V8 Rangie as a winter hack?

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farmershort

farmershort

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,067
Location
West Berkshire
Hi All,

Whilst I'm still debating the long term investment(?) in a newer, more expensive, 110 defender I wanted to look at options for a winter hack vehicle.

I currently drive a couple of tuned saabs (260bhp, and 280bhp), but they're not great in the snow/ice. I'm a freelancer, so being able to get to work is pretty important, or I dont get paid... I should also mention that work can be in many different places in the country.

I'm not too worried about mpg if it's just for a few months of the winter.

Would a V8 P38 rangie make a decent winter hack if it had a decent mot & service history? I've only ever owned 200tdi & 300tdi defenders, so I'm a bit green about these rangies. They do seem very very very cheap though.

I've seen quite a few between £1000 and £2000. There's even a few in the classified on here in that price range.

I seem to remember something about the gas suspension being problematic, and also coolant issues... is that still the case, or should they all have had these things resolved in early life?

Thanks

Adam
 
farmershort said:
Hi All,

Whilst I'm still debating the long term investment(?) in a newer, more expensive, 110 defender I wanted to look at options for a winter hack vehicle.

I currently drive a couple of tuned saabs (260bhp, and 280bhp), but they're not great in the snow/ice. I'm a freelancer, so being able to get to work is pretty important, or I dont get paid... I should also mention that work can be in many different places in the country.

I'm not too worried about mpg if it's just for a few months of the winter.

Would a V8 P38 rangie make a decent winter hack if it had a decent mot & service history? I've only ever owned 200tdi & 300tdi defenders, so I'm a bit green about these rangies. They do seem very very very cheap though.

I've seen quite a few between £1000 and £2000. There's even a few in the classified on here in that price range.

I seem to remember something about the gas suspension being problematic, and also coolant issues... is that still the case, or should they all have had these things resolved in early life?

Thanks

Adam
Click to expand...

In short, Don't - it's more a hobby;)
 
I got mine in June and I think it's great.

However I walk to work, It would have to go to a new home if I needed reliable transport.

Good luck

Mart
 
As mentioned, a P38 RR is more a hobby than a bad weather workhorse. Non LPG'd V8's are very cheap for obvious reasons.
Remember though that buying a P38 is in the realms of most peoples budget....it's keeping them going that will empty you wallet unless you are good with the spanners.
The diesel is generally more reliable than the V8 but power is lacking if that's a concern to you. The EAS (air suspension) is generally easy to fix but sadly neglected on many P38's.
I've had mine for 20 months now & have done 0ver 30k miles & never broken down but constantly sorting out mechanical issues. Having access to another car is advisable.
 
ok, that sounds like it rules that out then. shame, they're nice looking beasts. I'd be happy with a V8 defender which may be cheap these days due to fuel costs, but they seem to be like hens teeth.

thanks for the info!
 
A good winter coat and a pushbike with knobble tyres would be a lot less stressful. If you are going to get one get a diesel. But may cost a bit more to buy. :D
 
Worst time of year to buy a 4x4. Shocking examples are being punted for big money hoping to sucker in a sucker. I'd say get something cheap and ****e, Vauxhall Frontera, Freelander, etc. so you can abuse it over winter then bin it once you're done.
 
Bix said:
Worst time of year to buy a 4x4. Shocking examples are being punted for big money hoping to sucker in a sucker. I'd say get something cheap and ****e, Vauxhall Frontera, Freelander, etc. so you can abuse it over winter then bin it once you're done.
Click to expand...

I guess this is my plan really... maybe an old school nissan patrol.... back when they looked like a tank!
 
I use mine as daily transport and currently 100 ish each way miles that is I carry laptop and diagnostic kit with me and have had problems from cooling but as Datatek says if you look after them they are fine most have been abused so you may well buy a load of grief but if you can get one that has been looked after bingo good as gold
 
sandyt said:
I use mine as daily transport and currently 100 ish each way miles that is I carry laptop and diagnostic kit with me and have had problems from cooling but as Datatek says if you look after them they are fine most have been abused so you may well buy a load of grief but if you can get one that has been looked after bingo good as gold
Click to expand...
Plenty on niggles, but my diesel has never let me down in 4 years:)
 
martynv8 said:
I've had mine for 20 months now & have done 0ver 30k miles & never broken down but constantly sorting out mechanical issues..
Click to expand...

So Martyn, what actually have you had to sort out mechanically, how many can be classed as wear and tear, or poor quality design and materials versus, as Datatek states, endless niggles.......?


P
 
Parisien said:
So Martyn, what actually have you had to sort out mechanically, how many can be classed as wear and tear, or poor quality design and materials versus, as Datatek states, endless niggles.......?


P
Click to expand...
On mine, window regulators, aircon condensor, all airsprings, 2 height sensors, air dryer, valve block overhaul, exhaust, come to mind. Gearbox has been playing up off and on for 2 years, fixed for the moment with Lucas transmission fix, front diff works loose from time to time, SRS ECU, probably other things I cannot remember at the moment.
Currently heated screen, seats and mirrors do not work, none of which will get fixed as I don't like heated seats, don't need the heated screen and the photochromic mirrors are too expensive to replace.

PS, forgot the leak off pipes, engine oil cooler and pipes, leaking oil filter cap and the dreaded O rings.
 
Last edited:
P38 onwards Range Rovers do not like standing around unused, probably the worst choice of a winter hack you could make.

JEEP Grand Cherokees are fairly reliable and don't seem to command the same winter premium as many 4x4s. Or down-size your ambitions a Mk1 Daihatsu Terios is cheap as chips, metronomically reliable but watch out for rust.

Of course all you need as a front wheel drive car on winter tyres - which will go just about anywhere a 4x4 can go on ice and snow.
 
StuckAgainSteve said:
Of course all you need as a front wheel drive car on winter tyres - which will go just about anywhere a 4x4 can go on ice and snow.
Click to expand...

Put an LSD in a FWD car and it'll make so much difference you wouldn't believe it. Just the ability to spin both driven wheels means you can pull yourself out of most situations. Better than an open diff 4x4 using T/C.
 
Bix said:
Put an LSD in a FWD car and it'll make so much difference you wouldn't believe it. Just the ability to spin both driven wheels means you can pull yourself out of most situations. Better than an open diff 4x4 using T/C.
Click to expand...

Just buy an automatic, gentle left foot braking has got me up many a snowy hill in various front wheel drive cars, or gentle application of the handbrake for RWD cars - slows the spinning wheel and transfers drive to the one with grip.
 
the saabs are fwd and tbf they're not bad in the snow at the levels we normally get in the midlands & the south. I've toyed with the idea of a strengthened gearbox and LSD for my 9000, so I guess that would help a load, as you say. I guess it's partly do with this "worst winter" stuff that's being thrown about, and partly that I just want a landy again, but I've got a little bit more saving to go until I can buy the "proper" defender that I want...

I've always through the terios was probably a decent 4x4... perhaps better than the old bendy rav4 thing anyway. Perhaps it wont be up to much on the motorway though - the jeep might be the better bet there.
 
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