Thread: Seriously considering getting a P38A

I was just waiting for this question.....
Yep stuff goes wrong all the time.
The P38 is a very complex bit of kit.It has electric everything.
Electronics go wrong, especially on Land Rovers.

But take a look at all the problems on this site relating to say TD5s terrific engine, but a disaster is all ways just around the corner in my opinion.
There aint much room in a Disco.

I have never had a concern about the drive line in my P38 and in 10 yrs and 180k km of ownership nothing has ever stopped my RR.
What have i replaced? all discs twice, just rebuilt the brake modulator, just replaced the radiator, just replaced the brake booster pump.
5 yrs ago replaced the blend motors.
Replaced all EAS air bags.
I replaced the all the bearings in the rear diff 2yrs ago.
Head liner is sagging. sunroof is broke. Remote central locking is bung.

I love this thing, just did a trip to the Zigzag trck on the week end never got stuck any place (had the TC singing)
These things are like a dog get them wet and dirty and they shake them selves clean and get you home in comfort.
They are not powerfull use a lot of fuel but are a well rounded rig.

If i was sensible,boring and bland i would buy a Tojo!

I've had mine 4 years and 80000k's and I've always got there and back without too many problems. When first bought (163000k's ) it needed air bags , tyres,disc pads and I also fitted a manual air recovery system from the Air Bag Man which I would consider almost compolsory on a p38. The top radiator tank had a small leaky crack and the temp guage tended to climb on long hills. A new top tank and a good clean out fixed both issues.
Later the water pump bearing failed and caused a blown head gasget, luckily in the driveway. Since that was repaired, it hasnt missed a beat. Has had disc pads again recently and now have two sets of wheels both with newish tyres with 245 #75 good year wrangler mtr's for bush use.
Had minor niggles with air suspension, largely caused by an out of wack height sensor. Pump and valve block have been gone through. Haven't had any faults in the last 6 months and now I just get in and enjoy.
Oil and filters get changed at 5000k's and every thing is checked regularely.
Just a matter of learning how to fix a few things and do your own service to have a good run. Particular attention to the whole cooling system as some motors have failed due to overheating. Also no water crossings more than about 900mm.(without raised air intake) as some have drowned.

Also no water crossings more than about 900mm.(without raised air intake) as some have drowned.

I'll second that!!

Originally Posted by Keithy P38

I'll second that!!

a little bit better then most i WOULD say

Okay so next question is:

Is the THOR motor worth an extra 6 grand?????

BOSCH seems to be the go, but did that alone make the cars much more reliable??

Thats a big question! I've never driven a GEMS P38, I have owned 2 Thor ones...

I picked them both up for 15k (each), both in excellent condition, but funnily enough the "better" one was newer, with much less k's and from a dealer... You can knock a dealer down on price much easier by picking on the bad points of the car. Both are HSE's and lovely cream leather!

The difference between Thor and GEMS is very debateable... Look at all the late Classic's getting around with them, and early Disco's. They are most still going, so I wouldn't imagine GEMS would be nasty, merely considered "less reliable".

If it came down to the cheaper one, i'd be buying a GEMS. Same if I had an engine conversion in mind!

Cheers
Keithy

Originally Posted by Keithy P38

The difference between Thor and GEMS is very debateable... Look at all the late Classic's getting around with them, and early Disco's. They are most still going, so I wouldn't imagine GEMS would be nasty, merely considered "less reliable".
Cheers
Keithy

GEMS was only on the P38, RR classic and Disco used 14CUX, far more primitive without ignition control and knock retard

I've only ever owned a GEMS P38, a 95 4L SE, which a borrowed the other day of the current owner, to take measurements for an LS1 conversion, 379K and still going strong, well the headgaskets are leaking, but have been for the past 30K and it'll just get driven till death then a reco long fitted

I'll post a pic of proof when I get my laptop back from the puta aids doctor