Dse ?

It's a 4.6hse, 1999, 76k with a full LR service, and 2 previous. I looked at 5 before her, and she was the first immaculate example I saw, so haggled the deal there and then. I fully expect problems, but you're talking to someone here who has been under a 738i beamer (on the side of the A82), a 4.2 jag, a 2000SL merc, and an 88 classic EFI at various times, so what the hell!

The economy doesn't bother me cos I only do around 150 miles per month (although alot more my first month!). The 4.6 in sports mode really is surprisingly quick, and the HSE is pretty fully loaded toys-wise.

Jock

Teddy said:

how easy is it to either install our current mp3 player into it still using the controls on the steering wheel OR installing a multi changer ? would we have to get a proffessional to fit one ?

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See my Thread on my after-market car stereo I installed

I got mine professionally installed with a handsfree blue tooth adapter aswell.

Teddy said:

hiya wills, yup you are right, we originally chose the diesel because of the economy factor..... but when i got in the 4.0 se and felt its awesome power it changed it all for me. It is difficult for a 1st timer like me to decide which one to go for, the other aspect that we have thought about is most of the RR's we have seen have no CD, just standard cassete, ya know that square plastic thing that has this weird tape stuff inside from the roman times...lol
how easy is it to either install our current mp3 player into it still using the controls on the steering wheel OR installing a multi changer ? would we have to get a proffessional to fit one ?
Thanks for your replies guys Oh and yup I have fallen in love with the RR and need to get counselling......lmao

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If you have been looking at a SE then it probably wont have the CD changer. The P38s that ARE equipped with CD facilities all have a CD changer in the boot space on the left hand side. On models with the Harman Kardon sound system you will have a big bass subwoofer above it which is surprisingly pretty good! If you get a P38 with the Harmon Kardon sound system you will probably not feel the need to upgrade the sound system as its already pretty loud and produces a good sound.

If you do want to upgrade the stereo system it can be difficult as the models WITH the HK setup all have amplifiers in the doors and not in the radio so it can be difficult without alot of rewiring to upgrade, not only that it would be expensive if you wanted it professionally done. As for keeping the existing steering wheel controls, on that one I have no idea, if you did want to upgrade and keep the steering controls it mabe best to ask over at rangerovers.net and see what the guys over there have done, I do know its not a simple job though.

yup I'm not to bothered if the 4.0 se gets sold, we are just impressed that the millage of it was very low, one old lady owner, FSH, totally immaculate inside and out

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hmm, if its low mileage then be careful, you really want a higher mileage P38 but not too high. You really want something where most of the big problems have already come and gone such as replacing worn and old EAS air springs, maybe a new EAS compressor, bushes things like that that are a pain and maybe dont add upto much on their own but if they all start going wrong one after the other then it can get expensive.

Just keep your eyes open

-Wills

afternoon guys well on deciding to go with a DSE we went to visit a nice P reg with twin exhaust, body work was good, inside was very nice indeed, and some really thick tyres, real proper thick jobies, only bad bit on body was at the bottom of the boot all the way along paint bubbles and showing some metal underneath, That wont stop me buying as I am sure i can use a good touch up paint and give it a real proper going over.
Wont be able to test drive untill 11 am tomorrow morning as we got there just when they were closing up.
fingers crossed its got no faults. I do have a question however, Why has it got two exhausts ? when the other DSE's we saw had one .:S
It had a big range rover soft crash bar at the front, gave it that kind of monster truck feel, trekking feel if that makes any sense, two big fog lamps attatched to it too. At least if i hit anything the car will be ok lol

Ted

Let us know how you get on, my only concern is that I hope you don’t regret buying a 4.0 SE petrol instead.

But I totally understand why you want a DSE for economy reasons.

Of course you could always buy a petrol and convert it to LPG which of course gives even better economy over the DSE.

Decisions decisions!


I like playing devils advocate! (being a git!)

awww aww stop it stop it......lol reason why i have decided to go for the DSE was that someone told me today that as a first time buyer of an RR that if I bought a petrol variant thers a chance that I could have a problem with what was described to me as a slipped liner, something to do with the bottom part of the engine and told that if I am unlucky enough to get a badden and that happens then it could be costly, I like the thought of having a good reliable engine. why the twin exhaust tho Adam ? is it a different type of engine in the later DSE's ?

Teddy said:

why the twin exhaust tho Adam ? is it a different type of engine in the later DSE's ?

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Well its not a standard exhaust if its a twin. My P38 like every model has only a single.

So why has someone added a sports/performance exhaust system then? The thought that came to mind was is the seller a speed freak? Have they thrashed the car a bit? When owners put sports exhausts on its usually a sign of a younger owner or someone that has lead feet.

Its something to think about when you go and take a look. Ask them when it was fitted and why?

Check under the bonnet and see if there is any oil on the underneath of the bonnet which is tell tale sign of the engine blowing. Check the engine and engine bay for oil signs too.

Teddy said:

awww aww stop it stop it......lol reason why i have decided to go for the DSE was that someone told me today that as a first time buyer of an RR that if I bought a petrol variant thers a chance that I could have a problem with what was described to me as a slipped liner, something to do with the bottom part of the engine and told that if I am unlucky enough to get a badden and that happens then it could be costly, I like the thought of having a good reliable engine. why the twin exhaust tho Adam ? is it a different type of engine in the later DSE's ?

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All the DSE's have the same engine. However in 1999 (i think thats the correct year) something called EGR was added - you really want to get one without it as I think most people try and get rid of it anyway as it restricts engine performance.

As for the exhausts - im not really sure of the technical reason as to why later models had two, maybe to allow more power but basically its models before 1996 (again, I think, i cant remember the exact dates) that had one exhaust. My 98 DSE has two exhausts.

Lastly, the soft nudge bars at the front are a real lifesaver, if you ever run into anything like a car (at lowish speed) they will save you from damamging the front of the vehicle. I originally never had them on mine but then had them added not long after getting it and they have saved me many times from fences, gates, trellis, my dads bumper and a wall (im not rubbish at driving - HONEST ). I would def. keep those on should you go for that particular vehicle.

-Wills

adamforeman said:

Well its not a standard exhaust if its a twin. My P38 like every model has only a single.

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not true - from late 96 (i will have to go and look it up) they were all given twin exhausts.

-Wills

EDIT: Just looked it up, RAVE gives it as MY97 (1997) vehicles onwards that have twin exhaust.

wills said:

not true - from late 96 (i will have to go and look it up) they were all given twin exhausts.

-Wills

EDIT: Just looked it up, RAVE gives it as MY97 (1997) vehicles onwards that have twin exhaust.

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Then I bow in your DSE knowledge! I didnt realise DSE's came with twins...well you learn something new everyday!

adamforeman said:

Then I bow in your DSE knowledge! I didnt realise DSE's came with twins...well you learn something new everyday!

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The petrol versions do as well Its just things you pick up on after reading the workshop manaul when replacing rear sections of the exhaust, lol. That and having a complete love of P38's

-Wills

phewww i thought I'd started something then if there isnt any faults with this vehicle its the one I am going to buy My first rangieee

Talking of twin exhaust models, its important to realise how much more they cost to replace when they go.

According to a quick scout about, a twin DSE costs £280 for the rear box and twin tail pipes as opposed to £65 for a single.

blimey !! 280 quid, does having a twin exhaust mean that the car would be a bit more powerful ?

Ted

Teddy said:

blimey !! 280 quid, does having a twin exhaust mean that the car would be a bit more powerful ?

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With a 2.5 diesel engine, every bit of power is useful and certainly a twin exhaust does that.

On a RR, the exhaust system is very expensive. Unfortunately, a twin system costs more than three times for the rear box section and that doesnt count the labour costs.

Something to consider as your bound to replace it at some point in the future.

hiya guys. well we went to test drive the dse with twin exhaust this morning,
the suspension didnt work properly and the book came up on the bottom right hand corner, drove nice but when we switched engine off and restart it came up engine disabled.... weird..

Run like the wind!

Sounds like the Air con needs attention, the RF receiver is also the dodgy one and if it doesnt go up and down properly god knows what is about to go.

RUN! and don't look back!

ahhhh yup we ran.. the car seemed so high up that i knew there was a problem with the suspension. Shame really coz it looked a nice motor
The built in cassette radios on the RR's I would imagine it would be pretty easy just to take out and put my own one in? Any ideas ?

Teddy

Morning, I have a chipped DSE that you are welcome to have a drive of to see if it is what you are after. I commute 700+ miles per week to work from Liverpool to Leeds up the dreaded M62, and the car performs faultlessly returning 38mpg!!!!! I looked into a gassed petrol, but opted for the oil burner, and in my opinion made the right choice. Please feel free to contact me if you are local and you can have a play.

Teddy said:

The built in cassette radios on the RR's I would imagine it would be pretty easy just to take out and put my own one in? Any ideas

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Ted,

The problem with RR's is that the wiring at the back isn’t standard or wasn’t at the time the P38 came out. So when you pull out your existing unit you will see wires everywhere. So you need to wire up the old wires to a DIN which in turn slots straight into your new car stereo.

Personally I paid £70 for mine to be installed professionally which included the installation of my Bluetooth adapter and microphone which sits in the centre canopy where the lights are situated. Which means pulling out the linings etc which is a PIG! to do....and certainly should be considered by a novice.

The reason I chose to replace my original Clarion was many:-

1. Cassette players are old tech and I don’t have a cassette recorder or tapes.
2. CD changer was removed before I purchased the car…GIT!
3. LCD display has gone and CODE can’t be input any longer
4. I wanted an MP3/WMA AAC player.
5. Car stereos today that cost £150-300 are the same quality as 10 years ago that cost £1000’s

That’s why I chose the Pioneer DEH-P6800MP Head Unit. If you look on eBay you can pick this up for about £150 delivered (this unit goes for £300 at Halfords). It sounds so good and clean and has the same output power wise as the Clarion so your not going to lose out on quality. I personally think its as good if not better than the Clarion.

It's also good whilst your at it, to add a BlueTooth adapter to the IP BUS connector as I've done too. With the new mobile phone laws coming into practice sticking the BT adapter behind the car stereo out of sight making the console look sweet and tidy its a must. Once you have had a BlueTooth hands free mobile phone system in your car, you won't look back. It’s very professional and is a very sexy bit of kit. No need for cradles or a third rate quality car kit from your local mobile phone shop.

I bought the Pioneer CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Mobile phone adapter which is about £130 on eBay. Comes with all the leads and microphone. If you have it professionally installed this can be installed on the drivers side or as with mine in the middle roof lining where the lights are so both passenger and driver can use it.

Other people on here have put car kits in then a BlueTooth kit then connect that up to the Clarion.....ZZzzzzz....

My advice is to simplify! The above system does just that and with quality reducing the number of components needed and using the correct cables and connectors which must mean better overall sound quality by the nature of purity.

Here's a picture of my car stereo in situ.