Worried if i've done the right thing now bought a v8

Hi guys, ive been looking for a Disco TD5 for ages and was in my local 4x4 place, saw a V reg RR 4.0 v8 (SE i think?) any way i took it out and it drove faultlessly, it has LPG which took a couple of goes to switch over as it kept cutting out. Maybe this is just because its been sat for a long time?

Any way i got home and did all the usual checks and read reviews and shook hands with the guy. I've told him i want to take it out again tomorrow before i hand over any cash and run it just on LPG so i am sure everything works.

Its got 140,000 miles and FSH with only 1 owner, he want £4000 but i will try and get it for £3500.

Can any one tell me am i paying too much or is this reasonable? any thing i should really look for i know there are issues with engine liners and air suspension but if it still goes at 140,000 miles then surely the engine prob must have already been sorted?

Any advice gratefully recieved. (very informative site by the way )

Thanks

Hackett said:

Hi guys, ive been looking for a Disco TD5 for ages and was in my local 4x4 place, saw a V reg RR 4.0 v8 (SE i think?) any way i took it out and it drove faultlessly, it has LPG which took a couple of goes to switch over as it kept cutting out. Maybe this is just because its been sat for a long time?

Any way i got home and did all the usual checks and read reviews and shook hands with the guy. I've told him i want to take it out again tomorrow before i hand over any cash and run it just on LPG so i am sure everything works.

Its got 140,000 miles and FSH with only 1 owner, he want £4000 but i will try and get it for £3500.

Can any one tell me am i paying too much or is this reasonable? any thing i should really look for i know there are issues with engine liners and air suspension but if it still goes at 140,000 miles then surely the engine prob must have already been sorted?

Any advice gratefully received. (very informative site by the way )

Thanks

Click to expand...

I have a 1996 P38 4.0SE V8 with 155K on the clock. It has FSH and also has had certain parts replaced including the dreaded RF receiver which is a must if that hasn't been done at the cost of £150 and if your RR has the heated front screen it also needs the alternator upgraded to 120amps as well at a further additional cost of £150.

It does sound rather cheap for a V REG though. My advice would be to do an HPI check for £20 here: HPI Check - HPI Used car history and vehicle data checks

Make sure you have two keys and both work and unlock the car. The other thing you could do is ask if you can take it to a dealer or independent 4x4 garage and put it on a testbook for £90 and check for faults. Better to pay now than pay thousands later....

Ensure your LPG conversion is either multipoint or sequential.....I believe sequential is the one you really want.

Wow thanks for all the info mate. I'm not sure what LPG it has how would i check.

As for HPI clear i already have checked and its fine. It has both keys and both work satis. I have a mate who owns an independant garage i may put it in to him for a quick test.

Thanks for the info and any more advice is appreciated.

If you can get it for £3500 then that is a bit of a bargain - even at £4000 it's cheap if everything is OK
Since you are buying from a dealer I am assuming you will be getting some sort of warranty with it ? - you may be better off trying to negotiate a 12 month warranty rather than money off
Is there a fitting certificate for the LPG conversion in with the service history - your insurance company will likely insist on one to show it has been fitted by a reputable installer
If you are going back tomorrow try and get to the motor before anyone starts it up - on first start up listen for noisy tappets - any noise should disappear almost instantly or this could point to all sorts of engine wear including worn camshaft
Check how long it takes the air suspension to get to normal ride height after starting - the normal ride height light will stop flashing and remain lit when it gets to the right height
If it has been sitting all night then a short delay is fine but any real length of time will indicate a leak in the system somewhere
Finally take it for a LONG test drive and keep your eye on the temp. guage - any movementn past half way would bother me as a good engine just won't get hot - let it tick over for a while too, the temp. should still not rise if all is well internally
While ticking over, take the oil filler cap off and put your hand over the hole - a small amount of pressure is normal but any more than a light "fluff" or fumes could be an issue - also check the filler cap for any signs of emulsified oil - walk away if it resembles the contents of a jar of Hellmans

There are plenty out there - use you wits and common sense and if it's a good 'un buy the bugger and enjoy !

Great reply thanks,

The air sus rises almost instantly on startup and the engine is extremely quiet (the v8's i'm used in pontiac firebirds are much noisier lol) I had it running for about 10 mins just at tick over whilst i cheched for rust and temp stayed at halfway, i will deffo check for pressure in the oil filler cap tomorrow.

They are a reputable 4x4 dealership so i'm assuming they will offer a warranty if not i will certainly ask for one.

I'm beginning to wonder then why its so cheap? maybe just because of the mileage.

Thanks again folks, much appreciated!

hi mate as others have said its quite a cheap motor , as for temp gauge it wants to be just a fraction under half way in all circumstances virtually.
if its got single point lpg i would , if you buy it of course , consider upgrading it to multipoint ( although saying that there are some on here who say that thier single point runs faultlessly ) my own opinion is that single point is far to old tech for the p38 , a good multipoint upgrade will communicate with the car and run far better and give a much better performance and mpg , it did with mine .
if you know someone who is clued up with these cars take them along even if you have to pay them it`ll be worth it in the long run although the p38a is a fantastic piece of kit it can however have a lot of pitfalls to the unsuspecting buyer so please be warned .
im not trying to put you off btw, but to keep these cars tiptop they need a lot of care and looking after as im sure most on here will agree , anyway if the car turns out to be a good un , buy it and enjoy , but be prepared to get yer hands dirty from time to time .
i liken my p38 to a woman in a lot of ways , they like to be spoilt and have no end of attention lavished on them , and if you neglect them , well god help you will they let you know all about it !!!!!!!!!!!!.
rick.

All great advice,

I have looked at several p38's recently and the more you look at the better.

Suggestions from the forum to me and what I have found.[/U]

Look as advised for the dreaded Mayonnaise inside the oil filler cap and contamination of the coolant water, very hard pumped up top hose etc. may suggest head gasket blown, also white smoke from exhaust after a run and pinking/popping from the engine when ticking over.
Mayo may be caused by short runs but be aware it may also be a head gasket and that's why the last owner sold it.
Sadly two otherwise beautiful cars had lots of Mayo and water dripping when you remove cap, one Holland and Holland the other a new LPG system.
If in doubt get a coolant check for contamination.
Slow to inflate air suspension has been another problem I have encountered, with one end raising quite a time before the other, Try with doors closed up, then down fully several times.
Check all electrics, windows, door lights, roof, seats, rear door catch and locking, also check both keys for good condition.
Check for messages and don't let him tell you it's only a simple job, Why was it not repaired if it’s simple and cheap.
Check water on and under front mats, and for rust along tailgate below the plastic flap
Look at belt condition. and for noise from the alternator, bearing wear was evident on 3 recently, if dealer will replace, make certain with correct size.
Should switch between LPG and Petrol without you being aware.
Has the engine bay been cleaned and why, most cars have a covering of dirt and grease oil etc so why is this one clean? Look for possible oil leaks etc. One otherwise clean engine, had signs of a fresh oil leak.
Cars I have seen have varied small faults and must be expected at this age so allow a budget to cover the repairs not covered by the seller and get a warranty for as long as you can, check this covers parts and labour for the engine and gearbox etc. and you don't have to pay excess each time you claim.

Good luck…….Get a good one…
Fred

Hi guys once again brilliant replies thanks.....

I'm used to getting my hands dirty as i rebuild cars for a hobby i'm currently rebuilding a Supra 3.0 turbo from the ground up including engine so i'm not bothered about getting dirty and i would certainly look after it with regards to oil changes etc.

I'm going back at 12 o'clock and have told the guy i want to take it out for a couple of hours, hopefully this will be enough to bring any faults out as well as giving me plenty of time to check the engine out.

If all is good hopefully i'll be coming home in it and i'll update later.

Thanks again people!

very wise thing to do, put a few quid of LPG in it or petrol, and take it for a good run. If it's got any probs with overheating etc then it should show. If you can check the water level before and after your run to see if your losing water in the expansion tank. If you are that could be a sign of the head gasket being at fault and that could cost a pretty penny.

Good Luck

Right update i took it out for 2 hours drove it quite hard in places but also some very easy driving, i did every single check that has been put up on here and every check i did it passed with flying colours, the air sus reacts immediately to the button, no coolant loss and no mayo in filler cap. I got to it when it was stone cold and started it with the bonnet up, it was quiet as a mouse.

So i went and bought it lol. I got it for £3500 and he is taxing it for me for 6 months as well.

Heres some pics





Thats the beast could do with a polish and has a couple of little niggles but good bargaining tools to get it cheaper.

Thanks for all advice

Looks a beast alright !!!
Good luck and well done on the checks made. Just bear in mind it's a landie, so expect a little fight now and then lol

My p38 is a dream car.............sometimes its a nightmare

Well done, looks great.
I'm green with envy.
Have fun

Fred

Thanks guys, glad you guys approve

That looks like it's going to be a tight fit in your garage !
Nice motor at a really good price - well done !

Reckon you got yourself a good deal.

Thanks for all kind comments i managed to polish it up today and really shine the green up it looks great, the lads at work cant believe how little i paid and nor can i! its running great (touch wood) and getting about 26mpg which is a lot better than i was expecting.

Thanks again