Thread: which P38 ?

I had an '89 classic for 7 years before moving on to my current 2001 HSE P38.
It is a big move up from the classic with all the modern electronics, air suspension, nice interior and drive.
Owning a classic is a great primer to owning a P38, it will make sense mechanically if you like to do your own maintenence.
Of course with any complicated vehicle, there are more things to go wrong, fortunately most of those are small annoying problems, most of which can be fixed yourself with help from this forum and rangerovers.net
Personally, I would be looking at the updated version that came in about mid 1999, it has the highly regarded thor engine management system, you can identify them with the clear front indicators.
A faultmate is a must, that thing has been a huge help to me in diagnosing problems. Also the rave manual is a must have.
You can read about P38's and thier faults as much as you like, but ultimately, when you get behind the wheel, you'll know why so many of us persist with them!
The big thing with any Range Rover is maintenance. If you are able to maintain it yourself, that is the key to keeping costs reasonable.
I have done virtually every job so far myself, which is nice to know it wasn't done by a first year apprentice in a mechanics shop somewhere.
I have collected a nice array of quality tools now, which makes things much more bearable when you are underneath and covered in grease!
Good luck with the P38 hunting.

Originally Posted by PeterH

updated version that came in about mid 1999, it has the highly regarded thor engine management system, you can identify them with the clear front indicators.

Thor came out in the 1999MY with orange indicator lenses. They went white/clear in 2000MY.

Peter is pretty bang on with his advice, Get a Thor if your budget can stretch, thats not to say the earlier cars are not worth considering. 4 wheel traction control,Stronger front diff, more torque, better KPL Bosch engine management is what you pay more for. 2000my cars have different lights front rear and fog. Maintenance is paramount, parts are relatively cheap but If you cant turn a spanner yourself then forget it. Cooling system must be 100% Air suspension can be challenging but fixable

Yeah definitely happy with my '99 Bosch HSE. It's been faultless for me (excluding the alternator the day I bought it and crank position sensor a year later - things that could happen to any commodore or falcon, not specifically a P38).

It's taken me over 40,000 lovely kilometers over 4yrs, through Cape York (where I towed 3t of classic Range Rover back through Lakefield to Cairns), through the goldfields and everywhere in between, it lives in touring mode and sees nothing but low range every time! Certainly is an adventure machine! Brings back better fuel consumption than the V8 Commodore it replaced!

Wouldn't change it for quids! Luxury, performance, great towing ability, excellent 4wd capability - what more could you ask!

Cheers
Keithy

HI

Great advice here, my 1999 HSE 4.6 is a true luxury beast and I love it

The only other thing I can suggest is get one with an LPG injection system fitted

Good luck
Steve

The general lean appears to be toward the 4.6. Is there any issues with the 4.0 other than that "there is no substitute for cubic inches"

if memory serves the last 4.6's were more powerful- wheres that wiki page--
"The final version, used in the Range Rover, produced 222 hp (166 kW) at 4,750 rpm and 300 ft•lbf (407 Nm) at 2,600 rpm"


oh,, and the 4L will drop a liner,,,

If contemplating a P38 then I think the only choice is the full disaster - a Vogue model. Might as well have all the luxuries the P38 can offer.