info Hoges. I bet I know who that BMW hating, Jag/LR man was ;) Didnt smile much during the conversation, did he? :) Really though, a good knowledgeable bloke.

I love my P38. However, I find myself wanting a GenIII for the size. I want a bigger car. I dont want to upgrade to an early GenIII if there are issues, but there's no way I cant afford a later one - all that equals I will have a P38 for quite a while. I cant discount the possibility of having two P38s in the garage soon either. :eek:

I've never seen him looking so relaxed...then again it was out in the fresh air near a shopping centre...;) he was actually smiling and a model of "King's English".... :D I do admire the fact that he has never stinted on sharing his great wealth of knowledge...
cheers

[4X4V8]

I'm curious to know what 'catastrophic failure' occurred with TDV6s. Was it big-end bearing failure, or... ?

I am a bit dubious about the L322 being a one-owner vehicle, only because I hear that about a lot of vehicles, including the P38A not so long ago. In fact, especially the P38A.

[wayneg]

I was on an AULRO trip earlier this year to Harvey. One of the organisers in a 2009 TDV6 disco had engine failure. I think it was a big end issue causing terminal damage to the engine at 118k. Not covered by warranty.
Here a link to the trip, its mentioned in the last few posts

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/wa-reports/131282-harvey-25-june-2011-a.html