Thread: Looking at a stardard 1997 P38A HSE

Hi Nick, Mine is the 1997 model and the older Gems engine. I have had a few issues and redid the heads seven months ago after getting small blow out on the gasket but that was at 315K and other than that its been a good engine. It will have more to do with how its been looked after than if its a Thors or a Gems as both suffer the same issues if neglected from what I have ascertained. If the oils are good and the inside of the rocker cover ( lifters etc are brown and not black) cooling system is good and they have evidence of a regular service then I would be more tempted to go with that then a newer one with no history.
Good luck whichever way you decide.

My opinion:

Go for an older turbo diesel disco. A $5,000 P38 will cost you another $5,000 in repairs...

Or buy Paul's P38! It's advertised here in the for sale section.

Don't bother as it will cost you a truck load more to keep it running

Nick
I've got a 1996 P38a with around 220k on the clock. Like any older car you will get parts wearing out, the P38, Disco or any other car of a similar vintage will be no different. Whilst I'm sure it will be a contenscious point I love what the Rangie has to offer in the Electronic Air Suspension and the smoothness of the ride. I should point out this is not my daily drive, it is a weekender that is also used by friends and family when they visit Perth. For me it tows the boat without a problem, I can change the height for easy access when handing the keys over to other drivers and then up with the suspension height and on with the muddies for some fun off road.
I support PeterAllen's comment re the inspection of the inside of the rocker covers. Of course in addition to a host of other check ups you will do on any car purchase.

Good luck with the choice......

Gary

5k P38..................... You want to check it out for issues that's for sure. You don't really get a spotless one for that price unless the seller is really desperate, or has high km's.

I assume your disco was a series 2? The P38's don't ride as nice as the D2s, but they do handle better (except ACE D2).
The standard D2 is more comfortable and capable offroad.

The economy won't be quite as good - bigger motor on older injection system, and it won't really go that much quicker.

The traction control system isn't near as good in the P38s either, and you'll only get rear wheel TC in that year. They're no slouch offroad though.

With the cracked block slipped linner thing, the early cross bolted motors had a problem whereby the casting would drift during moulding, resulting in sometimes thin cylinder wall thickness that would only be exascerbated by overheating (read - driver related problem). Apparently Rover fixed this problem around 98-99; so it stands to reason if no major work has been done by now you've got a good block, or if it has been done a later block should have been used thus fixing the problem. When you take it for a test drive, if it starts making a knocking noise after it's warmed up it could be a slipped liner.

Just like the D2s electrical problems can be hard to trace, not that the p38's have more electrical stuff on them, but they're not as robust so you will have a few more problems.

The extra space inside a p38 makes a big difference whilst travelling though, and they're way more stable on side angles, if you take it slowly enough the eas will cancell out body roll.

My cousin has a 99D2 TD5, and I reckon he's spent just as much as me in the last 18 months, EGR valve, turbo pressure valve, throttle position sensor, fuel pump, front springs and more.


If you can't take it for a drive though, don't touch it.