C

Chrismuzzy

New Member
Hello to everyone from Chris, based in Lewes East Sussex UK...

I am currently not an owner yet, but will be as soon as my boat is sold, budget will be max 5K...

I am researching diesel P38's at the moment and gather that there are some pitfalls to look out for I.E air suspension seemingly the worst, hot starting problems and sluggish pullers, which I can live with. ( never been a tear a*se anyway).

This may sound a tad sad to some but this is my dream car!!!

Please can anyone put my mind at ease? OR should I steer clear of this model? Bearing in mind I have to have reliability 1st and foremost to get to and from work (20 miles away and no chance of public transport apart from a cab)

If I do buy then advice on what things to look out for would be welcome?
Or should I pay out for an independent inspection check over?
Or are there any members on here that live nearby (although I may have to travel a long way for the right car) that would be happy to have a look over with me when I find the right one?

Sorry if there's too many questions but hey ho, I have to know :D

I am not a timewaster and will definitley be getting a RR of some description asap!

Thanks in advance
Regards
Chris
 
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Welcome:welcome2:
Them P38's are not the most reliable from what I hear. There are a few on ere that know their onions when it comes to P38s
I own a tratter so am of limited help on the subject of posh landrovers:p
Enjoy hope you get what you want.:D:D
 
:welcome2:
You should get a very good late DHSE for that money. Take your time and look around. Try to spend around £4500.00 and have a bit in reserve for air suspension bits as required and service parts. Change all oils, filters Etc. Then you know it's right. Good luck.
 
:welcome2: Although I'm a big fan of the V8, a late diesel would be a good way to go. Remember the EAS issues are relatively easy to covercome with a bit of advice and not that much cash :)
 
I've got a 2.5 diesel and I'm happy with it. Some threads here you may have read refer to them being a bit sluggish, and they are but you get used to it and at least I won't be giving anymore points away to the DVLC.

If you get a good one that has been serviced, low mileage, not much abuse off-road, then you should get one around your budget that will be as good as gold and give you time to get used to the way they are.

Get a very big, brand new Bosch battery. Half the problems with the electrics, stem for a poor battery and the BECM throwing a wobbly because of it.

EAS is great when it works and it will keep working as long as you keep regular inspections and maintain it.

I could go on and on but most important is take your time and wait for a good one.

See you at the parts desk soon then...

Cheers,
g
 
Thanks so far peoples, I am liking the early replies thus far!

Ok, to Damlimey when you say low mileage, surely that is relative to age? Therefore, say a 1997 car has done 140k then that's average imo but what age related problems are likely to arise? (bit of a how long is a piece of string question maybe) but how do you define low mileage? should I shy away from an average mileage car then?

I have found a good sounding one on fleabay (not sure if I'm aloud to say that, if not sorry mods) won't post a link just in case!

1999 on T plate, 79000 miles, From a dealer so with warrantee based in Hull area £3995 fixed price/not auction! Can't do anything yet till boat is sold, but does that sound to good to be true?

Opinions appreciated
Chris
 
For your money you should get a 2000/2001, the later ones are supposedly better. Mines a late 2000, I paid £4850 2 years ago. Be prepared to spend on replacing the air suspension bags if they haven't been done. I have had the odd problem but still very happy with it.
 
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Link works fine without the 's' at the beginning. Probably make a nice dive boat too. Perhaps advertise it on Divernet.
 
welcome aboard.

I bought a 2000 DSE in Feb for £4000 with 105k on it, blue with cream, and a FULL wedge of receipts, for replaced EAS etc etc, all it needed was a clean.

I recommend taking your time and not rushing. we were looking at dealers with ones twice the price and ended up with a better car that now has a kitty for repairs (you will need them, but as soon as you get back in again and realise how comfy it is and how much you actually love it you will forgive it)

stay away from ones with uncareful owners, and with lots of bling on, it means they were more worried about stick on chrome than its servicing.

good luck on the hunt and stick on here, you'll be given abuse but they can be helpful :p

Tommy
 
You're right to ask 'what is low mileage' 79k on a 99 plate is low mileage. anything under 100k is low mileage in my humble opinion.

Check for the obvious, like aircon, central locking and see when the last service of belts and filters, gearbox oil etc. Air suspension bags should be good for 90k miles. If you don't get a history with the vehicle then consider having these things checked/replaced/serviced within your budget.

I can only speak from my experience, I've done nearly 12k in the last year that I've had my 2.5DSE and I've loved every yard of them, but I am slowly replacing things that might cause probs before they cause probs.

Damn thing started intermittantly rattling somewhere around the radiator today, gawd knows what that is and the exterior temperature sensor has decided we must be in Siberia and won't let me have the aircon!

Flipping P38s. God made them to test our patience and bring us closer to him...

G
 
I bought a 99 DSE off ebay about 1 year ago with 105000 mile on it and used it for touring in Europe for 30000 miles and had very few problems the main problems i had were pirrelli tyres which was no fault of the RR.
The center console switch pack got replaced with second hand one in Kosovo and door lock had to be replaced and new exhaust and brake pads replaced when got back to UK.
Oil and filter replaced every 10000 miles with fully synthetic oil.Battery went flat as i used computer every night but had a battery pack to start it with.
Very happy with the car.
 
jonbill said:
Pretty sure it was Brummies that made the p38.
Click to expand...

How relevant is this, may I ask?:)

And thanks again for the advice so far from everyone!

Great site btw, but does get a bit heated in some of the threads I've been following. Therefore I will be very careful about anything I ask:p

Just a quick question.

How much, on average does it cost to sort out the EAS and all the components?

Please don't respond by quoting that if I have to ask then I can't afford it:D

Regards
Chris
 
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