do I, dont I? p38 to l32

2.0_hippo said:

Mercedes are rust buckets !

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1995 to 2006ish Mercs are awful - apparently they turned a corner 2008ish onwards.

StuckAgainSteve said:

1995 to 2006ish Mercs are awful - apparently they turned a corner 2008ish onwards.

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That's when they sorted the steering

I've had a string of Landrovers and also a number of so called reliable cars from manufacturers that can't be mentioned here. I've used them all for daily driving about 12k miles per year..and boat towing and launching off slipways, beaches, mud etc. Given the ease of working on them, cost of running, comfort, performance etc etc, I'd say that my L322 TD6 (2003) has been and is still the best 4x4 I've ever had. Its had new sus bags and turbo (just before i bought it) and gearbox etc...but in truth the big Toymotas i've had were no more reliable - but a lot more expensive to fix! .... Well...ok...toymota gearboxes don't seem to "wear out" but heads, big ends, suspension, electrics, corrosion etc...all expensive issues...

A well looked after and regulary used L322 was the route i took and I'm glad i made the choice. I was tempted with a low mile'er but went instead for full history and plenty of miles - i.e its been used and early generation parts have failed and been replaced. Had it for over 3 years and very happy...just had to put a new gbox in...seems ok £1400 later..... £300 less than a head for a toymota v8....and I had to replace two heads....yikes!!

(As I write this..I suspect and RR has fallen apart on the driveway..hehe...) but seriously...the RR was a carefully considered choice following lots of prior 4x4 ownership woes..and yes...happy!!

cossiedreamer1 said:

Always nice to have an objective and informative view.....

Had my 04 diesel for 6 months ish and love it, we fight for the keys in the morning, some silly niggly fault so price in a diagnostic kit ive had P38s and the L322 is definitly more bang for bucks

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Totally objective, I find them uncomfortable, over complicated und full of suspension and electronic problems, not to mention water leaks.

rangelander said:

I've had a string of Landrovers and also a number of so called reliable cars from manufacturers that can't be mentioned here. I've used them all for daily driving about 12k miles per year..and boat towing and launching off slipways, beaches, mud etc. Given the ease of working on them, cost of running, comfort, performance etc etc, I'd say that my L322 TD6 (2003) has been and is still the best 4x4 I've ever had. Its had new sus bags and turbo (just before i bought it) and gearbox etc...but in truth the big Toymotas i've had were no more reliable - but a lot more expensive to fix! .... Well...ok...toymota gearboxes don't seem to "wear out" but heads, big ends, suspension, electrics, corrosion etc...all expensive issues...

A well looked after and regulary used L322 was the route i took and I'm glad i made the choice. I was tempted with a low mile'er but went instead for full history and plenty of miles - i.e its been used and early generation parts have failed and been replaced. Had it for over 3 years and very happy...just had to put a new gbox in...seems ok £1400 later..... £300 less than a head for a toymota v8....and I had to replace two heads....yikes!!

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I know what you mean about reputations, my Pal is on his 2nd or 3rd (lost count now) head on his FSH owned from new Landcruiser. My "unreliable" Jags were practically faultless over combined hundreds of thousands of miles. And my current P38 has been very reliable.

Yup - so so true!! The one big final killer reason I went back to Landy was simply because the knowledge about them - how to fix them etc is so so good. The forums and indys are si used to the motors!!! Now - if a vw Toerag goes wrong (was my alternative to the RR) then even the stealers shyed away when it came to asking about techie issues.....yup - despite obvious faults, its Landy all the way for me!

StuckAgainSteve said:

As much as I love buying British I can't bring myself to buy a L322, maybe I'll have a day of madness - but why buy a car which I know I'll have to replace the gearbox, that it might rust and I'll have a myriad of problems? I feels dirty for saying it but I'm seriously considering a latish Mercedes ML320 cdi - much better engine - more reliable (given Mercedes lately that's saying something!) a transmission that's up to the job and they are far better value. :behindsofa:

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dont buy a ML. I do work at a merc dealership and honestly they are just as bad. Suspension probs, waterl leaks, gearbox etc etc

gazzab79 said:

dont buy a ML. I do work at a merc dealership and honestly they are just as bad. Suspension probs, waterl leaks, gearbox etc etc

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Thanks for the info - I wouldn't touch an older ML they're worse than Range Rovers! I thought quality had improved - obviously not!

StuckAgainSteve said:

Thanks for the info - I wouldn't touch an older ML they're worse than Range Rovers! I thought quality had improved - obviously not!

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see, Our RR's aren't as bad as we think

What's the price difference between a spot-on sorted late model P38 and an ok L322 then?

an mint '02 p38 against an '02 L322 is probably 11/2 -2k cheaper. At least they were when i got mine.

martynv8 said:

an mint '02 p38 against an '02 L322 is probably 11/2 -2k cheaper. At least they were when i got mine.

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I wonder why that is ?

I would guess due to the fact most folks want a 'newer' looking model, hence a same year L322 will be a little more expensive.
Give me an '02 P38 any day

I'm surprised they only differ that much - I'd expect an L322 to cost much more.

fx4 springs to mind :bolt:

Wil disappeared a bit quick - did somebody call a taxi?


You may be surprised that some people actually like the p38 - it's by far my favourite Range Rover to look at - followed by the three door classic. My brother said exactly the same thing unprompted!

StuckAgainSteve said:

I'm surprised they only differ that much - I'd expect an L322 to cost much more.

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Perhaps the L322 is so cheap as it already has a bad reputation

StuckAgainSteve said:

You may be surprised that some people actually like the p38 - it's by far my favourite Range Rover to look at - followed by the three door classic. My brother said exactly the same thing unprompted!

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Absolutely!
I get plenty of interest / comments on mine. Couldn't see that happening in an L322.

martynv8 said:

Absolutely!
I get plenty of interest / comments on mine. Couldn't see that happening in an L322.

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:hysterically_laughi:hysterically_laughi nearly choked on my tea again

Apart from being a well sorted car (2000 on) image-wise the P38 is now old enough to be seen as a deliberate enthusiast buy rather than the L322 which, since the newer models, looks like an out of date posh car.

Anyway must dash............. :behindsofa: