What to look for when buying a p38 range rover.

[tgaguy1]

As title says; I am going to be looking at a Range rover. What are the the things to look for to determine whether it is a good buy or a money pit.

I am new to these so I am not familiar with whats what on them. Up to this point my time has been spent on Japanese rigs.

Thanks in advance.

Jase.

[mercutio]

check the sills and body mount points also the tail gates are susceptible to rust the spare wheel well can rust to and also check the door pillars and the c pillars
also check the rear x member

yes i know that lists almost the whole vehicle basically look carefully for rust if you are very keen there is a book written by haynes about restoring range rovers it is very useful as it lists all the known issues

[nstacey]

check the sills and body mount points also the tail gates are susceptible to rust the spare wheel well can rust to and also check the door pillars and the c pillars
also check the rear x member

A p38 is one of these, about a 96 or newer, I think your rust problems are more the older models.

[mercutio]

yeah i am referring to the older ones lol

[turoa]

had 2 things go wrong with my dads p38 that hes had for about 3 years. abs pump and suspension seals. The seals were some cheap o rings which were replaced for next to nothing. The ABS pump dies whilst I was towing a heavy load down a long windy hill. Was still prefectly driveable. Other than that it is the most reliable old girl out, dad has now replced it with a newer model so it sits around being a spare car and doesnt seem to have any problems

Unfortunately they are one of those vehicles that you can either get a fantastic one or a lemon. Sorry I cant be of more help but you wont be dissapointed

[stinky]

i got one and a warrenty is the best thing to look for mines over heated thermosat went bad and blend motor in air con thats it gotta say its a nice truck and i love driving it when its not on loan to bob

[tgaguy1]

The ABS pump dies whilst I was towing a heavy load down a long windy hill. Was still prefectly driveable....so it sits around being a spare car and doesnt seem to have any problems

Is the ABS pump problem a isolated problem or a known fault? This will be my tow truck; so I am interested to find out if it is perhaps going to cause me problems.

Also I am looking at one this weekend, so still looking for a good one. Is there much difference between the 4.0 litre and the 4.6 litre engine?

Tu's does your dad want to sell his one?

[ski]

Hiya ,I have had mine for 4 years,Leaks in the aircon behind the dash has been a problem,and condenser.Make sure everything works as there are gagets for everything apart from scatching your ars.Look for service records as this will show up problem areas .air suspension is $3500 to fix.They are cheap to buy because of fuel economy etc,repair costs.Good luck.

[lilpigzuk]

.air suspension is $3500 to fix.They are cheap to buy because of fuel economy etc,repair costs.Good luck.

Round about $1600 for a coil conversion kit to remove all the air suspension set up, so that removes a big problem from the vehicle - forever. very littel difference in ride quality - just lose the variable height option obviously.

[Heath]

.air suspension is $3500 to fix.They are cheap to buy because of fuel economy etc,repair costs.Good luck.

Round about $1600 for a coil conversion kit to remove all the air suspension set up, so that removes a big problem from the vehicle - forever. very littel difference in ride quality - just lose the variable height option obviously.

Could you fit those ride levelling bags (coil helpers or whatever they were called) and have that back as well?

[lilpigzuk]

.air suspension is $3500 to fix.They are cheap to buy because of fuel economy etc,repair costs.Good luck.

Round about $1600 for a coil conversion kit to remove all the air suspension set up, so that removes a big problem from the vehicle - forever. very littel difference in ride quality - just lose the variable height option obviously.

Could you fit those ride levelling bags (coil helpers or whatever they were called) and have that back as well?

Possibly Havent had experience with them bags so couldnt comment - Ive heard they suck for flex? I have seen very few that actually offroad a p38 where the max height setting is used. Also never use the lower setting to get in and out on mine and the dropping at 80kph still throws me sometimes So if the the air susp craps out in this one, it will get a coil conversion. Comfy as fawk though.

[tgaguy1]

Thanks all for the information. I bought this on Friday.



So far so good.

Cheers

Jase.