Thread: Longevity of P38A HSE

I am in Brisbane and happy to help out if you need it.

Just send me a PM.

David

Originally Posted by PhilipA

Re 38A.
The engine problems are probably not the killer as far as operating cost of a 38A.
Having considered at length buying one and consulting with Graeme Cooper, and having a close friend with one , I offer the following.
The 38A has many other potential expensive problems that cannot be fixed with cheap aftermarket parts.
1 The body is controlled by the BECM. Even the instrument's brightness . If this goes wrong you have little option but to replace it.
Similarly the aircon is controlled by a microprocessor, and has 2 "blend motors" That go wrong and a very expensive.
The heater matrix has O rings that fail and it is a long job in labour to fix them.
The central locking actuators are unique and cannot be replaced by generic cheap ones.
The suspension control depends on a number of micro switches in each door and tailgate. If one goes wrong then the car will not rise. While some enthusiasts can fix them , the normal person seeking service will have to pay for new locks.
The alarm is very problematic, according to Graeme and is expensive to track down faults and fix.
The alternator is unique and VERY expensive if it completely fails. Try $1700 for a late model. My mate's went a few weeks ago. Luckily only bearings.
The front wheel bearings are a unitary hub design , so you have to buy a new hub if the bearings go.
The air suspension needs repair /replacement at times. I have heard of bills for $5000-7000 for this, at a dealer ( who see a sucker coming). The pump is over $1000 .

Now I know there are some "work arounds" done by enthusiasts,but here we have a lady who I assume is not qualified to do these fixes, and will rely on a dealer or specialist. Most are not willing to fiddle around with fixes and in fact paying $80 an hour, it may cost more than replacing.
IMHO, although they are lovely cars, the potential ruinous maintenance costs mean that you have to be pretty wealthy or very handy to risk owning one.
That is why they are worth nothing. No dealer will risk the warranty costs , as many have been bitten.
Regards Philip A

to the tune of about $8000 from Kevin at Rovatech perth
If they were such a great car , they wouldn't be so cheap and everyone would have one..

i am aslo looking into P38's at the moment and have found alot of EAS parts, now you can get upgraded bags, longer bags and all sorts of mods for them, theyre no more expensive than modding a coil sprung vehicle, the HVAC controls, last time i checked which was about 1 month ago would cost $3500 there is alot of support out there for them if you look.

I cant buy into the reliability issue just yet, but I have done alot of homework on the P38. It took me 3 years to finaly take the plunge and bought one 2 weeks ago. Mine is a 95 4.6 HSE.
I have LRs for while I had 89 classic and a Disco.
There is alot of scare stories out there, and I mean alot. Some are substansiated some are not.
only advice I can offer is this, look for a car that has a good service history. Make sure every thing works, and mean every thing! if its doesnt make sure the dealer fixes it before you buy it.
I have to say its problery the nicest car I have ever driven and i ve driven. Mercs, BMs, Audis, Jags ect ect.
I would think that your Jeep would be a cheaper car to fix in the grand scheem of things, but it will never ever be a Range Rover!

Also If you are in Brisbane, Jaguar Range Rover at Newmarket is one of the best places for parts. Murry imports low milage units from over seas and so can get you very good second hand parts.

Thanks David and Muddydigger, it is good to know there is someone only 5mins away for servicing in Brisbane and email friends just a click away!

My brother-in-law is checking out a car for me in Melb today - the dealer suggested I get a RACV check for $300 and they will fix anything raised in the report plus service before we pick up. I guess I can't ask for more than that. It is a 99 RR HSE with 102000kms - it has had a new engine recently due to factory fault (dealers comment) which I assumed may be the slipped liners?!?!

I am hoping it works out... I am looking forward to driving one for more than 10mins - already planning to get the kids looked after and doing a long road trip home (well three-four days is long for me)... my Husband has a 1988 560SEC Mercedes and it is great compared to my dead Jeep... will have to let him know my RR will be better!!!

Thks
B

Originally Posted by yenoirb

Thanks David and Muddydigger, it is good to know there is someone only 5mins away for servicing in Brisbane and email friends just a click away!

My brother-in-law is checking out a car for me in Melb today - the dealer suggested I get a RACV check for $300 and they will fix anything raised in the report plus service before we pick up. I guess I can't ask for more than that. It is a 99 RR HSE with 102000kms - it has had a new engine recently due to factory fault (dealers comment) which I assumed may be the slipped liners?!?!

I am hoping it works out... I am looking forward to driving one for more than 10mins - already planning to get the kids looked after and doing a long road trip home (well three-four days is long for me)... my Husband has a 1988 560SEC Mercedes and it is great compared to my dead Jeep... will have to let him know my RR will be better!!!

Thks
B

Sounds nice hope it all works out. If the dealer is willing to fix any faults he must fairly confident its a good one. But youll find that unless the particular RACV technition is a rangie man, they wont know swat about it. get checked by a Land rover workshop. That way you will be sure that all possible faults will be identified. The rangie will crap all over a 1988 Merc. allthough I have to say that 560 v12 is a sweet engine, but for comfort you wont beat the Rangie

Melbourne is a good place to buy a P38. I went down and bought my "Toorak Tractor" from Toorak.

Usually no expense spared on maintenance and repairs at good dealerships and a very good chance they've never been near a beach.

You'd better be careful though, a mate of a mate of a mate's second cousin knew a guy that was once quoted one hundred million dollars to repair the thingamy whatsit on his uncle's P38.

Originally Posted by adm333

Usually no expense spared on maintenance and repairs at good dealerships and a very good chance they've never been near a beach.

I'll back that. IMHO with the yuppie Rovers (Im a series/defender man) its more about the location and status of the owner than the vehicle than much else one from melbournes posh districts (or sydneys for that matter) is more likely to have had a luxurious well pampered life than say one from Darwin.

Even then Id start to be a little cautious if a low (sub 150K Km) kilometer rangie has had the radiator or major work done on it. Make sure you get the full service history on it and if you see anything that indicates that it might have had an over heating problem say thanks but no.

Originally Posted by adm333

No, but it comes in a close second to the door seals on a Defender

Defenders have door seals?