Thread: Thinking of buying p38 - running costs compared to Disco 1 v8?

Hey there Aussie,

So what is going on with your old mistress? Did she find a new lover yet? I didn't catch if she ended up selling on that e-bay auction or not.

If she did, what did you end up getting? If she didn't, are you gonna strip her down and sell off some of the fresher bits? From memory you had put quite a few desirable bits and pieces into her... Not that I need any of it, but I do keep seeing guys looking for fuse box repairs, suspension refresh bits, etc

Oh yeah, and how is that new bitsamissin going? You gotten used to the backward step yet? My pretty pig is in the panel shop at the moment and I've just about had a gut full of driving the mrs croozer around! Those jap things are just sooooo agricultural.

Keep smiling! Dave & the pretty pig

Thanks to all of you for the very informative answers.


I think this time I will be giving the Rangie a miss as I'm not sure I have the time or the inclination to look after one properly.

I'm going back looking for a Disco 2, Patrol or Cruiser.

Maybe next time..............

That's a shame because you will be missing out on owning one of the most capable and comfortable 4wds around.
The posts in this thread are largely negative because we tend to focus on the things that go wrong rather than all the times that it is running well and out-classing pretty much everything else.
The fact that you asked what to look for puts you way ahead of most people in that you now know what to run away from or what gives you leverage in negotiating a lower sale price.
I'm not sure that buying a cruiser, patrol or d2 will assure you of lower maintenance... I have mates with patrols and cruisers that spend a lot more time in the shop than either of my P38's.

Wish you well whatever path you choose, but there is a great community here to help if you do go down the p38 route.

Cheers, Paul.

Thanks.

Nothing's set in stone just yet & we'll see what comes up.

My wife is keen to wait for the "right" car what ever comes up good at the time.

I get a bit obsessed and blinkered by the bling.

Too many good choices out there and I can't have them all unfortunately.

A big plus on the side of Land Rovers in general is the community support. It gives people the confidence to get busy with the spanners knowing they aren't alone.

Im in a similar situation mate, been interested in getting a P38A for over 12mths, ive found a couple a decent ones, came very close to parting with cash for one recently.

Possible new job that would require moving has put a hold on my hunt for now, but to tell the truth im obsessed with them now, keep seeing P38s everywhere and there is only 2 or 3 in my town lol.

If it helps i'm a former Patrol owner, driven most every Cruiser in last 15 yrs for work, spent time in Disco's and for me the Rangie is far ahead of them as a total package.

The one gripe i have is the slipped liner issue, i intened to take care of that quickly when i become an owner,either top hat it or swap engine over to a Chev LS3. just about any other problem is fixable anywhere with the Faultmate and general tools etc.

I think the poor reputation Landrover has, has snowballed a bit, to put it into perspective, i get 4X4 Action Magazine, watch the DVDs with my kids, the bloke who does the trips Roothy, has a 40 series Cruiser that is built with the latest/greatest after market bits available, its probably had over $100 000 spent on it in the last year or two and it breaks down almost every trip, now you cant get much more LOW tech than a 40 series.


Have a look at this link below, Facebook international P38 club, really good photos and custom mods, might help to turn your opinion 38°

Klub 38 Offroaders's Photos - Helder Balhé | Facebook

Excuse my ignorance but what year did they convert to Bosch electrics?

And what would be a fairly typical annual repair bill be assuming you do next to no work yourself (at a specialist, not a dealer).

Originally Posted by hoadie72

Excuse my ignorance but what year did they convert to Bosch electrics?

And what would be a fairly typical annual repair bill be assuming you do next to no work yourself (at a specialist, not a dealer).

99 onwards use the BMW "Thor" engine management sytem which is better regarded than the earlier GEMS system. Might still be some Lucas bits lurking in there though.

When I got my first P38, I hadn't done my research and bought one with more than average problems... as I was wary of the apparent complexity of the engine and electronics I would take it to the local LR dealer or independent workshop at the first sign of trouble. In my first year I think I calculated that I spent almost $30k including running costs, loan repayments etc. About 15k of that was in repairs from memory.

Compare that to my current P38... in the past year I have spent about $4k in necessary repairs and parts, including a top-end engine refresh and replacing the head gaskets.

Just goes to show... if you have the right tools, contacts and attitude these beasties are not a big drain.

Never mind that I've spent another $10-15k in stuff that "I want" for the Rangie in the same period

By comparison, my wife's Freelander which is a "tar baby" has cost around $1.5k in servicing.

Cheers, Paul.

Thanks Paul.

Owning a 20yo BMW I know it can be an expensive exercise maintaining them, so it's not a daily driver. I'd estimate it's cost me $12-15k in 4 years just in repairs. I don't consider that too bad, however I know I'll spend 3 grand a year given that old stuff just breaks.