IMO you would be better off with a diesel P38, the engine is much more reliable, doesn't slip liners and an automatic will get close to 30mpg on a run, even with another 2.25 tonne P38 on a trailer mine still managed to be the right side of 20mpg in the hills of southern France. You are much less likely to have really disastrous electronic problems with the P38 than can be the case with the later L322. Parts are cheap too for the P38. IMO the auto box is better for the diesel as it masks the lack of bottom end torque.What is considered acceptable mileage on a P38 V8 in terms of the engine still having plenty of life left in it (assuming it has been serviced properly).
Also what is the MPG like on a V8 petrol if driven sensibly, ie can you get 20mpg out of them ?
Dream on if you think you will get that kind of economy with the V8.So on LPG that would equate to well over 30mpg, cost wise, on the motorway if driven sensibly, I can live with that
Probably the equivalent, on LPG, of mid 20"s towing ?
Very similar to the equivalent mpg of my previous diesel powered 4x4"s but plusher
IMO you would be better off with a diesel P38, the engine is much more reliable, doesn't slip liners and an automatic will get close to 30mpg on a run, even with another 2.25 tonne P38 on a trailer mine still managed to be the right side of 20mpg in the hills of southern France. You are much less likely to have really disastrous electronic problems with the P38 than can be the case with the later L322. Parts are cheap too for the P38. IMO the auto box is better for the diesel as it masks the lack of bottom end torque.
When I was towing a boat, the car never got wet on slipways as I had a winch that clipped onto the tow ball allowing the trailer to be lowered down the slipway with the car above the water line.
I used to beach launch on a very very shallow sloping soft sand beach.
You had to go in the water a long way get any depth to be able to get the boat off the trailer, maybe 100 yards to find 2ft of water, any waves would see the underside of vehicle soaked & often water inside the vehicle.
As I have said any future launching would be on slips & I wouldn" expect to get the vehicle wet at all.
I am still undecided between diesel & petrol.
I had a Disco 200 & Disco 300 which I think were similar power to the diesel P38 ? but maybe a bit lighter ?
As any boat towing would be minimum 100 miles each way & involve some pretty steep hills I don"t know if a diesel P38 would be a bit sluggish ?
The heads only fail due to repeated overheats.The V8 on LPG will do 14-16mpg
LPG is around 55ppl so it's around 28-33mpg "PRICE WISE"
don't be confused with the actual figure.
The DSE i test drove before buying my Discovery was gutless, no torque and 23mpg was its average, according to the seller, you'd be lucky to see 30 on the diesel, as it has to be worked hard pretty much all the time.
Diesel engines aren't problem proof.
Timing chains stretch
Cylinder head turns to margarine and subsequently cracks
No Power
No torque
Usually lower spec
etc etc
If it was my money i'd get a D2
But thats me, the TD5 is far superior, a great tow car..
Smart looker too.
And just as comfortable.
The heads only fail due to repeated overheats.
Long term average on mine doing brim to brim checks on every fill for the last 10 years is 24mpg, often 26/27 in summer, seen 30mpg on the dash on the autoroute many times and been close to that on a fill up after 400Km. It's got a lot more poke than a Pajero of the same vintage or a Hyundai Galloper, tows my digger and the occasional P38 on a trailer with ease.
Changing timing chains is easier and cheaper than dealing with slipped liners, with good oil at 136K the modulation is still within spec..
Welding rusted chassis counts as simple maintenance in your view?I agree liners do drop "ONLY" when nuked/overheated, but eh what do i know
i'm an advocate of the TD5 if they want Power/economy and relative ease of maintenance.
Neglected ones rot.Welding rusted chassis counts as simple maintenance in your view?
Turn off EKA and the immobiliser and that cannot happen, not that it's ever happened on my P38 or that of anyone I know with a P38. On the other hand, my son in laws TD5 blew the engine and caught fire on the A27 in the UK.Neglected ones rot.
Finding a good one is relatively easy..
Beats being sat at the side of the road with "engine disabled" flashing at you because the electrical system has shat itself.
Turn off EKA and the immobiliser and that cannot happen, not that it's ever happened on my P38 or that of anyone I know with a P38. On the other hand, my son in laws TD5 blew the engine and caught fire on the A27 in the UK.
All cars can fail as you well know. the D2 also suffers with electronic problems.
Is it the FOB receiver at the top of the B post that causes problems?Thing is the D2 needs nothing turning off.
The TD5 needs the injector seals doing if not already done, and the injector wiring harness, both cheap and relatively easy to do.
The D2's electrics are also rather easy to diagnose, compared to the P38.
The have a good poke around the underside of the Disco with a screwdriver to see how bad the tin worm is.Thanks very much for the offer but Lancashire is a bit far from Bridgend.
I am going to try & drive at least one or 2 of each diesel & petrol P38's & a Disco 2 & see which I prefer.
Thanks very much for the offer but Lancashire is a bit far from Bridgend.
I am going to try & drive at least one or 2 of each diesel & petrol P38's & a Disco 2 & see which I prefer.
just remember to pack a brick under the P38 dervs pedal, as holding it to the floor constantly does tire ya foot out