P38 or l322

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Andysvogue

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Ok so I want a range rover, I know I must be mad, glutton for punishment ect I've heard them all lol but which would you have? I'm not comparing the two obviously! I want to here your opinions espesh ppl who have owned both. I know the l322 is newer in age ect but I hear a lot of ppl saying the p38 is a true range rover, more comfortable seats and dare I say a little less complicated. Threads like saints currant prob really puts me off the l322. So if you weren't bothered about age which would you have?
 
I've had both but it's the P38 for me every time. I would always go for a later model P38. Comfy & quality leather seats (the L322 had more wear showing at 4 years old compared to my 12 year old P38), smooth ride. It had to be the much maligned V8 for me as the 2.5 diesel fell far short of my expectations. The L322 has a gutsier 3.0 diesel but still a little lacklustre, gearboxes are made of cheese.
Whats your budget, this obviously plays a big part but whether it's a P38 or L322 i would keep back 1/3 of the budget for repairs.
 
had them both (mostly 38s/classics) nothing up with a 38 tbh cheap & easy to fix but go for top spec etc,i had the same thoughts when moving up from a classic to a 38 years & years ago as I did moving up from a 38 to a l322 but I never looked back totally different animal which WILL cost you money regardless as something WILL go wrong with it, 99% of repair bills start at 3 figures & can quite easily go into 4 figures,for me personally I totally pref the l322 in every way,if poss get 2 side by side & drive them both your mind will be made up
 
wil2813 said:
had them both (mostly 38s/classics) nothing up with a 38 tbh cheap & easy to fix but go for top spec etc,i had the same thoughts when moving up from a classic to a 38 years & years ago as I did moving up from a 38 to a l322 but I never looked back totally different animal which WILL cost you money regardless as something WILL go wrong with it, 99% of repair bills start at 3 figures & can quite easily go into 4 figures,for me personally I totally pref the l322 in every way,if poss get 2 side by side & drive them both your mind will be made up
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+1

Haven't owned a P38, so can't compare them as such. Nothing makes me want to own one.

After owning an L322, my first ever range rover, yes they have issues but nothing that can't be sorted with time and money ! Lol

There not that bad. Problem is half of the owners on here with P38's are scared to change from their current sheds. It's like anything once you understand how they work their not too bad to repair.

I remember when I had first bought my L322 and I had my first issue I thought to myself, I have made a mistake here ! I was scared ****less as I didn't know how these cars work or how to fix the issue. With time, landyzone with it's brilliant members and some diagnostics anything is possible !



All I can say is test drive all the models and see what you think. I'm pretty sure you will decide from that.

Good luck
 
Lots of P38 owners* on here would no doubt have a desire to get an L322. Me included. Who wouldn't want a newer model car? But the 'upgrade' just isn't big enough in terms of build quality, driving experience and cost (add a zero for most repairs).

* Waldorf and Statler excluded ;)
 
Stufer said:
Lots of P38 owners* on here would no doubt have a desire to get an L322. Me included. Who wouldn't want a newer model car? But the 'upgrade' just isn't big enough in terms of build quality, driving experience and cost (add a zero for most repairs).

* Waldorf and Statler excluded ;)
Click to expand...

Can I get on the exclusion list as well please, for all the reasons you stated. I think Hippo was prodding the hornet's nest but I, for one, am not taking the bait :p:D:D
 
Stufer said:
Lots of P38 owners* on here would no doubt have a desire to get an L322. Me included. Who wouldn't want a newer model car? But the 'upgrade' just isn't big enough in terms of build quality, driving experience and cost (add a zero for most repairs).

* Waldorf and Statler excluded ;)
Click to expand...
The L322 is a heap of over complicated ****. It leaks, it rusts, the electronics are unreliable and expensive to fix as is the EAS. The gearboxes are poor the diesel box being the worst of the two. The ride is hard with typical German park bench seats, poor quality interior trim like painted plastic seat bases, leather is really poor. I could go on.
By comparison, the P38 is reliable and cheap to fix although personally I wouldn't touch the V8. Nowt wrong with the diesel, goes like stink when chipped but will eat the gearbox which can be replaced and uprated for less than half the price of an L322 box.
 
Datatek said:
Put me on the exclusions list too. The L322 is a heap of over complicated ****. It leaks, it rusts, the electronics are unreliable and expensive to fix as is the EAS. The gearboxes are poor the diesel box being the worst of the two. The ride is hard with typical German park bench seats, poor quality interior trim like painted plastic seat bases, leather is really poor. I could go on.
By comparison, the P38 is reliable and cheap to fix although personally I wouldn't touch the V8. Nowt wrong with the diesel, goes like stink when chipped but will eat the gearbox which can be replaced and uprated for less than half the price of an L322 box.
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Welcome to the list Keith, could not have put it better myself:D
 
Just to add, the P38 is the last real Range Rover, The L322 is a BMW in a fancy frock. The P38 will start to appreciate and prices now are higher for a good one than when I bought mine 5 years ago. L322's will have all but disappeared by the time they reach 15 years old as they will be impossible to maintain.
 
Great! Replies guys, many thanks, it's great to hear both sides. My budget is upto 13k so been looking at l322 around 10k. I've test driven the td6 which I really didn't like and the bmw 4.4 v8 which I thought worked well in the big beast!, but then I started to have a look at p38's and well the price diff could see me in a really nice example with quite a lot of change lol. Yes I know they are older and some say looking aged now but it's still a range rover and like some have pointed out most p38's I've looked at for sale have hardly any wear on the seats as opposed to the 2005 v8 l322 I test drove was quite badly worn almost worn through on the drivers bolster! ( didn't go to buy it but was close by for me to test drive it). Which ever model I go for I am going to get some diagnostics gear but can you still get it for p38's? If so what make is it ect?
 
Last edited:
Andysvogue said:
Great! Replies guys, many thanks, it's great to hear both sides. My budget is upto 13k so been looking at l322 around 10k. I've test driven the td6 which I really didn't like and the bmw 4.4 v8 which I thought worked well in the big beast!, but then I started to have a look at p38's and well the price diff could see me in a really nice example with quite a lot of change lol. Yes I know they are older and some say looking aged now but it's still a range rover and like some have pointed out most p38's I've looked at for sale have hardly any wear on the seats as opposed to the 2005 v8 l322 I test drove was quite badly worn almost worn through on the drivers bolster! ( didn't go to buy it but was close by for me to test drive it). Which ever model I go for I am going to get some diagnostics gear but can you still get it for p38's? If so what make is it ect?
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And the P38 will still be around when they have brushed the L322's up and put them in the bin
 
well.
I had a p38 DSE and by accident now have a L322BMWV8.
I agree with Datatek on nearly all his points.

My advise it to get a really really nice one and then really really look after it with good maintenance.

That said and looking at your budget, I would try and get something like a Holland and Holland or a Westminster p38.

enjoy...
 
donp38 said:
well.
I had a p38 DSE and by accident now have a L322BMWV8.
I agree with Datatek on nearly all his points.

My advise it to get a really really nice one and then really really look after it with good maintenance.

That said and looking at your budget, I would try and get something like a Holland and Holland or a Westminster p38.

enjoy...
Click to expand...

It will be well looked after, no question of that, but it will be my daily drive, I've seen a few of the special additions, a holland and holland would go nice with my new shooting hobby lol. How much would you guys say is top money for a p38 as they seem to fluctuate quite abit
 
Of the two, a well cared for late (2000>) top spec P38a would be my choice due to their styling, resistance to rust and DIY fixability.

...only a V8 Classic will deliver the true Range Rover experience though ;)
 
There's a 630R on autotrader at the mo in green looks immaculate! But he wants £11995 for it. Strong money for a p38. Anyone got one on here? Are they rare
 
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