Comments re HSE 1996 Range Rover

[pootle1]

Another new person to this site with a few questions regarding a HSE R/R 1996 model.
Can any one enlighten me re the pros & cons about this model as I have read quite a few comments in this site and they are mostly on earlier models with considerable modifications.
I am without a vehicle at the moment having just seriously drowned a 2001 GU 4.2 diesel.
I would like to know about the HSE model.
Any problems with suspension, electrics, fuel consumption, electrolysis,vibration, etc etc
I did own an 83 two door but got rid of it becuae of electrolysis in the motor. Apart from this had trouble free motoring both on & off road for over 10 years.

[mickrangie]

KEEP AWAY FROM WATER!!

They are a good Town car... but at 20 to 25l per 100k is not much chop around town anyway IMO (good for draging ricers)

Not much after market for them apart form Maxi Diff Locks and bolt on queen stuff (nice roof racks from rola)

Gear box is fully electronic... need i say more

Mick

[4by]

Hi Pootle1, welcome to the site.

You'll get some pretty good information about your request. Best way to find out is communicating with fellow people who own Rangie's.

Cheers mate, (Rob).........ps Wallan Wallan is a bit out of date.......

[Maggot4x4]

If you can stretch to it you are far better with a post 1998 than a 1996, the had ironed a few of the bugs out by then.

Have a look at this site, fair few guys with P38a's there

http://www.aulro.com/

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

I say its the Best 4 by 4 by Far until something breaks.

4.6 HSE stands for Highly Sucky Electronics.

Have gone through a whole air suspension sets. It fails on us somehow. Once we had to hire a flat bed trailer when the suspension decided to die on us. And recently had the replaced the rear springs. This was the result of me being silly enough to try ramping the thing.

If u can live up with the horrible electronics its a very bling bling car.....

Oh btw have anyone gone off roading with it? My interpretation of offroading is when u need to use low range all the way? Does the viscious centre diff and TC helps out? Or the car still suffers diagnol wheel spin?
cheers

[sausage]

Common things that I see go wrong with them...
Brake Pump - Pricey
Brake accumulator - Pricey
Airbags perishing - Pricey
Suspension Pump - Pricey
People using aftermarket shocks - genuine shocks limit downwards travel so if an longer shock is put in and its on a hoist the airbags take the weight of the axle and usually tear/break. I see the Americans replace the airbags with coils which removes alot of the suspension issues.
Offroad they work well. Have only ever driven them with the factory tyres and still went places (t/c works well). Would remove lower spoiler and spotlights if you were to use off road.

Personally if you were buying one to use offroad, I would go with a Discovery and with the money left over, mod the shit out of it

[Loanrangie]

I would steer well clear of the pre 97 cars as these have had some major failures. As maggot said 98 up would be a better buy - i have seen a cxouple of 98-2000 4ltr se 's for around $18k.

[Aquarangie]

My old man bought a 98 Rangie 4.0 (pov pack with leather seats non-electric) for $21.5K about Sept last year. It's had a few bugs in the air suspension mainly perished air bags, but other than that it's been reliable.

There's a few blokes in my club who have P38A's and some have had trouble-free service and some have had all sorts of problems, it's a bit like pot luck with a 38A from what I have seen.

Yes I have to agree, 98 onwards are the best picks unless you get a earlier one for a cheap price

Trav