Hello Everyone,
Although this is my first post I was a member some years ago when I owned a 1998 Discovery Tdi and over the years I have lost/forgotten my login....So here goes again!
My reason for posting? I recently spotted a 1996 Range Rover Sport for sale at a Land Rover dealer. This vehicle was in near immaculate condition for its age, so being an old Land Rover lover I took a look.
It is a 4 litre and has 260k on the clock. Externally it is in extremely good condition other than or two very minor car door dings, and the odd very minor surface scratch. Internally, the rear seats look like new, front seats not much different except for a small scuff on the a small section of the velour bead trim on the drivers seat. There is a small crack in the dash panel directly under the steering wheel. Rear cargo area looks like it has never been used.
Log book has been stamped for EVERY service since new by a Land Rover dealer. The air suspension has been removed and coils/bilsteins fitted all round (I suspect a previous issue and retrofit away from air suspension has been done). The person who traded it bought another Land Rover (not sure which one) and used this car primarily for highway travel. He is the second owner, and from the service history it was owned by a private business early in its life before being bought by the guy who traded it.
Today, I took this car for a test drive. As expected it drove very well. The only thing at all I could fault from a driving perspective was the steering seemed to have a little play. All electrics appeared to work.
I could smell coolant so upon return opened the bonnet with the engine running - This engine was SILENT! No ticks, rattles or noises whatsoever from the top end. It ran smoother than many new engines of today! No sign of coolant. I eventually found the coolant leak in the cabin - small drip down the side of the centre hump adjacent to the drivers footwell - maybe heater core or hose? I would suggest that this would be fixed by the dealer if pointed out prior to sale.
The dealer advised they have replaced all brake pads, and fitted a new fuel pump before putting on the lot. Rego expires in September.
The asking price is $8000.
What I am asking for is opinions on price and value for this car given the details. Now I know what Land Rover's are like....I was lucky and my Discovery was a 'golden child'. Is this $$ good for a car of this age/type/condition/service history? Should I still view it as a liability?
Will this car run on normal unleaded or does it require Premium? Are they suitable for E10?
Lastly, I do 2 types of driving - All suburban (not stop/start CBD but urban) and all Highway. What I would like to know is expected fuel economy for these 2 driving types.
This car is in immaculate condition for its age/miles. Service history is flawless. Is it a good buy for $8000 or should I keep walking?
Bart
Master
Sounds like its a good enough RR from your observations.
I doubt it is the original engine with that milage on it and silent running as you say.
Coolant is most likely as you have said.
Fuel, i use United PLUS ULP 95 octane have done for yrs, no complaints at all.
Highway cruising you should be good for 13-14L per 100km.
City driving is murder 20-23L per 100km. You might better this with a 4.0L
For $8k you can get a 4.6HSE fairly easily.
Either way you are getting a lot of car for $8k
Wizard
It sounds good Bart. With all those service records perhaps you could check with the servicing dealer as to what has been repaired/replaced on the car. This will give you a clearer picture of the cars history apart from servicing.
YarnMaster
Subscriberwhat is a P38 "Sport" and how does it vary from the "S" or HSE model??
ForumSage
A couple of points.
There is no such thing as a 1996 P38 Sport.
A coil spring conversion on a P38 will require an engineers certificate. Has it got one?
Wizard
Another example of more money than sense, If its not made yet I can make one.Originally Posted by BigJon
RANGE ROVER CUSTOMISED, MODIFIED P38 | eBay
Not sure what I got wrong then. The back tailgate definitely has "SPORT" on it, and the build plate is definitely January 1996.
Was the P38 after 1996?....Maybe that was my incorrect assumption? Everything I read has said that the P38 was from 1994 - 2002 which this model would fall into based on this.
Bart
Wizard
Must admit I have never heard of a P38 Sport either. I had a look in The P38 bible - "Range Rover - The Second Generation" by James Taylor and it doesn't mention a Sport model except for an English promotional model in 1998.
Have you got a pic of yours Bart? The badge/logo might have been an owner or dealer inspired add on.
I dont have a photo of this one but the "Sport" and "4.0" stickers on the rear both looked to be the same type/color and material, and was in the same font type as the standard ones. I did not notice that the stickers looked 'different' to each other (ie - one added later etc....).
I guess it could have been possible that it was added previously when panel work was done using genuine stickers thus making them look very original. That is the only thing I can think of if this model did not exist.
This vehicle was sold by Alto Land Rover so that rules out the possibility of a Sport being offered in 1996 models overseas and privately imported.
Bart
EDIT: It looks as though the "Sport" sticker is a genuine one added later. I have confirmed this vehicle is in fact an SE.
Swaggie
ANY coolant loss from ANYWHERE on p38a is cause for concern, IE = $$$$$$.
Heater core is a major job, Orings a little less of one, but MAY be over pressurising the system due to head gasket or liner issues.
Add about a further 8K to rectify THAT little can of worms if you have to pay someone to do the whole job....
Keep looking is my advice, or stick with another 98/ 99 D1.
JC
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