P38 on Drive - Opinions?

**yyeessno** · 4th August 2009, 10:32 AM

Used Cars for Sale | RANGE ROVER RANGE ROVER www.drive.com.au

I have been considering a RRC or P38 for a while to replace my Defender and this one has come up and seems to be the business, with a reasonable asking price and kms. It has had the coil conversion done properly.

I sent the fellow an email asking more details and apparently he has had it to tow his boat and before that it was a horse stud car.

I think I will go and have a look. My only concern is that it is the 'S' model instead of the HSE. Should I be worried about the smaller engine? Would a good chip make up for the difference? Can I expect better fuel economy?

**Scouse** · 4th August 2009, 11:03 AM

Engine wise, the 4.0 is OK.
This model doesn't have leather, fog lights & a few other bits & pieces. It might even have manual seats too.

Something's not right about the front end. The grille & bumper seem way too dark for some reason - almost as if they've been painted black.
The plenum filter's missing too

**Hoges** · 4th August 2009, 11:12 AM

If you can get a late 99 model with the Bosch EFI it also had an upgraded ABS system and is somewhat less problematic than the GEMS equipped vehicles... Take a look at Range Rovers and scroll down to "Common Problems and fixes 4.0/4.6" There's a lot of excellent info on what to look for etc...

good luck

**Camo** · 4th August 2009, 11:55 AM

I wouldn't touch any rangie older than 99' (bosch upgrade)

1999 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SE P38A Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au

This one here is close to that price range.. low k's aswell

Camo

**Scouse** · 4th August 2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Camo

I wouldn't touch any rangie older than 99' (bosch upgrade)

Says the man with a 1990 model

.

The post 99s are preferable but they all have their good points & bad points.

**yyeessno** · 4th August 2009, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the help guys.

I want to use this car as a tourer with only moderate off roading. I normally live in the Adelaide Hills and working on steep muddy vineyards, and drive all over uneven and slippery terrain.

I am seriously considering an early 90's RRC, especially as they are cheaper to buy and cheaper to run (am I wrong?) and have less electrical problems. I am terrified of electrics and can't work out the short in my SIII, never mind a P38 with computers!

One question with the RRC: which of the models had airbags for driver and passenger?

**Camo** · 4th August 2009, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse

Says the man with a 1990 model

.

The post 99s are preferable but they all have their good points & bad points.

Thats true with them all... but my father still has his '97 4.6. Had all the usual prob's with it.. 10k engine rebuild due to slipped liner (fixed '99 onwards), brake modulator, typical air suspension woes..etc

but for an extra few grand you would be way better off getting the later model.

Camo

**Scouse** · 4th August 2009, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Camo

10k engine rebuild due to slipped liner (fixed '99 onwards),

Unfortunately there's no cut off for this problem, it happened way past 1999 too.
I just threw 3 59D prefix engines with porous/slipped liners in the bin after having a clean up.

**Camo** · 4th August 2009, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse

Unfortunately there's no cut off for this problem, it happened way past 1999 too.
I just threw 3 59D prefix engines with porous/slipped liners in the bin after having a clean up.

so from 95-2002 they were all the same? with just different injection from 99 onwards?

Had the engine done at Ricks 4x4 (landy mechanic) in Nerang and he said to use a 2000 block as they don't have the slipped liner prob.. earlier short motors were nearly half the price.

Got me stumped there

**Remy** · 4th August 2009, 05:00 PM

That is a fairly high price for the "S". My 96 model HSE was around the 8K mark with 160K and i see them come up around this 8-9K mark so be patient - you will have problems with the later modes as well from what i have read but parts are around see Andrew_E, Karcraft etc so it doesn't need to cost you a bomb. This site and others provide a wealth of information so most problems can easily be solved. The air suspension isn't as bad as people make out and the bypass kit is a cheap bit of piece of mind. Knowing the slipped liner issues get the car tested by a mechanic before handing over the cash - my engine was replaced early in its life at considerable cost to rover (thanks for that info scouse). Go for a HSE unless there are heap of mods on the 4.0 that make it worth while - hey Paul

Cheers,
Remy

Originally Posted by yyeessno

Used Cars for Sale | RANGE ROVER RANGE ROVER www.drive.com.au

I have been considering a RRC or P38 for a while to replace my Defender and this one has come up and seems to be the business, with a reasonable asking price and kms. It has had the coil conversion done properly.

I sent the fellow an email asking more details and apparently he has had it to tow his boat and before that it was a horse stud car.

I think I will go and have a look. My only concern is that it is the 'S' model instead of the HSE. Should I be worried about the smaller engine? Would a good chip make up for the difference? Can I expect better fuel economy?

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