P38 on Drive - Opinions?

[yyeessno]

Used Cars for Sale | RANGE ROVER RANGE ROVER www.drive.com.au (http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/RANGE+ROVER/RANGE+ROVER/Perth/detail.aspx?id=12281579&lid=12281579&pg=1&pp=5&d=0&nv=1&SG=-230317722&pt=1)

I have been considering a RRC or P38 for a while to replace my Defender and this one has come up and seems to be the business, with a reasonable asking price and kms. It has had the coil conversion done properly.

I sent the fellow an email asking more details and apparently he has had it to tow his boat and before that it was a horse stud car.

I think I will go and have a look. My only concern is that it is the 'S' model instead of the HSE. Should I be worried about the smaller engine? Would a good chip make up for the difference? Can I expect better fuel economy?

[Scouse]

Engine wise, the 4.0 is OK.
This model doesn't have leather, fog lights & a few other bits & pieces. It might even have manual seats too.

Something's not right about the front end. The grille & bumper seem way too dark for some reason - almost as if they've been painted black.
The plenum filter's missing too :(

[Hoges]

If you can get a late 99 model with the Bosch EFI it also had an upgraded ABS system and is somewhat less problematic than the GEMS equipped vehicles... Take a look at Range Rovers (http://www.rangerovers.net) and scroll down to "Common Problems and fixes 4.0/4.6" There's a lot of excellent info on what to look for etc...

good luck

[Camo]

I wouldn't touch any rangie older than 99' (bosch upgrade)

1999 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SE P38A Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=5507083&__sid=1182CE1326BD&__Qpb=true&Cr=1&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Price_Decim al%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_S tring%7c0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294965541% 204294965478&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=109&silo=1011)

This one here is close to that price range.. low k's aswell

Camo

[Scouse]

I wouldn't touch any rangie older than 99' (bosch upgrade)Says the man with a 1990 model ;).

The post 99s are preferable but they all have their good points & bad points.

[yyeessno]

Thanks for the help guys.

I want to use this car as a tourer with only moderate off roading. I normally live in the Adelaide Hills and working on steep muddy vineyards, and drive all over uneven and slippery terrain.

I am seriously considering an early 90's RRC, especially as they are cheaper to buy and cheaper to run (am I wrong?) and have less electrical problems. I am terrified of electrics and can't work out the short in my SIII, never mind a P38 with computers!


One question with the RRC: which of the models had airbags for driver and passenger?

[Camo]

Says the man with a 1990 model ;).

The post 99s are preferable but they all have their good points & bad points.

Thats true with them all... but my father still has his '97 4.6. Had all the usual prob's with it.. 10k engine rebuild due to slipped liner (fixed '99 onwards), brake modulator, typical air suspension woes..etc

but for an extra few grand you would be way better off getting the later model.

Camo

[Scouse]

10k engine rebuild due to slipped liner (fixed '99 onwards), Unfortunately there's no cut off for this problem, it happened way past 1999 too.
I just threw 3 59D prefix engines with porous/slipped liners in the bin after having a clean up.

[Camo]

Unfortunately there's no cut off for this problem, it happened way past 1999 too.
I just threw 3 59D prefix engines with porous/slipped liners in the bin after having a clean up.

so from 95-2002 they were all the same? with just different injection from 99 onwards?

Had the engine done at Ricks 4x4 (landy mechanic) in Nerang and he said to use a 2000 block as they don't have the slipped liner prob.. earlier short motors were nearly half the price.

Got me stumped there

[Remy]

That is a fairly high price for the "S". My 96 model HSE was around the 8K mark with 160K and i see them come up around this 8-9K mark so be patient - you will have problems with the later modes as well from what i have read but parts are around see Andrew_E, Karcraft etc so it doesn't need to cost you a bomb. This site and others provide a wealth of information so most problems can easily be solved. The air suspension isn't as bad as people make out and the bypass kit is a cheap bit of piece of mind. Knowing the slipped liner issues get the car tested by a mechanic before handing over the cash - my engine was replaced early in its life at considerable cost to rover (thanks for that info scouse). Go for a HSE unless there are heap of mods on the 4.0 that make it worth while - hey Paul ;)

Cheers,
Remy


Used Cars for Sale | RANGE ROVER RANGE ROVER www.drive.com.au (http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/RANGE+ROVER/RANGE+ROVER/Perth/detail.aspx?id=12281579&lid=12281579&pg=1&pp=5&d=0&nv=1&SG=-230317722&pt=1)

I have been considering a RRC or P38 for a while to replace my Defender and this one has come up and seems to be the business, with a reasonable asking price and kms. It has had the coil conversion done properly.

I sent the fellow an email asking more details and apparently he has had it to tow his boat and before that it was a horse stud car.

I think I will go and have a look. My only concern is that it is the 'S' model instead of the HSE. Should I be worried about the smaller engine? Would a good chip make up for the difference? Can I expect better fuel economy?

[Aussie]

I agree with Remy, dont bother with the SE at that price, theres plenty of good HSE'S floating around, pay the extra and get the HSE.

When I bought mine I was told of the reliability issues and decided to learn as much as I could about the vehicle, theres alot of info out there, and you'd be suprised at what you can do yourself. I have also found parts prices have dropped considerably. Its also about being proactive and fixing little problems before they become big problems. The issues I've had have been mostly my own fault, EAS Compressor died because I was too lazy to buy an Airbag etc. I purchased compressor and changed it then reset the fault code with my laptop. I also bought and changed the airbags (very easy to do) If your not mechanically minded and dont wish to have a go yourself then I would perhaps think twice about buying a P38.

[PaulP38a]

Having had both a HSE ('95) and 4.0 ('99) I really do miss the little extras on the HSE like leather electric memory seats and memory side mirrors, his/her keys, auto-dimming rear mirror, footwell lights, headlamp wash/wipers, sunroof and steering wheel controls for the stereo.

The subwoofer in the boot is nice in the HSE, but I prefer the extra space in the 4.0/S/SE. That's about it though. I really can't complain, I got my 4.0 for a very reasonable price and it had most of the extra off-roading bits I wanted. The black leather seats will come one day (eh Andy? ;))

For a little more money, I'd definately go the HSE over the 4.0/S/SE.

But, I do like the Thor 4.0 engine in the '99 model and really can't tell the difference between it and the older 4.6 in terms of acceleration. I'd like to try a post-'99 Thor 4.6 as I image it would be even better again.

I'll tell you what looks wrong to me with the SE on CarSales - it's the black interior door trim. I've only ever seen that with black leather seats, and I like it! Just doesn't look right with the "pov pack" cloth seats. Not to mention the brown webbing seat belts... they look wrong in any RR :D

As for the 4.0 on Drive, those cheap looking throw-over seat covers are probably hiding rips in the "pov pack" cloth seats. No biggie I guess, but if you are going to put seat covers on a Rangie, do it properly and get a hand-made set for about $400-500... maybe a bit more for a post-'99 which has SRS airbags in the seat bolsters.

Do it - buy a P38A Rangie - you won't regret it when you're driving it, but your wallet and better half will probably never forgive you ;)

Cheers, Paul.