'97 P38 vs. '98 D1

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daven5735

Well-known member
Oct 3, 2007
267
0
Dallas
OK, this might seem a little rediculous but here goes. I want to get another vehicle to use for long (play) weekends and vacations that is road friendly and off-road capable. Some rock navigating (not even crawling). I'm very familiar with the D1 and RRC as I have owned both. My question is are there inherent issues with the '97 P38? I have two interesting candidates:
'97 P38 4.0 SE with 29K miles (not a misprint)
'98 D1 LE with 42K miles

Thoughts, opinions?
 
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Gordo

Gordo

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2004
1,478
80
Bradenton, Fl
www.floridalandroverclub.com
Get the D1, too many electronics on the P38. They just arent trail worthy in my opinion, especially if you do any water crossings, plus it would seem you are more familar with the D1/RRC layout since youve owned two. Gordo
 
DougG

DougG

Well-known member
Oct 7, 2006
1,004
3
Cooperstown NY
If the P38 has been well maintained, get the P38. It is more luxurious and street worthy for long road trips, and despite what some think, is a great trail vehicle. Of course you can't do anything crazy with it off-road, but you would be suprised at it's capability. It is bigger and nicer than the D1. And the P38 doesn't have "too many electronics". It's a sophisticated system that needs to be looked after. Yes you can get a P38 fairly inexspensive, but you're still maintaining a $70,000 vehicle with very expensive parts. So the question is not if you can afford the vehicle, but can you afford to maintain it PROPERLY.
 
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goswin

Member
Feb 14, 2006
8
0
52
Den Bosch - Netherlands -
www.Landroverwinkel.nl
I have been there, done that :)

No, without kidding, I have had a D1 1998 and now I drive a RR P38 1994... and the Range is absolutely better in all ways!

The costs I have had with the Disco were huge! I believe about 11.000 euros in 1 year... So less electronics in a car does not have anything to do with a cheaper ride....

It is all about the current state of the car and how the previous owner took care of it.

Bye,
Goswin
 
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rover-renovations

Well-known member
Mar 20, 2006
150
0
Omaha, NE USA
www.rover-renovations.com
I have a '95 p38a and an '03 disco (wife's). I prefer my high milage, rattly, worn out leather, scratched paint, oil drinking 4.0 RR over her new(ish), clean, quicker, non-death-wobbling 4.6 DII. May be just because the RR has more of my blood on it, or may be because hers is missing 5 windows.....

Side by side I like them both, but I like the RR better. She would've prefered a p38 for herself but we got a steal on the disco in the colors she wanted before we could even find a p38 in the right color.
 
Gordo

Gordo

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2004
1,478
80
Bradenton, Fl
www.floridalandroverclub.com
You guys bring up good points. However, if you plan on doing water crossings forget it. My buddy wheeled a p38 with a 5inch lift and 34s. Pretty sweet rig, but man the electronics sucked. I remember one instance when he stuck it in deep water. The alarm went off, he couldnt start it, and had to have it towed home. 600 dollars for some ECU he was back on the road. He had enough issues that he finally bought a 92 RRC to wheel. Also there arent as many mods out there if you want to outfit it so keep that in mind. No doubt the Rangie is a better riding vehicle and plenty capable in its own right.
 
S

snorkelingsarcosuchus

Guest
you can also swap out the electronic suspension in the p38 for a set of coils
 
DougG

DougG

Well-known member
Oct 7, 2006
1,004
3
Cooperstown NY
Gordo said:
You guys bring up good points. However, if you plan on doing water crossings forget it. My buddy wheeled a p38 with a 5inch lift and 34s. Pretty sweet rig, but man the electronics sucked. I remember one instance when he stuck it in deep water. The alarm went off, he couldnt start it, and had to have it towed home. 600 dollars for some ECU he was back on the road. He had enough issues that he finally bought a 92 RRC to wheel. Also there arent as many mods out there if you want to outfit it so keep that in mind. No doubt the Rangie is a better riding vehicle and plenty capable in its own right.
Click to expand...

Sounds like your friend must have been going through 3-4 feet of water. The deepest I was comfortable with was 2 feet. The biggest concern is the BeCM under the passenger seat, vulnerable to deep water. I bought a RRC for the rough stuff, and have my P38 as a daily driver, trip to the Adirondacks, light trail vehicle, family hauler. In that respect, it can't be beat. Well, in the speed category, it can be beat, but that's where my Audi comes in;)
 
DougG

DougG

Well-known member
Oct 7, 2006
1,004
3
Cooperstown NY
The only electrical issues I have had with my P38 have been with the HeVAC system, and I fixed them all myself: Blend motors, distribution motors, and air conditioning stuff, mostly just replacing sensors. Frustrating diagnostically, but easy repairs, except for the blend motors:ack: .
 
defender90

defender90

Well-known member
Nov 22, 2005
126
0
D1
Pros
>More after market stuff on the cheap
>Easy to work on
>Capable off Road
>Easier to fix on the trail
Cons
Not as cool as a RR

RR
Pros
>Cool Factor
>Mildly capable off road
Cons
>Limited Off road stuff
>Expensive to repair
>Hard to diagnose issues
That being said I just picked up a 1999 RR HSE. I did a spring conversion and will be looking for tires and rims. Im not sure if I 'll take it off road but I'm building like I will. : )
 
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