P38A 2.5 DSE Vs DT

What are the main differences between the P38 2.5 DSE and the P38 2.5 DT?

I have heard different things from different people: IE one has a sunroof, one comes with fog lights, one has electric seats etc, some say there are differences within the engine bay and some mention that they were launched at different times.

Am I right in saying that the DSE version had the ERG system and the DT didn't?

Any ideas?

O Bife said:

What are the main differences between the P38 2.5 DSE and the P38 2.5 DT?

I have heard different things from different people: IE one has a sunroof, one comes with fog lights, one has electric seats etc, some say there are differences within the engine bay and some mention that they were launched at different times.

Any ideas?

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The designation does not mean much, I have a DHSE with no sunroof and a DT with one, all 3 of my P38's have manual seats except for the electric height adjustment. The DHSE has cruise control, the other 2 do not but it's an easy retrofit on the diesel. The DHSE has the dash computer with the second trip, mpg and range calculation etc, the other 2 did not but just changing the stalk on the French one was all that was needed to enable the features. Fog lights were as far as I know always an option on all versions, not a standard fitting. Some have colour coded bumpers, some do not and so on. It was all typical BMW, a long list of add or delete options at the time of purchase. However some DT's have a Lo Line BECM which means some features cannot be retro fitted so beware.
The only differences in the engine bay are the addition of the MAF sensor in around 1997 to all versions and at some point the dip stick for the auto transmission was deleted. Some DT's do not have air-conditioning and have a much simpler HEVAC with manual controls.

Thanks Data

Fog lights were only available with manual diesels. Due to the location of the auto gearbox cooler it was never an option.

But absolutely every option was available on every trim level. Although if you want off piest they branded it autobiography, but it could have absolutely zero toys, bar a colour choice they didn't include from the factory.

So you've really got to look what it is equipped with, rather than the trim.

Bix said:

Fog lights were only available with manual diesels. Due to the location of the auto gearbox cooler it was never an option.

But absolutely every option was available on every trim level. Although if you want off piest they branded it autobiography, but it could have absolutely zero toys, bar a colour choice they didn't include from the factory.

So you've really got to look what it is equipped with, rather than the trim.

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Fogs need a highline BECM too.

You may need a hotstart to live with a DT but there’s good chance when something goes wrong half the crap won’t apply to you

RangeRoller dt said:

You may need a hotstart to live with a DT but there’s good chance when something goes wrong half the crap won’t apply to you

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Not if the modulation is correct and adding a diode to the fuse box is better than the hot start mod IMO.

My dhse has fog lights as standard, oil cooler is factory relocated behind the left fog with its own likkle cooling fan.
And I've got cup holders
And all the other stuff.
Edit- it's auto too.

Flossie said:

My dhse has fog lights as standard, oil cooler is factory relocated behind the left fog with its own likkle cooling fan.
And I've got cup holders
And all the other stuff.
Edit- it's auto too.

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All the later cars had a cooling fan for the auto box oil cooler which has always been located behind the left fog light position. The fog lights were never fitted as standard to the diesel auto.

only pic I can find. That bit of black plastic just to the right of the NS chassis rail? Cooler is there.

Datatek said:

All the later cars had a cooling fan for the auto box oil cooler which has always been located behind the left fog light position. The fog lights were never fitted as standard to the diesel auto.

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OK standard was the wrong phrase, I meant factory fitted option not cobbled in by a previous owner from a manual car at the breakers.
Just correcting Bix.

Flossie said:

OK standard was the wrong phrase, I meant factory fitted option not cobbled in by a previous owner from a manual car at the breakers.
Just correcting Bix.

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The fog lamps were NEVER a factory fitted option on the diesel auto because the left one obstructs the air flow to the cooler. The wiring is there and on a Hi Line BECM the settings are there but if yours has them they were fitted after the car left the factory against JLR's recommendations.

Datatek said:

Not if the modulation is correct and adding a diode to the fuse box is better than the hot start mod IMO.

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We tried the disconnecting the hotstart thing last time I did engine work. Was end of sports if you remember wouldn’t start at all just kept cranking like it had lost sync. It’s still there and I’m still here years later. It was fitted by LR when I would have been a young lad so have no reason to doubt its reliability. It’s the LandyZone design version . Have to be bit crazy go chopping into your edc loom like that though Have to be do or die scenario.

Can tell how long ago it was my cam covers still metal colour

RangeRoller dt said:

We tried the disconnecting the hotstart thing last time I did engine work. Was end of sports if you remember wouldn’t start at all just kept cranking like it had lost sync. It’s still there and I’m still here years later. It was fitted by LR when I would have been a young lad so have no reason to doubt its reliability. It’s the LandyZone design version . Have to be bit crazy go chopping into your edc loom like that though Have to be do or die scenario.
View attachment 269152
Can tell how long ago it was my cam covers still metal colour

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I still think it's a bodge, JLR got round the problem by adding a diode to the fuse box causing the pump to run when the glow plugs are on. The mod does only work as long as the modulation is not too far out.

JLR got round the problem pre EGR era by fitting a LZ hotstart think of that.

Datatek said:

The fog lamps were NEVER a factory fitted option on the diesel auto because the left one obstructs the air flow to the cooler. The wiring is there and on a Hi Line BECM the settings are there but if yours has them they were fitted after the car left the factory against JLR's recommendations.

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Ohh..
Sod it, I've always been a rebel.
Just got back from fetching a free front (with good fogs) and rear bumper and grill spotted on a local free site. He's also got a low mileage m51 but out of a beemer that was rear ended ,alloy manifold manual flywheel though. Thinking of buying it but he wants to put it on ebay. Mines the plastic manifold although I think it's swappable if my lump dies?.

It’s a potch but you’d do it. Plastic manifold isn’t too bad a deal. It’s lighter, smootherer and probably won’t get as hot as metal in weather like this.
You could move the little rad somewhere else for fogs. Someone here did it as they have an auto for off-roading, can’t remember who but itl come to me. Plenty room under that side.

Flossie said:

Ohh..
Sod it, I've always been a rebel.
Just got back from fetching a free front (with good fogs) and rear bumper and grill spotted on a local free site. He's also got a low mileage m51 but out of a beemer that was rear ended ,alloy manifold manual flywheel though. Thinking of buying it but he wants to put it on ebay. Mines the plastic manifold although I think it's swappable if my lump dies?.

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The bolt holes for the alloy manifold are on opposite corners to the ones on the plastic manifold although some heads have both bolt positions. The alloy manifold is better IMO as it dissipates heat better. Flywheel should be a straight swap.