New P38 owner

**blindin** · 17th August 2014, 07:05 PM

Hi every one.
I have finally committed to buying a p38, although haven't paid, or collected it yet.
I've had a look at a few, and although the budget was very tight, I have finally settled on one at a reasonable price. BUT...
As you can imagine, there are a heap of problems with it, and hopefully I will be able to work my way through them.
There was another option of buying a knackered registered one, and also another unregistered one for a very good price, but both obviously had problems, and although I think it would've worked well, the hassle of it, and time may have been frustrating.
A little about the one I'm buying. The engine sounds sweet, and the eas works well, but unfortunately that's where the good stuff stops.
Interior is pretty tatty, seats worn and stitching coming undone, roof lining sunroof lining and pillars all need urgent attention, but the sun roof does n't seem to be rusted through, and it works, although needs to be set.
Body has a few dents and scratches, and indicator is held in with a couple of pieces of wire, rear tail light cracked, broken front fog light and paint faded, roof is bad, the rest may polish up. front fog light broken.
central locking is locking on its own, cruise control not working, nor the air con, or one seat motor ( spinning, but not adjusting ) interior mirror needs replacing, left hand door mirror something wrong with adjustment, and steering wheel is extremely worn, and needs to be replaced, which makes me wonder about the true mileage.
heater matrix will require replacement as it is disconnected, and bits of trim broken around the place, along with the rear seat belt buckles.
mechanically seems ok, but the abs light comes on when brakes are pressed, front prop shaft squeaking like crazy, and ball joints extremely worn.
It is a early gems 4.6, I would rather the later bosch system, but no one wanted to give one away, so will make the most of what I got.
Hopefully, the abs light will be the brake accumulator, and the air con just a regas.
Looking to find a trimmer who is capable of the head lining is there are any recommendations, and hopefully the rest will follow, with easy repairs.
Although I have listed lots, it seems to be minor problems compared to others I have been seeing, and the engine seems to have minor oil leaks to others.
Any way, thought I would say hello, as I am sure I will be here lots asking for information in the coming months
Thanks Simon

**davidsonsm** · 17th August 2014, 07:20 PM

Congratulations mate and I commend you for not being scared off by what I hope are correctable issues (albeit a lengthy list). All jobs seem doable with the instructions freely available on here and elsewhere.

Post some pictures and keep us posted on progress. We're nosey parkers, us P38 owners. You'll find lots of support and help on here. I'll re-read your post in time and see if I can offer anything more specific.

**blindin** · 17th August 2014, 07:47 PM

thanks davidsonsn.
It is a reasonable list, but compared to others vehicles, I hope I have chosen well. I have had a few discoveries now, and had heaps of useful information from here, and have looking through the p38 section for a while now, while choosing a car.
I think as soon as the roof lining is done, I don't think my patience is good enough to attempt that, but when done, the interior should look respectful.
Ball joints, not really a problem, air con, I hope will be a simple regas, although it probably wont be.
I will get round to looking at the how to for the heater matrix, hoping it will not be the dash out, I managed to do the discovery 1 with it in. central locking surely cant be to bad, same as the cruise, and seat belt buckle.
I believe the abs light will be the brake accumulator. I will try and fit a d2 compass interior mirror, as I am wrecking my d2 at the moment, and may even be able to fit the steering arm to replace some of the ball joints ? track rod ends.
If the seat motor is an easy fix, I'll be happy to, but all in good time.

**poleonpom** · 17th August 2014, 07:50 PM

Welcome to the rest of your life! Sounds like you described my P38 to a T. Headlining is a DIY job and there's a good write up on this forum. EAS light does sound like the accumulator, again a really easy job. The self locking could describe the driver's side door lock threatening to seize, this happened to me and I sprayed a massive load of lubricant up into the catch and have never had a problem since (the replacement lock sits in its box 2 months on). Heating and aircon is for wimps, but if you're inclined, the heater matrix hob is written up here and.on the rr.net website. Welcome.

**rar110** · 17th August 2014, 08:00 PM

Congratulations Simon on the purchase You sound courageous and someone with lots of spare time. While I don't have any experience with a P38, the jobs individually sound DIY doable other than maybe the air con.

According to convention, you are required to post pics of the new purchase.

**daf11e** · 17th August 2014, 08:04 PM

Welcome blindin on your choice of vehicle I am sure it will be a love hate relationship .......whilst I have not been on this site long I can assure you it's a great family feel and plenty will help......looking forward to following and assisting with your journey.....good luck!

**blindin** · 17th August 2014, 08:09 PM

Pics to come, haven't even payed for it, or collected it yet.
Any ideas if discovery 2 keys are usable with the p38? If so, I could get a key cut, and reprograme the d2 chip, well if the nano com can do it? I will have to get the nano com unlocked for the p38.
If any one knows of some where to get the rear seat belt buckles, and a decent steering wheel, that would be very useful.
Has anyone done a headlining them selves?

**mtb_gary** · 17th August 2014, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by blindin

Pics to come, haven't even payed for it, or collected it yet.
Any ideas if discovery 2 keys are usable with the p38? If so, I could get a key cut, and reprograme the d2 chip, well if the nano com can do it? I will have to get the nano com unlocked for the p38.
If any one knows of some where to get the rear seat belt buckles, and a decent steering wheel, that would be very useful.
Has anyone done a headlining them selves?

Simon, get in contact with redandy3575 for the seat belt buckles, he's just started to break a p38. As for the headlining wayneg (also in Perth) put up an excellent article on how to replace the headlining yourself for a very reasonable cost.
Not sure about the d2 keys.

Gary

**TheTree** · 18th August 2014, 08:05 AM

Welcome to the madness

As far as the key goes it seems the only way is to get a genuine one at a gold plated price

Steve

**benji** · 18th August 2014, 03:51 PM

Yes welcome Simon.
Most of those issues sound pretty simple.
You didn't say gearbox fault which usually indicates a low battery, so I'd be looking at the micro switches on the door locks as my first port of call there. It's not too difficult to open up the latch mechanism and test them with a multimeter.
With the heater, it could just be the orings - very common but pita to do; there are viton ones available.

Have you got a rave?

Best of luck.

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

Thread: New P38 owner

Thread Tools

New P38 owner

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions