P38a Range rover

[Mad Cruiser]

Thinking of buying a P38a Range Rover for around $20 000

Any recommendations and things to look out for, what to steer away from etc anything would be appreciated

Thanks
James

[RaginRover]

search please - I have written essays on here you didn't say if it was a 4.6 or a 4.0

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... highlight=

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hlight=hse

These two threads should help you out

Tom

[-Mandy-]

w00t.....Get a p38a, they are great
Most common & confusing prob: airbags

We have had a few hiccups but nothing major , but like previously stated in many threads regarding any Land Rover built vehicle, if you dont intend on ever having to look under the vehicle or the bonnet or are not mechanically/electronically minded, the p38a may not be the best choice....unless you can afford to take it to a stealer for regular maintenance.

We picked ours (4.6) up for cheaper than 20k, thanks to raginrovers advice

[Mad Cruiser]

Hey Mandy

How did u and rod fix the air suspension problem ? and was it cheap or expensive ?

[RUFF]

We have had a few hiccups but nothing major

Not sure what you class as a few? But this reply seams to be a little more than a few to me. And these are not mentioning what had allready been replaced previously. I have seen the long list of items that were replaced in its earier days.

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

Most workshops wont touch them and the ones that will are specialists and charge an arm and leg for doing very little.

Yes you can fix or Bodgie things cheaper but as far as problems in Rovers these are the worst. If your happy to root around with it yourself and fix most of the problems Mandy has listed above then it will prob work out well for you. But if your the type that would prefer to take it to someone who knows what they are doing then take some lube with you cause its going to hurt.

The 4ltr non HSE Range Rovers have less motor problems but they still suffer from all the other problems.

The 4.6 engines are prone to blowing head gaskits and to fix this you will be lucky to get change from $5000 and thats as long as the heads and bottom end can be salvaged. This is getting someone else to do the work. If you find one that hasnt had the headgaskits done then the chances are it wont be long before they need doing.

If its a Rover you want my advise is buy a Late Disco 1.Can still get all the electric options but you wont have the Airbag problems,Brake system problems or engine problems.

[-Mandy-]

We have had a few hiccups but nothing major

OK, I'll EDIT THIS FOR YOUR TRUE CORRECT INFORMATION

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 - Carton of XXXX Gold ($28.50) got this code removed and has not since returned and no further probs with the bags!!

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 New thermostat- has not done it since.

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 HAVE SEEN MUCH WORSE, SO I CONSIDER OURS A GOOD ONE

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
- $10 CAN OF SPRAY ADHESIVE- ALL DONE

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 ...so MEH

8th: Has an oil leak- I heard these are factory and keep it lubed up,great for rust protection of underbody. - ITS A LAND ROVER THING, YOU'D KNOW THAT

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 - Rodney is an old fart who doesn't like music anyways

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.- I STAND BY THIS 100%

I've had more problems with my zook


It it also 11 years old, all the other things were replaced as a warranty job before it ran out. Ours may of had/has probs, but there a few out there ALOT worse off for the exact car!!

[RaginRover]

The 4ltr non HSE Range Rovers have less motor problems but they still suffer from all the other problems.

The 4.6 engines are prone to blowing head gaskits and to fix this you will be lucky to get change from $5000 and thats as long as the heads and bottom end can be salvaged. This is getting someone else to do the work. If you find one that hasnt had the headgaskits done then the chances are it wont be long before they need doing.

If its a Rover you want my advise is buy a Late Disco 1.Can still get all the electric options but you wont have the Airbag problems,Brake system problems or engine problems.

Good advice from Tony.

Disco 1s are great value.

The old man's 4.0 has cost a bit this year but we are happy to stuff with it.

Things replaced on the '96 4.0 in 2005

1. Brake acculumator
2. Rotors and pads
3. 2 x air bags
4. 1 x ABS sensors
5. 2 x air con relays
6. 4 x michelin XPC tyres
7. Dash board lights

Now I didn't have a lot of time to help him with this so most of this was done by a rover place.

From memory 2 trips at $1300 + tyres @ $1300. It has been a big year.
It will be interesting to see what maintence we do on it next year

Tom

[Mad Cruiser]

can't say i like the look of the disco's...

I drove a P38a HSE in the UK and loved it also like the looks..... It's starting to sound a bit unreliable now

still thinking should i go with a 98 4.5 petrol 100 series or the range rover hse

[RUFF]

can't say i like the look of the disco's...

I drove a P38a HSE in the UK and loved it also like the looks..... It's starting to sound a bit unreliable now

still thinking should i go with a 98 4.5 petrol 100 series or the range rover hse

I would choose the 100 series over the HSE. They are not as nice to drive but any workshop will welcome them and they are very reliable. Sam(Strange Rover) actually just replaced his HSE with a V8 100series mainly for the reliability and the fact any workshop will look at them.

[Mad Cruiser]

i thought he replaced it because of his growing family ?

[RaginRover]

*cough* radiator replacment *cough*

HSE is big enough for a nuclear family yes ??


Just on the workshops - I have found that there are at least 3 or 4 in Brisbane who are willing to work on them and don't charge a massive amount for the work. Although you do need to make sure you know what things are worth to keep an eye on them. Outside metro areas may well be a different story though

Tom

[james feeney]

Just make sure you get enough boot space

Or there is another option if you fancy a classic?

[RUFF]

i thought he replaced it because of his growing family ?

No.

[RangingRover]

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

Re this one - check the relays for the A/C in the fusebox in the engine bay. If they have brown spots on them, they've melted internally (usually the fusebox will also crack underneath them. Try swapping them with two other relays from the fusebox (starter motor and something else, long as you can still get ign power to test it) if this is the case, and your little book symbol should disappear straight away.

Obviously in that case the fix is a pair (or sometimes just one even) of relays.

[-Mandy-]

Sometimes the car will go days without it showing up (strange for a rangie i know ), when it does though, simply a case of turning the ignition off and back on- and like magic - its GAWWN.

When it does show up, the air-con remains fine.
We were told by a reputable source that if the climate control temp setting is too low (say 16-21 degrees) it will come up with the symbol but doesn't mean there is anything wrong
So we changed this and now it only shows up every now and again, usually when its a really hot day and i turn the temp down again