Thread: Drove past a P38 4.6 HSE today

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Mercedes-benz 300 SEL 6.3 (1971) 4D Sedan 3 SP Automatic (6.3L - Fuel Injected) | eBay


Mercedes Benz 300SEL 6.3 Litre | eBay

Bit more than 2.5c worth there.
What would you suggest I do, buy the P38 or buy the Benz? Both lead to rack and ruin. One may be a shorter journey than the other.

Forget the P38, Go the 1970 (second one) they are my favourite series, a few changes to later styling but keeps that early feel a plus is that glorious engine I don't care what anyone says compared to early european vehicles such as those Mercs the P38a will never reach that classic status.

JC

The blue one reads well. Look excellent too. I'd like to have.

The grey looks very nice. I'd like to have.

Nowhere to put them though. They would need to be kept under cover.

Mine.

Originally Posted by justinc

Forget the P38, Go the 1970 (second one) they are my favourite series, a few changes to later styling but keeps that early feel a plus is that glorious engine I don't care what anyone says compared to early european vehicles such as those Mercs the P38a will never reach that classic status.

JC

I had one many years ago - the ex Warren Anderson car. Great for giving Falcon GT's a scare. Absolute beauty to cruise with.

Dont listen to the Nay sayers.
But only if you dont mind doing some work your self.
Any efforts put into your 38 are well rewarded.
I bought an 01 TD5 Disco to replace my 38 two years ago it was a nightmare to work on and i had more faults with it in 6 months than i had with the 38 in 10 years!
The Disco was a better CAR but the 38 has got the X factor, a mate of mine says it has something to do with the thickness of the steering wheel???
P38 for the money cant be beat if you like to drive a lot they eat up the highway and are not too shabby off road either.

Hi Mick,
I've had a '77 S3, Disco 2, Def 130 and now a P38. So far, the P38 has been the best of them all... It doesn't cost a shed load to keep up and going or even to repair. (unless you get "original" LR parts... I get my parts from fleabay UK at about 1/4 of the price here, but that's another thread!)
Things to look for are:
Service history. ALWAYS service history!
If you see a "Check book" symbol on the Hevac display, take it to a stealer to plug into diagnostics (someone here may even be able to help) as it may be a simple fix, but it may be a $1000 fix. Either way, get it checked.
If the roof lining is sagging, as they do, use this as a bargaining point. In all reality, with a couple hours of your time removing it taking it to a trim shop and putting it back, will cost under $300.
Try to get a post 99 model. These had the "Thor" motor Bosch electrics which are arguably better...





Pop your hood. Do you see a rectangular plenum chamber with '4.0' or '4.6' embossed on the center of your engine? If so, you have a GEMS engine. BOSCH engines will have a collection of tubes in center and no such label. (Thor)

Either way, they are great and absolutely in another class. Well worth it I say!

Go on you know you want to

Gary

Originally Posted by 33chinacars

Go on you know you want to

Gary

Of course I want to. I want to buy just about every car I see for sale.
I would love to have a P38 but I don't want one resembling a yellow citrus fruit (and I'm not talking about grapefruit).

JustinC speaketh the truth, Wonderful 4wd's but way past their expiry date.