Thread: Best model/series

Hi everyone, new to this, couldn't quite work it out so here we are!!! Looking at buying a 1987-88 Range Rover 4.8 litre auto to add to the collection. Don't know too much about the Rangies, I have Land rovers series III x 2, and was just wondering what I should look out for in the Rangie as it has 245000k's on it?

* Hi how much do you want to/or are willing to spend?
* How able are you with a spanner and multimeter?
* Are you confident of using a laptop to tune /diagnose problems with your vehicle given the right information ?
If you are feeling confident read on!

From mid 99 onwards the LR HSE underwent a significant upgrade. Amongst the changes was the fitting of a new EFI (Bosch Motronic EFI (Ver5.2.1) which was similar to the BMW 7 series) which is supposedly more reliable. The ABS system also changed, also reputedly more reliable than previous models.

(Another good place to ferret info on RR exclusively, if you haven't already, is Range Rovers )

I would factor into any purchase price a magic little box called a Faultmate (about $1,200) which will enable you plug a laptop into all of the wondrous electronic boxes which control all manner of items on the RR, and quickly diagnose a problem...including resetting the Electronic Air Suspension, EFI/ABS etc. It will quickly pay for itself.

P38s prior 2000 are now in the "high teens/early 20s" re $$$. Budget probably another $5k over 12 months on airsprings/valve block rebuild/shocks/tyres/Faultmate/plugs/leads/new battery etc depending on the state of the vehicle...a thorough inspection is vital.

there's a publication called RAVE (= electronic version of t he LR workshop manual) which contains over 5,000 pages of readily searchable "how to/what to"for all landrovers, including P38s and can be readily downloaded onto your computer. you then find what you want, print out the relevant pages, work from them, get grease and oil smudges all over them and bin them when you're finished !!

There's also a program available from the NET called "Microcat" which is a complete LR parts catalogue and enables you to search any part for its number etc...like they do at a dealership. In fact you enter the V.I.N. for your vehicle and it tells you what parts are/are not applicable!

My strong advice is to go to Range Rovers and read/read/study all the stuff under the heading "Common Problems and Fixes" then make a decision.

Be aware, if you become "committed" you will very soon become afflicted with RR syndrome which is a mutation of a more widely known LR syndrome.

Addiction is pretty much permanent, you will inevitably be drawn into the global sufferers support group via the NET, you will learn that British quirkiness of design, at LR , is at least as good as French eccentricity in Peugeot/Citroen

Enjoy, but be warned

Could not agree more.

A RRC needs TLC and only certain people get the bug, but once affected, there is no antidote.

Be warned.

That pretty well covers everything.

Good read. One question. (I'll probably find it when I get a chance) but what year was traction control introduced.
Thanks mate