Bad year for P38s?

J

JR Ewing III

Guest
:confused:

I am looking at a '98 4.6 RR on Saturday. Currently, I have a Disco. In my opinion '96 and '97 year model Discos seemed to have the most problems. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion about year models for the RR between '95 and '02 (P38 models). In general, do you think any year models were more tempermental than others? Anything particular I should look for on a '98 RR when I'm checking the car out?

Thanks for the help.
 
Pugsly

Pugsly

Banned
Apr 20, 2004
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www.roverautomotive.com
JR Ewing III said:
:confused:

I was wondering if anyone has an opinion about year models for the RR between '95 and '02 (P38 models). In general, do you think any year models were more tempermental than others? Anything particular I should look for on a '98 RR when I'm checking the car out?

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

I would definitely favor the late year ('01+?), which have the Bosch engine management system. Also has 4 wheel ETC instead of just rear wheel, though that change came in a bit earlier.
 
S

scubaman99

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Jun 7, 2004
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Sunnyvale, CA
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I agree... to the point of finally getting a 01 P38 two weeks ago. in addition to the 4 wheel ETC and the Bosche electronics a 01 is likely to still have afew months/miles left on a FACTORY warranty and the Navigation system on the 01 is different then the 00 and earlier
 
R

Ron

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Jun 15, 2004
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1995 is the worst for the 4.0SE. It is the single worst rover ever produced as far as issues.

Overall the GEMS is only slightly worse than the bosch as far as "issues," and personally I think the 1999 GEMS is better than the 1999 Bosch with the bosch being better after the first year.

ANY P38a is going to be a high dollar maintaince vehicle. Unlike a disco/D90/RRC there are some things that go that cannot be found inexpensively and the things like the HVAC are so time consuming to repair that it will cost you big time.

If it were me I would either look for an inexpensive 97ish 4.6 or get something with a long good warranty.

Ron
 
B

bshinn

Guest
Heating Ventilation & Air Cond.

Those things are the automotive equilivant of the Space Shuttle. :eek: Prepare to have your wallet lightened.
There was an article in LRO (I think) that documented a problem w cylider cracking in the P38, Stated you needed to test drive it @ interstate speeds for 1-1.5 hrs to check for overheating because problems would not surface during a normal duration drive. Whatever you decide, good luck.
 
R

rovrjnky

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2004
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Broomfield, Colorado
www.protectedpets.com
don't buy one without a warrenty!! :p
I have charged over $10k in <3yrs to my extended warrenty!!!
My P38 is the reason I also have a Disco, I allmost got stuck on the trail when the traction control and 4-low went out! If it wasn't for my wife's love for it, it would be gone.
my $.02
 
P

P38MeMate

Guest
And now from the off the road contingency there is this:

The 97's and later have dual exhaust behind the main muffler. What for, it beats me. All they do is remove departure angle on both sides and double the weight of the rear muffler system, idiot styling move in my opionion Land Rover. The 96 Borla CAT-Back replacement once you cut the tip down by 4 inches makes for a clean trail worthy solution while retaining the OEM exhaust hangers.
 
J

JR Ewing III

Guest
Thanks for all the good input.

I was looking at the P38 for my mom. Currently, she is driving an RX300 (Lexus). She bought it new in 2000, and it hasn't had any problems at all! It never went in for warranty work, and it hasn't been in the shop since it's warranty expired, except for fluid changes and routine maintenance. She was really looking at it to humor me. Since I bought my Disco I have been facinated with LR. And, I'd like to have another in the family. She was willing to buy the one we looked at it (by the way the P38 we looked at was in real nice condition). However, she has three criteria for a car: it must be comfortable (not a problem I thought - the P38 is definitely comfortable when compared to other SUVs), it has to be safe (no problem there), and it has to be reliable (oh crap). She entrusted me with measuring it against those three criteria. As cool as it was, most likely it's not going to go the distance the RX300 will without a lot more repairs. Needless to say we didn't make an offer on the P38.

She can't afford a new Range Rover so I really have my fingers crossed for the LR3. I'm hoping Ford will do with LR what they did with Jag (bring stronger QC policies). Then I can justifiably recommend an LR3 to my mom. That would be sweet! I think that thing is going to be awesome! And, I think it's going to have a better track record for reliability. I know I'm a minority on this board in that respect. We'll see if I'm right.
 
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