The P38 is far superior over a Classic i'd know have had both in many ways apart from offroad ability..

The VCU is a far better solution to Diff lock, the people that complained about them didn't understand how they work, and most novice offroaders didn't when know they had them which effectively gave 1 wheel drive, with a VCU it is always looking after all 4 wheels

The VCU is constantly sensing a "really" rather than "quite" difference in road grip and offorad grip, coupled with 4 wheel traction control on the Latter P38 you get an offroad combo that is fairly unbeatable.

As for them being poor quality i'd agree, however even Landcruisers have their faults ;0
The VCU is a cheap and nasty replacement for a centre diff lock, it requires loss of traction creating a speed differential between front and rear drive shafts for it to lock whereas a diff lock helps to prevent loss of traction in the first place assuming you know how to use it. The same goes for traction control, it's a cheap and nasty replacement for a LSD, it stops a spinning wheel turning creating extra drag in order to maintain drive on the other wheel, a LSD maintains drive to the wheel with grip but leaves the spinning wheel turning.
My P38 struggles to climb the slope from my covered parking in wet or frosty conditions, my Pajero and Galloper with locked centre diff and rear LSD had no trouble at all, so the P38 has to be parked outside on the flat in winter.
 
The VCU is a cheap and nasty replacement for a centre diff lock, it requires loss of traction creating a speed differential between front and rear drive shafts for it to lock whereas a diff lock helps to prevent loss of traction in the first place assuming you know how to use it. The same goes for traction control, it's a cheap and nasty replacement for a LSD, it stops a spinning wheel turning creating extra drag in order to maintain drive on the other wheel, a LSD maintains drive to the wheel with grip but leaves the spinning wheel turning.
My P38 struggles to climb the slope from my covered parking in wet or frosty conditions, my Pajero and Galloper with locked centre diff and rear LSD had no trouble at all, so the P38 has to be parked outside on the flat in winter.

Yes, different driving styles required. With diff locked you use minimal throttle to keep minimal momentum going. With VCU and the P38 traction control of braking the spinning wheel you need to give it some beans to lock the VCU up and keep momentum going. I've only had to be dragged out a few times in the RR though so it isn't that bad. I'd have airlockers if I did more serious off-roading. Tyres make a massive difference.

I'm definitely jealous of the 3 (centre and each axle) diff locks on the G-Wagon.
 
Only thing a P38 is missing is a diff lock.

Considering how often they are used it would only likely be another thing to go wrong at this age if we had one
 
Money no object, I'd install front and rear LSDs in my P38. I had one in my Escort van, and that thing was virtually unstoppable. Although I think they're about 1,300 each for a P38, so obviously not on my todo list anytime soon.
 
Only thing a P38 is missing is a diff lock.

Considering how often they are used it would only likely be another thing to go wrong at this age if we had one
They are also missing an LSD. A diff lock does not go wrong if unused, a VCU will fail over time with worn tyres on one axle and new on the other.
 
The VCU is a cheap and nasty replacement for a centre diff lock, it requires loss of traction creating a speed differential between front and rear drive shafts for it to lock whereas a diff lock helps to prevent loss of traction in the first place assuming you know how to use it. The same goes for traction control, it's a cheap and nasty replacement for a LSD, it stops a spinning wheel turning creating extra drag in order to maintain drive on the other wheel, a LSD maintains drive to the wheel with grip but leaves the spinning wheel turning.
My P38 struggles to climb the slope from my covered parking in wet or frosty conditions, my Pajero and Galloper with locked centre diff and rear LSD had no trouble at all, so the P38 has to be parked outside on the flat in winter.

Different driving techniques for both..

If you dislike the P38's abilities why buy one?

Pajeros and shoguns of the same vintage are cheaper to buy maintain and are superior off the road..
 
Different driving techniques for both..

If you dislike the P38's abilities why buy one?

Pajeros and shoguns of the same vintage are cheaper to buy maintain and are superior off the road..
When I bought my P38 11 year ago, a half decent Pajero was double the price of the P38, the P38 was all I could afford.
Pajero parts prices in the unlikely event that you need them are horrendously expensive.
The plus points of the P38 are the mental exercise working out the electronics and the comfort.
No driving technique would get a P38 up the slope from my covered parking, something the Pajero and the Galloper on similar road oriented tyres did with ease..
 
Lost a dear friend today due to the virus. Grand master of martial sports academy MST . Trained one son to 4thdan and other son to 1stdan taekwondo. Known for 25years, even helped me in recovery with tips and exercises.
To everyone who has lost someone lets not forget them. Stay safe everybody
Sorry to hear that matey. Keep your chin up and keep pushing on. ;)
 
So sad to hear this. Serves to underline how this virus is so unselective and I fear that so many more of us will loose our best loved people.
Keep safe.
Lost a dear friend today due to the virus. Grand master of martial sports academy MST . Trained one son to 4thdan and other son to 1stdan taekwondo. Known for 25years, even helped me in recovery with tips and exercises.
To everyone who has lost someone lets not forget them. Stay safe everybody
 
Back 'on topic' I thought I'd share with you how the lockdown has given me an unprecedented opportunity to tidy up the family fleet. After sorting the P38 suspension out in the first days of the stoppage (with due regard for our Gurus on here) I now park it right outside our front door so that every time I go into the hall I can marvel at it remaining proper height despite days of inactivity. Mrs C's Rav-4 got an oil change and a bit of a service. Then I moved on to my guilty pleasure.......
Our BMW 2002 Cabriolet. Bought in 1988, already 15 years old, it has become the longest restoration project in history! Rarely a year goes by without some work being done so in the past couple of weeks I took a disc cutter to the driver's floor and chassis leg. Bought a floor panel and had some channel folded as the basis for the chassis leg and as we speak the sections are welded in position and undergoing some final fettling. So that's the O/S sill, door skin and the floor fixed within the year. I have never worked at such a pace!
 
Back 'on topic' I thought I'd share with you how the lockdown has given me an unprecedented opportunity to tidy up the family fleet. After sorting the P38 suspension out in the first days of the stoppage (with due regard for our Gurus on here) I now park it right outside our front door so that every time I go into the hall I can marvel at it remaining proper height despite days of inactivity. Mrs C's Rav-4 got an oil change and a bit of a service. Then I moved on to my guilty pleasure.......
Our BMW 2002 Cabriolet. Bought in 1988, already 15 years old, it has become the longest restoration project in history! Rarely a year goes by without some work being done so in the past couple of weeks I took a disc cutter to the driver's floor and chassis leg. Bought a floor panel and had some channel folded as the basis for the chassis leg and as we speak the sections are welded in position and undergoing some final fettling. So that's the O/S sill, door skin and the floor fixed within the year. I have never worked at such a pace!
Errr.. Pictures... Mmmmm nice old Beemer :cool:
 
The 2002 was alwa
Back 'on topic' I thought I'd share with you how the lockdown has given me an unprecedented opportunity to tidy up the family fleet. After sorting the P38 suspension out in the first days of the stoppage (with due regard for our Gurus on here) I now park it right outside our front door so that every time I go into the hall I can marvel at it remaining proper height despite days of inactivity. Mrs C's Rav-4 got an oil change and a bit of a service. Then I moved on to my guilty pleasure.......
Our BMW 2002 Cabriolet. Bought in 1988, already 15 years old, it has become the longest restoration project in history! Rarely a year goes by without some work being done so in the past couple of weeks I took a disc cutter to the driver's floor and chassis leg. Bought a floor panel and had some channel folded as the basis for the chassis leg and as we speak the sections are welded in position and undergoing some final fettling. So that's the O/S sill, door skin and the floor fixed within the year. I have never worked at such a pace!
The 2002 was always terrible rust bucket
 
Mark, I'll try with pictures. IT is not my strongpoint but I'll try and get my son to do it - Maintain social distancing...... In the study one at a time.

Datatec. You're right. People criticise 70's British cars for rust but Germany had the edge on us I think. The interesting thing about taking so long to restore is that most of the parts and fittings are 'timewarp' to when I last drove it, which must have been early 90's. Over the years I've replaced most of the lower sections of the shell. Plan is to get the engine and box out next. I have a 5 speed conversion waiting in the shed. To have it running, if not driving would be the extra motivation I need. So there are some positives about lockdown. Thanks for your interest lads.
 
Mark, I'll try with pictures. IT is not my strongpoint but I'll try and get my son to do it - Maintain social distancing...... In the study one at a time.

Datatec. You're right. People criticise 70's British cars for rust but Germany had the edge on us I think. The interesting thing about taking so long to restore is that most of the parts and fittings are 'timewarp' to when I last drove it, which must have been early 90's. Over the years I've replaced most of the lower sections of the shell. Plan is to get the engine and box out next. I have a 5 speed conversion waiting in the shed. To have it running, if not driving would be the extra motivation I need. So there are some positives about lockdown. Thanks for your interest lads.
I used to have a 1979 mk1 golf ROX177Y was the plate. Had it in the early 2000's, not a spot of rust on it, even my 1980 mk1 driver.
The rear bumper slots were packed with a waxy under seal and the shells were solid on them. I wish I still had either of them... :rolleyes:
 
I used to have a 1979 mk1 golf ROX177Y was the plate. Had it in the early 2000's, not a spot of rust on it, even my 1980 mk1 driver.
The rear bumper slots were packed with a waxy under seal and the shells were solid on them. I wish I still had either of them... :rolleyes:
BMW's are not that good, especially the early ones, the Audi 100 was also a rust bucket, as rare as hens teeth now, they have all rusted away. The Beetle was not rust free either.
 
BMW's are not that good, especially the early ones, the Audi 100 was also a rust bucket, as rare as hens teeth now, they have all rusted away. The Beetle was not rust free either.
I always liked the 635 and the 80's 735. Beautiful cars. :D with crusty bits:p
 
I had Mk3 driver made in Wolfsburg. I was the second owner, at 14 years old body was spotless underneath. Little rust along the rear window
Ones made in Spain were bad i was told is my one was different
 
BMW's are not that good, especially the early ones, the Audi 100 was also a rust bucket, as rare as hens teeth now, they have all rusted away. The Beetle was not rust free either.
Didn't Audi 100 have battery under back seat I had a Coupe S with it there. Was very dodgy when entertaining the ladies on the back seat, had a couple of fires myself.
 

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