Hello.

Don't forget to check the heated seats work - they probably won't!

Towbar is simple - be better to do it yourself if you're at all mechanically minded. If you're not, then you soon will be if you buy one! You will need to buy the complete towbar including the additional crossmember that goes behind the rear bumper. A lot of the ones you see on ebay don't come with this.

There is a chap, can't remember the name now, who makes up the proper plugin towbar electrical socket kits for a very reasonable price. They appear on ebay sometimes. I'll dig out the details for you if you end up needing one. Oem ones can be VERY expensive.

Thanks, Kooky, I'll bear that in mind. I am fairly handy with general maintenance i.e., oil changes, spark plugs etc, and I realise this is going to get much more complicated than my old pajero, but nothing ventured-nothing gained and I've always fancied a Range Rover so I can only hope I've picked a good one.

I hope to find an enthusiast/mechanic in my area who isn't going to charge the earth for things I can't do myself.

I'm looking at my car as a joy rather than a challenge and if it becomes a challenge there's no point keeping it, so let's hope I'm in for some happy motoring rather than constant spanner rash.

Hi Chris,
I'm just round the corner from you in Hatfield Garden Village, give me a shout if you need any help, I'm on my 2nd 4.6 HSE and do all servicing and repairs myself
:welcome2:

I wired up the 12S (caravan fridge etc) plug on my P38 courtesy of instructions from irish rover. Probably still got the info if you need it.

Hi Alan,
you have just made me feel much better about things and I look forward to meeting you when I get my car... hopefully, not for repairs!
Many thanks for that.
Chris.

Thanks, Bill, I don't expect to get a caravan until March-ish, so no rush.

I have some of the specialist tools too, so give me a shout should you get the car and need to "tinker"! Unfortunately my diagnistics, a Blackbox Solutions Faultmate is locked to my VIN, but at least I can show you what it can do, again should you need such a device, which lets hope you won't! Air suspension software is open to any car, so that would work on yours.

That's great, thanks again, Alan.
I tested the air suspension when I went to see it yesterday and it worked well as far as I know. It raised and lowered quickly with the buttons on the dash, but not having a handbook I don't know of any settings apart from Up and Down. I'm guessing that's it, 2 settings--up and down with nothing in between?

Chris, Storey Wilson is a recognised expert on the P38 EAS and his website www.rswsolutions.com is a mine of information, it is well worth a visit.

I can see us pouring over owners manuals and crawling over the cars in the local pub shortly!

I am a little concerned about not having a dipstick to check the state of the ATF.
The car I am about to buy (2001 4.6 vogue) has no service history with it, so for peace of mind I will need to do an ATF change. Will I need Dexron 2 or Dexron 3, or is there a specific ATF for this model?

chrischance said:

I am a little concerned about not having a dipstick to check the state of the ATF.
The car I am about to buy (2001 4.6 vogue) has no service history with it, so for peace of mind I will need to do an ATF change. Will I need Dexron 2 or Dexron 3, or is there a specific ATF for this model?

Click to expand...

Two or three is fine. Any ATF that meets the specs will do. Follow instructions in RAVE for checking, draining or filling gearbox.

I would suggest you change the filter as well, made the world of difference on my dhse.

OK, thanks for that.
Now I will try to source a filter.

chrischance said:

OK, thanks for that.
Now I will try to source a filter.

Click to expand...

Have a look at this link - Island 4x4

Thanks, Bill... now I know.

Hello again, it's all change now. I'm not getting the car in Romford with 130k on the clock, 7 previous owners and no service history... I'm getting a 2001 (51 plate) with FSH and only 1 previous owner and 60k on the clock. It's costing me £400 more than the Romford car but my gut tells me it's worth it.
So, by tomorrow afternoon I will be a proper member of this forum. I'll have the car.
Best,
Chris.

That sounds sooo much better

Chris where in Romford & who from ? Did you buy it ? .....
Has a book symbol on the Heater controls?

No, I didn't buy it. The Romford car is at R&L Stevens... looks very nice but 7 previous owners and no history. I don't know about a book symbol, sorry.
Best,
Chris.