P38 as a weekend toy

Datatek · Feb 10, 2019

MackP38 said:
I know it would probably be wiser to be patient and save up for a defender but unfortunately I wasn’t born with the gift of patience! I feel that if I buy a P38 at the price I’m looking at then even if I hate it within a week I shouldn’t make a huge loss if I need to sell it.
At my age I do see things through rose tinted glasses, but having spent hours reading about the p38 i am fully prepared for disaster!

The Defender has plenty of problems as my mate has found out after he chopped his L322 for a 2007 defender.

1988smithy · Feb 10, 2019

Henry_b said:
In terms of power and refinement yes the 4.6 is IMHO better.

Reliability, well depends it doesn't rust at all unlike the defender!! so its a trade off, Either tackle the occasional electrical gremlin or patch holes on a defender, depends on the person I guess.

the P38 is given a bad rep which it doesn't deserve the electrics while finiky are rather simple compared to what came after, and parts are readily available.

Offroad is mixed territory with its EAS and 4 wheel traction control the P38 is a very good offroader, probably equal to that of a defender.

Oh and while the V8 is said to be Satan, you couldn't ask for an easier engine to work on, and if you look after it, they'll last.

See my defenders completely rust free, but its going to be a battle to keepnit that way i know. I was looking at selling and getting something more...refined but i love it too much. But if i could get something like this

333028980011 eBay

It gets complicated! Only thing would be fuel consumption, I get 27 at absolute best out of defender, god knows what when I'm towing the van. I don't really care lol

Henry_b · Feb 10, 2019

1988smithy said:
See my defenders completely rust free, but its going to be a battle to keepnit that way i know. I was looking at selling and getting something more...refined but i love it too much. But if i could get something like this

333028980011 eBay

It gets complicated! Only thing would be fuel consumption, I get 27 at absolute best out of defender, god knows what when I'm towing the van. I don't really care lol

Link is broken Chap!

Defenders are great not gonna lie.

But P38's are something else..

really nice cars once you get to know them..

1988smithy · Feb 10, 2019

Henry_b said:
Link is broken Chap!

Defenders are great not gonna lie.

But P38's are something else.. really nice cars once you get to know them..

Copy and paste into eBay mate. Strong money

Datatek · Feb 10, 2019

1988smithy said:
See my defenders completely rust free, but its going to be a battle to keepnit that way i know. I was looking at selling and getting something more...refined but i love it too much. But if i could get something like this

333028980011 eBay

It gets complicated! Only thing would be fuel consumption, I get 27 at absolute best out of defender, god knows what when I'm towing the van. I don't really care lol

I get an average of 24mpg out of my diesel P38, up to 30 on a long run, it even managed 22mpg towing a trailer with a dead P38 on board on hilly country roads here in France.

1988smithy · Feb 10, 2019

Datatek said:
I get an average of 24mpg out of my diesel P38, up to 30 on a long run, it even managed 22mpg towing a trailer with a dead P38 on board on hilly country roads here in France.

About the same as my td5 then if I Did 55mph on a long run

, if I had a p38 it'd be a v8. Much lower figures I suspect!

Datatek · Feb 10, 2019

1988smithy said:
About the same as my td5 then, if I had a p38 it'd be a v8. Much lower figures I suspect!

Much lower and much less reliable.

1988smithy · Feb 10, 2019

Datatek said:
Much lower and much less reliable.

I'm probably just mooching tbf, I'll be keeping the defender and doing what most disco owners try to do. Instead of turn a disco into a fender I'll be trying to do the opposite

Henry_b · Feb 10, 2019

1988smithy said:
Copy and paste into eBay mate. Strong money

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-...h=item4d8a12f52b:g:UBIAAOSwU0hcRu6J:rk:1:pf:1

Yes the P38 has gone out of the "10 a penny stage" and the Vogue's and DHSE's are fetching good money..

As well as the well spec'd HSE's they aren't gonna be cheap for long..

Times have passed since you could get a solid one for 1k.

And that is pretty reasonable I've seen a few changing hands for over 5k.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C923384

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C793835

Just a few examples.

Buy one look after it and enjoy it..

They're only gonna climb..

MPG depends the V8 according some sources can get anyware between 15-22 depending on how you drive, and of course Petrol is cheaper than Diesel

oakey · Feb 10, 2019

WElcome and I reckon the D2 is more likely to rust. Having had a few Land Rovers, the D2 was the worst for rust.
P38 is very nice and the most important bit of kit you need is a nanocom (other thingies are available) to fix the electronic gizmos.
I would suggest a V8 or a V8

Henry_b · Feb 10, 2019

oakey said:
WElcome and I reckon the D2 is more likely to rust. Having had a few Land Rovers, the D2 was the worst for rust.
P38 is very nice and the most important bit of kit you need is a nanocom (other thingies are available) to fix the electronic gizmos.
I would suggest a V8 or a V8

Aye V8 or nothin'

1988smithy · Feb 10, 2019

Henry_b said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-...h=item4d8a12f52b:g:UBIAAOSwU0hcRu6J:rk:1:pf:1

Yes the P38 has gone out of the "10 a penny stage" and the Vogue's and DHSE's are fetching good money..

As well as the well spec'd HSE's they aren't gonna be cheap for long..

Times have passed since you could get a solid one for 1k.

And that is pretty reasonable I've seen a few changing hands for over 5k.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C923384

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C793835

Just a few examples.

Buy one look after it and enjoy it..

They're only gonna climb..

MPG depends the V8 according some sources can get anyware between 15-22 depending on how you drive, and of course Petrol is cheaper than Diesel

I could probably justify a v8 on my mileage but....I do loves my defender I does. And I know it inside out now (fnarrfnarr)

Henry_b · Feb 10, 2019

1988smithy said:
I could probably justify a v8 on my mileage but....I do loves my defender I does. And I know it inside out now (fnarrfnarr)

Again P38's are great, go and test drive one and come back.

I guarantee you'll be converted..

1988smithy · Feb 10, 2019

Henry_b said:
Again P38's are great, go and test drive one and come back.

I guarantee you'll be converted..

Maybe when I've been through the tratter so I can sell it with a clear conscience. But by the time I've got it how I want it I'll wanna keep it!

oakey · Feb 10, 2019

Defender is a great vehicle just different
The best Landy I had was a Defender 130 200TDi was just a pity wasnt a V8 but the engine was very very good even so.
Was pretty bombproof and didnt mind if it got a wee bit damage on bumpers etc.
The P38 is more refined and just as capable but a bit more delicate

RangeRoller dt · Feb 10, 2019

I upgraded from a '98 defender to a '95 P38. It's more expensive to run and is basically the same but more refined, and temperamental.

Disco is good compromise

MackP38 · Feb 10, 2019

Henry_b said:
They aren't cheap to run so lets get that straight, they don't rust at all unlike the d2 which you can hoover up after a few years

Parts are cheap but as with al LR's they have an achilles heal which is certain electronic components, again not bank breaking expense but still to consider.

Engines are huge debate

many favour the 2.5 Diesel but it's slow not that economical and TBH V8's are better regardless
Petrol has a torque and HP advantage and they're smooth and refined..

Downside is they can drop cylinder liners if overheated, and HG's can be a problem but with it being an OHV old V8 changing a headgasket is a 5min job.

And there is so much space under the bonnet that pulling an engine is easily achievable in a weekend if need be.

So to sum up..

Can have electrical issues.
Doesn't rust..
Good looking
MPG is hilariously bad..
etc etc.

It really depends on whether you want to live with a welder in your hand or a piece of diagnostic equipment..

Thanks for this reply, good points mentioned. I am in no doubt if I go for a P38 it will be a 4.6 petrol, I’ve heard the diesel is just sluggish and noisy, I don’t want to buy a big bus that’s not got a nice throaty engine! Fuel consumption will be horrendous but as I don’t plan on any long trips it hopefully won’t cripple me.
Thanks!

MackP38 · Feb 10, 2019

Henry_b said:
4.6's also have a benefit of stronger 4 pin diffs.

They also have the stronger ZF4HP24 transmission.

If it's just a toy you're looking for, try and find a late model 4.6.

If you can find a good cheap one, they aren't going as cheap as they used to prices are climbing.

Yeh I’m sort of counting on prices going up, I would hope to sell it in better condition than I buy it! I’ll try not to go mad on pumping money into it :/

MackP38 · Feb 10, 2019

Wazzajnr said:
@MackP38 what sort of budget do you have in mind?

Around the £1700 mark (I’m going low) I don’t want to blow all I have on purchasing knowing that inevitably I will need to buy parts etc for fixing!

MackP38 · Feb 10, 2019

RangeRoller dt said:
I upgraded from a '98 defender to a '95 P38. It's more expensive to run and is basically the same but more refined, and temperamental.

Disco is good compromise

That’s interesting, a disco is a viable option for me as well.

P38 as a weekend toy

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