Thread: D2 Vs P38, the P38 side

Originally Posted by Marshall

OK, as the thread implies, I want to know why I would buy a P38 instead of a D2... I expect a biased view here but am still looking for the usual things... reliabilty, comfort, offroadability, allrounder. I won't be doing river crossings where I need scuba gear, but would still like to go around Oz with no worries.
I have posted this on the D2 site as well...

Well marshall....what can i say without opening a can of worms

Personally i'm a german recent defected british automotive Range Rover fan. My farther being German himself almost disowned me when i told him that i bought a P38 Range Rover. But....nevertheless they are the best off-road vehicle that not even the Germans could better, equaling it at best. I think the Range Rover is the better engineered vehicle over the D2 as it has a more advanced suspension system which clearly shows when your off-road. They're also more reliable due to the fact that no expenses were spared when building the Range Rover. I might be new to Land Rover but i have studied their history for quiet some time and have been an RR fan since i was 6 years old and ....yes you guessed correct....living in Germany, so DON"T MENTION ZE WAR. But no seriously, the disco is similar in the sense that it is build on the same chassis as the classic range rover, where's the p38 is a generation ahead and is more comfortable, more powerful if you choose the 4.6lt V8, as well as more luxurious.

The downside though is that the P38 has less aftermarket accessories to add to it. Not that you need to much to the P38 anyway, as they are a very off-road capable vehicle to begin with, more so than a Toyota Landcruiser...(DOHHHH!!!! i said it again) straight out of a box.

That's my 2 cent worth

We could talk at length about the virtues and foibles of the P38 suspension, ride, mechanicals and electrics... same for D2's. Both are great cars and will easily get you around the country in comfort and reliability if you maintain them properly and prepare yourself for the trip.

However, I suggest you drive a 2000 model Disco (TD5 or V8) and then drive a 2000 model P38 4.6 V8. Take both for a drive on the highway at 110Kph, practice overtaking Landcruisers, Patrols and X5's. Then go for a run on corrugations. For good measure, find a steep hill and god up then down again. Find some mud and see what the diffs and TC can do, even with road tyres.

If you decide that the Disco is the more comfortable and capable vehicle, I am impressed and respect your choice.

Most likely outcome... like the rest of us here you'll be hooked on the P38 and anything else is a compromise.

Cheers, Paul.

No contest in my book- P38 all the way. But with my long wheel base LSE Classic a close second [had to add this - couldn't help myself....lol]

Agree with everything Paul, and others have said. Range Rovers just have something over their Disco brothers.

But, one of the major issues for me is that STUPID single swing door!

I've never had a vehicle that has a door like that, but many friends do. I will never have one.

Stuff falls out when you open it, and you can't generally open it fully when you have any sort of trailer/van connected.

Just stupid!

Originally Posted by ytt105

Agree with everything Paul, and others have said. Range Rovers just have something over their Disco brothers.

But, one of the major issues for me is that STUPID single swing door!

I've never had a vehicle that has a door like that, but many friends do. I will never have one.

Stuff falls out when you open it, and you can't generally open it fully when you have any sort of trailer/van connected.

Just stupid!

I agree with that.......Just stupid!!

If you buy the P38, add $1,500 or so to the budget and purchase a netbook ($350-$400) running XP and a Faultmate (basic model). On the netbook you can load all the common problems and fixes from Range Rovers plus 2,500 pages of workshop/overhaul/electrical from RAVE...all in searchable pdf format, plus the free EAS fault reading/re-set/calibration software available from Storey Wilson's website.

Netbook and Faultmate (just) fit in the glovebox. you now have almost total transparency into the faults/foibles of the P38... should they arise.

As P38s are built like a Meccano Set, most jobs, barring catastrophic failure, can be fixed beside the road / in a caravan park /under a tree....
with the current FOREX rates for the GBP, you can purchase spare parts at up to 60% discount on local prices, including airfreight and delivered to your door in 5 days from reputable UK suppliers...

What you might spend over a year will be a fraction of the depreciation you would otherwise lose in purchasing a new vehicle.

Try and get a good late 1999 model if you can with the Bosch upgrade (Thor engine) (from VIN 410482 onwards).

good luck

YEP... what they said!

Out of the box, P38 off road ability is pretty bloody awesome. Put some muds on and you will be surprised how far you go - unmodified.

On road there really isn't a competition. all the disco really has to its clear advantage is the 7 seat option and possibility of an oil burner (if thats your cup of tea). The seat can be done in a p38, you just gotta be patient and keep an eye on flea-bay for matching secondhand dickie seats. Realistically, forget a P38 diesel unless you wanna import

From what I've read and been told over the years of LR ownership, it really doesn't matter, with either your bound to be digging deep and pulling your hair out for a long time!!!

Good luck either way

you should test drive both to see what you feel more comfortable in, but it mostly depends on what sorta 4wding you want to do with it. ive owned a d2 and now my p38 and the rangie is more capable as a standard vehicle but if you want to do some real 4wding they both have to be modified, the rr is much harder to extensively modify than the d2 and i swear mine was made exclusively out of parts from the rr experimental bin. the rr is hugely more stable than the d2 aswell.