P38s get a bad rap, but I love mine. Haven't had it a long time, but it rides awesome. Not sure why jummiejamz doesn't think it rides nice. I also love the look as I think it is much cleaner than a disco.
As far as a 97, I would stick with a 99-02. They worked out most of the kinks from the first model years including 97 and upgraded to Bosch electronics and 4-wheel traction control. There is a ton of info on how to fix the common issues on rangerovers.net. People freak out about the BeCM, but you can get one completely rebuilt for $400 on ebay. The air suspension compressor can be rebuilt for $60 and the valve block for $40 rather than $1000 for a new compressor and $1500 for a valve block in the early days when noone knew how to work on them. I picked up my 2001 Range Rover for $7200 with 88k miles and it is in great condition. Doesn't leak oil and just fixed the throttle body coolant leak which is also problematic on the Discos. Hell, it is the same engine?!?!
a quote from another thread..."
suspension:
Air suspension is great when it works, but many people have problems/issues. Coil conversions for the P38 are easy to come by and no more involved than the old air-sprung trucks.
diffs:
when ETC was introduced on both axles in 1999, LR fitted both front and rear 4 pin diffs. Because the pumpkin drop is opposite of what the DII's is. With 4 pin, 24 spline differentials, I wouldn't worry too much with skinny tires. Add a locker in there and you'll want to have spares.
t-case:
The transfer case for the P38 was completely redesigned for this platform and shared nothing with the borg-warner time-bomb in the Classic. It's funny about the viscous units because when they "break" they tend to just seize at full lock up. Lockup is smooth and progressive off-road. It's also stout enough to drop a propshaft and drive home on. I would not want to entertain a tire size beyond 32" and heavy use with the viscous center, but for the most common "expo" type modifications it shouldn't provide any trouble beyond the norm.
I know of two blown up land rover transfer cases. the borg warner from my '91 classic I grenaded on the trail, and the 1999 LT230Q from a DiscoII that I replaced it with, which I had sold to a friend for his t-case swap in his RRC after mine was parted out. And it blew on the highway. While he and his wife were hundreds of miles from home on vacation. what was that about a Disco II?
With the 4 wheel ETC that began in '99 they are remarkably capable. On 32's or less and a coil swap, I don't see what the big deal is ... the '01 was supposed to have been one of the best years. I've been warned to avoid '02s and '95-98. 99-01 are the desirable trucks from this range. this information from a certified LR tech when i was recently pondering a P38.
The thing that gives the P38 a bad rap is the insane level of electronics powering all the luxury features and most of that rap was from the early trucks, especially '95-'97 which are considered the most problematic.
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Be patient. They are out there and be sure to find one with records. Its definitely a buyers market. Good luck.
