I'm thinking about getting a range rover (p38), but some of the threads on this forum are putting me off slightly! Just wondered how much of a nightmare they really are? I've got about £3k to spend and i'm after an auto diesel, preferably with leather, but not bothered about any other toys. Is that budget reasonable?

Also, how easy are they to work on? I'm fairly(ish) good with mechanics and have always maintained and serviced my own cars (including rebuilding a few air cooled VWs) so doing some work on it doesnt bother me, but how expensive are parts? are there many second hand bits around? How much hassle are the electrics?

One more problem I have is the height. I would really like to be able to get it in my garage for insurance and to work on it if needs be, but even at its lowest height setting it still doesnt quite fit. can you get them to go lower on the lowest height setting? and if you can, will it effect the other height settings?

Thanks!

get a Disco less electrics no Air suspension problems and parts are cheaper generally.

you could get a freelander td4 with leather etc...

Hi, cheers for the replies!
I need something bigger than a freelander really and I'm not overly keen on discos, but might look into them as well

frostydub said:

Hi, cheers for the replies!
I need something bigger than a freelander really and I'm not overly keen on discos, but might look into them as well :confused2:

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Same chassis as a RRC but with proper suspension and none of the crap Lucas Lord of darkness electrics, that a RR has.

Hello, i have just bought a P38...... had a much lower budget than yours.... i managed to get mine off of ebay for £1000 with BeCM problem....i think this is one of there main problems and with Landrover expensive but i managed to find a place called CALLROVA that did it for less than Landrovers £1000 at half theprice so just £450. I went for the diesel as its BMW engine and though was more reliable than the problematic Rover engines. Air bags on the suspension was another problem i read about but luckily mine has already been replaced but found them at around £50 each beforehand. Good luck with your search....sure you will get a good one

frostydub said:

Hi, cheers for the replies!
I need something bigger than a freelander really and I'm not overly keen on discos, but might look into them as well

Click to expand...

Disco won't fit in your garage if a range rover doesn't,

If you can work on it yourself you'll save your self loads of money, I've had my DSE nearly a year now and had a few probs but still love it to bits, there are loads and loads of places to get after market and second hard parts from a always shop around to get parts at a good price, mines on a n reg and done 155'000 miles so you'd expect some probs from any car at that mileage. The only thing i couldn't fix my self was to get the immbo re-coded when my batt went flat and that only cost me £25 to get done but i did spend a few nites on this forum to work out what it was.

Work i've done on it in the last year as far as i can remember;

Full service
Starter motor
Clutch
Aux bottom pulley (change water pump, thermostat, front crank seal while i had the front end apart)
Air con compessure
Battery
Glow plugs
leak off pipes

Also fitted H.I.D. head lights 2000 spec rear lights

Got parts on order at the min so soon will be fitting a new front air bag, tail gate struts, and a suspension compessure air filter.

Even after all that i wouldn't change my range rover till i can afford a L322 (that won't be for a long while)

frostydub said:

I'm thinking about getting a range rover (p38), but some of the threads on this forum are putting me off slightly! Just wondered how much of a nightmare they really are? I've got about £3k to spend and i'm after an auto diesel, preferably with leather, but not bothered about any other toys. Is that budget reasonable?

Also, how easy are they to work on? I'm fairly(ish) good with mechanics and have always maintained and serviced my own cars (including rebuilding a few air cooled VWs) so doing some work on it doesnt bother me, but how expensive are parts? are there many second hand bits around? How much hassle are the electrics?

One more problem I have is the height. I would really like to be able to get it in my garage for insurance and to work on it if needs be, but even at its lowest height setting it still doesnt quite fit. can you get them to go lower on the lowest height setting? and if you can, will it effect the other height settings?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Go for it I got my P38 diesel a week ago and it's great. I know they have their problems but it's still a great car Most things seem to be fixable by a DIY mech and the parts are available and not too expensive. The thing that clinched it for me was the availability of diagnostic software. EAS might be troublesome but it seems to be easy to maintain, suspension bladders can be replaced very quickly and cheaply (see Arnott and others) the software for EAS (www.rswsolutions.com) runs on my laptop and was FREE just the cable to buy or make. As my suspension bladders are original year 2000, I plan to change them before they fail. So far so good

Can't help with garage heights, mine lives in the barn with about 20 feet of headroom LOL.

Confuused?
The p38 is a beatiful car, but not one for the owner that will not try to repair it his/her self.
Yes you will have some trouble at times but over all the diving enjoyment outweighs any problems.

Here are a few tips from me.
Before you buy and commit yourself in any way.

Check, check, and check again the following.

On petrol models, look for cream coloured deposit under oil filler cap and sludge in coolant resovoir . .... This may indicate gasket or head problems.

Check oil for contamination and condition. ... Overhating?

Check for water stains on coolant reovoir..... Overheating?

Check coolant level ...... Where did it go?

Check for coolant and oil leaks .

Check for dry carpets (Front)..... Heater o ring leak

Check air filter ...... Indication of last time someone checked properly

Check pollen filter....Indication of last time someone checked properly ( This also indicates someone has looked after the car proerly )

Check radio ..... £76 to repair

Check air suspension raises and lowers quicly without cruchin or jerks.

Check for hissing near wheels when car is raised to wade and engine switched off. ..Leaks in pipes or bags.

Check ABS lights go off after approx 7MPH

Check brake for crunch or clicking ....Possible master cylinder fault

Check cruise control ..... May be leaks in rubber hose

Check information in console for any electrical messages.

Check Hevac console for error messages and correct temp. reading.

Check air flow motors by selecting floor then to screen and back again. feel air flow from both sides and listen for motors to operate

Check electric seats if fitted for operation. afterwards lock car with remote and anlock with remote to check key 1/2 operation

Check you have keys 1 and 2 and not two no. 1's ... £150 each to replace

Go for a test drive and check again.

If it is a V8 then it will be quiet and slky smooth.

This is only a short list of the many you should try.

Hope it helps

Fred

I can see at least if i do buy one I'll be well looked after on this forum! Thanks again for all the advice. I think I'm sold on the idea now. Just need to find the right one! Still need to figure out how to lower it without permanantly looking like a drug dealer
And thanks for that check list, redrenger! I've printed it out for reference when I go on the search