HELP!! Please identify this model/year Range Rover for a new member.

[Bluey]

Hello everyone,

I am brand new to this forum so firstly thank you to everyone for providing such an informative network for Land Rover Owners.

I am about to finalise the purchase of a second hand Range Rover HSE 4.6and I have a query as to the exact model and Year that I am buying. Here is my problem;

The current owner claims that I am purchasing a 2001 model HSE 4.6. However on inspection of the vehicle I noticed under the bonnet is a very small plaque that states the year of manufacture is 2000. However the current owner of the vehicle claims that it is definitely a 2001 model as that was the year of the compliace plate issue when the vehicle arrived here in Australia and it was also first registered to the first owner in 2001.

Underneath the vehicle the air tank has the year 2000 stamped on it which further points to it being a 2000 model in my mind. However, the current owner has explained to me and is adament that it is the very last of the shape and model features prior to the current shape Rangie.

I have been looking on a website called rangerovers.net to do my own research into it (which I understand is an overseas website) and on it the 2001 model appears to be an upgrade to the vehicle I am looking at. I am terribly confused????

The VIN number on the Rangie I am looking at is;


SALLPAMJ31A


The website that I have been looking at states that a 2001 model has the VIN

SALLPAMD31A

which clearly is different to the model I am looking at. I am guessing that it may have something to do with the Australian model being different to the U.S. model...................??



Could someone please explain to me and help me to understand the exact model/year that I am buying.


Thankyou for your time,

Regards,


Bluey.

[astormsau]

Its a bit hit and miss mate.
I believe a few years ago Vicroads changed legislation to say that a car when registered must be registered as the year in which it was manufactured. I believe sometimes in the past, the car was registered as belonging to the year in which it was sold.

When i got my disco, it is registered as a 1999 when it was in fact first sold in Sydney in June 2000 but manufactured in 1999. The owner rightfully advertised it as a 1999 model, upon inspection it actually has the features of a 2000 model year car - which included different rear view mirror and a few more extra's which werent in the 1999 model.

So basically it seems and is logical that your 2001 model range rover which was sold in 2001 was manufactured in 2000 and could very well have identical specs to the 2001 model year vehicle you will find on websites.

If in doubt about the integrity of the owner, check the sale dates in the owners handbook, i would say its an honest mistake. For me i was happy to get the 2000 model year features and pay a 1999 price for the car.

I dont believe 00 to 01 had any dramatic changes in the vehicle - i think they came in the 2000 model (to clear indicators, updated interior, bosch gems EFI instead of Lucas) so i think you should be fine.

Andrew

[Scouse]

SALLPAMJ31A is correct for an Australian delivered 2001 model.

It may well have been built in 2000 as the next model year usually starts around August/September.

[p38arover]

I have been looking on a website called rangerovers.net to do my own research into it (which I understand is an overseas website) and on it the 2001 model appears to be an upgrade to the vehicle I am looking at. I am terribly confused????

The VIN number on the Rangie I am looking at is;


SALLPAMJ31A


The website that I have been looking at states that a 2001 model has the VIN

SALLPAMD31A

which clearly is different to the model I am looking at. I am guessing that it may have something to do with the Australian model being different to the U.S. model...................??

G'day Bluey. Yes RRNET is a US-based website (I'm one of the Admins on there). US VINs differ on early models.

Believe Scouse - he knows his stuff on these.

The VIN can be decoded as follows:

SA = Rover
L = Marque (Land Rover)
LP = model (P38A Range Rover)
A = standard 108" wheel base
M = Four door body
D = 4.6 litre engine (early models at least in Australia. In the UK they used J. This may have continued for the later years in Australia. Scouse would know.)
3 = RHD automatic

The next bit gives the model year. From 1995-2000 they used letters M, T, then V through Y. In 2001 they used the figure 1, 2002 = 2

the next A = assembly location, Solihull

Then you have the 6 digit serial no.

[Bluey]

Guys, Thankyou very much for your assistance and de-code of the model. I am looking forward to finalising my purchase and joining in on the forum with you all. Should have it in the driveway in the coming weeks.

Kind Regards,

Bluey.

:)