There is very little wrong with the P38 from a design point of view, the problem is the perenial British manufacturing problem of the bean counters using the cheapest and nastiest parts they can lay their mitts on to build the things.
Even the electronics are not that bad for the time they were conceived, locating ECU's under seats was not an especially good idea as even without O ring leaks they were bound to be subjected to excess humidity just from wet feet.
The P38 electronics were ahead of their time and inovation always carries risk.
What is unforgivable is under specified gearboxes, diffs track rod ends etc.
 
Datatek said:
There is very little wrong with the P38 from a design point of view, the problem is the perenial British manufacturing problem of the bean counters using the cheapest and nastiest parts they can lay their mitts on to build the things.
Even the electronics are not that bad for the time they were conceived, locating ECU's under seats was not an especially good idea as even without O ring leaks they were bound to be subjected to excess humidity just from wet feet.
The P38 electronics were ahead of their time and inovation always carries risk.
What is unforgivable is under specified gearboxes, diffs track rod ends etc.
Click to expand...

Spot on.
 
If you ask me the P38 is a really good car. Some may have problems with the car, but they are all fixable.

I've had several cars, some of them in the more expensive market, the P38 crushes them. In a way it feels like a true automobile.

When I first drove my P38, I felt that this is one of those cars that you could take out in the middle of the night and take spin.
 
generalfarfar said:
I've had several cars, some of them in the more expensive market, the P38 crushes them. In a way it feels like a true automobile.
Click to expand...

Don't want to throw a spanner in the works, but my Rover 75 was FAR more superior in terms of ride comfort than my P38. The 75 was much more of a luxury car. Better build quality too.

But wouldn't tow the horsebox :)

Nik
 
NikTheGeek said:
Don't want to throw a spanner in the works, but my Rover 75 was FAR more superior in terms of ride comfort than my P38. The 75 was much more of a luxury car. Better build quality too.

But wouldn't tow the horsebox :)

Nik
Click to expand...

Really? Over a ploughed field??? :D
 
My P38 beats the my previous Touareg hands down on most points. The only thing the Touareg beat the P38 on was cornering & a touch screen sat nav. The trim & spec level of my P38 is just so much better. Better off-road, smoother ride, more power, similar fuel costs, more practical lugging large items about, better for the dogs.
Yes, some of the components are a bit dated but for an 11 year old car i cant complain.
 
NikTheGeek said:
Don't want to throw a spanner in the works, but my Rover 75 was FAR more superior in terms of ride comfort than my P38. The 75 was much more of a luxury car. Better build quality too.

But wouldn't tow the horsebox :)

Nik
Click to expand...

Range Rovers ride nicely for 4x4s. They are not a patch on a nicely riding saloons - the Rover 75 is a particularly fine example in that department.
 
I liked the ride on the Classic and also the Disco I had, very smooth compared to the P38 which is hard and feels like it is tramlining on certain roads. This is probably due to the 20" wheels and low profile tyres that were fitted by the previous owner. Going to put original 16" wheels when I can afford to :)
 
I think the ride quality of my P38 is superb. The driving position is spot on. I can drive it ALL day long in comfort. Problem is I don't really trust it now for long journies.
That's why I wonder if I should go for a newer model. So many comment that they are all unreliable. If I don't get a RR then what?
 
Rangeroo said:
I think the ride quality of my P38 is superb. The driving position is spot on. I can drive it ALL day long in comfort. Problem is I don't really trust it now for long journies.
Click to expand...

I agree. The furthest I've driven is Norfolk and back (from Hertfordshire) but it is one of those cars that you always have a 'will it make it' thought in the back of your mind. Still, makes the journey more interesting I guess :)
 
Rangeroo said:
I think the ride quality of my P38 is superb. The driving position is spot on. I can drive it ALL day long in comfort. Problem is I don't really trust it now for long journies.
That's why I wonder if I should go for a newer model. So many comment that they are all unreliable. If I don't get a RR then what?
Click to expand...
You are no more likely to reach your destination in a newer model:rolleyes:
I use mine for long journeys but sadly I feel the need to always carry diagnostics and spares.:(
 
Rangeroo said:
I think the ride quality of my P38 is superb. The driving position is spot on. I can drive it ALL day long in comfort. Problem is I don't really trust it now for long journies.
That's why I wonder if I should go for a newer model. So many comment that they are all unreliable. If I don't get a RR then what?
Click to expand...

I can only assume you're used to German cars if you think the p38 is smooth! It's not in the same league as a proper citroen, a Jag XJ or even the Rover 75 mentioned earlier. It's by no means uncomfortable but it ain't a limo either.
 
Datatek said:
You are no more likely to reach your destination in a newer model:rolleyes:
I use mine for long journeys but sadly I feel the need to always carry diagnostics and spares.:(
Click to expand...

It's luck I guess, my P38 has been very reliable over quite high mileages (that's jinxed it!) despite being an old car without much in the way of service history (the fluids were all nice and clean when I bought it so it had been looked after) my neighbour can't say the same about his 2009 Touareg, he bought it from a dealer bang on three years old he wouldn't tell me how much it cost "over £20K" was as close as I could get out of him. Well, the AA have stopped covering the car unless he pays extra cos he's used his allocation of callouts (I've seen at least 6) and it's been back to the dealer many times. During the last snow I had a little chuckle as he got into his courtesy Polo! He doesn't take the **** out of my old Range Rover any more.
 
StuckAgainSteve said:
It's luck I guess, my P38 has been very reliable over quite high mileages (that's jinxed it!) despite being an old car without much in the way of service history (the fluids were all nice and clean when I bought it so it had been looked after) my neighbour can't say the same about his 2009 Touareg, he bought it from a dealer bang on three years old he wouldn't tell me how much it cost "over £20K" was as close as I could get out of him. Well, the AA have stopped covering the car unless he pays extra cos he's used his allocation of callouts (I've seen at least 6) and it's been back to the dealer many times. During the last snow I had a little chuckle as he got into his courtesy Polo! He doesn't take the **** out of my old Range Rover any more.
Click to expand...
Mine has never actually expired, the EAS has dropped a few times, it's had many oil leaks and lots of niggles but it keeps going, I just never quite trust it:(
 
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