Thread: Tell me about a P38

I've just had a look on line at the car on the Ritters web page. The car certainly looks the goods, although like Keithy the $20k price tag seems a bit optimistic for a p38 regardless of it's condition. Ritters certainly know their Range Rovers and have done for many years. I had my first RRC 2 door serviced there at one stage back in the mid '80s. Even back then they were a recommended service supplier (and maybe sponsor) of the Range Rover Club of Victoria.

Gary

Originally Posted by carlschmid2002

The one at Ritters in Burwood has 139000 km and they want 19990. It was a customers vehicle that had blown the head. They rebuilt it and have put a 12 month warranty on it. I will try and get out there again today for a test drive. As my wife has just had a new bub and I am on baby sitting duties for my other girl. I did look at it yesterday but didn't have time for a drive. Thnaks for all the help.

Yep that was the one I was impressed with - on paper at least. Interested to hear how it checks out. Let me know if you need another opinion.

Test drove the P38 at Ritters this morning. I loved it. Every thing seems to be working as it was designed to. I just need to convince the wife now. I may have to sell my Defender when I get home. He will let me have it for $18990. I will have a12 month warranty on the engine but no warranty on anything else. I guess I will get a fault diagnosis tool. Thanks for all the info and the links that you have all sent. I guess i will have a few days to think about it over a few Christmas drinks.

Please remember a p38 is for life, not just for Christmas. Good luck with your pontificating.

In regard to the price, I believe it is way too much.
I doubt very much that it has done a composite head gasket in such a short time. The higher probability is that the block is cracked and they have misdiagnosed the problem or made an assumption. With these engines you must first have plenty of corroborating evidence that is is NOT a cracked block. Even though Ritters have a good name I would not trust their word in the slightest.

First you need to get someone to pull out the spark plugs on 4,6, 5 and 7. These are the 4 middle cylinders. If any of them are steamed clean on top you need to walk away because it has a cracked block and not a head gasket issue. there is no water jacket passing through the head gasket adjacent to these cylinders.

If it really were a head gasket then the piston tops of 1,7 2 or 8 would be still clean .i.e silver aluminium colour.

Now if you find out that it is diagnosed correctly you should only offer $15000 in my opinion and walk away.

If you do buy it and it loses any water whatsoever you need to PM me.

Finally if you are not going to put a lot of effort into maintaing the car or carrying out plenty of preventative maintenance then this car is not for you.

I have owned both models of the P38. I really love these cars but I have had one cracked block and many small issues that would leave you stone broke if you get the stealers to fix.

2 days ago the wife and I plus three kids( 21, 19 and 17) in fairly hot humid conditions drove the 9 hours BNE to Taree in the pre christmas road traffic circus. I got out in Taree feeling as fresh as when I started. Its like being cosseted in silk sheets - but there is a price.

I reiterate - do not trust Ritters. Make sure you pull the plugs PLUS take it for a 2 hour drive in hilly country where there s plenty of heat build up in the engine. Carefully mark the water level before and then check after.
BTW I run EMER LPG vapour injection and use 19 l/ 100km on the highway

I am fully aware of the maintenance requirements. i haven't had a used car for some time as I lease them. I have in the past done all my own maintenance. I have never worked on a car with so much technology but I believe with the right diagnostic tool and this forum I will get by. I really enjoyed the ride. I have looked at other cars but they were very poor in comparison to this one. As I said, I love it but I am in no hurry. I could always get someone on the forum to check out a car in the future in Melbourne and fly down. I don't think I will bother with gas unless I move back to Melbourne in the future. It is too dear in North Queensland.