Newbie to both the forums and LR.. bit overwhelmed.

[quavey]

Cost of fuel isn't a concern here - I've run V8 muscle cars before and seeing anything over 20mpg was very.. well, it just didn't happen.

I'm all for a hobby car.. but when I get in and turn the key I want to be able to drive it. If some of the electrics have suddenly stopped working then fair enough.. but it needs to get me from A to B. I do have other cars.. but if I wanted something that was going to break down constantly.. I'd be looking at an Alfa.

Maybe a P38 isnt for you... I think generally people would agree they will get you there to a fashion.

Overheating is a big killer of them all with regards to "getting you there" Air suspension can fail but its designed so it can be driven on the bump stops at up to 35mph however I wouldnt recommend it. Compressor failure subjected me to some bumpstop action (although without messages) and changed the character of the car to such a degree we were not on speaking terms until the new seal kit arrived.

As for 20mpg if you are looking for that you will need a diesel, you'll get that at 65-70 out of a V8 on a gentle run down the motorway but bet on around 14mpg average and if you manage 16 give your self a pat on the back.

I would expect a diesel should touch high 20's maybe even knock on the door of 30mpg if you are careful and probably around 20 knocking about. Factor in the extra cost of fuel and the cost per mile probably isn't much difference

Best thing for you is to drive both, everyone has a preferred choice some people even like the noise of the diesel! (To be fair, its quite a good noise for a diesel!) and then pick the one that suits you. And then find the one in the best condition (youngest and lowest mileage means nothing on these and nor does having loads of parts replaced... a bit list of "heres the bits I've changed" screams I'm looking for a fault and I cant find it so now I'm selling)

 

[martynv8]

Never had a sync issue (or any electrical issue whatsoever) with my 4.6 thor.
I do regular journeys from Sheffield to London & never missed a beat. I average 22-23MPG on a good run (& no, not just from the dash reading). On LPG i can get 17-18 on the same run.
On LPG i get similar running costs to the diesel, but with more power, refinement & of course the soundtrack.
Plenty of conflicting advice between diesel & V8 but test drive both & make your choice.
The Thor is definately the one to go for though, much much more torque lower down the range as mentioned.

 

[domino]

Just to reaffirm, by the way, the cost of fuel/economy is not an issue. I was using the 20mpg as an example

Ignoring the economy side of it, i'm still no further forward in regards to which one to take - one saying diesel, one saying V8 Thor. There seems to be no overall, general consensus here.. so I'm still lost, especially with which year to go for if I decide the diesel is best..?

 

[Datatek]

Just to reaffirm, by the way, the cost of fuel/economy is not an issue. I was using the 20mpg as an example

Ignoring the economy side of it, i'm still no further forward in regards to which one to take - one saying diesel, one saying V8 Thor. There seems to be no overall, general consensus here.. so I'm still lost, especially with which year to go for if I decide the diesel is best..?

MY2000 is better whichever you go for, improved electrics reputedly. If you go V8, be aware thet fixing a blown engine is going to set you back £3k or so.

 

[domino]

So, a MY2000 2.5 DHSE would be a good choice.

Just need to find one!

 

[Datatek]

So, a MY2000 2.5 DHSE would be a good choice.

Just need to find one!

Your choice, thats what I bought, a november 2000 DHSE, had it 5 years now, plenty of niggles but it's never let me down. Avoid coil converted one's.

 

[domino]

So, I know some manufacturers have weirdness when it comes to reg plate and year so V reg onwards, yeah?

Thanks for your help so far

 

[wil2813]

..see, this is the problem... one's saying get the 4.6 V8.. another saying the Diesel 2.5 is better.

Arghhh :\ Where do I put my money! lol

they are both slow with engines as old as gods dog get a l322 v8:bolt:

 

[matt1987]

As datatek say a 2000my plate is best bet, ive got the diesel and I like it, ive drove the vi but prefer the diesels, never buy the first one you find always look at a few and never buy one with faults unless you can diy or have deep pockets

 

[domino]

When you say faults....what are we talking about?

 

[matt1987]

Hevac check book symbol
electric problems ie windows doors locks etc
warning lights on dash
air suspension inop
only 1 key
battery drain
water useage
oil leaks
water leaks
oil useage

the list goes on there was a list of the most common issues on this site somewhere

all I can suggest is dont let your heart rule your head.

 

[domino]

Surely some electrical faults are okay like the Windows and central locking - that's fixable, right? I recall seeing something about it being related to battery removal.

The rest are relatively standard I guess. I presume too that if the air suspension lifts and lowers its fine - no special checks on th front.

 

[quavey]

Certainly don't do as I did and buy it over the phone 300 miles away without seeing it and then get a guy to pick it up and drive it the 300 miles to your parents house whilst your on a track day and then go to the other side of the world for a week on business... That's just got disaster written all over it!

However it has gone well, only because of the sheer bravery during purchase haha.

 

[domino]

That sounds like most of my car purchases to be honest. Last 4 , no 5 have been in London, Slough, Kent etc. I'm a glutton for it heh

 

[jacckk]

The V8 isn't as unreliable as everyone makes it out to be, some did have issues with the liners but most don't. People realise theirs is loosing water/overheating so they search online and the first thing they find is someone telling them it's a liner problem when most of the time is something much simpler. I can't find any figures about how many were sold but I imagine there will be more V8s as America and other countries didn't get the diesel.

Basically people who bought the diesel will tell you to buy the diesel, people who bought the V8 will tell you to buy a V8.

 

[domino]

So, in essence, no P38 owner really knows what they're talking about and will remain bias regardless of the question..?

 

[matt1987]

All we do is give some info on which is best, most reliable, common issues etc from people who have owned them for several years and aim to keep them running because of the feeling they give when they run right.

There are people who buy them for the status of the range rover brand and ditch them as soon as they go wrong and then there are others like myself who keep them running for the joy they bring when they run right

take some info from this thread and make an informed decision and then ask yourself this can I and will I run when it goes wrong because it will go wrong its what they do best

 

[quavey]

So, in essence, no P38 owner really knows what they're talking about and will remain bias regardless of the question..?

I wouldn't say no one knows what they are talking about, we have supplied you with a large amount of information. Mainly regarding the pros and cons of each but take the following as the truth.

• MY2000 (99 onwards in alot of cases but need to check build date) onwards are better cars with regards to finish, equipment and later mechanical revisions
• All are unreliable when it comes to electrical and air suspension components however in alot of cases its not horrific to fix as long as the BECM isnt at fault
• Generally if unmodified the gearbox and drive train are strong on all models
• The lower the spec the less there is to go wrong
• Standard the diesel is slower but more economical
• Standard the V8 (4.6 anyway) is the best for performance but the worst on fuel
• All engines suffer from neglect and cooling is a big issue on them all, water pumps, fans and rads all get old and fail

 

[domino]

Thanks for that - I didn't mean my last post to come across as being so flippant so sorry about that

It's just frustrating trying to find out what engines are best to avoid and which ones are the pick of the crop.. but you get conflicting information! I read things about thinning in the V8's.. then gearboxes dying in the diesels. Crap performance from the diesels but better performance from the V8's.. though not by much... it makes informed decisions a little more difficult!

Just as an example.. here's one on ebay:

2000 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER HSE AUTO GREEN | eBay

Looks to be in good nick, has the interior that I'd like and the spec (HSE). It's the right age (2000) but has the 4.0 V8 engine that some folk say isn't good. So, is it better because it's on the right side of 2000 or is it still a bad choice because it's the 4.0?

2001 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER HSE AUTO GREEN | eBay
Another 4.0 but with LPG and a year younger... wanting a lot more money... but it's the 4.0?

Or the 2.5:
Land Rover Range Rover HSE Diesel DIESEL AUTOMATIC 2000/WSE | eBay
Has the spec I want, the interior I want.. but it's the diesel.

Also, by the by, how can you tell it has the Harmon Kardon system in it? Is that 'standard' with the HSE/Vogue? I do like my nice OEM systems.. my Saab has the Harmon Kardon system and it's one of the better systems I've used..!

 

[jacckk]

So, in essence, no P38 owner really knows what they're talking about and will remain bias regardless of the question..?

People do know what they're talking about but as you said with regards to the engines most people only like whatever they bought. I'd just decide what you want and then try and find the best maintained example of that.

or is it still a bad choice because it's the 4.0?

If you're looking for a V8 I'd try and get a 4.6. There's no real difference in MPG or reliability so you may as well go for the one with more power.