I have had mine for 5 years now and it has mostly had wear and tear issues you'd expect from a 17 year old vehicle with over 210,000 on the clock. It was at 140,000 when I got it and in hindsight, if I was better at buying cars I would've walked away, but I am glad I didn't.
- Radiator split
- Thermostat "replaced" (was added, old owner completely removed it for some reason)
- Some pullies wore out on the front of the engine
- Alternator died
- In tank pump died
- N/S wing mirror glass replaced
- Glow plugs replaced (twice, made the mistake of buying a cheap set)
- Converted to facelift lights (pheasant took out O/F/S headlight, figureed why not)
- 4x tyres
- rF receiver changed
- 4x batteries (my fault for not doing my research and buying the wrong kind and not replacing the rF receiver soon enough, make sure you have the Mk3 version as a priority 1 job)
- Many bushies and ball joints have been replaced
- The trackrod was replaced. But that was broken by recovery agent after the imob wouldn't turn off, my fault again for not disconnecting the battery while out of country for a few months
- New exhaust system as mine had turned into a colander
- I put in cup holders as mine didn't come with any
- Regular servicing
Thinking about it, for a 17 year old vehicle it isn't doing too badly. Obviously there are jobs I am living with as I cba to fix them yet.
- Both front door handles are stiff
- Head lining has turned into curtains
- Few spots of surface rust, dings and dints on the bodywork
- Cracked front bumper (bloody pheasants)
- Rear parcel shelf is in **** state but you can't see it from outside so meh
- A/C packed in
- The heaters are prone to getting stuck on full heat, probably blend motors
- The clock doesn't work.
- Trip computer bulb died
- Centre console bulb died
- Horrible wind noise at speed due to someone trying to slim jim the drivers door, but really cba to replace the door
- Problem with the steering wheel, so when I press cruise control the horn pips
All in all, I don't think it has been too bad, I have owned worse vehicles (the Merc for example) and better vehicles (my old van), but the P38 is a lovely place to be and I am slowly working my way through the list of remaining issues.