Thread: Potential new P38a owner

Hi Keithy P38,

Hate the sports,didnt like it when it first came out,still dont like it.

To my way of thinking,if your going to get a Rangie,get the full fat version.

cheers

p.s. yet to see the new version lol

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty every now and then, you can drive like a king for a very reasonable price!
I own a 2001 HSE 4.6 and I couldn't imagine driving anything else...except for maybe an L322 one day
Mine is a daily driver, I also love doing longer drives in style and comfort.
I don't do a lot of off roading, but it's nice to know it does have awesome capability in that department.
I have come across many of the common problems over the last three years, most of those I have been able to rectify myself, with the great advice from the very helpful people on this forum, and rangerovers.net.
A good, knowledgeable local parts supplier is a real bonus, as you will alwyas get the right part, but many forum members like to obtain parts from the UK or ebay without too much drama.
One thing I highly recommend is a faultmate extreme code reader, just plug it in under the passenger footwell and it will tell you what is going on, which is a big plus when trying to diagnose any issues and also uncovering any problems you may not be aware of.
Like anything, you learn as you go, you cant beat the satisfaction of fixing it yourself. It has come to the point now where I get nervous letting anyone else do anything to it!
When a mechanic does the work, they put in what ever parts they want to, when you do it, you can hand select which parts, oils etc yourself, plus you know it's been done properly and when.
Keep a good record of your maintenance so you know what was done and when.
If you live in the Melbourne area you are welcome to take mine for a drive to give you a comparison for any test drives you might do.
Good luck with it!
Cheers, Pete.

So true Rob, I really would like injected lpg for the economy and probably more power.

The Sport.... sexy! Only about as much as a cane toad. The Evoque though, mmmmm (now ducks for cover).

The Evoque is fine for the inner city slicker,not for the outer burbs/ country folk.
Altho there's quite a few evoque's that live up the mountains. lol


cheers

If it built to run on unleaded it should have hardened valve seats - designed not to have the lubrication of lead and should therefore be fine with Gas.


Tom.

Mmm, not necessarily; take the nissan 4.5. They run happily on ulp, but put them on lpg and the heads have big problems.

Having had an early 4.6 P38, and the later 4.0 and 4.6, I will take the 99+ Motronics 4.6 V8 over the others any day. My 4.6 is better on fuel than the 4.0 and has more useable power IMHO.

Definitely recommend getting a FaultMate or Nanocom for peace of mind to read/clear faults and tweak settings.

Rebuild the EAS Valve Block and compressor when you get it, then plan to rebuild them every year or two onwards as a maintenance item. Install an EAS Emergency Bypass kit or carry 4 schrader valves on 6mm push fittings in the glove box for further peace of mind.

I drive a '96 Gems 4.6. It is my daily driver.
In truth, I'm not as up to date with the maintenance as I should be, I don't yet have a Nanocom but know I should have one. I do change the oil regularly and check everything thoroughly.
I've got pretty good at diagnosing and fixing things as I go along including EAS, heating pipes, blend motors etc. As an amateur it's pretty straightforward.
The only time I have broken down is when I got a flat on the Westgate. RACV said to me that all Range Rovers were flaky, I asked him how many he had been out to and I was his first! Bad rep...and all I had was a flat.
I take my P38 out everywhere, just got back from the High Country and took her up into the hills offroad with no issue (Fry's Hut and SheepFlats).
If you like fiddling with cars, the P38 is great. An absolute must is the Eas bypass kit.
Enjoy.