Engine size Advice Wanted on P38

I'm new to Range Rovers and now want to buy a p38. I have a few questions:

Engines

- 2.5 DSE (I've been told to buy a BMW engined model) What's the manual like?
- 4.0 Told that it's a better engine to buy than the 4.6
- 4.6 Been told that it munches oil, blows head gaskets a lot.

I would buy an auto out of preference but have seen quite a few manual 2.5s. Am I right in thinking that the 4.0 is the one to go for?

Many thanks,

Tom

I would go for a 2.5 diesel with auto box,more reliable than the v8,(hate to admit this as I am not a fan of bmw) and is better to drive than a manual.Also responds well to mild chipping/larger intercooler and you dont have to put up with indifferent LPG systems and poor range.
The diesel stalls very easily with a manual box and is hard work in traffic,plus the R380 box doesnt have the best shift quality either.
The v8's are ok,but running costs are high - its not just fuel,I took the heads off a 99my 4.0 today - blown gaskets after a failed water pump.The cam and lifters wont make another 20,000m,but it has to go back as it is.Even the LPG systems need maintenance and they are prone to causing coolant leaks.
One of my customers calls me the grim reaper.

Hi there.
Eightinavee is right, he's done work for me and is being very honest. The V8 P38 is a cracking car when its good but they don't like being left alone nor do they suffer naff replacement parts.
I've personally driven two diesels on auto box's which were fine, but i wanted a V8.
I replaced my engine, (a 4.0 ltr) after 192,000 miles having used the car for work, (roughly 58,000 miles full of paperwork and towing a trailer full of paper) because one of the liners went in the block, my friend bought the engine off me and is now using it in his trialer. I bought a new engine for reliabilty, but in the 68,000 miles of use, including offroading and being dunked in the sea launching my boat, very little was replaced (Transfer box chain and 1st gear) apart from tyres, brakes and oil's etc.
Having lpg is cheap, but you must get the multi point system as the others backfire, (not good) which seem's to be around £1500 - 2000 but they are not all problem free. If your installer is good when a fault does occur you'll be fine.
Mine was very helpfull.

Cheers, Nick.