Thread: Ok.Convince Me....P38 or another Disco.

I dont think early P38's are THAT bad, there's a few kicking around here with high K's which are pre 97. Give all the 2000+ models another 5 years and 150,000 k's and see what they end up like. The only MAJOR thing I have done it kill a transmission, and in the big picture it wasn't anywhere near as much to replace as I thought it would be. The previous owner did cook the engine and had it resleeved. Mind you, I have been lucky enough to spend an hour with Ron and he loves his P38

Originally Posted by BigJon

I think the DSE engine was a 2.5 litre, not a 3 litre.

I used to own a P76 (and I am proud of it!) and I found it to be a great car.

I once owned 1/2 of a P76, with a mate to drag a car trailer around for the race car.

It was on LPG and could drive huge distances in comfort on the cheap and I dont remember ever spending a cent on it other than serviceing, rego and insurance.

We picked it up for $500, we had it chocka block with tool boxes and camping gear.

Everyone gave us crap for it but we helped quite a few of them out on the way too or back from races.

Only had it for just over a year but it was one of the best cars I had had but I knew a few people that had bad ones.

Originally Posted by dobbo

This P38 owner has modified the look of his face to hide the disgruntled frown





This type of P38 owner believes it's the best car in the world, and will refuse to ever buy anything else, he just looooves it.

Who got my private pics to post here?



Ron

P38's are an enthusiasts car, end of story.
Real mile-munchers on road and with a bit of kit - absolute tractors off-road.

Don't take opinions from those who've never owned one, listen to those that have but remember people love to share their woe, not necessarily their joy.
Go to rangerovers.net - see buying guide etc and also check out the attached forum.

As far as mechanicals go, I don't think they're any worse than the original Range Rover when it was released some 35 years ago. People bagged them then, people bag them now.

As for electronics - the P38 is a crude abacus compared to say a D3.
That model has over 25 seperate ECU's all interlinked, some by fibre optic cable.
The P38 has only 2 or 3 ECU's that really matter (EAS, BECM and maybe HEVAC)
You'll find a lot of errors / faults can be fixed without expensive diagnostic equipment.
Eg 1 - Dealer Testbook couldn't locate SRS fault. I squeezed plug under seat tight, problem fixed.
Eg 2 - My ROVACOM showed 7 individual HEVAC faults. I swapped a few relays around, problem fixed.
Eg 3 - My ROVACOM showed 11 individual BOSCH fualts. Put a new MAF meter and knock sensor on, problem fixed.

Now before you all get too carried away: Eg 1 - SRS light was on. Eg 2 - Book Icon showing. Eg 3 - Car was running like a piece of crap.
None of these required diagnostics to realise OR fix - but they sure made it easier.


I could go on forever about what's good and bad about the P38 but I shan't as the internet is your friend.
Do your research. Post 99 is better. Low kay's are better.
The car has only been around for 13 years, there's plenty of knowledge about.

Fuel consumption is the main thing I don't like about them, plus the small boot.
Seems I'll have to cut the back off, make it a dual cab then supercharge it....

Good luck,


Hardy

i have a 1999 4.0 Thor P38 & have used as a daily driver, off road work vehicle with no real issues for over 3 years. It has 160k's on it and goes well. I have replaced the rockers, under dash heater core o-rings, hi-low electric shifter motor and rebuilt the EAS air block & compressor. All up spent about $5k. Now needs front rotors replaced (normal wear). Absolutely great in the bush with 4 wheel traction control - goes easily where our V8 D1 struggles. Look for one with low kms and great service history at LR stealer or someone like Graeme Cooper or Bruce Davis. Those who don't knwo LR's could have missed things. Buy one with confidence provided you check the basics with electrics & drive train.

Originally Posted by Ace

where are ron and steinzy when you need them. Ron has had endless problems with his but it is a 95,

I disagree. The only major problems I've had with mine has been the slipped engine liners and two broken flex plates. The second of which was probably caused by not noticing the hub aligner on the flywheel was flogged out when the first plate was replaced.

Re other things I've written up for the Rangerovers.net website, most have been how to remove panels, etc., to replace globes, e.g. HEVAC illumination, radio screen illumination, control switch bulbs, etc. I replaced one blend motor 5 years ago not long after buying it (I've had nearly it 6 years) and a temp sensor. I had a 2/3 blocked radiator which I think was the reason for the overheating and liner slippage (which I think had occurred before I bought it).

I stripped a couple of teeth of a diff. I had a pressure switch fail on the brake pump, leaking oil pressure switch. Oh, and the loss of the circlip holding the oil pressure relief valve in - meaning a new tinming cover and oil pump was required. That was due, I think, to the circlip having been removed during some engine work and not being reseated properly.

The coil pack had one terminal burned off owing to arcing from an ignition lead that wasn't pushed all the way in. That was expensive.

Everything else has been fair wear and tear, e.g. air suspension bellows replacement, brake accumulator replacement.

I had a lot of backfires with the LPG system and that cost a lot of money for new airboxes until I changed to the older cylindrical steel aircleaner!

Notice how some of the expensive stuff has been to lack of attention.

My car has 220,000km on the clock.

P38 Seem Nice. I Have a few Rover friends who say the runinng cost are epic! 2 ECU"s, Air Bags, Air pump, Sliped liners, etc. If you do your research on these some of these dramas can be sorted with out magor $$$$$. Beware, They are nice but full of gizmo's. Till this day ,I've not been game to take one on here. (I don't need the gizmo's) They can be nice!http://www.hardrange.com/
Cheers RR.

Got a mate with a P38 - he loves it but a month or 2 ago he was a bit green around the gills. Apparently there was a period where the aluminium in the V8 was crap quality and corroded badly.

He has had problems with the air suspension (=> family holiday driving around on the bump stops), electronics in the stereo and the motor as above.

However I get a sense that once improved from the questionable factory quality it would be an awesome comfortable capable luxury 4wd if you can live with the fuel consumption and the small boot as others have commented.