Advise please on P38 2.5 verses Vouge 200tdi?

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Lngriffo

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Hi guys, as you will guess from the question I am new to RR and would really appreciate a bit of advise before spending some hard earned cash soon.

I have been told by a mate that the p38 2.5dsi is a much better engine / vehicle than the older vougue 200 tdi and as it happens I have one of each in my sights and would appreciate some direction.

Browsing the forum here I see endless questions about faulty p38's, is that because they have a lot more electronics, like everything these days or is it just there are many more of them about these days.

Is there anything in particular to look for on either, heard the earlier ones are prone to corrosion and I guess with all the gearboxes can leak some oil too anything else to be aware of?

Thanks for taking the time and happy christmas. Steve
 
The BMW 2.5 engine is in a totally different class than the 200 Tdi engine in terms of power and smoothness. Now i'm going to get me popcorn out and watch the explosion.:D:D:D
 
Sticks head above parapet..... P38 diesel BMW 2.5 TDS is a great engine. 200TDI is not as smooth, or not quite as powerful, and may or maynot be as reliable, but is easier and cheaper to fix if/when it breaks. Similarly a P38 when new is a far better vehicle than a Classic FOR ALL ROUND USE. The EAS is better at handling both on and offroad situations. But it achieves this thro more complicated and expensive technology. In both cases you need to find a good `un. A good classic will knock an old poorly maintained P38 into a cocked hat, AND vice versa. Depends what you`re looking for. So study this forum esp threads about EAS, and visit www.rswsolutions. Best bet is to take a rabbits foot with you and choose one with a nice colour scheme, at least you`ll not be totally disappointed.
 
Best bet is to take a rabbits foot with you and choose one with a nice colour scheme, at least you`ll not be totally disappointed.

Lol, I like the advice
 
OK the BMW lump in a P38 is, if properly maintained, a bit better and more economical than the tdi.

But the tdi, as said earlier, is easier and cheaper to fix.

The 300 tdi is better than the 200 tdi. Wait for the sparks to fly!

Buy a decent Classic and when the air suspension fails revert to coils.

It may well even hold it's value or go up there are so few good ones left :)
 
A classic with a TDI is a much better buy than a P38, just look at all the posts about P38 problems.
TDI will be cheaper to run and service.
As a family we own two classics and are very happy with them.
I am a mechanic and have worked on classics and P38 and I am not that
impressed with the P38.
The TDI engine is not fast but then the BMW engine needs a fair bit of pushing to get it to go fast.
Buy a good diesel Range Rover classic and you will be happy.
One of the things that will probably make you buy the P38 is it looks much more modern.
 
The best all rounder is the 300tdi.
The 200tdi has a lot of problems that were sorted with the introduction of the 300tdi.
The 200tdi is a bit of a soft engine tbh.

The bmw is smooth but but runs ecu and has inherent problems with build quality.
For simple diy maintenance a 300tdi is the best bet.
 
Ive always likes the look of the classic, the P38 does look more modern, but that doesnt really bother me, my other runabout is a transit!

Speaking to a mate who has a Disco and has had loads of Rovers over the years has opened my eyes to more options, as in Disco or V8 in either configuration pref with LPG conversion, I was specifically avoiding an Auto box thinking that it wouldnt be as useful in slippery decents etc, any thoughts?

Another mate of mine just phoned and basically said if I cant afford a recent p38 dont touch one, he has ended up with a (dare I mention it here?) Shogun and is well chuffed, after a nightmare with 2 p38's!
 
Last edited:
I have a 1995 V8 P38, excellent and reliable but should be serviced regularly to avoid recorded problems.
Lack of maintenance is the cause of all known P38 problems.
 
Lngriffo said:
Ive always likes the look of the classic, the P38 does look more modern, but that doesnt really bother me, my other runabout is a transit!

Speaking to a mate who has a Disco and has had loads of Rovers over the years has opened my eyes to more options, as in Disco or V8 in either configuration pref with LPG conversion, I was specifically avoiding an Auto box thinking that it wouldnt be as useful in slippery decents etc, any thoughts?

Another mate of mine just phoned and basically said if I cant afford a recent p38 dont touch one, he has ended up with a (dave I mention it here?) Shogun and is well chuffed, after a nightmare with 2 p38's!
Click to expand...

I think you have sorted that one out then.
I would say if you buy a petrol and run it on LPG it still wont be as cheap to run as a diesel.
 
my missus has her eye on sum p38`s... one thing i have told her is that if she gets one, it will a: be a v8 lump b: be a vogue or post 2001 hse and c: be serviced regularly... bear in mind she currently drives a 54 plate convertable vauxhall but luvs driving my 90, does about 1000 miles a year and adores land rovers... sometimes i count myself real lucky :D
 
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