What to look for '95 Range Rover HSE

[McJeff]

Hey,

My mate is very keen in purchasing '95 Range Rover HSE, he wanted to know what should he look for?

Service Records (Obviously).

Any known problems with these models?

Any recalls for this model? If so, what was wrong with the componments?

Whats fuel economy like? (4.6lt V8)

Thanks in advance, any other things i forgot to add please feel free to add into the list.

Cheers

Grant

[RaginRover]

Check to see if it has had the heads off, these will blow headgaskets with one cooking, try the old drinking glass over the oil filler see if it mists up also check water in oil and vice versa. At this stage it should have probably had a radiator - check to make sure.

See what tyres it has on it, it should have come with Michelin XPCs - they run at $350 each - best tyre for the car, 1000 times better than anything else for the p38.

Make sure the air suspension goes up and comes down, you shouldn't be able to hear the pump operating inside the car with the car running, if you can it needs its mounts replacing. Make sure the air suspension will run up to operating hieght and stay there - it should cycle in and out by should stop and only come on every now and again - not run all the time - if it runs all the time it has leaks in it that need repairing either the push lock connectors or the air bags themselves - bags and lines are cheap - air bag man in brisbane can supply for less than 200 each and they must be replaced in pairs if you buy them from him.

The ABS/Brake acculumator should operate correctly - start the car and wait till all the pumps stop running, pump the brake pedal until you hear the abs pump come on, you should be able to pump the pedal 5 times before it cuts in - if it is more like 3 the main sphere needs replacing - cheap ish - $300 last time I bought one - don't buy a secondhand unit.

Check the HVAC (heating ventialtion and Air Conditioning) make sure it changes to recirculate without putting up the test book symbol - it shoudl sit on auto and set it at 20 degrees and it should cool the car brilliantly. If it doesn't there is a problem.

Check the display in the middle of the dash for faults - tell us what is there, how many Ks ? at about 250,000 they tend to burn out the low range/high range selector motor, $400 bit of gear that looks like a $40 windscreen wiper motor, normally the gbox ecu is at fault - it will more than likely have dry joints - tv repair man can fix that .

Check all electric windows, check high range and low range, when you select low range it will beap at you until it engages you have to leave it in neutral on the low side till it stops beaping.

Check it has two keys - if the little buttons on the key are stuffede you can buy the replacement buttons and plastic cover for $5 from landrover or $7 on ebay.

Make sure it has the stacker and the sub in it and that it has a mag for a spare - make sure the load cover is there for the tail gate - Personally I wouldn't buy one that is missing any original gear - there are too many others out there in good nick.

That is all I can think of now

Two things to keep in mind, this was a $100,000 car - it is going to still cost money to run it - I do nearly everything myself and parts still can cost a bit

The other thing is economy depends heavily on what driving you do, my dad has a 4.0 SE that over the last 20,000k has averaged 13L/100K half of all his driving is highway. The 4.6 should be as good as that if not better, when I drive it I get 16L/100K in the city and 12L/100K on the highway

Find a good one of these and they are fantastic car to drive

Tom

[Marty1]

That is all I can think of now

sure?

try the old drinking glass over the oil filler see if it mists up

Haven't heard that one... I love it

[McJeff]

Hey,

Thanks for the replies, the information has been passed to my mate, he is now more aware of these things need to check during inspection.

Any more info and expriences will be good to read more about it.

Cheers

Grant

[-Mandy-]

What RanginRover said

When Rod and I were looking to buy a new tow rig our 2 options were either Range Rover (later model) or Disco (later model).
Rod wanted a Land Rover discovery and I wanted a HSE so i got a
1995 4.6L HSE

Just about everything (hang on..I think EVERYTHING) RanginRover pointed out happened within the first month ,there are cheaper ways to fix problems so its not all bad

First was the air suspension and compressor - personally i think this is the most common problem but after shelling out $300 for 2 rear bags this is now fixed,time will tell for how long til the front goes ,have gotten used to the 1 000 000 beeps when its started, but hey, at least it starts

2nd: the little 'cheque' book and ! in the A/C screen- the air con still works perfect and the car still runs so i'm not bothered, if its not on the dash, its not getting fixed

3rd: the temp gauge likes to dance, but it is an electrical problem somewhere in the dash

4th: the rear left hand door lock is buggered, so it has been disconnected...meh

5th: if you find a undamaged CLEAR rear view mirror for one of these, PM me

6th:the roof lining, when we picked the car up, it was perfect, just been relined with a light blue fabric, but the heat has made it drop

7th: If it was true every time it said there was a bulb failure, i'd have no lights at all...but they all work and only once did the RH rear park light not work, resorted to whacking the lens and it came on. Problem fixed, hasn't done it since

8th: Has an oil leak- I heard these are factory and keep it lubed up,great for rust protection of underbody.

9th: Has all 11 speakers with a 6 stacker CD player, but for the fear of not hearing a 'warning/fault' beep, the stereo stays off

10th: Is actually a great car and I'm glad i got it, disco's aren't really as stylish or comfortable And it definately has made mine and Rod's relationship stronger, this vehicle will test all patience.

As long as your mate has a bit of mechanical and electrical knowledge and patience, he would soon grow to love these vehicles for their comfort and handling and even for all their problems