Looked at a P38 today - here's the problems, are they serious and whats the fix?

Looking expensive after owning a p38 they are in my opinion worth **** all-mate ditched a 100k 4.6 V8 98 for £1800 to be shot of it two years ago IF YOU HAVE THE i WANT'S OFFER £1400 FOR IT OR WALK (DSE)

(PICK UP MANY OF MY VEHICLES BY PLAYING WAITING GAME ON GOLD PLATED ONES)

300TDI R REG disco 142k £300 tax and mot

x reg omega mot sept 121k £300

it can be done

You really have got nothing to lose by making a silly offer. You could always up it again if they turn it down.

It does sound like it's had quite a lot of the big stuff done to it.

As far as the HEVAC is concerned, you really need to test that all the blend motors are working - just because he's had new ones fitted doesn't mean that they won't have stripped their teeth if the parts they're driving have seized (ie distribution flap). It might just be low aircon gas, but you can't really tell without having the codes read (and that'll cost you £50!).

You could make the offer based on the worst case scenario for the HEVAC.

I'm thinking offer £2k or walkaway then?

MikeV8SE said:

I'm thinking offer £2k or walkaway then?

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Mike, you seem to want it no matter what folk say and need to bid what YOU think its worth.

P38 owners have given you their views £1500-1900iirc with the current problems but if your gonna be happy with 2000-2200 then its up to you. I would personally be looking closer to £1500-£1750 and if not find another. If you watch the wheeler dealers episode they spent a fair few £££s getting that one right not including the stuff they didnt include in the final costings and still sold for very little (probably fake) profit.

personally i have had a p38 and although lovely to drive and loads of car for the money i would never have another.

If you are planning overland trips then with all the electrical gubbins is a p38 really the right choice, cant see parts being readily available in the middle of nowhere and with ecu/becm etc your not jus gonna be able to bodge it to get to the nearest garage/workshop.

just my thoughts :behindsofa:

Be careful MIKE. These Rangies get you in the heart, you'd probably find that most of us on here would admit to that. They look wonderful, the driving position is great and everybody knows what you drive without having to ask you. There are very few cars on the road that you can say that about.

HOWEVER

They are big, complicated, expensive cars. What you are looking at is a second hand car. If it was that wonderful why is it up for sale?

Bid what you can afford assuming that you're going to spend another grand in the first year and you won't go far wrong. If you can't afford that - walk away, it's only a car, they made quite a few of them.

Agree with most on here, Mike, I currently have same prob with the HEVAC, book with the "!" on it, i got mine part ex'd & put another £1300 to mine, (look on my pics) AND... as foolishly as all will agree, mine came with absolutely no service history whatso ever.. i risk i was willing to take. my problems since owning 5 months? a new air susp compressor, £215, & repair a diesel leak from injector, £90.. replaced air filter myself, & could benefit a service, other than that i cant fault mine.. what looms ahead for me buying this risk, who knows, but im so far enjoying every moment i drive it, I would say as with the rest on here, there are tons of them around, & why this one? look at a few more id say,

dogsbody said:

Be careful MIKE. These Rangies get you in the heart, you'd probably find that most of us on here would admit to that. They look wonderful, the driving position is great and everybody knows what you drive without having to ask you. There are very few cars on the road that you can say that about.

HOWEVER

They are big, complicated, expensive cars. What you are looking at is a second hand car. If it was that wonderful why is it up for sale?

Bid what you can afford assuming that you're going to spend another grand in the first year and you won't go far wrong. If you can't afford that - walk away, it's only a car, they made quite a few of them.

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Spot on.

Thanks guys. I'm really not totally convinced on it and don't want to chuck money at an old dog, but what appeals is the amount of work already done to it I guess, in the hope that it won't need doing again for a few years!

Basically I can't decide if that is a better prospect than a "mint" car with no remedial work done already.

Also, everyone says there's loads for sale but actually, if you look, there's bugger all out there! Loads of V8's but barely any diesels - if anyone knows of any in SE England let me know by all means

MikeV8SE said:

Thanks guys. I'm really not totally convinced on it and don't want to chuck money at an old dog, but what appeals is the amount of work already done to it I guess, in the hope that it won't need doing again for a few years!

Basically I can't decide if that is a better prospect than a "mint" car with no remedial work done already.

Also, everyone says there's loads for sale but actually, if you look, there's bugger all out there! Loads of V8's but barely any diesels - if anyone knows of any in SE England let me know by all means

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I think if you could get it for the right price then you should be ok. You've nothing to lose by starting your bidding low and everything to potentially gain!

My 4.6k HSE N reg and its used daily at present and is in good condition for the age with 60k and only two owners from new so what would mine be worth then as I thought the P38's had lost value completely over the last couple of years?

i think any second hand motor is a huge gamble,just depends how many£1 coins you are prepared to gamble with.i just recently picked up a 4.6 hse 1996(with private plate)123000k, some history,and a couple of squeeks & rattles here & there for under £1500.

For my 5 bobs worth: if 2 air bags have been replaced, bet the others ain`t far behind. Get under and look. Tightening up the steering box,may sort the wandering steering it may not: open wallet unless fixed first. I reckon at 160k the viscous coupling could be up for renewal soon, especially if being offroaded a lot. FIP? does seem to be due overhaul at tis sort of mileage. HEVAC: fiddly job, but diy-able time consuming=expensive at garage. Receipts for work previously done?? If there are they from a dealer, or "my Mechanic"= someone who changes the oil for me for a few bob, and will soon write a receipt for anything and then backdate it?? Looks over-priced to me too.